27 Local Restaurants in Trieste for Food Lovers (a local’s guide)

Are you a food lover like me, planning a trip to Trieste, my beautiful hometown? Then you’re in for a treat! In this local guide (I personally dined in all these restaurants), I have curated a list of the top trattorias and local restaurants in Trieste, where locals love to eat, that will tantalize your taste buds.

This culinary journey I created for you has something for everyone (only local delicacies, of course), from traditional Italian trattorias to fine dining cuisines (in case you are on a budget or fancy somewhere special for a celebration).

Immerse yourself in the rich flavors of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region as I take you on a gastronomic adventure like no other (after all, Trieste is my hometown, so I know it pretty well). 

Indulge in delicious seafood dishes made with the freshest catch of the day and savor the melt-in-your-mouth pasta prepared with traditional methods passed down through generations. Learn where the locals eat in Trieste!

Each restaurant on my list has been carefully selected based on its exceptional food quality, unique ambiance, and exceptional service (and I dine in all of them, so I can guarantee you that you won’t be disappointed). 

Whether you’re looking for a cozy spot for a romantic dinner or a lively eatery to share a meal with friends, I have you covered. Get ready to explore the hidden gems of Trieste’s culinary scene as I unveil the city’s most beloved dining establishments!

Let me help you plan the best trip to Trieste before embarking on your cruise ship! Trieste is becoming a popular destination in Italy, and its demand is increasing. 

Where to eat in Trieste, Italy?

There are plenty of excellent trattorias and local restaurants. In this list, you will find only restaurants located in the city center because, as a traveler, you might decide to avoid renting a car and explore the city on foot. 

To make your life easier, I compiled this list with food places you can easily reach by having a relaxing walk from your accommodation in Trieste city center or as a stop for lunch during your Trieste sightseeing (plus a couple of restaurants where you will need to catch a bus or a taxi to reach them, but it will be worth it).  

The Best Local Restaurants in Trieste, Italy! 

Budget-friendly options for food lovers

Even if you are traveling on a budget, you can maintain the quality of your dining experience. Trieste offers a range of budget-friendly options for food lovers. 

We call them Trattoria and Hosteria, where to stop for a glass of wine and a little bite or a traditional lunch and dinner without breaking the bank.

1. Buffet Clai

Buffet Clai is one of the few typical Trieste restaurants that continues to respect the tradition of buffets. The staff is very kind, and the dishes are superb, from the creamed cod (Baccala mantecato, which I love; you should try it) to sea bass appetizers. 

The mixed starter always fills me up as much as the other courses; the first courses are massive. The dishes in the buffet window are also delicious, a mix of vegetables, meatballs, and fish, all breaded and deep-fried (we love deep-fried food in Trieste when enjoying a glass of local wine). 

You can also order takeaway and then go to the bankside to enjoy your lunch looking at the sea, as I sometimes do in the summertime, which is one of my favorite things to do in Trieste. I grab some of their buffet food to go and eat it on the famous Molo Audace while enjoying the sunset.

Here, you can stop for a coffee with a slice of freshly baked cake, a glass of wine with a tasty deep-fried meatball (this is one of the typical afternoon breaks for locals or a local Aperitivo), or have lunch in the always crowded small room (remember, when a food place is always crowded with locals, it means the food is delicious). 

Address: Via Ugo Foscolo 4
Opening Time and menu: see here.  

2. Buffet L’Approdo

L’Approdo is another small place where I enjoy eating Trieste typical food, and it is one of the most affordable options in Trieste, perfect to have lunch if you visit Trieste in one day (in case you do, I’ve got a detailed itinerary to visit Trieste in one day for you). Here, you can start by enjoying an aperitivo with a good glass of wine and a tartina (a slice of bread topped with a local ingredient, such as meat or fish), and then proceed to lunch or dinner. 

The food here is delicious, including the famous “piatto misto di Caldia” (a mix of boiled pork meat), potato dumplings with goulash, pasta with oxtail, lasagna, Jota soup, and many, many more local dishes. This is also an excellent place to stop for a sandwich with local ham and a glass of wine (this can be a fast and cheap lunch).

Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly
Address: Viale Carducci 34 
Opening Time and menu: see here. 

3. Trattoria Mara

Trattoria Mara is one of my favorite dinner spots (I know I keep saying it, but I dine at all these places and I like them all, this is how they all ended up inside this Trieste restaurant guide).

