We are about to take you for a tour in Ravenna, a gorgeous city in Northern Italy. The city is full of art and history, and historic cafes as well! Let us be your guide around Ravenna.
Ravenna is not one of the first cities you think about visiting when in Italy, especially if you are travelling from far away. But we are here to change your mind!
First of all: did you know Ravenna has been the Western Roman Empire’s capital, not one but 3 times? Also, you have eight buildings here that are today part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
After all you are in the “Emilia Romagna” region, where history and modernity perfectly blend together, surrounded but the beauty of Italian nature.
Let’s go then and discover some of the most charming cafes in this beautiful city. Once there, you can follow this guide and along the way you’ll have the opportunity to see some of the many beauties of the city.
Caffetteria Roma
A man called Bott Boiller came from Switzerland to Italy, and specifically to Ravenna in early 1877 and founded here the Caffe Roma – Risorgimento. The locals really appreciated the place since its opening. The Café is located in Piazza del Popolo (formerly Piazza Vittorio Emanuele), and was therefore a common stop for tourists visiting the city center.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the name of the place was changed to “Roma Hotel- Restaurant”. At the time the place was nearby the main bank (Banca Commerciale Italiana), whose premises that the Cafè later bought and that today host the bar area.
Caffetteria Roma changed many owners along the way, but locals and tourists alike it never ceased to be loved it.
The last big makeover for the place happened in 2020, when the café turned into a restaurant-café, and it is today managed by Ms Nicoletta Molducci.
Caffetteria Byron
Via Gardini in Ravenna is famous for its amazing colonnade, under which you can find the great Byron Café. As you may guess, the place owes its name to Lord George Byron, who actually lived in loved Ravenna back in the days.
If you would have the chance to visit the café a few decades ago you would have met all kind of artists here. The Cafè Byron in fact was the theater of many great discussions and conversations that, most likely, had a great influence on the political and artistic scene in Italy.
Today the Byron Café is also a chocolate shop where you can also find many vegan delicacies.
Caffetteria Belli
After the big war, the Belli Café was the other main meeting point, together with the Café Roma, in the city. At its opening the place was in Via di Ponte Marino, but it was later moved to Via Arnaldo Guerrini. This café is especially known for being as elegant as a Paris café. Thanks to this it was the place of choice of many people in the artistic environment.
In recent times the place was closed, and the locals really missed that place. They were so happy then, when in 2013 Caffetteria Belli opened again with a renewed garden that attracts even more people than before.
Inside the cafe you will find places where you can rest and read a good book – nobody is going to bother you or ask you to leave!
Caffetteria Cavour and Bar Ramiro
The Caffetteria Belli, from the previous paragraph is managed by Mr Lodovico Miotto and Mr Francesco Polo. Those two gentlemen are also in charge of Caffetteria Cavour and Bar Ramiro. Those two cafes are located in the city center (respectively in Via Camillo Benso di Cavour and Piazza Caduti). The area in which they have been founded is rich of art and history, making it the perfect spot to wonder around and learn about Ravenna.
