Caffè San Marco

Restaurant · Trieste

Caffè San Marco

Restaurant · Trieste

2

Via Cesare Battisti, 18, 34125 Trieste TS, Italy

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Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null
Caffè San Marco by null

Highlights

Historic coffee house with bookstore, espresso, pastries  

Featured in Conde Nast Traveler
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Via Cesare Battisti, 18, 34125 Trieste TS, Italy Get directions

caffesanmarco.com
@anticocaffesanmarco

€1–10 · Menu

Reserve

Information

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Via Cesare Battisti, 18, 34125 Trieste TS, Italy Get directions

+39 040 203 5357
caffesanmarco.com
@anticocaffesanmarco

€1–10 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Sep 5, 2025

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@travelleisure

Italy's Best-kept Coffee Secret Is This Stunning Port City and Its Timeless Cafes

"At the Antico Caffè San Marco, my first stop after getting off the slow train from Venice, the closest thing to a macchiato was a goccia, an espresso topped with a drop of milk foam. If you want a standard espresso, order a nero — which in other parts of Italy will get you a glass of red wine. Most people ask for a capo in b, which a server told me is like a cappuccino, but with less milk, and served in a bicchiere, or glass, rather than a cup. Mine arrived on a silver tray, along with a small glass of mineral water, the way it might at a Kaffeehaus in Austria. Indeed, with its intricate woodwork, Comedy and Tragedy masks, and patrons quietly examining the day’s broadsheets, the cafe felt more like one in Belle Époque Vienna than modern-day Italy." - Taras Grescoe

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trieste-coffee-culture-italy-8747261
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@cntraveler

Friuli-Venezia Giulia Is an Italy Far Removed from Its Stereotypes

"My next stop is the historic Caffè San Marco, previously a haven to literary giants like James Joyce— who, disillusioned with Dublin, came here and wound up writing the first part of Ulysses—and, at least in my fantasy world, an array of spies. I can see them in their dour, colorless trench coats, taking off their hats at the door, scanning the rooms for hostiles, sitting down for a drink. It’s another grand, handsome place in the Viennese tradition, well preserved but not without its scars. This café has survived many wars but has managed, like Trieste, to reinvent itself while maintaining its identity. It houses an enormous bookstore, and the food—a modernish take on Italian cuisine with a few Austro-Hungarian touches—is much better than I expected."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/friuli-venezia-giulia-is-an-italy-far-removed-from-its-stereotypes
View Postcard for Caffè San Marco

abdelmouiz charef

Google
Such a hidden gem in the heart of the beautiful city of Trieste. An absolute recommendation for every visitor here. The coffee and the cake are amazing, the stuff are welcoming; i changed the order 2 times and the waiter was cool about it. There was just a delay in delivering the my order but it is explainable because there were too many people. 4 stars 🌟 are well deserved Update: being a person who does not consume alcohol i did really appreciate the fact that at each time i ask the waiters either a cake or a product does contain alcohol they were very clear about it and helping me choosing.

Raluca R.

Google
It wasn't too busy when we went there and it was a lovely experience. The staff was a nice and fast and the coffee was delicious. But as a person with a sweet tooth the absolute highlight was their signature cake. But caution, if you don't like desserts that are quite sweet, this may not be for you.

Julia Piasecka

Google
One of the most charming cafes I've ever been too. Absolutely delicious desserts and cakes that I can't wait to eat again. I appreciate the vegan menu. The gorgeous bookstore adds even more attractivnes to this place. Highly recommended!

Christina F

Google
A beautiful and interesting cafe / restaurant/ book shop. 1st visit: We had drinks and lunch. 2nd visit: We had delicious coffee and a pastry. Their wide pastry selection all look yummy. 3rd visit: We had dinner and it was delicious. A definite visit is needed here when visiting Trieste.

angie moran

Google
• Founded on 3 January 1914 • Art Nouveau style - ornate stuccoes, brass lamps, rich woodwork, marble tables, and vintage caféscape. Caffè San Marco is a historic and literary icon in Trieste. • The interior features painted allegories of rivers, coffee leaves, nude medallions, lion-paw iron table legs, and elaborate stuccoed ceilings—still largely original and preserved • In 1915, Austro-Hungarian soldiers attacked and destroyed parts of the café. However, much of the décor survived. • Literary luminaries like Italo Svevo, James Joyce, & Umberto Saba, have been regulars • Recognized as a Historic Café of Italy since 2005. • Functions as a café, restaurant, pastry shop, enoteca, bookstore, and cultural venue, & event venue. • Cuisine blends Austrian, Slavic, and Italian traditions. • Drinks include a house-blend of Arabica/Robusta roasted locally, fine Eastern European wines, and a strong coffee tradition central to Trieste’s identity. Visit “The Four Chains Travel” on YouTube to see our full-length Italy travel videos and reviews. (Honest, unsponsored opinions!) Reach out to us to enjoy a discount on your next booking with our Four Chains Travel link.

