Caffè Trieste

Giovanni "Papa Gianni" Giotta opened this quintessential North Beach caffè— considered to be the first espresso house on the west coast—in 1956, and very little has changed since. Owned and operated by three generations of the Giotta family (and going on their fourth), this corner of history is now helmed by Papa Gianni's granddaughter, Ida Zoubi, who lovingly carries on the tradition of community, art, live music, and of course, damn good coffee. The Trieste (as the locals call it) is a natural hub of the First Friday experience, as it's both the gateway to upper Grant Avenue and also the meeting place for art patrons to gather during the walk. The exterior is an art gallery itself, festooned with dozens of posters of family, friends, and deep North Beach history, so grab a glass of wine or an Africano to really start your art engines.