Italians are quite serious about their coffee culture, and Verona is one of the cities where it first took root. Traditional Italian cafés are places where you stop in and have a little chat, grab a pick-me-up and eat standing at the counter. So if you’re visiting, make sure to participate in the ritual of a classic Italian breakfast: a frothy cappuccino and a warm, freshly baked croissant. Here’s our guide to the best spots in the city to indulge your coffee craving.
Pasticceria Barini
Bakery, Cafe, Pastry Shop, Italian, Pastries, $$$
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This little bakery is the genuine article, with a display stuffed lovingly with sugar-dusted cream puffs, chocolaty cakes and gleaming fruit tarts. It’s full of locals in the morning, who eat lined up at the counter elbow-to-elbow. A place to stop in for a sweet, indulgent pick-me-up.
Four generations of the Bianconi family have run this absolutely gorgeous café next to the Ponte Novo since 1928. The current owners, Pier Stefano and Benedetta, are passionate about delicious food, good wine, and hospitality. Caffe Carducci serves up excellent baked goods in the morning, and a well-curated selection of cheeses and salumi for an evening aperitivo. For those looking to have a substantial meal here, Carducci will not disappoint, with a menu full of traditional Veronese dishes prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients and a lot of care.
In the heart of the beautifully run-down student district, this coffee shop is a go-to for college kids and neighborhood locals when they’re in need of a pick-me-up. The outdoor seating makes it an ideal choice for anyone looking to get a feel for Veronetta.
Here’s a great little café with a friendly vibe, which often hosts lovely concerts with local musicians. You can stop in all day for a good meal, a nibble of something sweet, or a drink and a long chat. Don’t miss the classic Veneto bar snack, the tramezzino, which is two triangles of white bread filled with anything from shrimp to grilled vegetables. It can be a real treat when done right.
In a delightful piazzetta near the Ponte Nuovo, Tosca Café is a great place in the historic center of the city to spend a lazy afternoon watching the world pass by. Prices are very reasonable and the drinks are well-made and served with pride.
Decked out in colorful teapots and speckled counter-tops, this coffee shop has a 60-year history that you’ll feel immediately. Table space is limited, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying their incredible, dense hot chocolates, frothy cappuccinos, and perfect, airy brioches. A favorite of locals and visitors alike, and for good reason.
