A Local's Guide: Best Coffee in Turin Italy

Nestled in the heart of northern Italy, Turin (Torino in Italian) is a city known for its refined elegance, historic cafés, and deep-rooted coffee culture. As someone originally from Turin, I can say that beyond its baroque architecture and cultural heritage, the city holds a special place in Italy’s espresso tradition.

What makes Turin truly unique is its café scene, where coffee isn’t just consumed, but experienced—from grand historic cafés to simple neighborhood bars, espresso is part of daily life and of the city’s identity.

✨ In this guide, I’ll dive deeper into ☕ the specific traditions, unique drinks, and rituals that define coffee culture in Turin, and then share 🍴 my personal recommendations for the best places to experience them.

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Where to stay in Turin

Turin offers a variety of accommodations, from luxury hotels to bed-and-breakfasts:

• Luxury: NH Collection Torino Piazza Carlina 🅱️ Booking 🔗 🆃 Trip.com 🔗 🦉 Tripadvisor 🔗
• Mid-Range: Magia sui tetti 🅱️ Booking 🔗
• Budget: Adalesia Hotel & Coffee 🅱️ Booking 🔗 🆃 Trip.com🔗🦉 Tripadvisor 🔗

Signature drinks in Turin

Bicerin

Turin’s most iconic drink, bicerin, is a rich, layered beverage made with espresso, hot chocolate, and cream. Dating back to the 18th century, it perfectly reflects the city’s refined and indulgent coffee culture.

Unlike most Italian coffees, bicerin is meant to be sipped slowly, allowing the flavors to blend naturally. It’s especially popular during the colder months and is best enjoyed in one of Turin’s historic cafés, surrounded by elegant interiors and centuries of tradition.

✨ A true local experience, often enjoyed as a mid-morning or afternoon treat rather than a quick coffee at the bar.

👉 If you want to understand all the different types of Italian coffee, check out my complete guide here🔗.

Historic cafés in Turin

• Caffè Confetteria Al Bicerin🔗: Opened in 1793, its specialty is the famous bicerin, a typical hot drink from Turin made with coffee, chocolate, and cream, for which the establishment holds the original recipe.
• Caffè Gelateria Fiorio🔗: Founded in 1780, Fiorio is another historic café situated in the heart of Turin, beneath the porticoes of via Po. For many years, it served as a meeting place for the Savoy nobility, earning the nickname the café of the 'codini' and 'Machiavelli' due to the distinctive attire and lively discussions held there. Its standout specialty is undoubtedly the ice cream, particularly the gianduia flavor.
• Caffè San Carlo🔗: One of the meeting places for intellectuals during the Risorgimento, the historic café San Carlo, located near the square of the same name, is renowned especially for its fine coffee blends. The atmosphere is lavish, decorated with stuccos, statues, and precious marbles.
• Caffè confetteria Baratti & Milano🔗: Located between the Galleria Subalpina and Piazza Castello, the confectionery café Baratti & Milano in Turin has been open since 1875. The Art Nouveau interior was designed by architect Casanova. Here, you can savor a wide variety of delicacies, including some of the best hot chocolate in Turin.
• Caffè Mulassano🔗: Located near Piazza Castello, Caffè Mulassano in Turin, which opened in 1907, was a regular gathering place for the local nobility as well as the artists from the nearby Teatro Regio. Amidst the stunning mirrors, marble tables, and various decorations, you can enjoy a tramezzino, the café's specialty. A tramezzino is a type of Italian sandwich made with soft white bread, typically filled with various ingredients such as meats, cheeses, and vegetables—it's a dish that originated here.
• Caffè Platti🔗: This historic café still features an 19th-century ambiance and offers many Turin specialties, including the famous paste di meliga and, of course, gianduiotti.
• Farmacia Del Cambio🔗: For a more upscale breakfast, as it shares ownership with Ristorante Al Cambio, a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Coffee brands in Turin

Turin is home to some of Italy’s most iconic coffee brands, as well as a growing number of high-quality local roasters:

• Lavazza: Founded in 1895 in Turin, it’s one of the most famous Italian coffee brands. Known for its expertly crafted blends, it offers a smooth, balanced flavor with notes of chocolate, dried fruit, and a rounded body.
• Caffè Vergnano: Established in 1882, it represents a more traditional and refined approach. Its blends are often delicate and aromatic, with lighter body, gentle acidity, and subtle floral or fruity notes.
• Costadoro: A high-quality Turin-based roaster known for its clean, slightly sweet profile and bright acidity, often appreciated by specialty coffee lovers.
  Splendid: Offers a more classic Italian coffee style, with a full-bodied taste and stronger roasted notes, perfect for those who enjoy a more intense espresso.
• Caffè Verri: A smaller, local brand focusing on quality beans and traditional roasting, resulting in rich and well-balanced flavors.
• Il Caffè 1994: A niche roaster with an artisanal approach, offering coffees that are often complex, aromatic, and carefully crafted.
• Gran Torino Caffè: A local brand that reflects the city’s coffee heritage, typically producing smooth, approachable blends with classic Italian flavor profiles.

✨ Each café selects its own coffee supplier, and the brand is often clearly displayed on the bar’s sign or within the café itself.

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