Turin

Turin is a sophisticated city in northern Italy's Piedmont region, nestled at the foot of the Alps along the Po River. Known for its elegant Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture, tree-lined boulevards, and historic cafés, it was Italy's first capital and remains an important cultural and industrial center. The city is famous for its chocolate, vermouth, the iconic Mole Antonelliana tower, and as home to the Fiat automobile company.

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The City of Four Rivers

Turin (Torino in Italian) is an elegant city of approximately 900,000 residents located in northwestern Italy's Piedmont region, set dramatically at the foot of the Western Alps along the Po River. With its refined Baroque architecture, grand piazzas, and endless arcades, Turin exudes a sophisticated European charm quite distinct from Italy's more tourist-heavy destinations.

Turin's history stretches back to Roman times when it was established as Augusta Taurinorum in the 1st century BC. The city rose to prominence in the 16th century when it became the capital of the Duchy of Savoy, and later the House of Savoy transformed it into a showcase of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture. Turin played a pivotal role in Italian unification, serving as the first capital of unified Italy from 1861 to 1865. The city's royal heritage is still visible in its grand palaces, including the Royal Palace and multiple hunting lodges, which all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In the 20th century, Turin became Italy's automotive capital as the home of Fiat, shaping its identity as an industrial powerhouse while maintaining its cultural sophistication.

In 2006, Turin gained international recognition when it hosted the XX Winter Olympic Games, which brought significant infrastructure improvements and modernization to the city. The Olympics helped transform Turin's image from an industrial city to a dynamic cultural and tourist destination, with new sporting facilities and improved transportation networks that continue to benefit residents and visitors today.

While Turin and Milan are sometimes compared as northern Italy's two major cities, they offer quite different experiences. Milan, just an hour away by train, is Italy's financial and fashion capital—a fast-paced, international metropolis known for its contemporary style and business culture. Turin, by contrast, maintains a more reserved, aristocratic elegance with its cohesive Baroque cityscape and quieter, more refined atmosphere. Turin is also considerably more affordable and less crowded than Milan, making it appealing for travelers seeking an authentic Italian city experience without the overwhelming tourist presence. Food lovers often prefer Turin for its exceptional chocolate, traditional Piedmontese cuisine, and position at the heart of prestigious wine regions like Barolo and Barbaresco.

Turin serves as the perfect gateway to Piedmont's world-renowned wine country, one of Italy's most celebrated wine regions. Just 30-60 minutes south of the city lie the rolling hills of Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato—UNESCO World Heritage landscapes dotted with medieval villages, vineyards, and castle-topped hills. This is the home of Barolo and Barbaresco, Italy's "king and queen of wines," both made from the noble Nebbiolo grape. The region also produces other exceptional wines including Barbera, Dolcetto, and the sparkling Moscato d'Asti. The charming town of Alba, famous for its white truffles, serves as the heart of wine country and hosts the annual truffle fair each autumn. Many wineries offer tours and tastings, and the region is easily explored as day trips from Turin or as part of a longer stay in countryside agriturismos. The scenic drive through vineyard-covered hills, combined with outstanding cuisine featuring local hazelnuts, cheeses, and truffles, makes this one of Italy's premier wine tourism destinations.

Turin is well-connected to major European cities by air, rail, and road. Turin Airport (Caselle), located about 16 kilometers north of the city center, offers flights from major European hubs and some international destinations. From the airport, you can reach the city center via the SADEM bus service (roughly 40 minutes) or by taxi. The city is also easily accessible by train, with Turin Porta Nuova being the main railway station offering high-speed connections to Milan (one hour), Rome (four hours), and Venice, as well as international services to Paris and Lyon.

Turin's compact city center and efficient public transportation make it easy to explore. The city operates an integrated network of metro, trams, and buses managed by GTT (Gruppo Torinese Trasporti). The metro line connects key areas of the city, while the extensive tram network is particularly useful for reaching major attractions. A single ticket covers all public transport for 90 minutes, and various passes are available for tourists. However, Turin's historic center is very walkable, and many visitors find that exploring on foot is the best way to appreciate the city's architectural details and stumble upon its famous chocolate shops and historic cafés.