At Trattoria Mara, you will find many typical Trieste dishes and something from the rest of the Region. It is one of the most affordable places to eat in Trieste. Potato dumplings with goulash, polenta, local ravioli, soups like Jota, and homemade desserts will teach you much about Trieste’s history.

The owner is a lovely lady who will make you feel like a regular guest, and the Chef, Perla, will make you fall in love with her cuisine so much that you will go back the day after for more of her local dishes. So please sit down, order a bit of everything to share with your partner (as I always do with Lajos), and enjoy Trieste in one of its best ways, through its food. 

Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Address: Via Vittoria Colonna 5.
Opening Time and menu: see here. 

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4. Hostaria G. Strehler

This historic Hostaria offers traditional dishes in a warm and friendly atmosphere. It is one of the best places in Trieste to experience the city through its food. On my last visit to Hostaria G. Strehler, I enjoyed some local cold cuts and polenta with goulash, but they also prepare homemade pasta, risotto, and many other dishes.

Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Address: Via Giorgio Strehler 5/a.
Opening time and menu: see here. 

5. Buffet da Gildo

Buffet da Gildo is one of the most famous Buffets in Trieste. It is the perfect place to eat local food without breaking the bank, so add it to your list of things to do in Trieste.

Here you can find many small bites (or as tourists call them, the local Trieste street food), like the unmissable “crocchette” made with potatoes and vegetables, potatoes and cheese, potatoes and tuna, and many others (these are perfect in case you plan to drink more than usual, they absorb alcohol like sponges). 

They also offer a variety of dishes for lunch and dinner, including pasta, cold cuts, sausages, mixed boiled pork (piatto misto di caldaia, Lajos’ favorite), potato dumplings with different sauces, and much more.

Special diets: Vegetarian-friendly
Address: via Valdirivo 20
Opening Time and menu: see here. 

The best  pizza places in Trieste

A trip to Italy is not complete without eating a delicious pizza, and here are the best Pizzerie (plural of pizzeria – pizza place) to enjoy a delightful Italian-style pizza in Trieste. Learn where to eat the best pizza in Trieste and book your table today!

6. Pizzeria Casa Peperino

Let’s eat some delicious pizza in Trieste at Pizzeria Casa Peperino. They also cook fish and meat, but you won’t be able to resist when you see what’s on the pizza menu (I know I can’t, any time I dine at this place).

To try the Mortadella and Pistacchio DOP pizza, it is one of my absolute favorite ones on their menu. A delicacy you cannot miss tasting so remember to book it when you visit Trieste!

Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Address: Via del Coroneo 19/c
Opening time and menu: see here.

7. Ristorante Pizzeria Bianco

Ristorante Pizzeria Bianco is a Pizza Restaurant where you can enjoy fantastic pizza, but also delicious pasta dishes. I added it to the Pizza section because of its fantastic pizza, which I can never resist.

It would be best if you tried the pizza with salsiccia and friarielli (one of my favorite pizzas on their menu). It’s so good you will return the day after to get more!

Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Address: Via Generale Armando Diaz 2
Opening time and menu: see here.

8. Al Civico 6

Al Civicosei is one of the top pizzerias in Trieste city center and a pizza place where I love to dine with my friends. They also have some meat and fish options, but I highly recommend you try their pizza.

They also won the Pizza Award Italia 2019; what else can I add to convince you to eat their pizza?

Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Address: via del Toro 6
Opening time and menu: see here.

9. Pizzeria La Napa

One of the oldest pizzerias in Trieste opened in 1968; you can’t miss eating their pizza when visiting Trieste. Their last creation is the pizza with a ricotta-filled crust, which is unmissable if you love cheese like me. Me and my friend Ilaria and I tried it last time we dined there, and it was so good, I cannot wait to eat it again!

Book a table at one of the best pizzerias in Trieste.

Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options
Address: Via Antonio Caccia 3
Opening time and menu: see here.

Special diet restaurants

10. Al Melograno

At Al Melograno Restaurants, you can find food for all dietary restrictions, so save it for your trip to Trieste. From gluten-free options to dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan! They have pasta, pizza, fish, and anything else you wish to eat during your stay in Trieste!

I’m currently suffering from SIBO (I’m getting help from a specialist to get rid of it because I love food too much and cannot imagine my life without it), and I went there with a friend of mine who is dairy and gluten intolerant.

