As I was passing through North Beach with a walking group, one member recommended we stop at Caffe Trieste for an espresso. It was just before 11 AM - perfect timing for a cappuccino. The cafe was compact and cozy; every square inch of wall space was covered in picture frames, and there was a juke box next to the counter. I later found out that the cafe has been in operation since 1956, which makes sense given I felt like I had stepped back in time. The line to order moved slowly because each drink is made-to-order, and they only accept cash. I kept it simple with a cappuccino and enjoyed my drink at one of the mosaic-topped tables inside. The cappuccino was smooth, and the espresso was strong - nothing out of the ordinary but exactly as it should be. With new coffee shops popping up all over SF, it was refreshing to find one that has been around for decades and that has become a neighborhood staple. read more

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This is one of the best experiences I have had drinking an espresso. For better context, Caffee Trieste is the oldest espresso bar in California and one of the oldest in all of North America. This gem serves an array of pastries, traditional coffees, and bites. It's cash only and there's an ATM machine inside the shop. The tables are old Parisian/Italian style with the stained Euro look. The espresso is dark and bold with a nice thick chewy texture. I'm not sure which brand of espresso this is but it's delicious. This shop is also located inside Little Italy which beautiful and just creates a vibe. I definitely want to come back here and have another fine cup of espresso. read more

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Super cool cafe with a lot of character and soul. Patrons are an eclectic mix of locals, ranging from hippies and hobos to tech bros with their laptops. Lattes and desserts/pastries are solid, but nothing extraordinary. Overall a chill place to enjoy the North Beach vibe. Downsides are that the wifi is a bit slow and it's cash only, which kind of adds to the old school charm. It's in the heart of North Beach so parking is rough, and you'll want to take waymo/uber to get here. read more

it was ok. I had a latte and it was fine. Nothing too much beyond that. I mean, nice people, and cool little place. We took the coffee to go and that's that. read more

Stopped by while I was wandering around. Great little spot in the area. I ordered an espresso. It is a gem of a spot and you can feel the history just being in here. They were showing some soccer game when I happen to be there.Located right in Little Italy close to alot of stuff. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Its a nice spot to have coffee and people watch. Cash only. They do have an ATM inside, but better to bring your own moola. Espresso was great. I do wish the staff was a bit friendlier. read more

Caffe Trieste - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

A quaint little place in the midst of North Beach. You order at the counter and there are a few tables set up for you to enjoy your coffee and light snack. There's nice music and also a jukebox for music. read more

Caffe Trieste - Americano and Mocha - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is a beloved landmark of North Beach. It's been around since 1956, it was a hangout for the artists and writers of the "beat generation", and it kick started the "espresso movement." This was the first of now many espresso shops in the city. And after all these years, the same family still owns and runs the place, passed down through generations. I've been coming here for some 50 years since the 70s, and I love to stop here when I'm in the city. Today, I had a café, Fantasia, which is a mocha with almond syrup. I also had a slice of the apricot pastry. They have a good selection of pastries. The coffee was deep and rich, and the pastry was flaky, and very good quality.. The price was reasonable. They are cash only, so hit up the ATM before you come here, or, they also have their own . They also have an annex next-door, where they sell, souvenirs, bulk, coffee, little coffee, pots, etc.. as long as they are here, I will keep coming back. I hope they keep going for a long, long time. Grazie tante... read more

