The Historic Cafés of Turin
In Turin, you must visit the historic cafés, meeting points in the 19th century for intellectuals, politicians, poets, and writers who made significant contributions to the history of Italian Unification.
Ideal for breakfast, among many is the Caffè Torino, in Piazza San Carlo, where luxury and elegance shine through gilded mirrors, painted medallions, the magnificent Art Nouveau grand staircase, and the finely embossed wooden and marble counter. It is open daily from 8 AM to midnight. The Caffè Abrate, on Via Po, opened in 1866, with interiors warmed by Piedmontese-style wooden furnishings and period memorabilia.
For an aperitif or a snack, the right place is the Caffè Mulassano, under the arcades of Piazza Castello since 1907. Small and intimate, with very few tables, it has preserved the original Belle Époque atmosphere. Locals credit it with two great merits: launching the Parisian trend of tramezzini sandwiches, still unmatched today for variety (over 30 types) and quality, and introducing toast in 1925 with a toaster machine imported from the United States.
Or the Al Bicerin, in Piazza della Consolata, just steps from the magnificent church. A small venue with a cozy atmosphere that “borrowed” its name from the eponymous hot beverage, made with coffee, chocolate, milk, and cream, served in a thick glass shaped like a chalice.
