Turin is a perfect destination for foodies. With so many incredible places to eat and drink in the city, it's nearly impossible to have a bad meal. Here's what a recent day of eating in Turin looked like for me.
Breakfast: Bicerin
Bicerin is a hot, layered drink made with espresso, chocolate and cream that is native to Turin and is a favorite for breakfast when served alongside a croissant. Caffè Al Bicerin, which has been in operation since 1763 and is the birthplace of the drink, is an ideal spot to try it.
Caffè Al Bicerin, Piazza della Consolata, 5, 10122 Torino TO
Lunch: Vitello Tonnato and Pasta
“Piola” means trattoria in the Piedmontese dialect and is a place that is usually family-run and serves homemade, traditional food at a good price. One of the best is Piola Da Celso. Try the Vitello Tonnato (a typical dish of veal with a tuna sauce) to start and then order a plate of Tajarin (the Piedmontese word for tagliolini, narrow tagliatelle) or agnolotti (a typical stuffed pasta filled with roasted meat or veggies) and wash it down with some house wine.
Piola Da Celso, Via Verzuolo, 40, 10139 Torino TO
Aperitivo: Open the Appetite
Aperitivo culture started in Turin and is still popular here. Much more than a “happy hour,” it’s time before dinner to meet with friends for good conversation over bitter drinks and salty snack to “open” the appetite for dinner. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are typically served with an array of snacks. For a few Euros more, some bars offer the Apericena (Aperitivo and dinner), a full buffet of hot and cold food that comes with a drink. There are countless options for aperitivo all over Turin, and one of the pleasures of site seeing downtown is stopping at any bar or cafe advertising an aperitivo for a snack and some people watching. In many places you can check out the food and buffet ahead of time.
Dinner: Farinata and Pizza
After your aperitivo, a passegiata (stroll) to dinner is a good way to continue to work up your appetite. Head toward the Po River to Piazza Vittorio Veneto, a lively area with large, outdoor cafes. The simple, unassuming Da Michele restaurant is tucked in the corner underneath a portico and can be easy to miss. Once you find it, grab an outdoor table and order the tegamino (pan) pizza and farinata (baked chickpea flour) along with an Italian or Belgian beer.
Da Michele, Tomagra Sas, Piazza Vittorio Veneto, 10123 Torino
Dessert: Gelato
Another passegiata and you’ll be ready for dessert! You won’t be the only one lining up for gelato, even at this time of night. Gelateria il Siculo specializes in gelato and Sicilian-style granita (sorbet) and has some unusual flavors that you won’t find anywhere else (violet, passion fruit, anise), along with the classics that are all made daily using fresh ingredients. The line can be long, but it moves fast. And there’s plenty to look at in the small space while you wait.
Gelateria il Siculo, Via S. Quintino, 31, 10121 Torino