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Things To Do And See

Things To Do and See

Turin offers a rich blend of royal palaces, world-class museums, and elegant arcaded streets perfect for shopping and sampling renowned local chocolates and coffee in historic cafés. It's easy to lose track of time wandering through the city's charming streets and under its endless elegant arcades—18 kilometers of covered porticoes lined with boutiques, bookshops, and artisan workshops that make Turin perfect for strolling in any weather.

Museo Egizio

Founded in 1824 as the world's first museum dedicated entirely to ancient Egypt, the Museo Egizio houses over 30,000 artifacts making it the second-most important Egyptian collection after Cairo's. Highlights include 24 human mummies, the intact tomb of Kha and Merit, massive statues of Ramesses II, three versions of the Book of the Dead, and a rock-cut Temple of Ellesyia gifted by Egypt itself.

National Museum of Cinema/Mole Antonelliana

One of the world's most important film museums is housed inside Turin's iconic 167.5-meter tall Mole Antonelliana, originally designed as a synagogue in 1863 and featuring a panoramic viewing deck with breathtaking Alpine vistas. The museum's 35,000-item collection traces cinema's complete evolution through highly interactive exhibits designed by Swiss set designer François Confino.

Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile

This world-renowned automotive museum showcases over 200 original cars from 80 brands spanning the entire history of the automobile from 1769 to the present, perfectly located in Turin—the birthplace of FIAT. Beyond just vehicles, the museum tells the cultural story of the automobile through interactive multimedia exhibits, featuring everything from the first Italian car to Ferrari F1 racers driven by Schumacher.

Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista

Built between 1491-1498, this cathedral is the only remaining Renaissance church in Turin and serves as home to Christianity's most famous relic—the Holy Shroud of Turin, believed by many to be Jesus Christ's burial cloth and housed here since 1578. Connected to the Royal Palace via Guarino Guarini's stunning Baroque Chapel of the Holy Shroud, the cathedral welcomes pilgrims and visitors free of charge to view informative displays about the Shroud (though the linen itself is rarely exhibited publicly).

Palazzo Reale di Torino (Royal Palace of Turin)

The primary residence of the Royal House of Savoy from the 16th century until 1946, this UNESCO World Heritage Site anchors the vast Royal Museums complex spanning 30,000 square meters with multiple collections. Visitors can explore opulent royal apartments, the Throne Room, Europe's largest royal armory, the Sabauda art gallery with masterworks from the Savoy collection, and elegant Royal Gardens—all within one seamless palatial experience.

Chiesa di Santa Maria del Monte dei Cappuccini

This late Renaissance church built between 1583-1656 for the Capuchin Order sits atop Monte dei Cappuccini hill and features beautiful Baroque interiors with polychrome marble altars. However, most visitors come for what many consider the absolute best panoramic views of Turin, with the entire cityscape and majestic Alps backdrop visible from the terrace—particularly spectacular at sunset and completely free to visit.

Palatine Gate (Porta Palatina)

One of the best-preserved Roman-era gates in the world, the Palatine Gate dates back to the 1st century AD and once served as the northern entrance to ancient Augusta Taurinorum. Its two 16-sided brick towers and central archway stand as a striking reminder of Turin's deep Roman roots.

Parco del Valentino

Stretching along the banks of the Po River, this beloved green space is Turin's most popular park, perfect for strolling, cycling, or picnicking. Highlights include the medieval Borgo Medievale replica village and the elegant 17th-century Castello del Valentino, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Galleria Subalpina

This elegant 19th-century covered arcade connects Piazza Castello to Piazza Carlo Alberto with its soaring iron-and-glass ceiling and ornate shopfronts. Home to historic bookshops, antique dealers, and charming cafés, it offers a quieter and more intimate alternative to Milan's famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Explore Turin's Piazzas

Turin's grand baroque squares form the elegant heart of the city, with Piazza San Carlo—nicknamed "Turin's drawing room"—featuring twin churches and historic cafés, Piazza Castello serving as the monumental civic center, and Piazza Carignano showcasing the curved façade of the palace where Italy was unified. Walking between these interconnected squares reveals the city's remarkable architectural harmony and café culture.

Lavazza Museum

Dedicated to the art and culture of coffee, this interactive museum explores the history of Italy's most famous coffee brand and the broader story of coffee worldwide. Visitors can enjoy immersive exhibits, tastings, and a stunning rooftop café with panoramic views of the city.

