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Drinking Coffee with James Joyce in Trieste

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!)

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A statue of James Joyce in Trieste

Where to Have Coffee in Trieste

James 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.

 
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Cafe San Marco!

How to Reach Trieste:

 
Trieste is well connected by all major cities of Italy. Although Trieste is at the far eastern corner of Italy, it makes a great base to explore the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia as well as Slovenia and Austria!! Book your tickets with Trenitalia. 
 
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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….!

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73 Comments

  • […] Where to have Coffee in Trieste […]

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  • The Wayfarer
    August 7, 2016 at 11:21 pm

    Oh, 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.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      August 8, 2016 at 8:50 am

      you will love it. He has his mark all around the city.

      Reply
  • Eva
    June 16, 2016 at 5:37 pm

    My 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.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      June 16, 2016 at 5:39 pm

      Wow that’s awesome. He muts be knwing the hidden spots and local places. Lucky you 😉

      Reply
      • Eva
        June 16, 2016 at 5:40 pm

        Yeah, 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.

        Reply
        • Ishita
          June 16, 2016 at 5:46 pm

          Lovely! I hope you can visit it again soon 🙂

          Reply
  • Sheree
    May 27, 2016 at 12:56 pm

    I 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!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      May 27, 2016 at 1:04 pm

      Lucky you. I want to go back again..very Austrian. Especially now that I visited Austria and could relate more.

      Reply
  • customshouse
    January 30, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    thanks again for liking my post, have enjoyed your interesting ideas .

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 30, 2016 at 3:07 pm

      Always welcome 🙂 n thank you!

      Reply
  • hilltopheaven
    January 27, 2016 at 6:02 pm

    An amazing blog! I’m so glad to have found you and to be following you now. Thank you for dropping by my blog 🙂

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 27, 2016 at 6:06 pm

      Thanks so much 🙂 I am so glad you enjoying my blog. I loved hopping onto yours 🙂

      Reply
  • tedstrutz
    January 13, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    Lovely post, beautiful photos and I learned something.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 13, 2016 at 2:36 pm

      Thank you so much 🙂

      Reply
  • Arcane Owl
    January 12, 2016 at 5:18 pm

    Better late than never!
    Wishing you all the best in 2016!

    Arcane owl

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 12, 2016 at 5:28 pm

      Thanks a lot Arcane 🙂 Wish you the same.

      Reply
  • mikyriccia
    January 10, 2016 at 1:48 pm

    Great!! 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☕️☕️☕️

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 10, 2016 at 2:45 pm

      I haven’t been to Lisbon yet 🙂 Would love to visit. Trieste is a unique city. Must visit

      Reply
  • Shikha (whywasteannualleave)
    January 9, 2016 at 5:30 am

    I’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! 😁

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 9, 2016 at 6:20 am

      Oh 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 😉

      Reply
  • sardinia2see
    January 8, 2016 at 6:28 pm

    I 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:)

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    • Ishita
      January 8, 2016 at 7:46 pm

      It really is 😀 you must visit!! I love little things about Italy too like you mentioned.

      Reply
  • dansandman
    January 8, 2016 at 6:04 pm

    Thanks 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.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 8, 2016 at 7:46 pm

      Prego 🙂 I am going to watch it 🙂

      Reply
  • nomadsojourn
    January 7, 2016 at 12:45 pm

    Thanks for dropping by!
    I love coffee too 😊

    Reply
  • MustardSeedBudget.wordpress.com
    January 6, 2016 at 3:41 am

    lucky you! Italy, coffee and James Joyce all in one!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 6, 2016 at 6:42 am

      Thanks so much! I consider myself lucky too

      Reply
  • priyankamahajan26
    January 5, 2016 at 3:41 pm

    Interesting Post.. 🙂

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 5, 2016 at 3:42 pm

      Thanks darling :*

      Reply
  • Shekhar Ruparelia
    January 4, 2016 at 5:23 pm

    A lovely post and some delightful pictures. 🙂

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 5, 2016 at 7:13 am

      Thanks Shekhar 🙂 Knew u’d enjoy it.

