it was established in 1750, and was originally called regina d'ungheria (the queen of hungary) under the austro-hungarian empire. the café has its origins in the popular venice of the 17th century, it became later orso coronato (crowned bear) because of the picturesque sign showing a bear standing on his hind legs with a crown on its head. in 1860, carlo lavena bought the cafè and it has remained in his family ever since.