Eataly Torino Lingotto

The original flagship location of this global Italian food emporium is housed in a converted vermouth factory and offers an overwhelming array of artisanal cheeses, cured meats, pasta, wine, and more. Beyond shopping, visitors can dine at multiple on-site restaurants or take cooking classes celebrating Italy's rich culinary traditions.

Porta Palazzo

Europe's largest open-air market combined with adjacent indoor market, offers a vibrant sensory experience with vendors selling fresh produce, cheeses, meats, clothing, and housewares. The multicultural atmosphere reflects Turin's diverse immigrant communities, making it both a local shopping hub and a fascinating glimpse into the city's everyday life.

Castello di Rivoli Museo d'Arte Contemporanea

Housed in a dramatic unfinished Baroque castle designed by Filippo Juvarra, this was Italy's first contemporary art museum and remains one of its most important. The striking contrast between the historic architecture and cutting-edge works by artists like Maurizio Cattelan and Anish Kapoor creates a uniquely compelling museum experience.

La Venaria Reale

One of the largest and most spectacular royal residences in the world, this UNESCO World Heritage Site rivals Versailles with its lavish baroque and rococo interiors and magnificent gardens. Meticulously restored in recent decades, the palace hosts world-class art exhibitions and offers visitors an immersive journey into Savoy royal splendor. We'd recommend splurging on a private tour that includes skip-the-line tickets and a taxi transfer with Somewhere Tours.

Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi

This exquisite UNESCO-listed hunting lodge was built in the 18th century as a retreat for the Savoy royal family and features one of Italy's finest rococo interiors. The palace's distinctive stag sculpture crowns the central dome, while the surrounding parkland evokes the grandeur of aristocratic hunts past.

Basilica of Superga

Perched atop a hill overlooking Turin, this magnificent baroque basilica was built in the early 18th century by architect Filippo Juvarra to fulfill a vow made before a victorious battle. The panoramic views of the city, Alps, and Po Valley are breathtaking, though the site also holds a somber history as the location of the 1949 plane crash that killed the legendary Grande Torino football team.

Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli

Located in a sleek glass-and-steel "treasure chest" atop the iconic Lingotto building—Fiat's former factory—this intimate gallery houses the private art collection of the Agnelli family. Masterpieces by Canaletto, Matisse, Picasso, and Renoir are displayed alongside stunning rooftop views and Renzo Piano's striking architecture.

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Where To Have A Coffee Break

Turin stands as the birthplace of Italian coffee culture—where Angelo Moriondo invented the espresso machine in 1884, Lavazza was founded in 1895, and 13 historic cafés still preserve the elegant traditions that fueled the Risorgimento movement for Italian unification. The city's most treasured creation is bicerin, a velvety layered drink of hot chocolate, espresso, and cream invented in 1763 at Caffè al Bicerin, where legends from Alexandre Dumas to Friedrich Nietzsche have savored this iconic symbol of Turin's distinctive marriage of coffee sophistication and centuries-old chocolate artistry.

Caffè San Carlo

Founded as a gathering place for Risorgimento reformists and notable as the first café in Europe illuminated by gas lamps, Caffè San Carlo occupies neoclassical salons under Piazza San Carlo's porticos where figures from Count Cavour to the Duke of Abruzzi once plotted expeditions and political reform. Today, under the Costardi Bros' management since 2021, visitors find a seamless blend of 19th-century grandeur with contemporary Piedmontese gastronomy, plus direct access to the Gallerie d'Italia photography museum.

Caffè Baratti & Milano

Set within the stunning Galleria Subalpina arcade and bearing a royal warrant as "Official Supplier to the House of Savoy," Baratti & Milano invented the beloved cremino chocolate and still displays its confections—gianduiotti, marrons glacés, and jewel-toned candies—beneath Belle Époque chandeliers, mahogany furnishings, and inlaid marble floors. Visitors should enter from Piazza Carignano to enjoy the caffè for the full effect and expect an atmosphere that transports into opulent refinement.