We found so many delicious dishes to eat that we now go there every time we have lunch together. We are never bloated at the end of our meal, so it became one of our favorite restaurants to dine in Trieste.

At Al Melograno, you can also purchase some of the local liquors of Trieste, which are, in my opinion, some of the best gifts from Trieste to bring back home.

Address: Via di Cavana 14
Opening time and menu: see here.

The top restaurants for seafood lovers

Trieste’s location on the Adriatic Sea makes it a paradise for seafood lovers. 

11. Trattoria Nero di Seppia

This family-run Trattoria is one of the best restaurants to enjoy the local dishes. Where you will find delicious fish fresh from the sea. You are in a seaside city, so why not enjoy what Trieste offers? 

The menu offers everything, from mixed starters (so you can try more kinds of fish) to delicious first courses (ask your travel mate to share different plates if you want to try more than one dish) and a well-presented and cooked second course. You will be delighted here after lunch or dinner.

If you would love to learn how to cook Trieste’s local dishes, you should attend a Pasta and Tiramisu class in Trieste.

Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Address: Via Luigi Cadorna 23.
Opening time and menu: see here.
Travel tip: book it in advance.

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12. Joia Restaurant & Lounge

The Joia Restaurant is a lovely place where you can enjoy a delicious meal or stop for a drink. It’s a restaurant and lounge bar so that you can choose an aperitivo and a dinner, all paired with an excellent Italian wine. (if you love Italian wine, check out the Prosecco’s Roots & the Karst Region from Trieste).

It offers both meat and fish, but I think you should choose fish. Some of their dishes have also won awards for being among the best in a local competition, so give them a try! It is one of the unmissable restaurants to have a local dinner in Trieste.

Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Address: Riva Tommaso Gulli 4/a
Opening time and menu: see here.

13. Ristorante alla Sorgente

Ristorante alla Sorgente is a renowned restaurant in Trieste where I often dine with my parents. Many well-known Italian actors dined there, thanks to Trieste’s popularity as a perfect setting for many Italian movies and series. Ristorante alla sorgente is one of the places in Trieste where you can eat pasta paired with local wines!

They make many typical Italian fish dishes; I am sure you will love this place. Be very hungry to try as many delicious dishes as possible and enjoy some of the best pasta in Trieste.

This restaurant is conveniently located near Trieste cruise port, making it perfect for lunch before embarking on your cruise.

Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Address: Via della Sorgente 2
Opening time and menu: see here.
Travel tip: Book in advance.

14. Osteria ai Maestri

The Osteria ai Maestri is one of the best places to eat when in Trieste Italy, when you fancy some fresh seafood. Here, you’ll enjoy delicious local seafood that you will dream about once you go back home after visiting Trieste.

From grilled canestrelli to scampi alla busara (pasta with crayfish sauce) and the famous pasta allo scoglio (pasta with a mix of shellfish and crustaceous), you will leave this restaurant fully satisfied,

Special Diets: Gluten-Free Options
Address: Via della Sorgente 6
Opening times and menu: see here.

Visiting Trieste?

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15. Osteria Istriano

Osteria Istriano is a seafood restaurant on the Trieste waterfront. My grandfather’s cousin opened it many years ago; it is a great place to eat local fish dishes. From fritto misto (mixed fried fish) to pasta with stingray, baccala mantecato (cream cod, absolutely worth trying), and many more local Trieste dishes. 

They also offer meat dishes, but I highly recommend trying their fish dishes. I had dinner at the Osteria Istriano last week with my friend Ilaria, and we loved every bite. As you can see from the image above, I had pasta with clams, one of my favorite pasta dishes, and it was excellent.

This is one of the perfect restaurants to dine at, just a short walk from some of the most central hotels in Trieste.

Special Diets: Gluten-Free Options
Address: Riva Grumula 6
Opening time and menu: see here.

16. Da Angelina

Da Angelina is a local fish restaurant where most of Trieste’s local seafood dishes are found. I often dine there with my friends when I visit Trieste, and we all love everything they have on the menu.

I went to eat at Da Angelina last month with my friends, and I ordered their famous “Antipasto Misto Speciale” (see it in the picture above), made with all the best seafood starters you can find in Trieste.

You can’t miss dining at Da Angelina in Trieste if you love fish, it is undoubtedly one of my favorite restaurants to have dinner in Trieste.