      Reply
  • Tanja
    January 4, 2016 at 12:23 am

    Hope you visit Italy and Trieste again in 2016!:)

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 4, 2016 at 9:37 am

      This is the best wish ever, thank you Tanja 🙂

      Reply
      • Tanja
        January 4, 2016 at 2:47 pm

        you’re welcome:)

        Reply
  • Brendan Monroe
    January 3, 2016 at 7:28 pm

    I’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! 🙂

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 4, 2016 at 9:38 am

      😉 Thanks 😀

      Reply
  • timelessitaly
    January 2, 2016 at 5:45 am

    That coffee looks delicious….Trieste does sound dreamy. Happy New Year Ishita…I know you will be back to Trieste:)

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    • Ishita
      January 2, 2016 at 7:29 am

      Happy new year Susan! 🙂 thank you. its really your kind of place..

      Reply
  • Kaitlin Throgmorton
    January 2, 2016 at 4:42 am

    I love getting acquainted with literary history when I travel! I didn’t know Joyce lived in Trieste; maybe I’ll make it there sometime.

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    • Ishita
      January 2, 2016 at 7:30 am

      Thanks Kaitlin. Me too, I literally follow Bookshops where I go 😉 I hope you visit!

      Reply
    • Ishita
      January 2, 2016 at 7:42 am

      Looking forward to that 🙂 I hope so

      Reply
  • Lyn
    January 2, 2016 at 1:12 am

    It is many years since I visited Trieste so it may be time to return. Happy 2016 Ishita with many wonderful travels. Lyn

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    • Ishita
      January 2, 2016 at 7:31 am

      Happy 2016 to you too Lyn..thank you! Hope you can visit it this year 🙂

      Reply
  • Darlene
    January 2, 2016 at 12:49 am

    What a great start to the new year! All the best for 2016!!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 2, 2016 at 7:32 am

      Thank you as always for your encouraging words. Happy 2016, Darlene!

      Reply
  • TravelsWithRae
    January 1, 2016 at 8:36 pm

    Looks 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

    Reply
    • TravelsWithRae
      January 1, 2016 at 8:41 pm

      Oh wait! You already ‘introduced’ Trieste to me…see so many places, so little room in my brain – LOL

      Reply
    • Ishita
      January 1, 2016 at 8:42 pm

      It 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!

      Reply
  • 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.

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    • Ishita
      January 1, 2016 at 6:44 pm

      Are you visiting anytime sooner?? I was hoping you’d know. There is always a next time 🙂

      Reply
      • Manja Mexi Movie
        January 1, 2016 at 8:44 pm

        Oh, sure, I can visit when I wish. Usually I’m just passing by.

        Reply
        • Ishita
          January 1, 2016 at 8:46 pm

          Then you have a long list of things to see 😀 any favorite caffes from Trieste?

          Reply
          • Manja Mexi Movie
            January 1, 2016 at 9:19 pm

            Sadly no. 🙂 Will need to visit it a lot more, I see.

            Reply
  • c_in_b
    January 1, 2016 at 2:34 pm

    Nice 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

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 1, 2016 at 2:56 pm

      Thank you. Il surely have a look..

      Reply
  • Francesca
    January 1, 2016 at 2:21 pm

    I 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.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 1, 2016 at 2:23 pm

      I hope you visit soon then. It’s just the place for literary fanatics such as us 😀

      Reply
    • Luca Marchiori
      December 20, 2017 at 4:39 pm

      There’s a statue of Svevo as well on the other side of the main Piazza.

      Reply
      • Ishita
        December 20, 2017 at 4:42 pm

        I know…I like that tooo

        Reply
  • Coral Waight
    January 1, 2016 at 2:21 pm

    Sounds 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.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 1, 2016 at 2:23 pm

      I travel alone too. Don’t be worried. It l all go smooth.

      Reply
  • Coral Waight
    January 1, 2016 at 2:17 pm

    So interesting. I know virtually nothing about Italy. Your blog is helping me organise a trip sometime in the future.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 1, 2016 at 2:18 pm

      Thank you Coral. I love your comments, so appreciative you are. I hope you can visit soon
      Any plans??

      Reply
  • ravenhawks magazine
    January 1, 2016 at 11:45 am

    Reblogged this on ravenhawks' magazine and commented:
    Bringing in the New Year with coffee and beautiful Italy! Happy New Year!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 1, 2016 at 2:06 pm

      Grazie! Happy new year to you too..thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
  • voguishlychic
    January 1, 2016 at 11:15 am

    Ringing in the New Year with a dose of caffeine
    Happy 2016 from one Coffee lover to another.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      January 1, 2016 at 11:16 am

      Cheers to that, fellow coffee lover 😉 Happy 2016!

      Reply

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