Turin's Top 10 Cultural Restaurants | The Best of Italian Cuisine

A great place to stop when feeling peckish amidst a day of tourist activities, Adonis Creperie serves an exciting array of savoury and sweet crepes as well as homemade cakes and strong Italian coffees. Adonis serves a crepe with buffalo ricotta — a rare ingredient even in Italy – and is complemented by aubergine and pesto which provides for a blissful flavour combination. The speck, roquefort and prune crepes also make for a unique choice. As a snack or dessert the nutella and coconut crepe is a firm favourite amongst diners of all ages, whilst the dulce de leche version is an absolute dream for real sweet tooths.

A bakery, cafe, restaurant, ice cream shop and bar all in one, Baratti & Milano is an ideal choice for an authentic piemontese lunch for two or an afternoon coffee and cake stop. Open daily for lunch until 2.30 p.m., diners are encouraged to go for the ‘barattino’ – a daily changing menu consisting of one primo, secondo and two side dishes of the chef’s choosing. Other constant menu choices include the staple Piemonte dish, vitello tonnato, veal served with a dip made of mayonnaise, anchovies and capers. Like many trattorias in this region of Italy, the menu is short and consists mainly of mainstay local dishes, therefore you can’t make a wrong choice.

A welcoming and charming eatery without the formality of a conventional restaurant, Charlie Bird is loved by locals for its great pizza, terrific wine and brilliant jazz music. The place packs out on Sundays when live musicians entertain the diners, therefore reservations are recommended; however, for recorded jazz renditions, any day of the week is a good time to visit. The pizza al padellino is an absolute must-try; slightly smaller than an average pizza, its delicious topped with gorgonzola, onions and salami. The farinata farata is also a firm favourite amongst the local crowd, as is the speedy service and low prices.

A playful fusion restaurant, Kido-ism is run by a Japanese-born chef who blends Asian flavours with Italian and Spanish cooking techniques to create distinct and delicious dishes. Diners have the choice between the à la carte menu and several tasting menus to suit their needs. The Kido-ism tasting menu provides a nine course meal, a special experience for important moments. On the à la carte menu stand out dishes include tuna tartare, seafood paella, pear and duck risotto, lamb with lemongrass and filet of veal with a side of aubergine.

Sticking with the traditional, at In Vino Veritas guests are served fresh, homemade pastas, exquisite sauces and succulent roasted meats. Deeply rooted family recipes are used to create these timeless dishes sure to satisfy even the richest of appetites. Do as the Italians do, and start with an antipasto platter of different salamis and cheeses before tucking into a bowl of In Vino Veritas’ signature orecchiette with a tomato, basil and ricotta sauce. For main course, opt for the roasted veal with a side of ratatouille but be sure to leave room for the delectable homemade tiramisu for dessert. One to truly indulge in, reservations are highly recommended and can be made online.

For something a little more exotic in central Turin, visitors should head to Mar Rosso. Run by an Italian-Eritrean family, the cuisine here is a mix of African, Ethiopian and other fusion dishes. In a celebration of African culture, guests can enjoy an array of traditional artwork whilst tucking into some true, home-style cooking and contemporary dishes. The ambiance is always lively and inviting. During the afternoon, the café serves a bounty of homemade cakes and pastries and offers free wifi to patrons. In the evening it’s an ideal stop for an aperitivo with a nice selection of aperitifs and cocktails. To get a feel for the array of dishes, try a medley of African tapas dishes in the main restaurant.

A formal dining venue in front of the old parliament building, Ristorante Del Cambio is the place to go for fancy, celebratory or romantic meals. With light-lunch, à la carte and tasting menus to choose from, there is plenty of choice to satisfy all tastes and needs. Keep things slightly cheaper with a two-course lunch of green and white asparagus followed by roasted swordfish. Or go for the mid-range option of picking an antipasto, primo and secondo from the deliciously tempting à la carte menu. For something truly special, go all out with the elaborate multi-course tasting menu coming in at €110 a head. Reservations are recommended at this beautifully decorated, centrally located restaurant for both lunch and dinner. Closed Mondays.

Situated within the hotel NH Lingotto, Torpedo restaurant offers fabulous, weekly changing lunch menus and daily changing dinner menus. Guests are welcome to start the evening with a drink and selection of appetizers during happy hour before selecting what they would like for dinner. Dishes on offer are always of the highest quality and previously have included rolled pork fillet stuffed with cheese and aubergine; bresaola on a bed of rocket with shavings of grana cheese; and salmon with vegetable couscous. Every Sunday Torpedo opens for a family buffet where diners can choose from a brilliant assortment of dishes for a fixed price of €28 per adult and just €5 per child.

One of the oldest restaurants in Turin, the Tre Galline is also highly reputed as being one of the best. Serving traditional Piemontese dishes adapted slightly to suit the modern palette, this is the restaurant to go to for a plateful of authenticity and delightful flavours. Choose the tasting menu which includes a medley of dishes such as fresh ricotta, Torinesi ravioli and braised veal cheeks. Alternatively, pick a couple of dishes from the à la carte menu — both the pumpkin and blue cheese ravioli and the guinea fowl with sweetbreads are excellent choices. The Tre Galline also boasts a magnificent wine cellar full of the tastiest local wines to accompany each dish – simply ask the waiter for a recommendation.

The setting of many weddings, Villa Somis is an enchanting eatery ideal for romantic dinners. Chefs at Villa Somis take pride in creating exquisite dishes certain to please all of the senses. Enjoy a plate of trout with anchovies and apricots on a bed of milk bread, a bowl of delicious ‘plin’ stuffed pasta, or one of the best carbonaras ever created; you’re sure to be planning your return visit before you’ve even finished your first mouthful. Closed Sundays, reservations are recommended during peak holiday season and on weekends.