Tavernetta al Molo — Restaurant in Trieste

I’ve been to this restaurant many times (the first few times in the summer of 2018 before the pandemic, the second batch of visits during the summer of 2021 during the pandemic, and most recently the summer of 2024). I always make sure I come to this restaurant whenever I’m in Trieste; in fact, this restaurant is one of my reasons for returning to Trieste, and I find myself oftentimes thinking about the food at Tavernetta al Molo in the three years between my visits. A few disclaimers: you will see some photos containing sandwiches that are actually food photos from the restaurant next door. This restaurant al Molo does not serve sandwiches, the restaurant next door does. Another disclaimer: this restaurant does not like walk-ins. If you’re a walk-in customer, even if the restaurant is not completely full, they may not take you. This restaurant mainly serves the locals and they have a loyal local customer base, so they do not pander to tourists. If you want authentic Italian homemade style cuisine with superb quality seafood, you should definitely try this place. You might not get a waiter who can even remotely speak English (in fact I’ve never had so much trouble communicating in English with my waiter anywhere else in Trieste, but there you go). The food is definitely worth the language barrier! If you love fresh seafood, you’re gonna love this place. My favorite dishes are: raw mixed marinated seafood (I love this one even more than the best raw seafood mixed appetizer I had in Palermo, Sicily); scallops with pesto pine nuts sauce; warm fish (I think it’s baccala?) salad appetizer; seafood risotto (for 2 people only); octopus carpaccio; zuppe di frutti di mare (seafood soup, this one is so amazingly fresh it’s like drinking the Adriatic). To be fair, their prices in 2024 in perhaps triple their prices in 2018, but I still think this is the best seafood restaurant I found in Trieste and even in Italy outside Sicily. Their cooking style is home style: simple and down to earth, let the ingredients speak for themselves, like how your Italian grandmother/grandfather would make it if they had the freshest ingredients. They have a beautiful terrace right by the pier and you can watch the beautiful Adriatic gently rocking the yachts. This restaurant is about 10-min walk from the beautiful Miramare castle (3-min walk from the castle grounds entrance), which is one of the most beautiful castles in the entire Europe (if you like castles...

A True Gem by the Sea During our recent visit to Trieste, we had the pleasure of dining at Tavernetta al Molo, a charming seafood restaurant located in Grignano, near the Miramare Castle. The correct spelling of the restaurant is “Tavernetta al Molo,” and it is situated in Grignano, not “San Gargano.” 

Nestled right by the water, Tavernetta al Molo offers a picturesque setting with tables overlooking the serene marina. The ambiance is both simple and welcoming, allowing diners to fully immerse themselves in the tranquil seaside atmosphere. 

Our meal was nothing short of exceptional. We indulged in a delightful pasta dish brimming with an assortment of fresh shellfish, including shrimp, small shrimp, capezzale (scallops), and vongole (clams). The seafood was cooked to perfection, and the accompanying sauce was rich and flavorful, enhancing the natural taste of the shellfish.

The highlight of our experience was the warm and engaging hospitality of the staff. Two gentlemen attended to us with genuine friendliness, making us feel like cherished guests. One of them, named Matteo, stood out with his charismatic presence. His attentive service and amiable demeanor added a personal touch to our dining experience. At the end of our meal, Matteo graciously invited us to view his vintage yellow Fiat 500, an old-timer car that exuded charm. We shared laughs and captured memorable photos with the car, creating a delightful conclusion to our visit.

While we were so engrossed in the experience that we didn’t take many photos, the few we did capture, especially with Matteo’s iconic Fiat 500, serve as cherished mementos of our time at Tavernetta al Molo. 

For those seeking an authentic Italian seafood dining experience in Trieste, Tavernetta al Molo is a must-visit. Its combination of delectable cuisine, idyllic location, and heartfelt hospitality makes it a standout destination. We left with full hearts and satisfied palates, eager to return on our next...

We came to the restaurant and it was completely empty they just started working. They asked whether we had a reservation or not and we said we didn’t. Then they said “Go sit in the Sun”. We said okay. Then they gave us the menu and we ordered our coffee. They said “No this is a restaurant”. We said yeah we want coffee and food. Then they said okay. But it looked like they don’t like us for some reason. We then saw a couple of Italians who came, they asked them if THEY have a reservation and they said no. And then the employees said “ah okay come here” and those people got to sit inside under the AC while we were stuck in the burning noon sun. Then we decided to just pay for the coffee and leave. They brought the coffee and it had hair in it. This was the last straw. We asked to pay and leave and one employee said that we shouldn’t pay for the coffee (coffee price wasn’t even listed in the menu). We decided to leave 5€ for 2 cappuccino’s we ordered because we have some common sense. Then what looked like the manager of the restaurant came out and said we owe them 8.4€ for the 2 coffees. We got angry and said we will not pay for the coffee that has hair in it. Then he said okay and we started leaving and heard him curse at us. I have had some bad experiences but this was by far the worst. I would give them 0 stars if I could. No kindness. No hospitality. And just plain ** experience. We came in smiling and happy and they were impolite from the start. Also the restaurant had only 2 tables taken the whole time there was no reason for us to...