Italian coffee culture feels timeless, but it has a clear story — and Venice sits at the start of it. Here is a short history of Italian coffee, from the first coffee houses to the espresso in your cup.
Venice and the First Coffee Houses
Coffee reached Europe through Mediterranean trade, and Venice, a great trading port, was one of the first European cities to embrace it in the 16th and 17th centuries. The first coffee shops in Venice are commonly dated to the middle of the 1600s, and cafes soon became places to meet, talk and do business.
Caffe Florian
Caffe Florian in St Mark’s Square, opened in 1720, is widely regarded as one of the oldest cafes still operating in the world, and shows how deeply coffee was woven into Venetian life.
The Birth of Espresso
The espresso machine was developed in Italy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with Angelo Moriondo in Turin patenting an early steam machine in 1884. Refinements by Luigi Bezzera and Desiderio Pavoni in the early 1900s led to the espresso bar we know today.
Coffee at Merchant of Venice
Our name nods to that heritage, and coffee remains at the heart of what we do — from a morning espresso to an after-dinner cappuccino. Find out how to order coffee like an Italian, and visit us at Granby Street or Loseby Lane for the best coffee in Leicester city centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Espresso was developed in Italy. Angelo Moriondo of Turin patented an early steam coffee machine in 1884, and later refinements created the modern espresso machine.
Coffee arrived through Venetian trade in the 16th century, and the first coffee shops in Venice are commonly dated to the mid-1600s.
Caffe Florian in St Mark’s Square, Venice, opened in 1720, is widely regarded as one of the oldest cafes still operating.
No. All Merchant of Venice restaurants are closed on 25 December. Our Christmas menu runs from 1 December.
A cup of Italian coffee carries a few hundred years of history with it.
