Review: Grancaffè Quadri

Okay, you’ve just walked in. First impressions?Quadri is one of the classics of piazza San Marco, a remarkable historic landmark that's been in business since 1775. Now run by the dynamic Alajmo brothers, the venerable café got a revamp in 2018 by French designer Philippe Starck, and has been revitalized without losing any of its 18th-century charm. Prices reflect the star management and location.

Who else was there?There are not people dropping in here for a quick caffeine shot, Quadri hosts mainly out-of-towners with Grand Tour hankerings and generous budgets.

Anything in particular we should be drinking?Quadri has all the standard Italian liquid offerings but more—more recherché, more variations. And with a largely foreign clientele, it’s more attuned to details like lactose intolerance and picky diets. There’s a cocktail menu as long as your arm, with—among other things—extraordinary variations on gin and tonics and martinis.

How about food? What's on offerNot content with the usual breakfast pastries, Quadri has a range of morning menus, ranging from simple (still €31) to complex (€46). At lunch, there’s the café itself or the attached bistro, the latter serving gourmet pizzas, superb pastas, and lighter snacks prepared under the watchful eye of Michelin-starred chef Massimiliano Alajmo.

How about the staff: what did you think?Super-professional and always ready whenever needed, the staff at Quadri are at the same high level as the fare.

Who should go here?If you have someone to impress, a restorative pause on this extraordinary piazza will do the trick. You’ll pay for the privilege, but you knew that when you sat down.