Trieste is a unique Italian city with an unmistakable charm. Since centuries it has attracted writers and thinkers. One of them was the notable Irish writer James Joyce, who along with fellow writers Umberto Saba and Italo Svevo, became part of the city’s literary culture. Coffee in Trieste is a ritual like no other that’s why if you’re looking to know where to have coffee in Trieste, there’s one place you have to go! (Joyce style!)
A statue of James Joyce in Trieste
Where to Have Coffee in Trieste
Where to Have Coffee in TriesteJames Joyce lived in Trieste for more than a decade from 1904 till 1915. He greatly loved and admired the city of Trieste, so much so that the city honors him even today. There are several alleys, B&Bs, hotels, museums and coffee houses named after him. Joyce also wrote several books, not just on Trieste and loved drinking coffee in Antico Cafe San Marco!
Antico Cafe San Marco- the only place you need to go
Although there are endless Bars and Cafes in Trieste, if you want to have coffee in the James Joyce style, visit Antico Cafe San Marco. An old fashioned coffee house, San Marco is the perfect spot for coffee in Trieste!! San Marco is a great Bar in Trieste for reading and people watching. It is also a bookstore with regular readings and book events. Simply ask for the Joyce special coffee! Not only will someone be happy to talk to you about Joyce and his books but also help you with the coffee.
The coffee ranges from €1- 3.5! Other notable places to have coffee in Trieste are- Bar Italia, Caffè degli Specchi and Caffè Pirona.
Cafe San Marco!
How to Reach Trieste:
Did you know the famous coffee brand Illy is from Trieste!!
It was not unusual for me doing a tour of the city with the ghosts of the literary past. I travel in search of literary references wherever I go and Trieste just happened to make it doubly special….!
Book Your Holiday in Italy:
Booking.comFurther Reading:
- 5 Italian Coffee Facts you should know
- Caffè Tramoni – A Milanese Luxury Coffee Brand
- Bar Farnese: Coffee near Campo de Fiori
- Tazza d’Oro: Coffee near The Pantheon
- Where to have Coffee near Termini in Rome
73 Comments
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The Wayfarer
August 7, 2016 at 11:21 pmOh, this is very interesting! I love James Joyce but I didn’t know he lived in Trieste. I’ll have to check it out tomorrow.
Ishita
August 8, 2016 at 8:50 amyou will love it. He has his mark all around the city.
Eva
June 16, 2016 at 5:37 pmMy boyfriend was born in Trieste 🙂 I had the chance to visit the town only once (we met abroad and have lived abroad ever since, so there were not so many occasions) and I loved his hometown! I would like to go back and spend some time there one day.
Ishita
June 16, 2016 at 5:39 pmWow that’s awesome. He muts be knwing the hidden spots and local places. Lucky you 😉
Eva
June 16, 2016 at 5:40 pmYeah, unfortunately we stayed only for a day, as we were driving from Budapest to Torino and Trieste was only a quick stopover. Most of his family lives in Rome, so we visit Rome much more often.
Ishita
June 16, 2016 at 5:46 pmLovely! I hope you can visit it again soon 🙂
Sheree
May 27, 2016 at 12:56 pmI recently visited Trieste and found it had a very Mittel Europe feel to it, an Austrian legacy? But you’re right when you say that its proximity to the sea and mountains gives it a unique feel. Definitely one to visit again!
Ishita
May 27, 2016 at 1:04 pmLucky you. I want to go back again..very Austrian. Especially now that I visited Austria and could relate more.
customshouse
January 30, 2016 at 2:33 pmthanks again for liking my post, have enjoyed your interesting ideas .
Ishita
January 30, 2016 at 3:07 pmAlways welcome 🙂 n thank you!
hilltopheaven
January 27, 2016 at 6:02 pmAn amazing blog! I’m so glad to have found you and to be following you now. Thank you for dropping by my blog 🙂
Ishita
January 27, 2016 at 6:06 pmThanks so much 🙂 I am so glad you enjoying my blog. I loved hopping onto yours 🙂
tedstrutz
January 13, 2016 at 1:19 pmLovely post, beautiful photos and I learned something.
