Restaurants in Trieste
2022 Update: The following restaurant, Osteria di Mare alla Voglia, that I warmly recommended in 2018 has closed. I am not alone in mourning the loss, as explained in a local online publication for the city of Trieste . If you do not read Italian, the gist is that the closure came as a surprise after 42 years of excellent food and service with Osteria di Mare alla Voglia as a point of reference in the Trieste restaurant scene. I took the recommendation from the 36 Hours in Trieste New York Times article, which will now also be out of date. RIP Osteria di Mare alla Voglia. I will need to return to the enchanting city of Trieste to find a replacement for seafood.
Osteria di Mare alla Voglia — CLOSED DEFINITIVELY
Glorious seafood antipasti at Osteria di Mare alla Voglia — RIP
I leave this brief description and image for the memory and also because I would still recommend walking up to the Castello San Giusto area:
I had one of the best seafood antipasto platters of my life here. The decor is appropriately maritime themed, and the owners take the role of providing the freshest seafood extremely seriously. The restaurant is located near the Castello di San Giusto which we had a nice walk around after dinner while digesting the seriously good meal. The castle and restaurant are located on a hill that affords beautiful views over the city and gulf of Trieste.
Bier Stube
Address-Via della Madonna del Mare, 6D
Phone- +39 040 301277
Hours- Open only for dinner Wednesday-Saturday, open lunch and dinner on Sunday and closed on Monday and Tuesday
Price-Middle range
Reservations- By phone
Here I am in our cozy wooden booth at Bier Stube
This restaurant is perfect for cold weather, both in terms of the decor and food. You step into an intimate space, wood furnishings all around. The booths are wooden and feel rather secluded as well, which is nice for a cozy dinner experience. You will have to pinch yourself to remember you are indeed in Italy and not in Austria, Hungry or even Slovenia. Of course, these culinary influences are potent. All of the products and beers are sourced from local producers here at Bier Stube. If you are a beer drinker, I would definitely recommend having one (or more!) to accompany the food here. The staff are extremely kind and happy to explain menu items and make recommendations. Experience the Cucina Triestina, that is, the special culinary tradition from Trieste.
Recommended Dishes
Primo or Secondo- This is the place to try the traditional Jota (bean, sauerkraut and potato soup) Gnocchi, Spatzle (noodles), or Goulash
They also offer a number of ‘piatti unici’ (single plates) that have some of the specialties of the house combined.
Contorno (side dish)- Definitely have some sauerkraut if it doesn’t already come with the dish you ordered
Dolci- Take a quick detour to Vienna and have a rich Sacher Torte or the "Carsolina in B" is recommended by the Discover Trieste website.