A Local’s Ultimate Guide to Turin Food

As the capital of the Piedmont region, which is home to the Slow Food Movement, Turin food draws on the region’s fertile land, fresh ingredients, and centuries-old culinary traditions. The cuisine here is known for its simplicity and bold flavors, where Less is More, and for its focus on high-quality ingredients and traditional cooking techniques.

With this blog post, you will discover the most iconic dishes from Turin and the Piedmont region – including Gianduja, Vitello Tonné, and Agnolotti del Plin. Continue reading to learn about the delicious world of Torinese cuisine and discover the flavors of this hidden gem of a city.

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16 Traditional Foods and Drinks You Must Try in Turin

Carciofi al Pistacchio (seasonal)

This dish has me WEAK in the knees.

In this dish, artichokes are pan-fried and then showered in chunks of pistachios and Parmigiano scales. When artichokes are in their prime (winter/fall), they get the most delicious, buttery flavor when cooked.

Artichokes season is from November to March, and it is when artichokes are the sweetest and most tender. For this reason, these artichoke dishes are seasonal.

For this dish, make sure to head to my favorite restaurant – La Crocetta!

Insalata/Carpaccio di Carciofi (seasonal)

This dish consists of raw, thinly sliced artichokes that are topped with Parmigiano scales, olive oil, and sometimes freshly squeezed lemon juice.

As someone who’s grown up both in Italy and the US, I can easily confirm that artichokes in Italy are thousand times better than those in the US. I share this not to shame America’s artichokes, but to say that if you don’t like artichokes in the US, you must give them a try in Italy!

When artichokes are in their prime, they have a hard-to-explain flavor – one that is almost buttery, and genuinely, to die for.

Vitello Tonnato

Also called Vitel Tonné, this is a plate made of thinly-sliced, cold roasted veal topped with a creamy tuna sauce. This makes for the perfect appetizer or light lunch on a warm day.

Bagna Cauda

Bagna Cauda is a warm dip made of red anchovies, olive oil, garlic, and butter which is served with hearty vegetables, like fennel and beets.

This is one of Turin’s most popular dishes, particularly in the cold fall and winter months, and can be an appetizer or even a full meal.

Agnolotti del Plin

This is one of Turin’s most famous and beloved dishes.

Agnolotti is a fresh pasta that is traditionally filled with veal, pork, cheese, vegetables, and herbs.

The Agnolotti del Plin in this picture were bathed in butter and sage, and then topped with grated Parmigiano.

Tajarin

Made with only two ingredients, eggs and flowers, Tajarin is a fresh, Piedmontese pasta that resembles Tagliatelle, but has a much smaller width.

One of the most popular ways to order this pasta is with truffles, Tajarin al Tartufo. 😍

Risotto al Castelmagno

Risotto is a northern Italian rice dish that has a creamy consistency when fully prepared – due to the use of broth and cheese. The rice used is Arborio, a thicker type of rice that nicely absorbs the flavors its surrounded by.

Castelmagno is a delicious, semi-hard cow’s milk cheese that has a strong and tangy flavor and a crumbly texture. This cheese originates from Piedmont (the region Turin is in) and is usually aged for a minimum of 60 days.

Given the strong and tangy flavors of this cheese, the risotto is perfected with Salsiccia Bra – a raw sausage that has a sweetness to it and balances out the intensity of Castelmagno.

Albese

Albese is a raw, thinly sliced steak that is topped with Parmigiano cheese scales, freshly-squeezed lemon juice, olive oil, and depending on the season, celery (summer) or artichokes (winter). This is the perfect dish for any season and is one that is light but filling.

This is one of the dishes that everyone should definitely try when visiting Turin, or the Piedmont region – unless they are vegan/vegetarian.

Battuta di Fassone

This is tartare made with Fassone beef, a cattle breed raised in the Piedmont region of Italy.

The beef is thinly minced, or ground, and seasoned with olive oil, pepper, and salt. Depending on the restaurant, this battuta (tartare) could come with additional toppings, such as Parmigiano scales or capers, or come by itself.