Caffè Torino

This Art Nouveau masterpiece on Piazza San Carlo features a show stopping curved staircase with swirling iron balustrades, gilded mirrors, and Liberty-style flourishes that once drew royalty including King Umberto I and Hollywood stars like Ava Gardner and James Stewart. Visitors should try the house bicerin and pastries at the elegant indoor salons or terrace, and follow local superstition by stepping on the bronze bull embedded in the pavement outside—said to bring good luck.

Orso Laboratorio del Caffè

Hidden in Turin's San Salvario neighborhood, this contemporary coffee laboratory channels the spirit of specialty brewing culture with a world map connecting single-origin beans from five continents to various brewing methods—syphon, AeroPress, Chemex, and cold brew. Visitors receive a personalized "coffee journey" from knowledgeable baristas, outstanding croissants with pistachio or gianduja fillings, and can finish with a playful twist: coordinates at the bottom of your cup unlock a fortune reading from the house "shaman."

Caffé Al Bicerin

The birthplace of Turin's iconic bicerin, this intimate jewel box facing the Sanctuary of the Consolata seats only seven or eight guests at marble tables surrounded by wooden paneling and flickering candlelight. Count Cavour waited here while the royals attended Mass, Hemingway declared it "one of the 100 things I'd save in the world," and today the women-run café continues a tradition spanning over 260 years where the signature drink must never be stirred, allowing flavors to blend on the palate.

Caffè Fiorio

Where Count Cavour founded his influential Whist Club and planned Italy's unification with fellow patriots—King Carlo Alberto reportedly asked each morning "What was said at Caffè Fiorio?"—this aristocratic café on Via Po preserves its 1845 interior of crimson velvet, yellow Siena marble, and mirrored walls. Visitors should ascend the wooden spiral staircase to the quieter upper rooms, order the house bicerin or legendary gianduia gelato (the café claims credit for inventing the walking ice cream cone), and absorb an atmosphere unchanged since the age of revolution.

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Where To Grab A Sweet Treat

Turin has been Italy's chocolate capital since 1560, when the House of Savoy introduced cocoa from Spain's New World colonies, eventually granting Europe's first official chocolate-making license in 1678. The city invented gianduia—the beloved hazelnut-chocolate paste born from necessity during Napoleon's blockade—along with the first wrapped chocolate (the gianduiotto in 1865), the bicerin drink, and traditions that inspired Nutella and now account for 40% of Italy's chocolate production.

Guido Gobino

Founded as a family laboratory specializing in traditional Turin chocolates, this third-generation artisan is celebrated for the Tourinot®—an elegant 5-gram gianduiotto—and the award-winning Cremino al Sale, named "Best Praline in the World" in 2008. Visit the intimate flagship boutique on Via Lagrange for thick spoonable hot chocolate served through a window, or book a factory tour at Via Cagliari to watch the complete bean-to-bar process.

Baratti & Milano

Official chocolatier to the House of Savoy and inventor of the cremino—the three-layered praline now made in 14 variations—this Art Nouveau masterpiece inside the Galleria Subalpina remains protected as a national cultural heritage site since 1985. Sit beneath crystal chandeliers and gilded stuccoes here Cavour, Nietzsche, and Nobel laureate Rita Levi-Montalcini once took their bicerin, or try the "Merenda Reale" afternoon ritual that recreates the Savoy royal snack tradition.

Guido Castagna

This rising star of Turin chocolatiers revolutionized the traditional gianduiotto with his Giuinott®—a velvety 7-gram creation using prized Chuao cocoa from Venezuela that has won more World Gold medals than any competing product, scoring the highest marks at the 2023 International Chocolate Awards. The elegant Via Maria Vittoria boutique offers a jewelry-like atmosphere where visitors can sample his Crema +55 hazelnut spread and arrange tastings that pair chocolates with Piedmont vermouth.

Caffé Al Bicerin

Turin's oldest café invented its namesake drink, where the secret recipe remains protected by staff non-disclosure agreements after 260 years. Beyond the famous beverage, the adjacent retail shop sells house-made gianduiotti with IGP Piedmont hazelnuts, chocolate bars ranging from 56-75% cacao, spiced "apothecary" chocolates, and torta bicerin cake, all produced using traditional methods revived by former owner Maritè Costa's three decades of research into authentic Turinese chocolate recipes.

