Τhe Historic Caffe Tommaseo is next to the famous Piazza Unità, in the most exclusive area of Trieste. The Founder of the Caffe is Thomas Marcato. Marcato arrived in Trieste for commercial reasons, as did most of the people who arrived in the city at that time. At 1830 Marcato founded Caffe Tommaseo and at the Caffe he was selling a unique dessert: ice cream.

Gatteri painted Caffè Tommaseo and luxurious large mirrors made especially in Belgium adorned its walls. Caffè Tommaseo was the meeting point of many celebrities – Besenghi, Ughi, Svevo, Joyce, Stuparich, Quarantotti Gambini and Umberto Saba – amongst them.

Since 1954, Caffè Tommaseo has been described as a historical and cultural monument of Trieste.