Located in the heart of SF’s historic North Beach Neighborhood, a small coffee shop has made a big impact on San Francisco culture. While today you can get a latte at almost any coffee shop, that wasn’t always the case. Caffe Trieste was the first espresso coffee house on the West Coast when it opened in 1956 by owner Giovanni Giotta.
Giotta, fondly called “Papa Gianni”, moved from Italy to the United States in the early 1950s. He missed espresso and the cafe culture popular in Europe, particularly in the Italian city of Trieste. In 1956, Giotta took over a local coffee shop, renaming it the now internationally known Caffe Trieste.
What started as a small coffee shop grew into something much bigger, becoming a hub for music, literature, and art. In 1971, the cafe started their Saturday concerts, which are still running over 5o years later. Pappa Gianni was known to sing opera at the cafe’s concerts, and every member of the Giotta family has taken the stage during their legendary concerts. The concerts have taken many forms over the years. Performances can include accordions, organ, piccolos, and an array of instruments in all different styles, from Jazz to Broadway show tunes. The three-hour show starts every Saturday at 2:00 pm, with no coverage charge. There’s only a one-drink minimum to attend.
The cafe has also been a popular meeting spot for many creatives over the years, notably Beat writers and poets such as Jack Kerouac, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Alan Ginsberg, and many more. A former Poet Laureate of San Francisco, Jack Hirschman was also a regular at the cafe.
Today, the historic cafe is still filled with loyal regulars, their signature espresso, and plenty of music. The walls are adorned with pictures of the many celebrities that have been patrons over the years. The menu also features plenty of Italian bites, including pastries, pizza, sandwiches, and decadent desserts.
Caffe Trieste is located at 601 Vallejo St in North Beach. The coffee shop is open Monday through Sunday, 7 am until 10 pm.