Turin's Historic Cafes

Posted by Rebecca Ford Mar 1, 2007

Turin is famous for its historic cafes – and a visit to at least one of them is a must on any trip to the city. They are atmospheric places, and as much a favourite with locals as tourists. Some are cosy, some grand – but they all serve great cakes, coffee and hot chocolate.

These historic cafes are much like mini-museums, with stunning Art-Nouveau interiors of shiny wood, mirrors, drapes and chandeliers. Visit a café and you’ll be following in the footsteps of some historic characters. One of the most famous cafes, Barratti and Milano, is by Galleria Subalpina - an elegant, glass-roofed arcade that links Piazza Castello and Piazza Carlo Alberto. It was built in the 19th-century, when fashionable people would shop in their finest clothes, and stop for coffee and pastries – and a gossip. Barratti and Milano was one of Nietzsche’s favourite cafes – he once lived near here. It’s a good place to try dark chocolate- celebrated each year in the chocolate festival.

Among other cafes worth trying are Al Bicerin (Piazza della Consolata), which dates back to 1763 and specialises in the ‘bicerin’ - a warming, calorie laden, mix of coffee and chocolate topped with cream. This was writer Alexander Dumas’ café of choice. It’s small inside, and not as grand as some of the other cafes – but lovely and cosy on a chilly day in Turin. Then there’s Café Mulassano (Piazza Castello) – a turn of the century gem that serves tramezzini (small sandwiches) and aperitifs.