Ishita
January 13, 2016 at 2:36 pmThank you so much 🙂
Arcane Owl
January 12, 2016 at 5:18 pmBetter late than never!
Wishing you all the best in 2016!
Arcane owl
Ishita
January 12, 2016 at 5:28 pmThanks a lot Arcane 🙂 Wish you the same.
Arcane Owl
January 12, 2016 at 5:29 pmYou’re welcome 😉
mikyriccia
January 10, 2016 at 1:48 pmGreat!! never visited Trieste but I have friends there who told me it it soooo beautiful but didn t remember Joyce stayed there!his statue reminded me the Pessoa’s one I saw in Lisbon in front of his fav cafè☕️☕️☕️
Ishita
January 10, 2016 at 2:45 pmI haven’t been to Lisbon yet 🙂 Would love to visit. Trieste is a unique city. Must visit
Shikha (whywasteannualleave)
January 9, 2016 at 5:30 amI’ve never been to Trieste and didn’t know it was such a coffee lover’s hot spot. I stood out like you wouldn’t believe as a non coffee drinker in Italy always ordering green tea! In the end, I just started ordering cappuccino so I’d feel less silly and actually quite liked it! 😁
Ishita
January 9, 2016 at 6:20 amOh it is and known more so because the coffee brand illy is from there. Lol I can’t believe that but good to know you started having it later 😉
sardinia2see
January 8, 2016 at 6:28 pmI didn’t know many things about Trieste, it seems to be an interesting city! Btw cafe tastes really good in Italy. I love going for a breakfast to the caffeteria and eating one brioche with a small cappuccino. If I had more time, it would be the scenario for every my morning:)
Ishita
January 8, 2016 at 7:46 pmIt really is 😀 you must visit!! I love little things about Italy too like you mentioned.
dansandman
January 8, 2016 at 6:04 pmThanks for posting this, I’m a Joyce fan. My mother and I watched ‘A Portrait of the Artist’ (1977) last week on DVD. Very good film.
Ishita
January 8, 2016 at 7:46 pmPrego 🙂 I am going to watch it 🙂
nomadsojourn
January 7, 2016 at 12:45 pmThanks for dropping by!
I love coffee too 😊
Ishita
January 7, 2016 at 1:38 pm🙂
MustardSeedBudget.wordpress.com
January 6, 2016 at 3:41 amlucky you! Italy, coffee and James Joyce all in one!
Ishita
January 6, 2016 at 6:42 amThanks so much! I consider myself lucky too
priyankamahajan26
January 5, 2016 at 3:41 pmInteresting Post.. 🙂
Ishita
January 5, 2016 at 3:42 pmThanks darling :*
Shekhar Ruparelia
January 4, 2016 at 5:23 pmA lovely post and some delightful pictures. 🙂
Ishita
January 5, 2016 at 7:13 amThanks Shekhar 🙂 Knew u’d enjoy it.
Tanja
January 4, 2016 at 12:23 amHope you visit Italy and Trieste again in 2016!:)
Ishita
January 4, 2016 at 9:37 amThis is the best wish ever, thank you Tanja 🙂
Tanja
January 4, 2016 at 2:47 pmyou’re welcome:)
Brendan Monroe
January 3, 2016 at 7:28 pmI’m so envious of all this time you got to spend in Trieste – but incredibly thankful that you did so you can educate the rest of us! 🙂
Ishita
January 4, 2016 at 9:38 am😉 Thanks 😀
timelessitaly
January 2, 2016 at 5:45 amThat coffee looks delicious….Trieste does sound dreamy. Happy New Year Ishita…I know you will be back to Trieste:)
Ishita
January 2, 2016 at 7:29 amHappy new year Susan! 🙂 thank you. its really your kind of place..
Kaitlin Throgmorton
January 2, 2016 at 4:42 amI love getting acquainted with literary history when I travel! I didn’t know Joyce lived in Trieste; maybe I’ll make it there sometime.
Ishita
January 2, 2016 at 7:30 amThanks Kaitlin. Me too, I literally follow Bookshops where I go 😉 I hope you visit!