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Cafe Trieste: A Personal Landmark in the Heart of North Beach Having lived in North Beach for the past 30 years, Cafe Trieste has been a constant and meaningful part of my life. It was one of the first places I read about when I moved to the neighborhood, and naturally, one of the first spots I started visiting regularly. Over the years, I've stopped by more times than I can count, usually for a good cup of coffee, but occasionally for a bite to eat or just to soak in the atmosphere. What keeps pulling me back isn't just the coffee (though it's excellent), but the architecture, history, and community that define the space. The cafe feels timeless. Its walls hold stories that echo with the voices of friends, neighbors, and familiar faces who gather there often. For many of us in the neighborhood, it's more than a café, it's a social hub, a meeting place, and a comforting constant amid a changing city. Founded in 1956 by "Papa" Gianni Giotta, a Sicilian immigrant, Cafe Trieste is one of the first espresso houses in America. Giotta brought with him the rich tradition of Italian coffee culture, which he infused into the very core of the cafe. That spirit remains largely intact today, from the vintage decor to the opera music that occasionally fills the air. You can feel the weight of its legacy the moment you step inside. The place is steeped in literary and artistic history. It was frequented by Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti and is even rumored to have inspired parts of The Godfather, written there by Francis Ford Coppola. Then there are the local legends like "Crazy George," whose gravelly voice and spontaneous poetry were part of the cafe's personality for decades. Cafe Trieste embodies what North Beach has always been about: culture, creativity, conversation, and community. Unlike the polished chain cafes popping up all over the city, this one feels real, lived-in, and historic. It's a place where the past still breathes, neighbors nod to one another, and stories, old and new, continue to unfold over a strong, satisfying cup of coffee. read more

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Could tell this was a local spot. So many regulars with cute dogs. Fast, polite service. We had breakfast here both mornings we were in SF. Great coffee. Delicious almond croissant and breakfast burrito. Reasonable prices. read more

Caffe Trieste - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

I had my first espresso drinks in San Francisco, at Caffe Trieste, back in 1977. I'd grown up in an Arab household, so I wasn't surprised by strong coffee, but the creamy, startlingly rich flavor of Italian coffee made me grateful. The place had history, but it wasn't my history, and the hippie/poet thing was lost on me. I did, however, dig the opera à la minute, and knowing that people before me had found the place important helped to make being there seem important, or at least, valuable, to me. These days, the Caffe is a little shopworn, clouded with a sluggishness that we old-timers recognize in ourselves. And sometimes, it's overrun by tourists, or worse, by ostentatious poseurs who write there because someone they've read about used to write there. No matter. The coffee is still good, and there's still music on the weekends. Try to visit, and try not to think of yourself as the star of the show happening around you. read more

I got the doppio espresso. It was a dark roast with a decent layer of crema but thin body. It wasn't burnt but there wasn't much flavor nuance to balance the bitterness. This probably works well in milk based drinks but it needed more body on its own for my preferences. 2/5 read more

Caffe Trieste - Italian Roast Espresso - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

So glad we decided to stop here after dinner in the North Beach. All the reviews led us here and they were spot on. This is an icon in SF. We read that it's been here for a long time and the original owner was a city celebrity. Walking in the shop we saw all the pics on the walls of the history, along with big time celebrities that have stopped here. I just wanted some tiramisu and my wife wanted a coffee. Too late in the night for coffee for me. Loved the decor inside and the warm feeling it gives. She absolutely loves the personal touch and taste in her coffee! read more

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Caffè Trieste is an internationally known coffeehouse, retail store, and former franchise in San Francisco. The original cafe, opened in 1956, was the first espresso-based coffeehouse on the West Coast of the United States. I recall coming here in the late 60's when the hippie movement was in full swing. We had just enjoyed lunch at the fabulous Yarsa Nepalese across the street and wanted a coffee & dessert before leaving the city. There is a wide variety of coffees to choose from- my friends said their lattes were excellent and I found my Dirty Chai perfectly spiced. So many sweet treats to choose from- I chose the peanut butter cookie dipped in chocolate- I intended to only half of it, but it was so yummy, I devoured the entire cookie! The vibe hasn't changed inside of this coffee house which I really appreciated. There's even still a jukebox inside and great posters from the past. read more

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Decent coffee, good vibes inside, and has a long history! Like some other north beach places this is cash only as of my last visit. I like a simple americano and pastry or cookie of choice. Wouldn't say this a working cafe but a chatting cafe. read more

