{"id":427,"slug":"best-things-to-eat-in-turin","title":"10 Best Things to Eat in Turin: A Foodie’s Guide to Piedmontese Cuisine","excerpt":"Best things to eat in Turin: From the iconic Bicerin to rich Gianduja chocolate.","content":"Turin is a dream destination for food lovers, serving as the capital of the Piedmont region—a land famous for truffles, heavy red wines, and rich chocolates. Unlike the tomato-and-olive-oil-heavy dishes of southern Italy, northern Italian cuisine relies heavily on butter, hazelnut pastes, and slow-cooked meats. As the birthplace of both the slow food movement and solid chocolate, this royal city offers a culinary tradition that is deeply sophisticated yet comforting.\n\nNavigating the historic markets and Belle Époque cafes is just as important to the local experience as visiting the royal palaces. To help you dive into this rich culinary heritage, we have put together a guide to the absolute best things to eat in Turin, capturing the authentic flavors that define the northwest corner of Italy.\n\n### What food is Turin famous for?\n> Turin is internationally famous for Bicerin, a warm layered drink made of espresso, drinking chocolate, and heavy cream. The city is also renowned for white truffles, Gianduja hazelnut chocolates, and rich pasta dishes like Agnolotti del Plin, making it a cornerstone of northern Italian gastronomy.\n\n## 10 Best Things to Eat in Turin (Top Dishes & Delicacies)\nFrom elegant historic cafes to cozy local taverns (osterie), here are the essential dishes and treats you need to try on your next visit to the city.\n\n1. **Sip a Historic Bicerin:** This iconic layered drink has been served in the city since the 18th century. Brewed carefully with espresso, thick hot chocolate, and cold cream, it must never be stirred. The magic lies in drinking the hot liquids through the cold layer of cream. Enjoying one at a marble table in a historic cafe is one of the definitive experiences in the region.\n\n2. **Savor Agnolotti del Plin:** This traditional Piedmontese pasta consists of small, folded pockets of dough stuffed with a mixture of roasted meats. The word \"Plin\" translates to \"pinch,\" referring to the method used to seal the pasta. They are typically served in a rich meat reduction sauce or simply tossed in butter and fresh sage.\n\n3. **Indulge in Giandujotti:** Turin is the capital of chocolate, and the Giandujotto is its crown jewel. Invented during the Napoleonic regency when cocoa was scarce, local chocolatiers mixed chocolate with ground Piedmontese hazelnuts. These creamy, foil-wrapped treats melt instantly on the tongue and make perfect souvenirs.\n\n4. **Try Vitello Tonnato:** A classic antipasto that sounds unusual but tastes incredible. It features thinly sliced cold veal topped with a smooth, creamy sauce flavored with tuna, capers, and anchovies. It is a staple on almost every traditional menu in the city, especially during the warmer months.\n\n5. **Crunch on Grissini:** Did you know that the world-famous breadstick was invented in Turin in 1679? Local bakers created these long, thin, crispy breadsticks for a young prince who had trouble digesting soft bread. Today, they are served at the start of every meal and are completely different from mass-produced versions.\n\n6. **Enjoy the Aperitivo Culture:** Turin claims to be the birthplace of the modern aperitivo, tied to the invention of Vermouth here in 1786. In the late afternoon, locals head to bars to enjoy a glass of local wine or a Vermouth cocktail, which comes accompanied by plates of cheeses, cured meats, and small bites.\n\n7. **Taste Tajarin with Truffles:** Tajarin is a thin, ribbon-like egg pasta typical of the Piedmont region, made with an exceptionally high number of egg yolks. This gives the pasta a rich golden color and a silky texture. During the autumn season, it is best enjoyed shaved with fresh white truffles from nearby Alba.\n\n8. **Snack on Tramezzini:** Another local invention, the Tramezzino is a triangular sandwich made with soft white bread and crusts removed, heavily stuffed with creative fillings like tuna, olives, or prosciutto. Head to the historic cafes in the city center to grab a couple for a quick, traditional lunch.\n\n9. **Order Carne Cruda all'Albese:** For meat lovers, this dish is a revelation. It is a high-quality, knife-minced raw beef dish sourced from the local Fassona breed. It is lightly seasoned with local olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, letting the naturally sweet and tender quality of the meat shine through.\n\n10. **Sample Bunet:** To finish your meal like a local, order a slice of Bunet. This rich, traditional pudding is made with cocoa, eggs, milk, and crushed amaretti biscuits, flavored with a dash of rum. Baked to a smooth texture and coated in dark caramel, it is the ultimate comfort dessert.\n\n## Planning Your Culinary Journey\nTo fully appreciate the best things to eat in Turin, timing is everything. Mornings are best spent exploring the historic coffee shops, while the early evenings belong entirely to the lively squares where families and friends meet for drinks.\n\nIf you are planning out your entire day, it helps to coordinate your meals around your sightseeing schedule. You can check out our detailed guide on [15 best things to do in Turin](https://torinocitypass.tripnly.com/blog/best-things-to-do-in-turin/) to map out how to perfectly balance visiting royal residences with stopping for chocolate and pasta.\n\n## People Also Ask About Eating in Turin\n### Is Turin good for vegetarians?\nWhile Piedmontese cuisine is heavily centered around meats and cheeses, vegetarians will still find great options. Dishes like Tajarin pasta with butter and sage, local cheeses, vegetable flans, and the sweet chocolate treats are widely available and completely meat-free.\n\n### What is the local wine to try in Turin?\nThe Piedmont region produces some of Italy's finest red wines. Look for Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera on the wine lists. For an everyday option that pairs beautifully with pasta, try a glass of Dolcetto or a crisp white Arneis.\n\n### When do restaurants open for dinner in Turin?\nLike most of northern Italy, locals dine a bit earlier than in the south, but restaurants still generally open for dinner around 7:30 PM or 8:00 PM. Taking part in the afternoon aperitivo culture around 6:00 PM is a great way to bridge the gap.\n\n### Where can I buy authentic Gianduja chocolate?\nYou can find artisanal chocolate shops all over the historic center. Historic brands like Stratta, Peyrano, and Guido Gobino are famous for their high-quality, traditional production methods and offer beautiful gift boxes.\n\n### What is the difference between gelato and the chocolate here?\nWhile Turin has an incredible gelato scene (introducing the famous Pinguino chocolate-coated stick), the city is primary known for its solid chocolate innovation. It is where the technology to turn liquid cocoa into solid bars and shapes was perfected.\n\n## A Flavor That Endures\nSampling the best things to eat in Turin is about slowing down and participating in centuries-old traditions. The city rewards those who sit down for a long lunch or spend an hour sipping coffee under the shade of the historic arcades. From the rich cocoa scents drifting out of historic sweetshops to the robust flavors of a slow-cooked ragù, the culinary landscape of this royal capital leaves a lasting impression on every palate.","author":"Alper Aydın","authorInfo":{"name":"Alper Aydın","bio":"Co-founder & CEO of Tripnly","avatarUrl":"https://ethical-car-b690d7e735.media.strapiapp.com/Alper_Aydin_c81fc3ed4d.png","role":"","socials":{"twitter":"","x":"","instagram":"http://instagram.com/alperaydin1","linkedin":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/alperaydin1/"}},"date":"2026-05-23T15:43:50.346Z","category":"Food & Dining","imageUrl":"https://ethical-car-b690d7e735.media.strapiapp.com/best_things_to_eat_in_turin_ed821e30cc.png","imageCaption":"","readTime":6,"views":0,"isPopular":false}