Turin: Historic Cafes, Chocolate & Aperitivo, Turin, Italy
If ever reasons were needed to explain why Travel Gourmet has fallen in love with the city of Turin (apart from it being in Italy, of course!), there are three excellent ones: it鈥檚 home to some of the most wonderful historic caf茅s you鈥檒l find anywhere; it鈥檚 the home of chocolate (yes, even before Switzerland); and it is (arguably) the home of aperitivo.
Like the historic caf茅s of many other European cities, such as聽Vienna and Paris, the caf茅s of Turin are steeped in political, cultural and intellectual history. It is said that part of Italy鈥檚 history was written in Turin鈥檚 caf茅s and indeed the city was the first capital of a unified Italy in 1861. Stepping into them today is a little like stepping back in time; it seems as if nothing much has changed over the last hundred years or so. Given I鈥檝e spent only聽six nights in total in the city, over two weekend breaks, I鈥檝e managed to sample a good number of these famous caf茅s.
The oldest caf茅 in the city is Caff猫 al Bicerin, founded in 1763. I sought it out last聽weekend but there was a long queue so I didn鈥檛 wait. It takes its name from the famous Turinese drink, bicerin, which is a mix of espresso coffee and chocolate, topped with a layer of milk froth (sometimes whipped cream). Here, however, are six caf茅s I did become acquainted with, all in the centre and within easy walking distance of each other. I鈥檓 listing them by age 鈥� oldest first! Remember also that in Italy the price difference between standing up at the bar to drink a coffee and sitting down is often big 鈥� you might pay around just 鈧�1 to stand up to drink a coffee but more like 鈧�4 or 鈧�5 to sit down. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
Like the historic caf茅s of many other European cities, such as聽Vienna and Paris, the caf茅s of Turin are steeped in political, cultural and intellectual history. It is said that part of Italy鈥檚 history was written in Turin鈥檚 caf茅s and indeed the city was the first capital of a unified Italy in 1861. Stepping into them today is a little like stepping back in time; it seems as if nothing much has changed over the last hundred years or so. Given I鈥檝e spent only聽six nights in total in the city, over two weekend breaks, I鈥檝e managed to sample a good number of these famous caf茅s.
The oldest caf茅 in the city is Caff猫 al Bicerin, founded in 1763. I sought it out last聽weekend but there was a long queue so I didn鈥檛 wait. It takes its name from the famous Turinese drink, bicerin, which is a mix of espresso coffee and chocolate, topped with a layer of milk froth (sometimes whipped cream). Here, however, are six caf茅s I did become acquainted with, all in the centre and within easy walking distance of each other. I鈥檓 listing them by age 鈥� oldest first! Remember also that in Italy the price difference between standing up at the bar to drink a coffee and sitting down is often big 鈥� you might pay around just 鈧�1 to stand up to drink a coffee but more like 鈧�4 or 鈧�5 to sit down. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
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Guide Name: Turin: Historic Cafes, Chocolate & Aperitivo
Guide Location: Italy » Turin
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Article (B))
Author: Kay Gale
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: Italy » Turin
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Article (B))
Author: Kay Gale
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- Caff猫 al Bicerin
- Stratta
- Baratti & Milano
- Caff猫 San Carlo
- Piazza San Carlo
- Pasticceria Abrate
- Caff猫 Torino
- Caff猫 Mulafsano
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