Caffe Trieste, San Francisco

Caffe Trieste, San Francisco

Caffè Trieste is a renowned chain consisting of four coffeehouses and one retail store with a strong Italian influence, located in the San Francisco and Monterey Bay Areas of California. Established in 1956 by Giovanni Giotta, also known as "Papa Gianni," Caffè Trieste holds significance as the first espresso house on the West Coast. Giotta, who migrated to the United States from Rovigno D'Istria, Croatia, after World War II (when the region was part of Italy), longed for the espresso houses of Trieste, Italy. Consequently, he decided to open his café, giving birth to Caffè Trieste.

Situated in San Francisco's North Beach, the original Caffè Trieste swiftly gained popularity among the predominantly Italian residents of the neighborhood. Giotta fondly recalled, "It was all Italian people," referring to the community, "But I managed to introduce cappuccino to the American people."

Caffè Trieste also served as a gathering spot for renowned writers associated with the Beat movement, including Lawrence Ferlinghetti, who continues to be a regular visitor. Other notable literary figures such as Alan Watts, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Richard Brautigan, Bob Kaufman, Gregory Corso, Michael McClure, Kenneth Rexroth, and Neeli Cherkovski frequented the café during the 1950s and 1960s when they resided in North Beach.

The café's prominence extended beyond its local reputation, as it featured in numerous films, television shows, radio programs, magazines, and various books related to photography, tourism, and more. Its influence transcended national boundaries, garnering attention both domestically and internationally. Notably, Francis Ford Coppola found inspiration while sitting in Caffè Trieste, where he penned a significant portion of the screenplay for the iconic film, The Godfather.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Francisco. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Caffe Trieste on Map

Sight Name: Caffe Trieste
Sight Location: San Francisco, USA (See walking tours in San Francisco)
Sight Type: Food/Drink
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in San Francisco, California

Create Your Own Walk in San Francisco

Create Your Own Walk in San Francisco

Creating your own self-guided walk in San Francisco is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Union Square Walking Tour

Union Square Walking Tour

Union Square, a bustling hub in the heart of San Francisco, is a place where locals and tourists alike gather to enjoy a mix of shopping, entertainment, and cultural attractions. In addition to being the third largest shopping area in the United States, the square features an array of restaurants, theaters, and a wonderful concentration of fine art galleries.

One of the prominent landmarks in...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Chinatown Walking Tour

Chinatown Walking Tour

The San Francisco Chinatown is home to one of the largest Chinese communities outside Asia. It is also renowned as a major tourist attraction in the city, drawing annually more visitors than the Golden Gate Bridge. Since its establishment, in 1848, this enclave has been instrumental in the preservation of the history, culture, language, religion, and identity of the ethnic Chinese in the United...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
San Francisco Introduction Walking Tour

San Francisco Introduction Walking Tour

A commercial and cultural hub of northern California, San Francisco is a popular tourist destination known for its steep rolling hills and eclectic mix of world-famous landmarks. The iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the teeth-rattling cable cars carrying riders up and down Nob Hill, Alcatraz Island, and the oldest Chinatown in North America are just some of the city's prominent attractions, each...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.3 Km or 3.3 Miles
Famous Architecture Walking Tour

Famous Architecture Walking Tour

San Francisco is one of the world's top travel destinations, famous for its spectacular tourist attractions like Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Golden Gate Bridge. But besides that, it also boasts a huge variety of world-known architecture fit to delight the eye of any beholder. Let's give ourselves an aesthetic treat, too, and check out some of the city's most...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Fisherman's Wharf Walking Tour

Fisherman's Wharf Walking Tour

If it's a hot, sunny day or the one filled with San Francisco's iconic fog, a walk through Fisherman's Wharf can feel quite special all the same. Sure, you'll be surrounded by tourists, but the smells of good food and the sights of a legendary seaport (the one where a few lovingly preserved, historic vessels are still docked and open to visitors) will make you happy.

At the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
North Beach Walking Tour

North Beach Walking Tour

North Beach is one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Francisco, known as San Francisco's Little Italy. Bursting with history, culture, and diverse attractions, this fun area features a great mix of architecture, museums, restaurants, and old shops.

Perhaps the most iconic landmark here is the Transamerica Pyramid, a distinctive skyscraper that has become a symbol of the city's...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


14 Souvenirs That Scream San Francisco

14 Souvenirs That Scream San Francisco

Home to many historic landmarks, such as Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown and Alcatraz, San Francisco is closely associated with many iconic images of the American culture, such as Levi's jeans, baseball, and hippie movement. Modern Frisco carefully preserves its legacy by keeping it alive...
Divine Artisan Chocolates in San Francisco

Divine Artisan Chocolates in San Francisco

San Francisco is home to the most delicious artisan chocolates! From the historic Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory to New American TCHO chocolates, there are many local chocolate boutiques and factories to visit where you might be treated to a few samples. From exotic flavors such as lavender-walnut...