Antico Ristorante Tommaseo is the oldest café in Trieste; founded in 1825, it took its name from its Paduan owner, Tommaso Marcato, but was later renamed Tommaseo, in honour of the Dalmatian linguist, writer and patriot. Since 2021, the café has been owned by the Faggiotto family, renowned chocolatiers throughout Italy.

Marcato ordered precious mirrors from Belgium and introduced Trieste to ice cream, and in 1845 to gas lighting. Among its regulars, Pasquale Besenghi degli Ughi, Domenico Rossetti, Pietro Kandler and probably Henry Beyle (Stendhal); more recently, Virgilio Giotti, Giani Stuparich, Pierantonio Quarantotti Gambini and Umberto Saba, all sat at its tables. 

Interesting facts:
Italo Svevo used to write here and Claudio Magris, local writer, created his first masterpiece, "Danubio", sitting at its tables.

Antico Ristorante Tommaseo was decorated by Gatteri and inspired Giuseppe Barison, who sold his paintings and watercolours in the café.

Important deals and import-export contracts were discussed and signed here. In fact, the historical cafés where used as business addresses by many traders. In 1954, Caffè Tommaseo, located in the piazza by the same name, next to Piazza Unità, was awarded the status of Listed Building of Italy.