Nestled on the Adriatic Sea and shaped by Italian, Austrian, and Slavic influences, Trieste is one of Italy’s most unique food destinations. This Foodie’s Guide to Trieste will take you through its rich coffee culture, seafood traditions, and hearty Central European dishes. With this Foodie’s Guide to Trieste, you’ll know exactly what to eat, where to eat it, and how to enjoy a one-day foodie itinerary in the city.
Must-Try Specialties in Trieste
- Jota – A rustic soup made with sauerkraut, beans, potatoes, and pork.
- Goulash – A Hungarian-inspired stew beloved in Trieste.
- Prosciutto di San Daniele – Local cured ham from Friuli, often served with cheese.
- Fresh Adriatic Seafood – Especially sardoni (anchovies), cuttlefish, and scampi.
- Coffee – Trieste is Italy’s coffee capital, home to Illy and historic cafés.
Best Restaurants & Trattorie in Trieste with our Foodie’s Guide to Trieste
1. Buffet da Pepi
Historic spot serving boiled meats, sausages, and sauerkraut — a true taste of Trieste’s Mitteleuropean heritage.
🔗 Website
2. Antica Trattoria Suban
Traditional trattoria offering Jota, goulash, and other Triestine specialties since 1865.
🔗 Website
3. Al Bagatto
Elegant seafood restaurant near the port, perfect for Adriatic fish dishes.
🔗 Website
4. Trattoria Nerodiseppia
Cozy, family-run place specializing in fresh seafood with a modern twist.
🔗 Instagram
5. Pasticceria La Bomboniera
A historic pastry shop with Austro-Hungarian roots, serving strudel, Sacher torte, and butter cookies.
🔗 Tripadvisor
Best Coffee Culture in Trieste with our Foodie’s Guide to Trieste
Trieste is Italy’s coffee capital, with a unique coffee language:
- Nero = espresso
- Capo in B = cappuccino in a glass
- Goccia = espresso with a drop of milk
Must-Visit Cafés:
- Caffè San Marco (literary café since 1914) 🔗 Website
- Caffè degli Specchi (historic café on Piazza Unità d’Italia) 🔗 Website
- Illy Caffè (flagship store of the famous Triestine coffee brand) 🔗 Website
Food Markets & Street Food in our Foodie’s Guide to Trieste
- Mercato Coperto di Trieste – Indoor market with fresh seafood, vegetables, cheese, and charcuterie.
🔗 Market Info - Street Food – Try sardoni impanati (breaded anchovies), panini with San Daniele prosciutto, and cevapcici (grilled Balkan sausages).
One-Day Foodie Itinerary in Trieste
- Morning – Start with a capo in B at Caffè San Marco or Caffè degli Specchi.
- Late Morning – Visit Mercato Coperto to browse local foods and taste samples.
- Lunch – Head to Buffet da Pepi for boiled meats and sauerkraut or try seafood at Nerodiseppia.
- Afternoon – Stroll Piazza Unità d’Italia and the seafront, then enjoy coffee at Illy’s flagship café.
- Early Evening – Aperitivo with local wines and cured ham at Antica Trattoria Suban.
- Dinner & Dessert – Dine at Al Bagatto for fine seafood, then end with Sacher torte or strudel at La Bomboniera.
Conclusion
Trieste is a crossroads of flavors — where Italian seafood meets Austro-Hungarian pastries and Balkan-inspired comfort food. With this Foodie’s Guide to Trieste, you can enjoy the city’s most authentic dishes, from jota and goulash to fresh sardoni and world-class coffee.
Whether sipping espresso in a historic café, tasting seafood by the port, or enjoying prosciutto with Friulian wine, Trieste offers a culinary journey like no other in Italy.
