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Café Quadri, St. Mark’s Square, Venice
Café Quadri in St. Mark Café Quadri was founded on 28 May 1775 by Giorgio Quadri, a Venetian who lived in Corfu and who, sensing that the Venetian Empire was becoming increasingly unstable, chose to return to Venice.
And, given his background, Giorgio Quadri introduced the fashion for Turkish-style coffee to Venice.
In 1830, the Vivarini brothers completely refurbished the café and also opened dining rooms on the first floor.
Café Quadri, also known as the Café Militaire
During the Austrian occupation of Venice, the Quadri had become the Austrians’ favourite café, and even the Emperor of Austria enjoyed sitting there.
Café Quadri in St. Mark At the same time, its rival, the Café Florian, was hosting patriotic Venetians opposed to the occupying forces.
This is how the Quadri came to be known as the ‘Military Café’.
Moreover, after the Austrian army had left Venice, the Quadri became – this time – the Italian army’s favourite café.
In short, the military really liked the place.
This is, of course, a thing of the past, and you won’t find any more military personnel at the Quadri today than you will at the Florian!
“The Café Quadri, or Café Militaire, situated opposite, beneath the old Procuraties, is frequented in particular by officers and Germans.
In winter, in particular, this clientele gathers in the rooms, where people smoke as if they were in Holland.
The food is very good there, and there is a selection of newspapers in various languages.”
Jules Lecomte – Venice 1844
Les Célébrités du café Quadri
Café Quadri in St. Mark Wagner enjoyed sitting there to listen to his own music played by the Quadri orchestra.
But its chairs have also been graced by Stendhal, Marcel Proust and Henry James, who liked to have lunch there, Lord Byron and even Alexandre Dumas.
Address, opening hours and days of the Café Quadri in Venice
The Café Quadri is located at 121 St. Mark’s Square, beneath the Procuratie Vecchie.Open daily from 9.30 am to midnight.
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