Customer service is Ridiculous. Visited on Thursday July 16 in the afternoon. I waited in line for the previous customers to finish their order. When finished the male Barista just stepped back and leaned against the counter and waited for me to tell him what I would like. When finished I asked if I should leave the dishes at the table or help him out by bringing them to him. He said the latter. Then when I stood up with the dirty dishes, not knowing exactly where to place them, as the counter was full of appliances, he just flapped his hands as if ordering me to place them in his hands. No "thank you" or ANYTHING! I am very familiar with attitude at a tourist location but if you don't want their business flip the "closed" sign. Wasted money and experience from a place I frequented often 20 years ago. read more

A historic & iconic cafe in North Beach! My boyfriend and I discovered this place through a TikTok, and were instantly intrigued when we learned that Francis Ford Coppola wrote much of the Godfather screen play in this cafe. Ever since then, we had been dying to visit! This is a cash-only cafe so be sure to bring some cash! There is an ATM inside in case you forget. We both ordered caffe mocha bianca (white mocha) and a cannoli to share (we were lucky to grab the last one of the day!) Caffe mocha bianca was absolutely delicious. It was my first time having a cannoli, and it definitely hit the spot. The cream was thick and the shell was crispy. Service was quick, and the ambiance was cozy. I learned that they host a Saturday afternoon concert monthly (per their website). I definitely would love to come back for the it! read more

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A perfect spot to catch up with friends or settle in with some work, this cozy café serves delicious coffee and standout desserts in a warm, inviting atmosphere. Free Wi-Fi makes it easy to stay awhile just keep in mind it's cash-only, though there's an ATM nearby. Still an easy five-star experience. read more

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We turn the corner and see the iconic Caffe Trieste while wandering around North Beach. It was perfect timing for a midday espresso so we stopped in. Luckily we had some cash on us because it was cash only. I highly recommend grabbing a table outside on the sidewalk to enjoy an afternoon break. read more

Caffe Trieste - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The best coffee shop ever different from other coffee shops, so friendly different atmosphere, live music, you can dance and sit with other people in one table, it was so much fun Definitely, I will back there read more

Caffe Trieste - The group of the player - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

So, this place has been on my SF list for a long time. Finally came and got my Cappuccino! The gentleman who was behind the counter was awesome. He's so funny. He makes great coffee drinks. Enjoyed the nostalgia. Enjoyed the window seating. But the bottom line...the espresso was really good. Kept me going for hours! read more

Caffe Trieste - Cappuccino - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is a VIBE! Walking in here feels like traveling back in time. I can easily imagine the beatnik authors whiling away an afternoon here writing and sipping on some strong espresso. You can feel the history. I can see why ChatGPT is recommending this cafe to out of town travelers as some tourists inside mentioned how they came upon this place. We were looking for a place to rest our legs and caffeinate and walked in on a Saturday afternoon. We lucked out as there was a live music performance going on and miraculously an empty table. It did mean the place was more crowded than usual but everyone was mixing parties and sitting wherever there was an empty seat. They even had a TV with the football game on. Such a convivial atmosphere. The lady next to me struck up a conversation and recommended the limoncello cookies here but sadly they were already out. I got a latte and carrot cake which I can never resist when I see it. The latte was definitely on the stronger side. Watch out. The drink was served extra hot and the glass it's served in was hothothot. The frosting on the carrot cake was definitely on the sweeter side (I scraped off the frosting but ate the cake portion!) so if you prefer things not too sweet like me, choose your dessert wisely. They had a selection. Would recommend this cafe for the vibes alone! Such a special spot. read more

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Came here for an afternoon pick me up. The place is cash only, but they have an ATM. I got a cannoli and a latte - their cannoli has cherries in each end and chocolate chips throughout - it was very yummy. Everything here was decent, nothing to be upset about. The service was quick and nice. The place has plenty of seating but super cramped, hard to squeeze between tables. read more

