This tourist trap has been ripping-off willing visitors since 1720 like many St Mark’s Square cafes. I came to somewhere similar in 1994 and got fleeced then, but it’s what you do in Venice, innit?
So we were greeted by obsequious waiters who showed us to a table in one corner. We were flanked by some posey Italians in puffer jackets (obv) that had forgotten to take off their shades (obv again), Chinese tourists (obv No.3) and a few random brown-skinned women from somewhere godforsaken.
We ordered just a coffee from the begloved, white-suited waiter. Annoying Muzak played (presumably to get rid of the punters ASAP) as we took in the fresco-style decor. Everything was ornate including the ceilings and the furniture looked authentic (and fairly uncomfortable) but some of the wooden tables looked like they have been chucked out of an East End pub.
Like the prices, the stairs were steep and there was no accessible toilets. The disabled toilet was upstairs! The waiters, pretending to be genuinely concerned, apologised to an American lady with mobility issues. I’m not sure how people with wheelchairs get up the stairs unless they have some rope and pulley system or Superman is passing by and willing to help out?
We supped our mediocre pocket-emptying coffee and chatted to a couple of Brits. I posed them this question: Would you rather work on a Strawberry farm unpaid for a month or visit Caffe Florian again? I think I know the answer.
Verdict: 2.5 / 5
Good: Interesting interior. Service.
Bad: Rip-off. Shabby. Poor coffee. Accessibility.
Isn’t it all just a big con? And if you hate water…
LikeLike
Why did you go there then?
LikeLike
VENICE IS LOVELY BUT ST MARK’S SQUARE YOU NEED DEEP POCKETS LOL
LikeLike
Dont’ do it!!!!! ££££££££
LikeLike
rip off rip off crap rip off 🙂
LikeLike
I would love to be there now! xxx
LikeLike
Well it looks amazing on the picture? Are you being fussy Dave?
LikeLike
Love the review but would still like to go one day with the gf. Not gluten free I mean my girlfriend by the way HAHA. No, she is a bit crusty HHAHAHAHAAA!
LikeLike
Coronatastic now so the joke is on them!
LikeLike
God I could do with a holiday now. OK, not to Italy right now lol
LikeLike
Spaghetti eaters!
LikeLike
Jesus sounds like a con 🙂
LikeLike
Lovely city but we careful with those Liras erm Euros lol :)))
LikeLike
Horrible snob place
LikeLike
Italy great. Venice too but here? Been in the past and it’s a tourist trap I’m afraid but you already know that.
Good luck with the writing!
LikeLike
Went in for a minute but saw the prices and the japs with their cameras and gave up.
Seems like we had a lucky escape !!!
LikeLike
Will visit here one day just to see if you are right! 🙂 xxx
LikeLike
i see you like this place from what i understand hahahah love and peace enrico
LikeLike
cost u big euros to go mate so dont bother like me go to shops and sit for free by the water save loads mate
LikeLike
Sounds like a con to me – best going to the non-touristy places there?
LikeLike
Love the square but easy to spend a lot.
LikeLike
24 carot con like most places on the square and HV tourist traps around the world conning rich or gullable out of the dosh – people go to a mountain or lake instead!
LikeLike
Lovely though you are right about the furniture
LikeLike
lovely city not so nice prices and this falls straight into the tourist trap category sadly
LikeLike
Overpriced but you gotta do these things in Venezia!!!!!
LikeLike
Vivo a Venezia e la adoro, ma questo non è il miglior rapporto qualità-prezzo. Stai lontano dalla piazza se vuoi che i tuoi soldi vadano oltre. Amo Steph x
LikeLike
Spagetti eaters on the rob, let’s all go to the pub!
LikeLike
A great city but they like to fleece you!
LikeLike
Money and fool = soon parted!
LikeLike
Rip-off – don’t bother! Go inland for better value peeps :))xx
LikeLike
It’s great but not at that price John.
LikeLike