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Pasticceria Ghigo dal 1870

Originally a dairy where milkmen once filled white drums from horse-drawn tanks, this beloved pastry shop under the Via Po arcades now serves what surveys rank as Turin's finest hot chocolate, crowned with fresh whipped cream (called "fiocca") applied with a signature paddle. Return during Christmas season to queue for La Nuvola—a legendary pandoro coated in butter cream that locals have treasured for over a century and ship worldwide.

Caffarel

The company that transformed chocolate history by inventing the gianduiotto in 1865—the world's first individually wrapped chocolate, born when Napoleonic blockades forced mixing cocoa with local hazelnuts—still produces this boat-shaped confection using traditional extrusion methods at its zero-emissions facility. Visit the central Turin shop near the Egyptian Museum for pick-and-mix selections from colorful chocolate barrels, hot bicerin at the café counter, and the original Gianduia 1865 that inspired both Nutella and Ferrero Rocher.

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Where To Have Aperitivo

Turin birthed modern aperitivo culture in 1786 when herbalist Antonio Benedetto Carpano invented commercial vermouth, transforming medicinal tonics into the pre-dinner drink embraced by the Savoy royal family and spawning legendary brands like Martini and Cinzano that made the city the world capital of vermouth. By the mid-1800s, the "Vermouth Hour" tradition emerged where social groups gathered in historic cafés—the "salotti torinesi" (Turin's living rooms)—for a vermuttino accompanied by complimentary snacks, establishing the aperitivo ritual that would spread throughout Italy. Today, from 4pm onwards, Turin's bars and Belle Époque cafés still fill with locals observing this centuries-old tradition of sipping low-alcohol cocktails with free snacks before dinner, a social pause that transformed cocktail culture worldwide.

Caffè Mulassano

This Art Nouveau jewel from 1907 occupies just 31 square meters filled with bronze, brass woodwork, and mirrors in Piazza Castello, where Angela Demichelis Nebiolo invented the tramezzino sandwich in 1926. Today it serves house-made Piedmont vermouth alongside over 30 tramezzino varieties including the famous lobster, truffle, and bagna cauda versions, all beneath the historic plaque commemorating its culinary innovation.

Enoteca Botz

Located in the lively Vanchiglia neighborhood near Piazza Santa Giulia, this unpretentious natural wine bar offers over 400 labels—almost all organic and biodynamic—from Italy, Slovenia, Slovakia, France, and Spain. The aperitivo centers on generous cheese and charcuterie boards accompanied by heaping portions of Turin grissini, finger foods, and olives in a relaxed atmosphere popular with students and mixed-age wine lovers.

La Drogheria

This historic cocktail bar overlooks Piazza Vittorio Veneto through elegant stained glass windows and an outdoor terrace, run by director Martina Franchini and three master mixologists (Jacopo Lucat, Carola Abrate, and Paul Canetti). The drink list features exclusive signature cocktails and house-produced preparations paired with the chef's culinary delights, making it a Turin nightlife institution since its establishment.

Farmacia Del Cambio

Housed in an 1883 Bestente Pharmacy on Piazza Carignano with preserved 19th-century woodwork, this boutique café and laboratory is helmed by Michelin-starred chef Matteo Baronetto and award-winning pastry chef Fabrizio Galla. Aperitivo features house-bottled cocktails like the Forzuto (martini with French chartreuse) and Audace (daiquiri with month-fermented rum aged in balsamic vinegar barrels), served alongside fresh pastries and gourmet dishes from breakfast through evening.

Imbarchino

Nestled in Valentino Park directly on the Po River banks with a wisteria-covered terrace, this historic boathouse-turned-bar operates from breakfast until past midnight serving aperitivo, lunch, and dinner despite having no proper kitchen (sourcing ingredients from local business partners). Popular with students for daytime studying (free WiFi, electrical outlets) and evening cocktails with stunning sunset river views, it hosts live music, DJ sets, and outdoor cinema during summer months.

PEPE

This modern bistro on Piazza Maria Teresa (reborn from the historic 1995 Guglielmo Pepe, later Maison) features outdoor seating beneath centuries-old chestnut trees from March through October, offering one of Turin's most unique terrace settings. Aperitivo showcases cocktails crafted by top bartenders alongside "MiniPiatto"—an Italian riff on tapas—in a refined yet relaxed atmosphere that transitions seamlessly from breakfast to after-dinner drinks.