Ishita
January 2, 2016 at 7:42 amLooking forward to that 🙂 I hope so
Lyn
January 2, 2016 at 1:12 amIt is many years since I visited Trieste so it may be time to return. Happy 2016 Ishita with many wonderful travels. Lyn
Ishita
January 2, 2016 at 7:31 amHappy 2016 to you too Lyn..thank you! Hope you can visit it this year 🙂
Darlene
January 2, 2016 at 12:49 amWhat a great start to the new year! All the best for 2016!!
Ishita
January 2, 2016 at 7:32 amThank you as always for your encouraging words. Happy 2016, Darlene!
TravelsWithRae
January 1, 2016 at 8:36 pmLooks like my kind of place as I sit here sipping my espresso ☺ You have added another town to my growing list of places I want to visit.
Happy New Year Ishita
TravelsWithRae
January 1, 2016 at 8:41 pmOh wait! You already ‘introduced’ Trieste to me…see so many places, so little room in my brain – LOL
Ishita
January 1, 2016 at 8:43 pmLol!!
Ishita
January 1, 2016 at 8:42 pmIt totally is, Rae. Really peaceful sitting at the Piazza. I hope you visit it next year. Oopps I mean this year 🙂 😉 buon Anno once again!
Manja Mexi Movie
January 1, 2016 at 5:58 pm😮 To think of how many times I was there and had no idea about the statue. Thank you very much.
Ishita
January 1, 2016 at 6:44 pmAre you visiting anytime sooner?? I was hoping you’d know. There is always a next time 🙂
Manja Mexi Movie
January 1, 2016 at 8:44 pmOh, sure, I can visit when I wish. Usually I’m just passing by.
Ishita
January 1, 2016 at 8:46 pmThen you have a long list of things to see 😀 any favorite caffes from Trieste?
Manja Mexi Movie
January 1, 2016 at 9:19 pmSadly no. 🙂 Will need to visit it a lot more, I see.
c_in_b
January 1, 2016 at 2:34 pmNice memories of the cafes in Trieste. My wordpress handle and gravatar evolved there: https://misplacedmap.wordpress.com/2014/09/29/c_in_b-version-2/
Have a cup of kindness and cheers for the new year. Rob
Ishita
January 1, 2016 at 2:56 pmThank you. Il surely have a look..
Francesca
January 1, 2016 at 2:21 pmI haven’t been to Trieste but long to go there. And I didn’t know that James Joyce stayed there for so long either. Another writer I admire from Trieste is Italo Svevo, another reason to walk those streets.
Ishita
January 1, 2016 at 2:23 pmI hope you visit soon then. It’s just the place for literary fanatics such as us 😀
Luca Marchiori
December 20, 2017 at 4:39 pmThere’s a statue of Svevo as well on the other side of the main Piazza.
Ishita
December 20, 2017 at 4:42 pmI know…I like that tooo
Coral Waight
January 1, 2016 at 2:21 pmSounds strange but I have to get England out of my system first. I travel alone so am a little worried about not speaking the language.
Ishita
January 1, 2016 at 2:23 pmI travel alone too. Don’t be worried. It l all go smooth.
Coral Waight
January 1, 2016 at 2:17 pmSo interesting. I know virtually nothing about Italy. Your blog is helping me organise a trip sometime in the future.
Ishita
January 1, 2016 at 2:18 pmThank you Coral. I love your comments, so appreciative you are. I hope you can visit soon
Any plans??
ravenhawks magazine
January 1, 2016 at 11:45 amReblogged this on ravenhawks' magazine and commented:
Bringing in the New Year with coffee and beautiful Italy! Happy New Year!
Ishita
January 1, 2016 at 2:06 pmGrazie! Happy new year to you too..thanks for sharing 🙂
voguishlychic
January 1, 2016 at 11:15 amRinging in the New Year with a dose of caffeine
Happy 2016 from one Coffee lover to another.
Ishita
January 1, 2016 at 11:16 amCheers to that, fellow coffee lover 😉 Happy 2016!