Polina List

Google
The atmosphere is amazing, the interior design is very unique and beautiful. There is a boon store at the same place. We liked it, but the service was veeeery slooooow, we waited for 20 min to get a menu. Unfortunately there were not many vegetarian options for breakfast in the menu. We tried sandwich and beige and they were not tasty. I would recommend them to improve the menu and to add more breakfast options (especially with no meat/fish).

Ana Paya

Google
Worst experience ever!, after 4 weeks in Italy in different regions where service, food and waitstaff were amazing! Looks beautiful, cosy and inviting with books, cafe and restaurant setting. We arrived at 7pm for the restaurant service, unable to reserve online on the day we were told restaurant fully booked… We sat in a close area and observed the restaurant “fully booked” from 7 until 8.30 with only 2 customers! Wait staff too busy chatting and setting tables focused on anything but clients so we approached the bar to order a drink and were told we would be waited on at the table… 20 min later and Waiter was unable or unwilling to explain the different local wines which they sold so we stuck to a known Merlot without any recommendation for a full bodied wine… really? STAY AWAY from this place , many lovely places in surrounding streets, possibly more casual but much more welcoming.

Sofia Mavrofidou

Google
Very nice and vintage atmosphere. I enjoyed my coffee ☕️ and dessert 🍨. There is also a bookstore inside which gives a unique vibe . The service is a little bit slow , inside this the place is really worth a visit.
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Mike D.

Yelp
Service was wretched--uncharacteristic of Trieste. First waiter was surly, never brought me my caffè. Second waiter literally walked up and just stared at me. Said nothing, just stared. Then he said "Cuosa vuoi??" Like a fool I ordered a second caffè--twenty minutes later it hadn't arrived. I flagged him down: "Signore, un caffè, per favore?" He rolled his eyes. I swear, I was just being a normal, pretty meek customer, nothing weird. These waiters were epically bizarre.
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Russell V.

Yelp
Great old world atmosphere. Plenty of shaded tables outside and inside, where the ceilings are high, making every table feel intimate. No Internet, but it's not that sort of a place. One comes here to read, have a conversation, think, and write.
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Luther B.

Yelp
One of my favorite Cafe's in one of the great capital's of coffee. Whether your prefer a 'Capo in B', 'Deca' or 'Goccia' the coffee is always served proper. When you enter the café it as if time has almost stood still. The décor and furnishings are from a past time and I believe the interior structure still holds true to it's creation over 100 years past. The ornate wood boarder merges the high arching ceilings with the tall 'portrait' touched walls. You see the elderly of Trieste sitting sipping an 'Nero' for what could be an eternity while causally reading their beloved 'Il Piccolo'. While they offer some light fare I've never actually eaten much there beyond a sweet with a coffee as I believe that is how the experience is truly intended to be savored. While it may not suit the jet setting hustle and bustle of excitement starved youth, places like San Marco offer a delicious refresh to a time lost and forgotten. It suits Trieste just right allowing one to sip an espresso just to savor a pause and reflect before hustling back to running river of life. Definitely worth a stop midday during the week if you enjoy calm café life.
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Corinne L.

Yelp
Oh Italy, how I miss your coffee! Instead I'm back home, drinking this dark water called coffee in the states, daydreaming of Trieste coffee. For me as an American coffee drinker, this was nirvana. Coffee so smooth, rich & flavorful, my tastebuds were delighted & I was disappointed to ever have to leave! ;) Note ... if you order a latte, you will get a glass of milk. American latte is cafe latte. It will come in a tiny espresso cup with a spoon & 1 packet of sugar. No flavors. Please do yourself a favor, stir it & try it without adding the sugar. You'll be impressed at how much there's a natural sweetness to it. Beware - you're going to become a coffee snob when you go back.
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Amy L.

Yelp
-the whole place smells like a wet dog -wayyyyyy too bright -music way too loud -hot chocolate is disgusting +the concept of having a cafe and bookshop together +the high ceilings
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Mauro R.

Yelp
Love this old Cafe'. It's part of Trieste history, the place where forever culture mixed with coffee, chess players with teas. The place for poems reading, books presentation ot simply to relax, have a good coffee or a glass of wine, in this old but still austere cafe' that takes back to the Austro-Hungarian times. This is where writers, politicians or rebels where meeting, chatting, planning, exchainging ideas. The location is easy to reach with bus # 6 and I think also the # 9. A classic of Trieste!
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Twitty O.

Yelp
Ambiente: 5 Stars Location: 5 Stars Drinks: 5 Stars great coffee Service: 5 Stars Great place in Trieste
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Miroslava H.

Yelp
I like the atmosphere there. Cappuccino was great. Must see place when you are there. Try their cappuccino :)