Bar Cavour

Located on the upper floor of Michelin-starred Ristorante del Cambio, this sophisticated American-style lounge features dark boiserie, teal walls, and velvet sofas where mixologist Marco Torre crafts signature cocktails alongside classic drinks like Bloody Marys with garlic and Tommy's Margaritas. The elegant atmosphere blends international flair with Turin's essence, complemented by quality tapas including their famous Club Sandwich and Jamon Joselito, making it ideal for pre-dinner aperitivo or late-night cocktails.

The Mad Dog Social Club

Hidden behind an unmarked wooden door on Via Maria Vittoria near Piazza Carlina, this speakeasy-inspired members club (membership card required for entry) transports guests to 1920s New York with its basement vaulted brick ceilings, exposed walls, and live jazz curated by renowned musician Fabio Giachino. The cocktail menu journeys through Italian mixology history with classic drinks like Negroni and Americano featuring unique twists and barrel-aged variations that soften and amplify flavors, all served by knowledgeable bartenders in an intimate, sophisticated atmosphere.

Pastis

This Parisian-style bistro in the heart of Quadrilatero Romano on Piazza Emanuele Filiberto has been a creative hub since its founding, frequented daily by writers, artists, and musicians—with a piece of the Berlin Wall embedded in its floor beneath a glass panel. The cafe-restaurant serves Sicilian-influenced Mediterranean cuisine alongside cocktails and Pastis (the anise liqueur namesake), with outdoor seating under century-old trees creating the most French atmosphere in Turin.

Smile Tree

This modern cocktail bar on historic Piazza della Consolata—just steps from Caffè Al Bicerin—specializes in innovative craft cocktails using unconventional experimentation with contemporary decoration, fermentation, and smoking techniques, each drink artfully presented with unique accompaniments. The creative aperitivo pairs sophisticated cocktails and mocktails with small plates and vegan options in a lively atmosphere with outdoor seating overlooking the baroque Santuario della Consolata, making it popular among Turin's young creative crowd.

Vinarium Enoteca

This welcoming neighborhood wine bar on Via Madama Cristina showcases over 1,200 labels—almost all organic and biodynamic—with knowledgeable owners who expertly match wines to individual preferences and offer exceptional quality-to-price ratios. Aperitivo features wine by the glass or bottle accompanied by traditional crostini, charcuterie boards, and salsiccia in a cozy, intimate setting with both indoor seating and a small courtyard popular with locals.

Floris House

This luxurious concept store in the late 1800s Palazzo Marenco on Via Cavour combines an upscale perfume boutique filled with niche fragrances and home décor with an elegant cafe-bar serving refined aperitivo in a fairytale setting of vibrant colors, silk decorations, and fresh flowers. After 5pm, guests can enjoy champagne or expertly crafted cocktails accompanied by sophisticated finger foods like pâté and salmon in an atmosphere that evokes both British refinement and exotic Indian influences, though at premium prices befitting the exclusive ambiance.

Where To Eat

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Where To Eat

Turin's dining scene spans from historic cafés and traditional piole (Piedmontese taverns) to Michelin-starred restaurants, all showcasing a cuisine built on rich, butter-based dishes featuring white truffles from nearby Alba, Fassona beef, and Nocciola Piemonte hazelnuts. Regional specialties to seek out include agnolotti del plin (pinched pasta parcels in sage butter), vitello tonnato (cold veal with creamy tuna sauce), bagna cauda (warm anchovy-garlic dip for raw vegetables), brasato al Barolo (beef braised in Piedmont's legendary wine), and tajarin (delicate hand-cut egg noodles), while the city's role as birthplace of the Slow Food movement ensures a deep commitment to local producers and artisanal traditions.

Ristorante Del Cambio

Turin's most storied dining room has welcomed guests beneath its gilded boiseries and crystal chandeliers since 1757, when statesmen like Count Cavour—who kept a permanent table overlooking the first Italian Parliament—gathered here to "make history, then eat." Now a Michelin-starred destination blending contemporary art installations with meticulously restored 19th-century frescoes, the kitchen honors Piedmontese tradition drawn from historic cookbooks including the 1766 Il Cuoco Piemontese Perfezionato a Parigi.