Address: Via Luigi Cadorna, 14, 34100 Trieste TS, Italy
Opening Time and menu: see here.

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The top restaurants for meat lovers

Trieste’s locals love a good steak, so there are many restaurants where you can enjoy a freshly made steak tartare, a delicious beef filet, or any other meat you can think of. 

17. Buffet da Pepi

Buffet da Pepi is one of the most famous buffets in Trieste. Here you can find the typical “piatto misto di caldia,” a mix of boiled pork meat with cren (horseradish) and mustard. 

I didn’t add this restaurant to the budget section because sandwiches are cheap, but if you opt for the mixed meat plate to eat in, plus beer and one side, it is not cheap, but it is worth it.

I usually go to Buffet da Pepi for lunch with my father (see picture above), and we always order a ‘piatto misto di caldaia’ with some sauercraut and deep-fried veggies.

Address: Via della Cassa di Risparmio .
Opening time and menu: see here.

Pssst! Fancy a guided walking tour in Trieste? Learn more about this incredible city, meet other travelers, and discover secret gems. Check out these unmissable walking tours:

• Trieste: 2-Hour Private Walking Tour
• Duino Castle and Rilke Path Guided Hike
• 2.5-hour Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide

18. Bracerie Venete

Bracerie Venete is the perfect place to eat meat in Trieste, and one of my husband Lajos’ favorite places to eat meat; you can enjoy meat like the Fassona Piemontese, the Bavarian Pezzata Rossa, the Rubia Gallega, the Charra from Spain, the Golden White from Austria, and Kobe meat from Japan.

They recently added meat from Australia and Africa, which you should absolutely try if you love eating meat.

It is unmissable to try the Alba Truffle and Foie Gras, appetizers based on raw meat, and other specialties, such as the tasty Frog Leg, my father’s favorite.

Special Diets: Gluten-Free Options
Address: Via del Veltro 1.
Opening time and menu: see here.

19. Baracca e Burattini

Baracca e Burattini is a restaurant where you can taste many unique dishes. Here, you can find meat and fish, so everyone will be happy and satisfied. I had only fish when I dined there, and everything I ate was perfect.

They also have the pasta “fusi” that I advised in my guide of the delicious food to eat in Trieste. If you are looking for the best pasta in Trieste with seafood, you should book a table at baraca e Burattini.

Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Address: Via Torre Bianca 19.
Opening time and menu: see here.

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20. Antica Trattoria da Suban

Antica Trattoria da Suban is probably the best restaurant to book in Trieste for a delicious meat-based dining experience. It is not located in the city center; you can either get a taxi or catch a bus to get there, but I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

I went to Antica Trattoria da Suban many times because my uncle loved to celebrate his birthday in their private room (yes, they also have a private room for family dinners). They also have vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Address: via Emilio Comici 2/d
Opening time and menu: see here.

Fine dining experiences in Trieste

If you want to indulge in a luxurious dining experience, Trieste has a range of fine dining establishments. 

21. Ristorante al Bagatto

Al Bagatto is a gourmet restaurant you will love to dine at in Trieste, specializing in fish specialties. The wine list offers a beautiful selection of Italian wines from the regions. The restaurant’s critical points include excellent ingredient selection, respect for the environment, and product selection based on seasonality.

Situated in the city center, I advise you to take a long walk in the area and enjoy Trieste’s beautiful scenery before dining in one of Trieste best restaurants.

Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Address: Via Luigi Cadorna 7
Opening time and menu: see here. 

Heads up! Do you like Italian Wine? If the answer is Yes! Check out the wine tasting in Trieste. 

22. Savoy restaurant by Eataly

The Savoy Restaurant is located inside the Savoy Excelsior Palace Hotel, which is one of the most loved hotels with sea view in Trieste. In this restaurant (surely one of the best restaurants in this guide), everything is expertly prepared with top-shelf local ingredients. The menu has a lot of variety, and the food is well-presented. 

Here, you will find only fresh and delicious Italian cuisine, so if you are looking for a nice and fancy place to have a delicious dinner, this is the place. I advised a couple of friends visiting Trieste to dine there for a romantic dinner, and they loved it, so I recommend checking it out.

Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly
Address: Via del Mandracchio 4, inside Hotel Savoia Excelsior Palace.
Opening times and menu: see here. 