Zabaglione

This winter delicacy is a thick drink made of three simple ingredients: egg yolks, sugar, and (traditionally) marsala wine. Zabaglione is served as a hot drink, and while its ingredients make it a heavier drink/dessert – it’s texture is super light and airy.

There are times were Zabaglione is made with different wines, like Prosecco, or even liquors. Often times, if the zabaglione is made with a liquor such as whisky, it is named the “Bombardino”.

As someone who does not like egg-nog, this drink/dessert is insanely delicious and the perfect “warm hug” on a cold, winter day.

Bonet

Bonet, or “Bunet”, is a chocolate custard that sits on top of an Amaretto cookie base and is bathed in caramel. This dessert offers the perfect balance between sweetness and bitterness, and has a light texture.

Depending on the brand used for the Amaretto cookies, this dessert could be naturally gluten free – but it is not always the case.

Gianduiotto

Gianduiotto is Turin’s iconic hazelnut chocolate, which is rich in flavors and simply melts in your mouth.

Legend states that in 1806, Napoleon imposed a continental blockade which caused cocoa to become hardly available and very expensive. Due to this, chocolatiers in Turin turned to hazelnuts to make chocolate and this is how the famous hazelnut chocolate was born.

To enjoy the best Gianduiotti and other traditional chocolates from Turin, make sure to visit the Baratti & Milano Café – one of Turin’s most historic cafes and home to some of the best chocolate.

Bicerin (drink)

When in Turin, you simply must try the city’s most iconic drink – Bicerin.

Bicerin has three layers, starting with a base of Gianduia chocolate, then espresso, topped with a whipped-up milk cream. This is the perfect pick-me-up year round! While you can get Bicerin in most cafes, make sure to check out Caffè Al Bicerin – Turin’s oldest cafe and where Bicerin is born.

A funny way to quickly describe this drink would be “Italy’s Mocha”, as it brings chocolate and coffee together. But at the same time, one simply cannot compare these two drinks.😅

Torta di Nocciole

Did you know that Turin produces some of the best hazelnuts in Italy and is one of the biggest producers? If you didn’t, know you know!😍

This quickly explains why in Turin, many foods and desserts that feature hazelnuts.

Torta di Nocciole is an insanely delicious hazelnut cake made with a few, and simple ingredients: toasted hazelnuts (ground to act like flour), eggs, butter, and sugar.

Pesche Ripiene

This Piedmontese dessert is, personally, one of the most delicious things ever.

Pesche Ripiene, “Stuffed Peaches”, are baked peaches filled with a mixture of amaretto cookies and cocoa powder. This dessert offers the perfect balance between acidity, sweetness, and a little bit of bitterness.

Tarte Tatin

With Turin being 2-hours away from the French border, one can often find some similarities between the cuisine or some French influences and foods.

Tarte Tatin is a delicious French apple tart that is “cooked upside down”, which allows for a beautiful caramelization of the apples.

One of the best restaurants to enjoy Tarte Tatin at is La Crocetta – a restaurant beloved amongst locals, my family and myself included.

Go on a Guided Experience and focus on Indulging😍

Want to dive deeper into Turin’s cuisine while indulging your tastebuds? Check out these best-rated food tours in Turin!👇

Book your stay in Turin!

Want more help with your travels? Check out my other Posts!

Here are additional posts that will help you out with your upcoming Turin and Italian travels!👇

• Gluten Free Torino: 13 Best Gluten Free Restaurants
• Piedmont Food: 20 Traditional Foods, Drinks, & All to Know!
• The Most Historic Cafes of Turin
• 18 Best Things to do in Turin, Italy | Local’s Insights
• How to Spend the Perfect One Day in Turin
• The Must-Visit Royal Residences of Turin, Italy
• Is Turin Worth Visiting? 9 Reasons Why it Is! (+ Important Tip)

I have to ask…

Which of these foods would you try first when arriving in Turin? Let me know in the comments!

Are you considering a trip to Turin, Italy? If you’re not convinced just yet, here are 9 reasons why you should visit!