Caffè Florian, Venice

I have read some of the reviews and was surprised - because my experience with the Florian's was everything but that....Great service, wonderful music, even nice pointing that there is extra charge for the music (which in fact was nice but unnecessary since I did read about the cafe and was aware of the charge for music).... All I can say is that I got exactly what I came there to experience.....and lovers of McDonalds and similar 'quick stops' should search what is to their taste.... Wonderful atmosphere which I am hoping to enjoy again soon... All in all, what a visitor is to do is read menu, find what the music charge is, and just relax and enjoy wonderful service and atmosphere....After all, it's been perfected for almost 290 years!

we ordered one tea and one coffee which came to 12 euros in price. we knew and accepted that as we had seen the cost on the caffe price list. what we did not know was that an added price for the music at a further cost of 16 euros was put on the final bill.we complained to the direttore of the caffe florian franco ottaviani,who refused to reduce the bill.we would recommend tourists to st marks square to drink or eat on the opposite side of the square at the caffe quadri who also have the same style music which we did not have to pay for when we had tea and coffee on the previous day.

Since it was the drawing room of Europe, my son and I decided enjoy the cafe. We ordered expresso and gelato - rather overpriced. The orchestra was amazing and the conductor was gracious with requests, I asked for only one Russian tune and the conductor said for a such a beautiful woman he would play anything- he proceeded to play several other Russian tunes. A wonderful start to our Italian holiday!

Cafe Florian was an amazing experience...too bad the waiter acted like he owned the place. Maybe it was because we were younger and only having espresso, but he sure did have an attitute. However, I must say that the other waiter who actually brought us our order was very nice.

My girlfriend and I had a great time at the Florian. We went late at night for coffee and dessert. The service was excellent and the music was great. It was a bit pricey and the orchestra charge was a surprise, but we had a very romantic night.

We loved the this historic tea room. We stayed 3 nights in Venice in December 2005, and went to the Florian every day. After sightseeing, vaporettos, walking in this wonderful city, we'd seek the warmth of a pot of hot tea and some pastries at the Florian. The "barman", Danielle, was professional and attentive. By the second day he knew what we liked and did little things before we had to ask. The clientelle alone is an attraction. Venetian aristocracy still stop in this very touristed spot on Piazza San Marco for their martinis or espresso. The "te alla lavanda", their own house blend, is superb. My regret was that we never went back in the evenings; I really wanted to try the "Tintoretto" - the Florian's version of a Bellini, made with prosecco and pomegranate juice. A beautiful spot on one of the most stunning squares in Europe.

Caffe Florian is full of rude and nasty waiters who cannot take a simple order, or just resent taking a food order from women. Go to McDs across San Marco Square instead. At least the food and service will be good, the food reasonable prices, and you won't have to sit on worn out chairs and benches beside peeling paint on the walls. It is funny that the negitive reviews - mine and others have been deleted by the powers that be.

cafe florian has the good fortune of being situated in the prime spot of the most beautiful drawing rooms of the most romantic city in the world. I'm sure that attracts thousands of tourists to fill its cramped seats and tables, but for an unsuspecting tourist like myself, looking for a quick 1 euro espresso to warm me up before progressing to the san rocco, it certainly woke me up. I wouldn't have minded so much if it were not for the incredibly arrogant waiters, who were herding the japanese and american flocks through as quickly and as efficiently as possible. I was presented with my bill without me having to even ask for it, barely 5 minutes after being served my decidedly average espresso. What fantastically efficient service. These were all the qualities I came to venice to escape, but sadly found in their most hideous manifestations, even in the depths of winter when you would think the relentless forces of capitalism would have been packed off on their planes back home. Ah well. I just hope part of my 10 euros will go towards the preservation of this city, as a consolation.

We loved the Caffe Florian. We had researched it for our trip to Venice in late April 2004, and it was one of the highlights of our trip. We had rented an apartment in Venice for a couple of weeks and walked to the Piazza San Marco every evening to listen to the wonderfully diverse music played by the Caffe Florian musicians. One afternoon our son treated us to "high tea". The food, service, atmosphere and music were delightful...a scrumptious experience!