Carignano

Inside the century-old Grand Hotel Sitea, visionary Chef Davide Scabin—whom Time magazine named one of "ten chefs who change your life"—orchestrates a singular tasting menu experience that upends convention, beginning with rich, intense flavors and gradually lightening toward vegetables and acidity. His "up & down" philosophy weaves together traditional Piedmontese recipes and inventive creations in an Empire-era dining room of gilded mirrors and hushed elegance, where the only choice guests make is whether to trust the sommelier's wine pairings.

Magazzino52

Three friends united by a passion for wine transformed this brick-vaulted former warehouse into a Bib Gourmand-awarded enoteca where a concise, ingredient-driven menu draws inspiration from both Piedmont's mountains and the Mediterranean sea. Walls lined with exceptional bottles available to purchase set the tone for an intimate, sophisticated evening, with attentive service guiding diners through dishes that showcase top-quality produce alongside one of Turin's most impressive wine programs.

Ristorante Consorzio

This Quadrilatero Romano institution has become a temple of nose-to-tail Piedmontese cooking, where adventurous diners feast on handmade tajarin (with white truffles foraged by the co-owner himself), offal-stuffed ravioli alla finanziera, and the legendary quinto quarto assortment of sweetbreads, tripe, and brains. The simple, no-frills dining room belies a serious commitment to Slow Food philosophy, with biodynamic wines flowing from the other co-owner's family vineyard in Asti and an ever-changing menu built around foraged ingredients and less "noble" cuts rarely found elsewhere.

Pastificio Defilippis

This historic pasta workshop traces its origins to 1872 when Domenico Toso, former cook to the House of Savoy, opened his doors on this elegant pedestrian street—a legacy now carried forward by the Damilano family who added a restaurant and delicatessen in 2008. Their signature raviolo della gran tradizione, crafted with 50 egg yolks per kilo of flour and filled with a trio of Piedmontese meats, anchors a menu of handmade agnolotti del plin, tajarin, and regional classics paired with wines from the family's renowned Barolo estates.

Perino Vesco

When Andrea Perino opened his small bakery in 2007, he sparked a revolution in Turinese bread-making with his obsessive attention to leavening and flour—an artisanal approach now showcased in a light-filled shop where customers watch bakers at work in the open kitchen. Beyond the city's finest grissini and focaccia (try the legendary recco with stracchino cheese), this café-bakery serves excellent pastries, traditional torcetti cookies, savory pies, and quick lunch fare, making it an essential stop from breakfast through afternoon merenda.

Scannabue

This stylish French-inspired bistro is credited with transforming the once-overlooked San Salvario neighborhood into a culinary destination, its dark wood interiors, zinc tables, and vintage décor evoking a Parisian ambiance while the kitchen delivers modern interpretations of Piedmontese classics. The Bib Gourmand-awarded menu showcases dishes like tonno di coniglio (tuna-style rabbit slow-cooked in a jar), braised beef cheeks with an intensely flavored reduction, hand-pulled agnolotti del plin, and their legendary vitello tonnato—all paired with an impressive wine list that includes both boutique gems and regional favorites.

Tre Galline

An inn on this corner near Porta Palazzo has served Piedmontese fare for some 500 years—so long that no one knows whether the restaurant took its name from the street or vice versa—and today the wood-paneled dining room with parquet floors, exposed beams, and white tablecloths remains a bastion of refined regional tradition. The "neoclassical Torinese" kitchen honors demanding dishes rarely found elsewhere: the carrello dei bolliti presents seven cuts of boiled meat wheeled tableside with seven accompanying sauces, while a rolling cheese cart rounds out an experience unchanged in spirit since the 18th century.

Antiche Sere

Tucked away in a residential neighborhood far from the tourist trail, this beloved Bib Gourmand osteria has preserved its original décor from over 80 years ago: three small wood-paneled dining rooms with whitewashed walls, a bar, and handwritten menus on recycled paper that change with the seasons. Run by an attentive all-female staff who carry on recipes from their grandmother's Novara kitchen, the fiercely traditional menu features standouts like meltingly tender braised veal cheeks, agnolotti al sugo, stinco di maiale al forno, caponèt (stuffed cabbage rolls), and a legendary panna cotta—all at honest prices that keep locals returning for decades.