23. Trattoria ai Fiori

In the heart of Trieste’s old town, Trattoria ai Fiori is one of Trieste’s most renowned fine-dining restaurants. It is the perfect place for a special occasion. Try the raw fish selection (you are in a seaside town, so the fish is freshly caught overnight).

Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Address: Piazza Attilio Ortis 7.
Opening time and menu: see here. 

Restaurants with stunning views in Trieste

Trieste’s breathtaking views make dining even more memorable, and several restaurants offer stunning vistas. 

24. Harry’s Restaurant

Harry’s restaurant is located inside the famous Grand Hotel Duchi d’Aosta, one of the most luxurious hotels near the Trieste cruise port, and a scenic spot in Trieste, Piazza Unità d’Italia. It was opened in 1972 by Arrigo Cipriani, the owner of the famous Harry’s Bar in Venice.

Harry’s is one of the best Italian restaurants in Trieste and has maintained its appeal and unique vibe over time, making it the perfect place for lunch or a romantic dinner. 

Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly
Address: Piazza Unità d’Italia
Opening times and menu: see here. Book in advance.

25. La Vecia Maniera

La Vecia Maniera is a trattoria in Ponterosso, along the Grand Canal in Trieste. You can have a delicious lunch or dinner here with a canal view. You can find delightful pasta dishes, grilled meat with local side dishes like “patate in tecia” (pan-fried, boiled potatoes with pancetta, onions, and black pepper), gnocchi, and much more.

It is the perfect place to enjoy the local food with a marvelous view in my beautiful Trieste.

Address: via Vincenzo Bellini 5,
Opening time and menu: see here.

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26. Trattoria al Faro

Trattoria al Faro is located a little bit further from Trieste city center. You can easily reach it by bus or by taxi. The view from their terrace is beautiful; you can see the whole Trieste Gulf which makes it the perfect place where to eat in Trieste on a sunny day. 

It is a great place to have lunch during the famous Barcolana sailing regatta, so you can see all the boats sailing away while enjoying a delicious seafood-based lunch.

Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Address: Scala Giuseppe Sforzi 2
Opening time and menu: see here.

27. 7th Rooftop Hotello

You can’t miss this place if you are looking for a restaurant with a fabulous view from a rooftop terrace with live music. They serve delicious seafood dishes, but if you call them in advance, they can prepare some vegan and vegetarian options. 

Special diets: vegetarian and vegan-friendly if requested in advance
Address: Via Valdirivo
Opening time and menu: see here.

Factors to consider when choosing a restaurant in Trieste

When choosing a restaurant to dine at in Trieste, there are several factors you should consider to ensure an unforgettable dining experience. First and foremost, consider your budget. Trieste offers a range of options, from budget-friendly eateries to high-end fine-dining restaurants. 

Decide how much you want to spend and choose a restaurant that fits your budget without compromising quality (that is why I wrote this list, to make your life easier and give you all the best dining options in Trieste for every budget and occasion).

Another essential factor to consider is the type of cuisine you’re in the mood for. Trieste boasts a diverse culinary scene, with restaurants offering everything from traditional Italian dishes like pasta and pizza to seafood, meat, and vegan/vegetarian restaurants. (I also included a restaurant with gluten- and dairy-free options; it’s incredible, and I love it). 

Lastly, consider the ambiance and atmosphere of the restaurant. Trieste is known for its charming and picturesque streets, so why not choose a restaurant with a stunning view? Some eateries offer breathtaking sea vistas or the city’s historic architecture. 

Whether you prefer a cozy, intimate setting or a lively and vibrant atmosphere, Trieste has it all.

FAQs about restaurants in Trieste

Before you go…

Trieste’s culinary scene is a true delight for food lovers, offering various options to satisfy every palate. This city has everything from traditional Italian trattorias to upscale fine dining establishments. Whether you’re craving pasta, pizza, seafood, or vegetarian options, there’s a restaurant that will exceed your expectations.

As you explore the top restaurants to eat local dishes in Trieste, be prepared to embark on a gastronomic adventure like no other. Immerse yourself in the rich flavors of the region and indulge in dishes made with love and passion. Whether you’re visiting for a romantic getaway or a culinary exploration with friends, Trieste’s dining scene will leave you craving more.

So, pack your bags and prepare to embark on a culinary journey through the top restaurants of my hometown. Your taste buds will thank you!