Comfortably seated on the precious velvet sofas of Turin’s historic caffè, you can enjoy the sweet Turin specialties in an atmosphere of times gone by.
Turin is the Italian city with the most historic cafes. These rooms with velvet sofas, mirrors, boiseries and sumptuous chandeliers, which in the nineteenth century hosted literary salons and political debates, now allow you to savor the specialties of Savoy pastry, especially based on chocolate and coffee, during a pleasant break, without forgetting small pastries, meringues, candied almonds, marron glacés and ice cream, particularly loved by the Turinese.
The history of Italy was written in these places: the Italian Risorgimento was also born in the cafes of Turin. A meeting place for politicians, writers and intellectuals, even the sovereigns sent their emissaries here to probe the moods of the population and patriotic demands. Each Turin cafe had its peculiarities and its political connotation, derived from its regulars.
Almost all the historic cafes are concentrated in the area around Piazza Castello, with some exceptions such as Caffè Al Bicerin (in front of the church of the Consolata) or Platti (in Corso Vittorio Emanuele).
Caffè Al Bicerin
Bicerin in Turin dialect means “small glass” and it was served here for the first time: for those who want to taste this typical Turin drink based on chocolate, coffee and milk cream, this place is a must.
A small and secluded cafe, often you have to queue to enter, where time seems to have stopped.
It is described in this way in Umberto Eco’s The Prague Cemetery:
“The bliss of that environment with the external iron frame, the advertising panels on the sides, the columns and capitals in cast iron, the internal boiseries in wood decorated with mirrors and the marble tables, the counter behind which the vases sprouted, with the almond scent, of forty different types of sugared almonds… I particularly liked to observe on Sundays, because the drink was the nectar of those who, having fasted to prepare for communion, sought comfort coming out of the Consolata – and the bicerin was sought after in times of Lenten fasting because hot chocolate was not considered food. Hypocrites”.
The premises, which have remained as they were in 1763, marble tables, boiserie on the walls, the management, the view of the Piazza della Consolata, make this small cafe one of the most delightful corners of Turin. (Website)
Specialties: the Bicerin of course, Zabajone flavored with Barolo Chinato or Moscato
Address: Piazza della Consolata, 5 – Torino
Caffè Fiorio
Opened in 1780 under the arcades of Via Po, it was a salon frequented by politicians, artists and intellectuals such as Rattazzi, D’Azeglio and Cavour. Also called “caffé dei codini” (conservative cafe) because it was frequented in the nineteenth century by aristocrats and senior officers. King Charles Albert inquired every morning about the rumors circulating at Fiorio to have his finger on the pulse of the political situation.
The interior rooms are worth a visit, preserving the elegance of the past with velvets, sofas and damask walls. Renowned for its production of ice cream, especially for the Gianduja flavor, served in the characteristic “Fiorio cups”.
Specialties: ice cream (gianduia), hot chocolate
Address: Via Po 8, Turin
Caffè San Carlo
Born at the beginning of the nineteenth century in the square of the same name, it was immediately very popular and innovative: it was the first Italian café to adopt gas lighting. The Caffè San Carlo was frequented by Carbonari and patriots, bohemians; an “alternative” café ante litteram that was closed several times for subversive activities. Later it was frequented by writers, artists and journalists including Croce, De Amicis, Gobetti, Casorati, Luigi Einaudi and Carlo Levi.
In 2021, the Costardi Bros took over the management of Caffè San Carlo, reopening it after a conservative restoration that enhanced the historical spaces with a contemporary touch. The restaurant is located inside the Gallerie d’Italia – Turin and offers a café and a bistro with innovative gastronomic proposals, while keeping the Turin tradition alive.
Address: Piazza San Carlo, 156 – Turin
Caffè confetteria Baratti & Milano
A splendid place with a noble and classic charm, opened in 1875 in the heart of Turin, under the arcades of Piazza Castello and with windows overlooking the Galleria Subalpina. Elegant rooms covered in wood and marble, which have nothing to envy to Viennese cafes. Its Art Nouveau atmosphere is the work of the architect Casanova: when you enter, look up at the splendid rosette ceiling at the entrance of the restaurant.
Baratti & Milano became famous for chocolate, gianduiotti, cremini and was awarded the coat of arms of supplier to the Royal House of Savoy. Recommended for a good aperitif, it is also a refined restaurant led by chef Guido Alciati.
Specialties: hot chocolate, candies and pastries.
Address: Piazza Castello, 29 – Torino
Caffè Mulassano
Opened in 1907, it was a habitual and exclusive meeting place for the notables of the Royal House and the artists of the nearby Teatro Regio. Perfect for a coffee break or hot chocolate under the arcades of Piazza Castello, in a small environment (31 square meters) that enjoys the refinement of the period furnishings and the particular atmosphere that you breathe there. Its founder is credited with introducing the tramezzino (sandwich) to Italy in 1925, which made the restaurant famous throughout the city.
Specialties: Aperitivo, Tramezzini, Vermouth
Address: Piazza Castello, 15 – Torino
Caffè Torino
Inaugurated in 1903 under the arcades of Piazza San Carlo, the Caffè Torino is the elegant salon where all the “good society” of the past and today has lingered and still lingers. A small Art Nouveau masterpiece that has always been synonymous with elegance and impeccable service.
Address: Piazza San Carlo, 204 – Torino
Caffetteria di Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace Coffee Shop)
The Caffetteria di Palazzo Reale is the most recent “historic café” in Turin: it was inaugurated in 2007. Convenient for those visiting the Royal Museums (it is on the ground floor of the Royal Palace) and scenic: the porcelain services of the Savoy collections are displayed on the walls.
Address: Piazzetta Reale, 1 – Palazzo Reale –Torino
Caffè Platti
More secluded than the other historic cafes in the center, it is located under the arcades of Corso Vittorio Emanuele II.
Since 1870, the splendid halls embellished with Baroque decorations and Art Deco furnishings have hosted illustrious figures such as Giulio Einaudi, Senator Agnelli, Cesare Pavese, Natalia Ginzburg. It seems that the idea of founding a football team was born in the halls of the Caffè Platti… later known as Juventus.
Specialties: pralines, gianduiotti, bignole, Torta Platti (Platti Cake)
Address: Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 72 , Torino
Confetteria Stratta (Stratta Confectionery)
Opened in 1836, the Stratta confectionery and pastry shop became the official supplier to the House of Savoy thanks to its candies.
Specialties: Confetti (Sugared Almonds), Marron Glacés, Chocolates
Address: Piazza S. Carlo, 191, Torino
Caffè – Gelateria Pepino (Pepino Coffee & Ice Cream Shop)
Caffè Pepino, also known as Gelateria Pepino, is a historic establishment located in Piazza Carignano in Turin, famous for being one of the oldest in the city, with a tradition dating back to 1884.
Specialties: in 1939, Pepino invented and patented the “Pinguino” (Penguin), the first ice cream on a stick covered in chocolate in the world.
Address: Piazza Carignano 8, Torino