L'Acino Restaurant

This intimate family-run trattoria near the medieval Church of San Domenico packs a devoted following into just a handful of tables—including an atmospheric basement dining room surrounded by wine-lined shelves—where owners Nadia, Patrizia, and Angelo deliver warmly personal service alongside robust, ingredient-driven Piedmontese cooking. The focused menu highlights dishes like cipolla ripiena (stuffed onion), their exceptional vitel tonnè made without mayonnaise in the old style, tonno di coniglio, slow-braised stracotto di manzo, and a hazelnut cake with zabaione that perfectly captures the soul of Piedmont.

Porto di Savona

Operating since 1863, Turin's oldest continuously-run restaurant occupies the porticoed ground floor of Giuseppe Frizzi's magnificent piazza—named for the stagecoaches that once departed here for the port of Savona—and maintains its 19th-century tavern-like interiors with original floor tiles, vintage furnishings, and wood-paneled rooms across two floors. A member of the prestigious Locali Storici d'Italia association, the kitchen serves classic Piedmontese comfort food including homemade agnolotti with roast sauce, vitello tonnato and fonduta, with an expansive summer terrace offering unmatched views across one of Europe's largest porticoed squares.

Caffè Vini Emilio Ranzini

One of Turin's last authentic piole—the old-style wine taverns that once dotted every neighborhood—this family-run institution steps from the Roman ruins of Porta Palatina has been passed down through generations since 1983, maintaining its tiny wood-paneled room with a handful of tables and a hidden courtyard where students, office workers, and longtime regulars share glasses of honest local wine. The simple self-service menu of traditional small plates showcases the merenda sinoira tradition: acciughe al verde (anchovies in green sauce), butter-and-anchovy sandwiches, toma di Lanzo, tomini with bagnetti, vitello tonnato, beef tongue, and hard-boiled eggs—all at prices from another era.

Piola da Cianci

Perched on a small square with views of the Duomo just steps from Piazza Castello, this quintessential piola has earned cult status as Turin's most democratic dining experience—where students, tourists, and longtime regulars crowd elbow-to-elbow at closely packed tables for some of the city's most affordable traditional cooking. The brief, ever-changing menu delivers honest Piedmontese classics like tomini al verde, tajarin with veal ragù, trippa e fagioli, and carne cruda, all served at lightning speed by young, energetic staff who somehow manage to stay cheerful despite the perpetual chaos—arrive early or expect to wait.

Trattoria Bar Coco's

Time stopped somewhere around 1973 at this beloved family-run piola in San Salvario, where wood-paneled walls plastered with old postcards, Grande Torino football memorabilia, and paper placemats featuring Tex and Dylan Dog comics create an atmosphere so authentically retro it feels like stepping into a neighbor's dining room rather than a restaurant. The kitchen turns out hearty Piedmontese comfort food—pasta e fagioli, cotoletta alla milanese, vitello tonnato, risotto with saffron and toma cheese, and the house-favorite chicche gnocchi with toma and pistachio—at prices that haven't quite caught up with the times, served by staff who treat everyone like a regular even on your first visit.

Contesto Alimentare

This tiny Bib Gourmand-awarded modern trattoria hides behind an unassuming storefront on a busy central street, its spare concrete-vaulted interior with closely packed tables offering no distraction from what matters: refined, ingredient-driven cooking that elevates Piedmontese tradition with touches borrowed from Sicily and beyond. The imaginatively written menu might yield tajarin made with 40 egg yolks in rich veal ragù or a revelatory lavender panna cotta—all served with genuine warmth by owner Francesca and paired with a thoughtfully curated wine list that favors small producers over obvious choices.

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Where To Stay

Turin offers a compelling range of places to stay, from opulent grand hotels occupying Belle Époque palazzos along the city's elegant porticoed avenues to intimate boutique properties tucked into the narrow streets of the Quadrilatero Romano and the vibrant San Salvario neighborhood. As a city that remains refreshingly under-the-radar compared to Rome, Florence, or Milan, Turin delivers exceptional value across all categories—whether you're seeking chandelier-lit luxury steps from Piazza San Carlo or a design-forward apartment with views of the Alps.