Caffè Paradiso Reopens at Venice Biennale Gardens After Lavazza-Funded Restoration

The historic Caffè Paradiso at the entrance of the Giardini della Biennale in Venice has reopened following a restoration funded by Lavazza. The project was led by architect Cino Zucchi in collaboration with designer Elena Salmistraro. The café, now renamed In Paradiso, features a facade of stainless steel frames holding transparent and mirrored glass panels with sandblasted designs, held by leaf-shaped steel elements. The interior bar pays homage to Venetian craftsmanship with diamond-shaped patterns referencing Harlequin's costume, while Salmistraro's graphic solutions derive from decomposing the café's floor plan. The venue includes a café, restaurant, and a terrace overlooking St. Mark's Basin. Lavazza, which has a history of art patronage including projects in New York, St. Petersburg, Turin, Milan, and partnerships with museums like the Guggenheim and Musei Civici, supported the restoration. The café has historically been a meeting place for art world figures, from Rodin and Klimt to Picasso and Warhol, and its revival occurs during the Venice Film Festival and ongoing Architecture Biennale.