by Nina Vaclavikova
Interviews: head of the chamber of commerce, Antonio Paoletti; deputy mayor, Serena Tonel; Silvia Risitano, marketing & communication manager of Bazzara
The city long celebrated as Italy’s coffee capital is preparing to host a series of events highlighting its espresso culture, culminating in the 12th edition of the TriestEspresso Expo in 2026.
From November 30 to December 8, Trieste will welcome the Trieste Coffee Festival and Trieste Coffee Experts, gatherings designed for both industry professionals and the general public. The events aim to showcase the full spectrum of coffee culture, from production to preparation, and to promote awareness of the beverage’s cultural, social, and economic significance.
The festival was presented this week at the Chamber of Commerce of Venezia Giulia by Antonio Paoletti, president of the chamber; Serena Tonel, Trieste’s deputy mayor and councilor for economic policies; and representatives from local business associations, coffee producers, and media partners.
“Trieste as the Coffee Capital is not just an identity, it’s also a registered brand,” Paoletti said. “Through events like Trieste Coffee Festival and Trieste Coffee Experts, together with the TriestEspresso Expo, we continue to promote the city’s coffee culture while supporting the local industry.”
This year’s festival, dubbed “Caffèverso”, offers an experiential journey through the many dimensions of coffee — cultural, artistic, social, economic, and sustainable. The program includes workshops, conferences, tastings, and interactive experiences designed to engage both residents and tourists.
Key highlights include the “CAPO in B” Championship, a barista competition entering its 10th edition, and the Moka Contest, now in its fourth year, open to participants preparing coffee with the traditional moka pot. Both events will be held in Piazza Verdi, which will also host a “Coffee Market” from December 3 to 8, leading into the city’s Christmas markets.
Local cafes, restaurants, and patisseries will participate by offering coffee-infused dishes and signature drinks. Participating establishments include historic cafés such as Antico Caffè San Marco, Antica Trattoria Suban, and contemporary venues like Mor, Mast, and 040 Social Food. Pastry shops and bakeries will feature coffee-based desserts, while cocktail bars will offer coffee-inspired drinks from the winners of Trieste Cocktail Week and Negroni Triestino 2025.
The Trieste Coffee Festival was conceived by Alberto Polojac, quality and purchasing manager at Imperator Srl, and is organized by the Associazione Caffè Trieste with the collaboration of Confcommercio Trieste and Freshmedia, alongside support from the city of Trieste, the Chamber of Commerce, Aries Venezia Giulia, Fipe, and the Trieste Convention and Visitors Bureau.
These events set the stage for the TriestEspresso Expo, scheduled for October 21–23, 2026, which has grown into an international biennial gathering for coffee professionals and remains a cornerstone of Trieste’s identity as a global hub for espresso.