This coffee shop has been in an Italian family for decades. It's an institution in North Beach and a must visit if you love Italian pastries and of course espresso. It just oozes history and family. It's cash only. So bring some bills with you and bring an appetite for some great pastries with a desire for some strong espresso drinks to wash them down. read more

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Best coffee I have ever had probably from a cafe. Good flavor espresso. There wasn't one person who didn't love their drinks or pastries in our group! read more

Legit - so legit. So thankful we found this place. Great coffee, great dessert options - but FYI, it's cash only. Service was good, seating area can be a bit tight but ambience and decor are 100%. read more

Caffe Trieste is such a cute little hole-in-the-wall spot! Limited seating, but totally worth it -- the drinks are great and the vibe is cozy and classic. Perfect for a quick coffee stop or a quiet moment in the day. read more

Best of the best. Bring cash, order the cappuccino, and enjoy the sights and sounds of North Beach! read more

Caffe Trieste - Caffe Trieste outdoor seating - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

9/16/24 After Alcatraz, we checked out Caffe Trieste for coffee and snacks. This place is iconic. They had some live music when we were there which was fantastic. I got their cream puffs which were delicious while hubby got some other pastry that was on the healthier side. The cafe Americano I got was solid. Hubby's espresso was really good. The only complaint I have is that they only take cash. #PichetteChronicles #travelchronicles #sanfranciscocalifornia read more

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Caffe Trieste, the infamous coffee shop in San Francisco, spoken from a born and raised San Franciscan. Cafe Trieste never failed with their delicious cups. The Cafe Trieste baristas never fail, always a perfect pour and a skillful knowledge on how to make the cream extra dry for a cup of cappuccino, which is what I asked for, no big deal, unless you get the guy (in pic) behind the espresso machine. I watched him do it, he didn't even try. When he gave it to me, I explained to him that I wanted it dry (stiff foam). He replied, "That's the best I could do." I still tipped a buck. I work hard for my money and when I go Caffe Trieste it is a special treat. I usually buy a cuppa and food. I hope the owner reads this and understand that each customer is important whether long-timers or tourists. Each person leaves the cafe with an experience of the unique atmosphere and the experience of drinking the coffee. The baristas are apart of making that experience, they must know how to create an excellent cup. read more

Caffe Trieste - Cappuccino, not extra dry, very wet. - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We had recently spent time in North Beach and were looking for a place to grab a quick coffee and a bite to eat. We wound up being there for a bit but we were comfortable relaxing on a lazy weekend day. We had our pup, but it was pet friendly so it was okay to chill inside the coffee house. I had ordered a Pecan bar and a large Apple turnover. We had also ordered a Cappucino and a Almond syrup Mocha. The cashier only takes Cash payment, but there is an ATM located in the coffee in the phone booth. Plenty of seats inside and also additional seating in the Parklet outside. The place is obviously a neighborhood frequent stop, but we had felt comfortable hanging out in the cafe. Coffee was really good and the Baristas were both super friendly. Definitely a must stop if your in the area of North Beach and need a caffeine boost. read more

Caffe Trieste - Apple turnover and Cappuccino - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Come for the coffee, community vibe and ambiance. Tiramisu and cannoli were good and a good value but cash only. The highlight here is the coffee and the old school vibe inside. Old looking and most definitely not cookie cutter. Walls are filled with a feast for the eyes and tabletops are mosaic and interesting. Had a tiramisu and cannoli to go. Service was outstanding but I found the tiramisu to be too plain. I'm pretty sure I could make one myself at home a little better even though I'm not a pastry chef. It lacked depth. I didn't taste any espresso at all and mascarpone? What mascarpone? I would rate the cake alone 2 stars at best. Cannoli was crisp and visually appealing. A simple dessert - there isn't much to go wrong unless it is soggy. I actually wanted a soggy tiramisu - they could have dumped a little espresso on the bottom cake layer only right before they handed it to me (I can understand their shelf life reasoning for doing what they do). Well, honestly this place gets by on ambiance and customer service. Was offered a fork for my to go order and I admire the old school character. Cash only - IDK but I prefer to keep my cash for other things. Things that you can't use cash for ever. You know what I'm talking about. I've got goals in life. To try all the different pizzas and cannolis that are in North Beach. So far I'd say go to Stellas for Cannoli and Cavalli Cafe for tiramisu. Owners of this place need to stop by Cavalli for the best tiramasu in Little Italy. See how its done. Cafe Greco has the best ricotta cheesecake. Owners and mangers of Trieste - now you've got some homework to do. read more

