History

The history of Buffet da Vittorio

Name: Buffet da Vittorio
Address: Via Giosuè Carducci 30/A, Trieste, TS, 34125, IT
Telephone: +39 040 245 2796
Price range: €20–30

The buffet opened in 1933 in the centre of Trieste. After two years of closure it reopened on 18 December 2023 at Via Carducci 30/A, with Andrea Furlani, heir of the founding family.

Memories

Vittorio and the photographs on the walls

The family's mementoes hang on the walls: Vittorio in the 1950s with Nereo Rocco, and the cards signed by the boxers.

Black-and-white photograph from the 1950s: three men standing, one in a white jacket with his hand raised, one in a waistcoat and tie, and one in a dark jacket. The printed caption reads “Anni '50 - Il Paron Nereo Rocco con Vittorio” (the 1950s: “il Paron” Nereo Rocco with Vittorio) — The 1950s: Nereo Rocco, “il Paron”, with Vittorio.

Stone wall with three frames: one holds four boxers' cards, some of them signed with a dedication; the other two hold a photograph of two men standing and a sepia photograph of a man in a white jacket, a small child sitting on a table and a woman in an apron — The cards signed by the boxers and two other framed photographs.

According to Trieste Cafe, the boxer Tiberio Mitri and the football manager Nereo Rocco were regulars at the buffet. Mitri's card reads “Campione d'Europa pesi medi” (European middleweight champion); the one signed by Benvenuti is dedicated “Al signor Vittorio” (to Mr Vittorio).

The reopening in the press

“Spaces refurbished in the spirit of tradition, and the memorabilia preserved”

Il Piccolo 17 December 2023 · translated from Italian Read the article (in Italian)

Milestones

What we know about the buffet's history comes from the family and from the articles published at the reopening, listed at the bottom of the page.

The entrance to Buffet da Vittorio at no. 30/A, Via Carducci: a wood-and-glass door under the red “Buffet da Vittorio dal 1933” sign, with the opening-hours plaque and the menu on an easel — The entrance at no. 30/A, Via Carducci.

1933

Vittorio opens the buffet

Vittorio opens his buffet in the centre of Trieste. It still bears his name.
The war years

A hiding place in the kitchen

According to the local press, during the war Vittorio hid some persecuted Jews in the buffet's kitchen.
2021–2023

Two years of closure

After almost ninety years of family history, the buffet stays closed for two years.
18 December 2023

The reopening

The buffet reopens with Andrea Furlani, heir of the founding family. The rooms are refurbished, the family memorabilia stay on the walls and the dining room seats fifty. Trieste dishes are served at lunch and dinner, with grilled meat in the evening, and at the back of the room there's a corner with instruments for anyone who wants to play.
Today

The buffet in Via Carducci

A two-minute walk from Piazza Goldoni, open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30 to 23:30 and on Mondays from 15:30. In reviews, guests mention above all the goulash with gnocchi, the wine and the welcome.