Where to eat and drink:

Alla Bella Trieste | Via Massimo D'Azeglio, 19

A wonderful osteria serving typical Triestinian dishes and great wine. Our top recommendation of where to have a sit-down meal in town. Reservation recommended.

Buffet Birreria da Rudy | Via Valdirivo, 32

A trattoria serving Triestinian dishes drawing from the city’s past as the port of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Big meats and big beers. Reservation recommended.

Buffet Clai | Via Ugo Foscolo, 4

Trieste has dozens of “buffets” – which just means “casual bites” (not “all you can eat”). Think Italian tapas. Of these, Buffet Clai is our favorite. Order at the counter and then stand wherever (inside or out on the sidewalk) to eat and drink. We recommend having a glass of Friulano — the best white wine in the world!

Angelina | Via Luigi Cadorna, 14

Wonderful seafood in a typical trattoria setting. Reservation recommended.

Pasticceria la Bomboniera | Via Trenta Ottobre, 3

A century-old chocolate and candy shop. You can sit outside for service al tavalo or order al banco inside for a quick treat. Griffin’s order is “una nocciola e una piccola cioccolata calda” — give it a try.

Marinato Trieste | Riva Nazario Sauro, 4

Not a pizzeria, but they have some of the best pizza in town — and they their own gluten-free dough.

Gelato Marco | Via Malcanton, 16

Most Triestini will tell you that this is the best gelateria in town.

Urbanis | Piazza della Borsa, 15

Valeria’s favorite bar for aperitivo. Right in the center of town. Any drink ordered will come with a few small bites.

Pier the Roof | Molo Venezia, 1

Pretty good seafood, but mostly a great place to sit for a drink while enjoying the marina. Try to sit upstairs if you can.

Caffè San Marco | Via Cesare Battisti, 18

A beautiful century-old caffè, order a “Cappo in B” for an authentic Trieste coffee.

Caffè James Joyce | Via Roma, 18

A mid-century caffè named after the fames writer who spent much of his life in Trieste. Great for coffee and a drink, and very English-friendly.

Caffè degli Specchi | Piazza Unità d’Italia, 7

The most beautiful bar in town with seats right on Piazza Unità. In a typical Viennese style it offers all sort of great pastries, coffees and even lunch bites.

Areas to explore (from nearest to farthest):

Piazza Unità → Piazza della Borsa → Piazza del Ponte Rosso

The best way to get introduced to Trieste is by taking a short walk through three magnificent piazze. Start at the center of town in Piazza Unità. This is the world’s largest seaside plaza, and celebrates the unification of Italy. On a super clear day, you can see the alps from across the Adriatic. You will also be able to spot our reception venue — the Castello di Duino — a yellowish building on the cliffsides in the distance.

From Piazza Unità, walk to Piazza della Borsa. (You will pass Urbabis, the bar where we will be having a few aperitivo.) The Piazza is in front of the old stock exchange (the borsa), features a fountain of Poseidon, and you are bound to notice the political message displayed across shop windows over the piazza.

From Piazza della Borsa, walk to Piazza del Ponte Rosso. There, you can enjoy a view of the canal and of Chiesa Sant’Antonio Taumaturgo, where we are getting married. Stop for a drink at Caffè James Joyce or for a treat at Pasticceria la Bomboniera, then head to Libreria Umberto Saba (a bookstore owned by Trieste’s most famous poet) nearby.

Via Cavana

The main walking street through the old center of Trieste. Lined with bars, restaurants, and small grocers — Via Cavana is a great place to have a drink or a bite to eat. This will be one of the easier parts of town with English. Roman ruins are nearby, as well as a walk up to Trieste’s oldest church, the magnificent Byzantine San Giusto.

“Il Viale”

Il viale (technically “Viale Venti Settembre” — no wonder its just called “il Viale”) is the best street to experience Trieste away from most tourists. Start at Fontana del Giano Bifronte then walk up until you reach the Politeama Rossetti. Turn left, then have a walk through the lovely Giardino Pubblico Muzio de Tommasini. There are plenty of caffès for a drink along the way.

Barcola

Start at the Fontana di Barcola and walk along the Adriatic until you reach the magnificent Castello di Miramare. (This was the castle of Maximillian, who was made Emperor of Mexico and whose overthrowal is celebrated as Cinco de Mayo.) Barcola will be packed this time of year but, if you aren’t looking for parking, it should make for a great walk with plenty to see (and plenty to drink) along the way.

Piccola Parigi

The Zecchini family’s neighborhood, “Piccola Parigi,” is the best neighborhood in Trieste to get lost in. A bit far from the center of town, but worth going if you’re up for a decent walk. Piccola Parigi — little Paris — is one of the older residential neighborhoods of Trieste, reminding visitors of the famous Montmarte neighborhood in Paris. This time of year the neighborhood is a labyrinth of small houses and villas, terraced gardens and alleyways. Nearby the Parco San Giovanni is a beautiful campus of rose gardens and university buildings, all in what used to be the world’s first progressive mental health hospital.