Turin is a city of traditions, flavors, and rituals — and among its many cultural gifts, the art of the aperitivo is perhaps one of the most iconic. This guide gathers the best places to enjoy aperitivo, street food, gelato, and chocolate in Torino, curated for travelers who want to experience the city like a local.
Aperitivo in Turin: Where It All Began
Torino (Turin) is the birthplace for many things, because of the love and curiosity of exotic foods from the Savoy family, it was the first city to import Chocolate, the creators of the Grissini (bread stick), and the parliament who united Italy. But one thing that when visiting Italy you will notice a very sacred time of the day (between 6 until 8) called Aperitivo. Thanks to Turin this too was the first place to take on this Aperitivo culture. It all started out as Turin is a Theater city and while the people getting out of work rather late, in order for them to make it to the theater in time, they went out for a drink and a small bite just enough to hold them until after the show. In those days it was common to enjoy a glass of Vermouth, or a cocktail with the base of Vermouth (Negroni, Americano, etc)
Great Places for Aperitivo
Piazza Castello 15
Tel: +39 (0)11 547 990
This is the place where the Aperitivo started. They were also inventors of the Tramezino. My recommendation for this place is to grab a table, order up a nice glass of Vermouth over ice and snack on the classic Tramezino bite size sandwiches.
Rosso Rubino Enoteca Enotavola
Via Madama Cristina 21
Tel: +39 (0)11 650 2183
What could be better than enjoying a glass or a bottle of wine in a WINE SHOP, Nothing!! This place is small and hip and the staff is passionate and knowledgable. They have a crazy amazing selection of bottles to bring home too!
Piazza S. Carlo 204
Tel: +39 (0)11 545 118
In Torino there are a lot of historical bars but this one is located in front of the twin churches underneath the historic galleries in Piazza San Carlo. You can take a table outside and enjoy people watching in this historic Piazza.
Via Giovanni Botero 11
This is a walk-in place, no reservation required. Here they have a small but well crafted list of local and natural wine.
Snack & Street Foods
Via San Tommaso 7
Tel: +39 349 392 6090
Hidden down one of Turin’s little sleep side streets, you have a place who decided to take a traditional country side street food and move it into the big city of Torino. You will never guess what it is. A waffle cooked very thin with a crunch made into a sandwich. I recommend trying the house speciality Gofre della Casa.
Via Giuseppe Luigi Lagrange 11
Tel: +39 (0)11 562 9244
This is a great place to sit outside and watch all the people go by while snacking on your favorite type of Focaccia. If they have the Reco you must give it a try.
Via Sant'Agostino 25
Tel: +39 (0)11 521 6027
You must try their homemade Agnolotti del Plin with roast sauce (sugo d’arrosto)
For a Great Casual Meal
Via Ormea 6bis
Tel: +39 011 0209588
Fun and bustling place, typical foods and easy style. No frills, no fancy.
Closed Tuesday
Creative & Contemporary Dining
Via Monte di Pietà 23
Tel: +39 (0)11 276 7661
This place is a bit more hip and young, where you can taste some not so familiar local Piemontese grape varieties by the glass. Being a part of Slow Food they are very conscious of the food products they are using but are not afraid to be a bit creative.
Closed Saturday lunch and Sunday all day
Via Giovanni Giolitti 52/A
Tel: +39 (0)11 4271938
They have a good curated wine list and the food, super exciting!
Closed Sunday
Gelato in Turin
Piazza Carlo Emanuele II 21
Tel: +39 (0)11 0266159
If in need of a early morning gelato they open at 9am. They also share a space with a coffee bar. It's a win-win!
Corso Stati Uniti 6/c
Tel: +39 (0)11 1950 4221
I don’t need to say to much as the name says it all, but this gelateria was voted the best gelateria in Torino by receiving 3 cones from Gambero Rosso
A Sweet Bite of History: Gianduja
Here’s a fun little historical tidbit: During one of the many wars in Napoleon’s era, the Kingdom of Savoy faced a severe shortage of imported chocolate. In Turin, local chocolatiers were forced to find a way to make their precious chocolate go further. Luckily, the Piedmont region is renowned for its exceptional hazelnuts. Just outside Turin, the sandy slopes of Roero produce the world-famous Nocciola Tonda Gentile—small, flavorful nuts prized for their rich taste.
By combining these exquisite hazelnuts with chocolate, Turin’s chocolatiers created a delicious solution. In 1886, the iconic Gianduja was born—a smooth, hazelnut-infused chocolate that has delighted generations ever since. Today, chocolatiers around the world continue to craft these irresistible, pointed ingot-shaped treats, making them a true must-try for any chocolate lover.
Historic Chocolate Shops
Piazza Castello 27/29
Located in the historic galleria Subalpina building built in the late 19th century you will be very impressed by how amazing this structure is. If you have some time you wohsl stop to have a coffee and admire one of the oldest most prestigious caffè houses Torino has to offer.
Maria Vittoria 27/C
A small artisanal chocolate producer who offers an in house tasting where you are able to go through a bit of their different types of chocolates so you know which ones you would like to buy.
Via Giuseppe Luigi Lagrange 1
Great quality chocolates and a bit more well known in the area of Piemonte. Here you can stop in when you would like and try their different chocolates they have for sale that day or if you would like you can order up a tasting where they will prepare and array of different flavors and chocolate types.
More Turin Tips
If you need some more great gelato places in the area of Turin or surrounding towns you can check out my post about my Top 10 Gelato places in Piemonte
If you would like to plan a small vacation in the Torino area I consider checking out a guest post from Patty with her Three day stay in Turin for Foodies
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