Torino Restaurant Tips by ant1606 Top 5 Page for this destination

Cafes and Restaurants - "Quadrilatero" area

*** NOTE ***
For reference, also read the Quadrilatero tip in my "Nightlife" section. Reason for this tip also being here is that, for a large number of Turinese, nightlife equals eating and drinking till morning hours.

The so-called "Quadrilatero Romano" area is adjacent to nicknamed Porta Palazzo, which is the main historical street market in town in Piazza della Repubblica. The "Quadrilatero" develops south of here up to Via Garibaldi. A few years ago this pedestrian area was brought to a new life and today it's probably the trendiest in town. Cafes and restaurants are sometimes next to each other and range from local typical cuisine to ethnic specialties. Go to Piazza Emanuele Filiberto - there's a small underground parking for a fee - and stop for an "aperitivo" at Pastis Cafe, best if around 7 PM. "Aperitivo", namely, is a social drink that can be appreciated before dinner. Age of patrons spans from students in their 20s to young-at-heart yuppies in their 50s. Problem is that the aperitivo is usually accompanied by appetizers that are available in large quantities and varieties....that turn out to actually become your dinner! Another great place is Obelix Cafe located in Piazza Savoia. Still hungry? Wander in search of something more and end up your evening at Caffe' al Bicerin - located in Piazza della Consolata - for a cup of thick chocolate that the Turinese enjoy since 1763.

Quadrilatero list of eateries

Comparison: about average

Other Contact: http://www.bicerin.it/eng

Rating: 5

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.torinobynight.net/quadrilatero.html

(Various): Eataly

Claimed to be the biggest food and wine market in the world, Eataly is an obvious pun name for place with eateries and food-related shopping.
Location is within the superb former FIAT Lingotto car manufacturing plant. When its assembly lines started production in 1923 it was the largest and most advanced car plant in the world. After the complex was donated to the city of Torino, restoration and conversion gave way to different functional areas such as an exhibition center, a shopping mall, movie theaters and Eataly as the latest addition.
It's a center of excellence for a variety of products carefully selected and sourced from superior producers that combines the convenience of a taste-and-buy approach with the chance to see some unique historical industrial architecture.

Open daily 10:00 AM through 10:30 PM. This is one of the few opportunities in town to have a decent meal outside of the typical hours (say noon- 2PM and 7PM-9PM). Avoid crowds by forcing your stomach to behave during such peak time.

Favorite Dish: Instinct not involved. Just follow your smell and sight senses!

Comparison: about average

Directions: Via Nizza, 230/14
"Lingotto" is the homonym neighborhood situated in the southern part of Torino

Rating: 4

Theme: Italian

Website: http://www.eataly.it

Ristorante La Piazza - Birrificio La Piazza: La Piazza dei Mestieri

Calling this a restaurant tip is diminishing as La Piazza dei Mestieri is a foundation that has separate spaces for education, exhibitions, restaurant and brewery pub.
The elegant, nicely restored three-level building complex is a former early 1900 manufacturing block reflecting the typical industrial architecture of those years.
The main gate leads to a quiet courtyard with al-fresco tables for the patrons of the pub, situated on ground level, that also has indoor tables where live music is played on selected dates.
Birrificio La Piazza is the pub serving several tap beers brewed on-site, also bottled and available for purchase. Various pasta and other dishes.
Ristorante La Piazza sits on 3rd floor and has both indoors and terrace tables for a more formal experience and associated higher price. Dishes are a mix of typical Piedmontese and other cuisine. Good selection of wines.
Check website for opening hours, schedule of exhibitions or events and concerts.

Favorite Dish: Not really a favorite dish tip but rather a "favorite feeling". The establishment is a quiet and relaxed place to meet friends all year but one of my favorite during summer months. No traffic noise can be heard from the courtyard even though the place is very close to the city downtown.

Address: Via Jacopo Durandi, 13 - Torino

Comparison: about average

Directions: About 1 Km (.6 mi) northwest of Piazza Statuto.
Average parking difficulties on the streets. Bus and tram lines No. 9, 13, 16, 29, 59, 71

Other Contact: http://www.piazzadeimestieri.it

Phone: +39.011.19709600

Rating: 4

Theme: Pub/Brewery

Website: http://www.piazzalive.it

Kirin (formerly Capitol): Revised Tip: Chinese food....and more in Turin

- Update as of May 2008 -

Rather than deleting obsolete tips, I try to update them when possible.

Capitol restaurant has changed, the new ownership has turned it into a Japanese food place - which is a growing trend in town.
Name changed to "Kirin" which mostly offers raw seafood dishes such as sushi, sashimi and maki. Selection of different dishes is honestly not as wide as one may expect, therefore this place is probably recommended more to those who enjoy raw seafood - not me.
Price level is average for this kind of restaurant, which is clean and has a sober ambience.

Old tip was:
I've tried many different Chinese restaurants in town and one among my favorites is definitely Capitol.
Maybe not the fancier place you can find, but the quality of food is excellent and in addition to Chinese specialties they also serve Thai and Vietnamese dishes.
I've been eating at this place in the last 15 years or so and they never let me down.
Ask for Linda, tell her you knew about this restaurant from me and she'll treat you like a king and queen!

Favorite Dish: - Update as of May 2008 -

I had dumplings, tempura vegetables and fried shrimp. All of this was nothing memorable.
I asked for spicy hot sauce which was far from being oriental stuff, as it otherwise proved to be the typical Mexican chunky dip sauce for nachos.
Too bad the former Capitol has gone.

Comparison: about average

Directions: Kirin (formerly Ristorante Capitol)
Corso Svizzera, 58
Torino

Phone: +39 (011) 740-140

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 2

Theme: Japanese/Sushi

Ristotram

"Tramway" wagons running on tracks have been a transportation icon in Torino since their introduction as a horse-drawn version. Later converted to electric traction, the public eco-friendly urban transportation is still widely use today. Historical wagons can be privately rented for special occasions.
A more affordable solution for a special ride is to reserve a dinner aboard the "Ristotram", that is an original vehicle that has been transformed into a moving restaurant.
The privilege to enjoy typical local food and wines while touring throughout the city is granted only to those who can make reservations well in advance, that is a good month or two, through the numbers listed herebelow.

Favorite Dish: Typical Piedmontese cuisine and wines.

Phone: +39.011.5764590 or 011.5764733

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Cafes and bars - Prices

As a general infromation, cafes and bars in Italy apply different prices for any drink enjoyed while standing at the bar, or otherwise while sitting at a table.
For reference, an espresso coffee at the bar costs less than 1 Euro, while the same cup at the table might soar up to 5 Euro. Regardless if it's inside or al fresco.
The trick of ordering a coffe at the bar and later take it to the table doesn't work. If you like to sit and watch people go by, just self-seat at the preferred spot and wait for somebody to collect your order. Some cafes display the price list on the wall, but these rarely mention a price difference for the two options. If you care not to get rid of some extra Euro, always ask for price before your order is taken. Simpy ask "quanto costa?" (kwon-toh cos-tah?).
Also, beware of inviting pastry or cookies plates that are at times brought to you. These could be complimentary or charged upon consumption, always ask in advance.

Rating: 0

Theme: Other