Best Things to Do in Turin for Foodies
If you are looking to rediscover yourself as you discover Italia, there is one location that you absolutely can not miss in Northern Italy, and that is Turin.
Between the Shroud of Turin for history buffs, Palazzo Madama for art lovers, and the Cinema Museum for movie fanatics, Torino is truly a journey for the soul.
With a wide variety of local street food, traditional eating houses, and high-end restaurants, you'll find that the food in Turin is a dream come true too, and deserving of a spot high up on your Italy food bucket list!
Keep reading to discover the best places to dine on gourmet dishes made from the freshest ingredients, and sip on the most exquisite wines, while you watch the hues of the sunset warm the snow-capped Alps.
Turin, Italy’s Undiscovered Food City
Italy has so many incredible food cities for food — too many to count really. But Turin is often overlooked by foodies heading to Milan, or further south to Venice, or Bologna, or Florence.
Once only known for some of its more significant historic sites, more and more food travelers to Italy are seeing the gems that Turin has to offer.
The capital of Italy’s Piedmont region, Turin is Italy’s 4th largest city, though it is still largely under-visited compared to other Italian cities, which is a shame since the regional cuisine of the Piedmont is largely what defined the beginnings of the slow food movement nearby.
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Piedmont is surrounded by the Alps and tucked away in the country’s northwest corner, and the foods grown and crafted here are still grounded in what’s fresh and seasonal.
Foodies may not expect some of the delicious foods that are unique to the region like rice, alpine cheeses, and the prized local hazelnuts in the fall (this is the home of Nutella).
Italian truffles, both black and white, feature prominently on local menus, and the annual Truffle Fair in Alba draws tens of thousands of foodies from around the world.
As for wine, Piedmont is known for bold Barolos and Barbarescos made from the native nebbiolo grape. Like many northern Italy cities, the local pasta is an egg pasta and bright yellow in color, and you’ll find them in lots of shapes and sizes from thin squared off strands of tajarin, to the small stuffed pasta pillow, agnolotti al plin.
But through the years, food-loving entrepeneurs also made their mark on Turin, producing some of the world’s most delicious food products here like chocolate and vermouth.
Today, Turin is a veritable treasure trove for foods to eat and culinary experiences to have. Without further delay, here are our favorite things to do in Turin for food and wine lovers!
Things to Do in Turin (for Foodies)
Turin Tours for Foodies
1. Guido Gobino
While you can't buy happiness, you can always buy chocolate. And that's kind of the same thing, isn't it?
Turin has a long and rich history with chocolate making, and one of the best ways to experience the city’s chocolate culture is at Guido Cobino, to learn about the history of chocolate in Turin and this iconic chocolate factory.
A guided tour of the production lab will allow you a peek behind the curtain to see how the factory's specialty chocolates are made from cocoa beans.
2. Museo Lavazza
In Italy, life begins after coffee, and Museo Lavazza is every coffee lover’s dream and it’s not just for breakfast in Italy. Coffee is consumed throughout the day!
You’ll want to visit the interactive, multisensory Museo Lavazza for lots of reasons. You'll enjoy a guided tour, learn about the culture of coffee making in Italy, and even end the day with a good Lavazza coffee to meet your coffee requirements for the day!
Turin Wine Tours
3. Barolo Wine Tours
Barolo is undoubtedly Piedmont’s most famous wines, and immersing yourself in the local wine culture could easily comprise an entire week long trip to northern Italy.
If you have just a few days however, there are some excellent full-day wine tours that will take you to the best local producers and help you with a crash course on Barolo wines.
>>> We love this private tour of the Barolo region <<<
This full-day tour includes a Piedmont wine tasting from Turin at the cellars and vineyards of Langhe and Roero so be prepared to taste some amazing wine. Tastings include Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo, Roero, Barbera, Dolcetto and Arneis.
The day also includes a guided tour of the town of Alba, renowned for its white truffles, and you’ll also enjoy a variety of local foods as you savor the wine experiences.
The Spirit of Turin
4. Sip Vermouth
Turin became the Italian home base for the aromatic vino, vermouth, in the 18th century after Italian distiller Antonio Benedetto Carpano produced a version that combined premium wine with less expensive herbs and spices.
Today, you can sample from a range of excellent selections of the fortified wine at Caffè Mulassano, while you treat yourself to their signature tramezzino sandwiches. It’s one of our favorite Turin things to do!
Unique Food Experiences
5. Baratti & Milano
This historic confectionery store with an atmosphere reminiscent of the 1800s greets you with its high ceiling and chandeliers.
While at Baratti & Milano, take a bite of their delicious, award-winning Gianduja chocolate bar, and don't leave without trying their delicious Gianduiotto chocolates.
Be sure and buy enough to take home — they make the perfect gifts from Italy. Trust me, you'll leave wanting to come back again!
6. Caffè Al Bicerin
Is there anything more symbolic of Turin than the bicerin? The iconic Italian hot coffee drink is made of coffee, chocolate, and heavy cream, and this tiny café in the city center is the place to go if you want to try it for yourself.
Food Markets in Turin
7. Mercato di Porta Palazzo
Piazza della Repubblica, 10152 Torino
If you're looking for an authentic experience of the local food scene in Turin, Mercato di Porta Palazzo is the place to go.
The largest open-air market in Europe offers shoppers everything from fresh produce to cheeses, different types of breads, cured meats, and gourmet products at reasonable rates. Just remember to bring your best haggling skills with you!
