A Triestino institution, this is the oldest and most esteemed of the many "buffet" restaurants serving pork and sausages around town, with a wood-paneled interior and seating outside. It specializes in bollito di maiale, a dish of boiled pork and pork sausages accompanied by delicately flavored sauerkraut, mustard, and grated horseradish. Unlike other Italian restaurants, buffets don't close between lunch and dinner, and tap beer is the drink of choice.

The "buffet" is a tradition that dates back to when the city was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. These hole-in-wall eateries are dedicated solely to pork, from nose to tail, served with sauerkraut, mustard and freshly-grated horseradish, accompanied by a foaming mug of beer. There are half-a-dozen buffets dotted around town, but nothing compares with the lively atmosphere at Da Pepi's, which has been around since 1897.

For an unpretentious slap-up meal, head for Buffet da Pepi (facebook.com/BuffetDaPepi/), a local landmark since 1897. The décor is traditional, the service is down-to-earth, and the no-nonsense menu is carnivorous. Afterwards, take a walk around the corner to the Gelateria Zampolli (www.gelateriazampolli.it), a traditional ice-cream parlour, for a refreshing gelato.

Vegetarians, or anyone who’s not in the mood for a heaping plate of boiled meat, might find this historic eatery somewhat challenging. But it’s a Trieste tradition and typical of the Austro-Hungarian buffets that serve meat, meat, and more meat, accompanied by pickles, sauerkraut, potatoes, and spicy mustard.

Buffet Da Pepi Since 1897 this city-centre stalwart has been one of the upholders of Trieste’s bollito misto (boiled meat) tradition. Tuck in that napkin and tuck in.

Antico Caffè San Marco Via Cesare Battisti, 18, 34125 Trieste, Italie Ajouté par515 utilisateurs Buffet da Pepi Via della Cassa di Risparmio, 3, Trieste TS 34121 Ajouté par485 utilisateurs Caffè degli Specchi Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, 7, 34121 Trieste, Italie Ajouté par433 utilisateurs Gelateria Zampolli Via Carlo Ghega, 10, 34132 Trieste TS, Italie Ajouté par226 utilisateurs Caffé Tommaseo Piazza Nicolò Tommaseo, 4c, 34121 Trieste, Italie Ajouté par208 utilisateurs La Bomboniera di La Porta Gaetano Via Trenta Ottobre, 3, 34122 Trieste, Italie Ajouté par209 utilisateurs Osteria de Scarpon Via della Ginnastica, 20, 34125 Trieste TS, Italie Ajouté par158 utilisateurs Chimera di Bacco Via del Pane, 2, 34121 Trieste, Italia Ajouté par162 utilisateurs Hostaria Malcanton Via Malcanton, 10, Trieste TS 34121 Ajouté par134 utilisateurs Caffè Letterario Lettera Viva Viale XX Settembre, 31/B, 34125 Trieste TS, Italia Ajouté par147 utilisateurs

All'angolo fra piazza Hortis e la frequentatissima via Torino, un locale dove gustare la cucina dei "bifé" triestini, circondati da turisti e affezionati clienti. All'interno o ai tavolini sulla via pedonale, si può pranzare con un'ottima lingua salmistrata accompagnata da melanzane marinate alla greca, con lasagne con branzino e zucchine o con crespelle ripiene di carciofi. Si possono ordinare i tipici piatti di caldaia o scegliere i panini: col prosciutto cotto in crosta, col carrè affumicato, col cotechino e altre bontà, arricchite da senape e cren. Per chi ama il pesce si va dai sardoni in savòr al baccalà mantecato, dalla piovra in insalata alle seppie in umido. I contorni sono al tegame (in tecia) e al forno. Dolci della casa e vini o birre a piacimento".

Said to be the oldest of Trieste’s buffets still in existence, Buffet Da Pepi was established in 1897 by Pepi Klajnsic. The original name of the restaurant was Pepi S’Ciavo, also the owner’s nickname, meaning “Pepi, the Slovenian” in Triestine dialect. Pepi S’Ciavo moved to its current location on Via della Cassa di Risparmio in 1903 and subsequently underwent numerous changes of ownership, one of which was another Pepi—Pepi Tomazic.

Return to the centre and take the time to taste a sandwich with baked ham and mustard from Buffet da Pepi. Many trattorias in Trieste are called buffets, this is because at the entrance you will find display cases with side dishes and certain readymade dishes that only need to be warmed before serving. The historic Buffet da Pepi offers a rather small variety to choose from but emphasises quality.

Un format, invece, più giovane e fresco è quello scelto da La bottega dell’Antiquario, un bistrot moderno che prende vita in un vecchio negozio di antiquariato del ghetto triestino. Federica e Davide vi accoglieranno in un’atmosfera intima e rilassata. Sarete circondati da elementi di arredo e architettura d’altri tempi: dalle cementine del pavimento al corrimano recuperato da una villa bolognese.