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Open the door and inhale freshly ground coffee riding on strains of Italian balladeers softly filling the shop. My decaf almond milk latte came in a beautiful glass, the old fashioned kind with a wasteline to hold. Come for the perfect coffee drinks and sit at a small mosaic table. Imagine it is 1956 and esspresso is something foreign and new for San Francisco. read more

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Service was quick, the cafe au lait was one of the best I've ever had, and the vibe gives old Italian cafe. It is pretty crowded, if that's your cup of tea. It is cash only though so come prepared. read more

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Be careful when ordering beans online. weve purchased 5 orders of italIan espresso roast whole beans over the last 12 months at $52 per order (including shipping). The last order was clearly NOT the same beans we've been ordering, and after calling the retail store 3 times, we've recieved NO return phone calls to discuss. We'll just go back to Peet's expresso roast from here on. read more

The cheesesteak guys directed me up here to use restroom and the gentleman behind counter was friendly in pointing it out. The atmosphere and inviting ambiance drew me back. Heady political conversations, people silently taking in a book, or students being studious. There was a steady stream of the eclectic neighborhood streaming through reflecting all the rainbow, joyful threads of this neighborhood. The jukebox plays free tunes and they have an appetizing menu of drinks, pastry, and vino too. I bought a black and white cookie--little pricey but very tasty. Had a sweetness that pleasantly lingered in my mouth after my teeth had done the job. I'd absolutely spend way too much time in the corner attempting to be writerly while actively people watching and listening to the jukebox music. Excellent vibe for good hangs. Go Easy. read more

Caffe Trieste - Sweet jukebox with good tunes - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

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4.5 stars! I really enjoy coming to this little gem of a place after I eat across the way at El Farolito. If they had better coffee, they'd get a 5 from me. The service is hit or miss. Either you'll get some super lovely guy in glasses who likes to speak in a fake Italian accent (in an adorable way) or you get a super grumpy hipster kid who doesn't want to be there, pained to muster up a "have a nice day." The cheesecake is TO DIE FOR and the seating and table space is good for a little San Francisco shop. Love to play backgammon and make art here. They've got that much table room! read more

Caffe Trieste - Coffee and cheesecake - Cafes Near Me - San Francisco, California

Service was bad, workers look miserable and act like you're asking a lot from them. Not friendly at all.

This place has been good so far. Great coffee. Been coming here for awhile if I'm in area. Love the mocha. Cash only is the downside. The worker asked me what I wanted. I asked for a mocha light sweet. He gave a weird look and asked me why I want a mocha not sweet and he said that's the whole point of a mocha and that I would be better off with a latte. I explained that I like their chocolate that they put in the mocha but just don't like sweet. He asked me to clarify if I like sweetness. They made the drink finally but it's like...dude why are you judging me. Just make the drink already. Stop judging me. If I wanted to be judged I would've signed up for a courtroom. If it's not considered mocha anymore then call it whatever you want. I don't care. Just make the drink and charge me for the mocha lol. It's annoying read more

Best cappuccino in North Beach, set in an old-school Italian coffee shop. Service is quick and pleasant. No reason to go anywhere else in SFO for espresso. Seriously. read more

I love this place, I have their coffee for personal use and for business for many years. When ever we need to do something for our coffee machine at work; just one call Uncle Frank on his way for rescue. He is a sweet gentleman and pleasure to to meet and get to know him read more