8. Eataly
Via Nizza 230, 14, 10126 Turin
If you’re familiar with Eataly from others around the world, you’ll know what to expect from their location in Turin, called Eataly Torino Lingotto.
If you may not be familiar with them, Eataly is the branded commercial venture for all things Italian food, similar to the several Eataly in New York City, FICO Eataly World in Bologna, and others.
It’s not exactly authentic and certainly not slow food at the source, but the atmosphere is always entertaining. Inside, you’ll find mini-markets, eateries, cooking demonstrations and classes all under one rook — enough entertainment for the whole family.
Situated in the old Carpano vermouth factory, Eataly Torino Lingotto is divided into two floors, covering meat, fish, vegetables and seasonal fruit, cured meats and cheeses, and more in over 2,500 square meters.
Plus, you can enjoy a wide selection of onsite restaurants (in 11,000 square meters) including a gelateria, fine dining restaurant, a pizzeria and pasteria, an enoteca and a pastry shop. Swing by and munch at one of the many tiny shops, or grab a local goodie for later.
Cooking Classes in Turin
9. Cucina Lorenzo de’ Medici
Mercato Centrale (first floor), Piazza della Repubblica 25, 10152 Turin
Located inside another of Turin’s favorite markets, Lorenzo de'Medici is the first cooking school in the Mercato Centrale at Turin. Here, the focus is on the Italian way of life in their approach to imparting knowledge and skills on the finer points of eating.
For those who love to get their hands in the pie, register online a day before to realize the recipe and walk away with some goodies too!
Unique Regional Food of Turin
10. Vitello Tonato
In Turin, they boast about their vitel tonnè, a classic Piedmontese dish featuring cold sliced veal coated in a creamy tuna-flavored sauce.
It may sound like an unusual combination, but this dish is one of the most classic Christmas foods in Italy, with variations seen from northern Italy down into Tuscany and Rome.
And for the best vitello tonato that Piedmont has to offer, you should head to the 500-year old regional ristorante, Tre Galline (Via Gian Francesco Bellezia, 37, 10122 Torino), one of Turin’s best restaurants for this regional specialty dish.
Top Turin Restaurants
When it comes to what to do in Turin, it’s hard not to head straight for some of the city’s best restaurants. And while you won’t be disappointed, don’t forget about the small eateries and out of the way cafes serving late night bites and local street foods.
11. Antica Trattoria delle Langhe
Via Luigi Capriolo, 45, 10139 Turin
If your foodie heart is set on trying the most local traditional dishes of Turin, you must make a reservation at this family-run restaurant (especially needed on weekends).
As its name suggests, Antica Trattoria delle Langhe serves typical dishes from Piedmont’s Langhe area. The décor is quaint and cozy Cucina Italiano and the dishes are rustic but so delicious.
Try the tagliolini alla bagna cauda pasta, agnolotti and carbonata meat stew for a traditional comfort-food dinner.
12. Ristorante Del Cambio
Piazza Carignano, 2, 10123 Torino
Without a doubt one of the best restaurants in Turin, this fabled ristorante dates to 1757 is one of the most elegant restaurants in Italy, and was once the go-to spot for royalty and celebrities.
Today, Chef Matteo Baronetto creates dishes at Del Cambio made from high quality ingredients that are plated in visually stunning ways. Delicious and beautiful to behold. It’s hard to ask for much more.
Top Unique Torino Regional Dishes
13. Finanziera
If you want to enjoy a rustic meal that showcases the Piedmontese cuisine, try the delicious and flavorful stew called finanziera. This traditional dish made of offals and entrails is now a popular dish of the masses, but it used to be a meal that was enjoyed mainly by the working class.
Sounds like food heaven to you? You can this lovely meal featuring the finanziera at Trattoria della Posta (Strada Comunale di Mongreno, 16, 10132 Turin), known for being one of the best restaurants in Turin for this specialty dish.
Street Food in Turin
4. Gelato
After a long day of sightseeing, enjoy a delicious gelato at Caffè Fiorio, and let it redefine your perception of what ice cream can be. The gelataria remains a fashionable place for indulging in some chit chat with other patrons who have the same love for delicious treats.
As you can see, there’s no shortage of yummy street food in Turin, so put on the stretchy pants and get started on your culinary adventure here because this is a city with good food.
Top Turin Food Festivals
15. Cioccolatò
Turin’s Chocolate Festival is the most popular festival in Turin and takes place every year in the baroque Piazza San Carlo in November. The week-long festival showcases sculptures made from cocoa while chocolate makers from all over the world present their products.
Visitors get to sample various chocolates at no cost and buy them by the kilo, and even participate in competitions and workshops amidst the chocolate-filled aromas of Turin.
16. International Fair of the White Truffle
The Piedmont Region is known for truffles, and is home to one of the largest truffle markets in Europe and is also recognized as a leading producer.
Alba, located an hour outside of Turin, hosts the annual Festival of White Truffles, where chefs demonstrate their culinary skills by preparing the white truffles in creative and original ways.
Kids can participate in the festival as well, exploring different stations and learning all about this delicacy.
17. Salone Del Gusto
This “eco-gastronomy” event was founded by Carlo Petrini to celebrate the Slow Food movement. Held once every two years, the event is dedicated to good, clean and fair food, where farmers and producers voyage from across the globe to sell their food in Turin.
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What foodie things to do in Turin have we missed? Leave a comment below!