The core of Trieste’s culinary culture unfolds in the buffets, many of which can still be found all over town. Reflecting the city’s Middle-European heritage, these down-to-earth taverns serve boiled and cured meat, fried food, homemade desserts and other typical dishes. Da Pepi is arguably the most representative of these city institutions, with its history reaching as far back as 1897.

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 at all, but it is worth it.

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.

For heartier fare, traditional Triestine buffets like Da Pepi serve Austrian-style meats and cheeses for as little as $5 at lunchtime (Via Cassa di Risparmio 3; buffetdapepi.it), while trattorias like Da Massimo in the Roiano neighborhood serve up fresh harbor-caught fish; try the spaghetti barcolona, a regional specialty (Via degli Apiari, 4, 39-040-452-8821).

Nella sua caldaia sobbolle ogni bendidio ricavato dal suino, tipica “merenda” triestina insieme a crauti e patate in “tecia”, nel rispetto della più antica tradizione cittadina. Buffet da Pepi è un nome storico della ristorazione locale, gettonato sia dai turisti che dagli affezionati del luogo. L’ambiente genuino e il servizio informale completano il quadro.

Buffet da Pepi is a historic restaurant in Trieste, serving typical Triestine cuisine. The restaurant offers a standing bar experience for lunch, where locals enjoy pork dishes and mustard. One of the specialties at Buffet da Pepi is the mixed plate of boiled pork, known as “piatto misto di caldaia,” which is a must-try for visitors.

Deeply nostalgic for the flavour of prosciutto cotto triestino, my boyfriend couldn’t get enough so the following day we checked out another historic place, Buffet da Pepi (via Cassa di Risparmio, 3), for a ham sandwich. Another historic restaurant, this one has been around since 1897, when the House of Habsburg still ruled the city.

«A Trieste il buffet è una tradizione secolare che dobbiamo agli austro-ungarici. Non sarò originale nel citare Pepi ma ogni giorno si impegnano per dare la qualità assoluta. Le carni di maiale cotte in caldaia non deludono mai: E il loro famoso piatto misto (foto), accompagnato da una bella Dreher fresca per me è comfort food»

We exit to Piazza della Borsa, just a few steps away from the very typical trattoria Da Pepi, open since 1897, where to taste local soups (Jota) or generously stuffed sandwiches, such as the one with mushrooms, sauerkrauts, mustard and horseradish. All accompanied by a Terrano wine, with a strong taste and an intense color.

Altri sei locali invece sono a Trieste: si tratta di aMano (largo Barriera Vecchia); Buffet L’Approdo (via Carducci); Da Siora Rosa (piazza Hortis); Al Ciketo (via S. Sebastiano); Buffet Clai (via Foscolo) e Buffet da Pepi (via Cassa di risparmio). Tre i food truck del Friuli: Pizzarò, Tomo Tomo Bistrot e Tinchitè.

If you want to really taste the Austro-Hungarian influence in Trieste food, your first stop should be Buffet da Pepi!. The menu is exclusively meat. Their signature dish is a mixed meat platter with about six different forms of mostly pork(where the “buffet” in the name comes from, not literally a buffet).

Buffet da Pepi is a Trieste institution, the oldest buffet in Trieste founded by “Pepi the Slovenian”. They have Austro-Hungarian fare with many pork dishes, sauerkraut, soups and sandwiches. For years Pepi himself greeted people and it was a favorite with locals and tourist.

The most famous is Buffet da Pepi, dating back to 1897, but I join the scrum, three deep at the counter, at Trattoria da Giovanni, with its cramped cluster of tables spilling outside and wooden casks of local wine, for a ham, shaved horseradish and hot mustard baguette.

** A Trieste-style buffet is nose-to-tail eating with no salad bar in sight. Prop yourself at the counter at this old-school eatery between 11 and 11, order una birra and a mixed plate of pork shoulder, tongue, and rich, fatty musetto sausage.

aperto nel 1897, è una vera e propria istituzione; propone piatti della tradizione austro-ungarica, con ottima carne di maiale cotta con l'originale tecnica della cottura in caldaia; ottimi anche i panini per un pranzo veloce

In business for over 100 years, this traditional buffet serves a mixture of boiled meats, hams, sausages and hot mustards and horseradish sauces. Via della Cassa di Risparmio 3, Tel +39 040 - 366 858 Closed Sunday.

27/08/2025: With great expectations, we came to this historic restaurant to try Pepi's famous caldana, but the experience was disappointing. The food was poor and scant. An experience not to be repeated.

The best taste of this special cuisine can be found in Buffet Da Pepi; a top restaurant by the sea. Taste the freshly prepared sea food in combination with a delicious local wine.

Volete assaggiare l’autentico bollito di maiale alla triestina?. Questo è l’indirizzo che fa per voi. Qui da oltre un secolo si custodisce la migliore …

A visit to Trieste is incomplete without a lunch at the famous Buffet da Pepi. As you know, Trieste has many Austrian traditions that we still love.