Itineraries for Your Trip to Turin
3 Days in Turin for Foodies
It was gnocchi, served in gorgonzola cream sauce. I still remember it, some 16 years later: the gnocchi pillowy and cloudlike, lighter than any I’d had before (or since), the sauce indulgent and rich, perfumed with cheese. It remains one of the best things I’ve eaten.
That memory is from my first trip to Turin on a family vacation. In ensuing years, I’ve returned to the city several times, driven by memories of those early meals. Bologna may be called the stomach of Italy, but Turin is a worthy contender for that title. Its proximity to Barolo and Barbarbesco, as well as to the white truffle capital of Alba, makes it an essential stop for gourmands. Here’s your indulgent 3-day dining itinerary.
Turin has warm summers but can see snowfall in winter—pack seasonally.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a tasting tour of Turin’s chocolate treats.
First-time visitors in search of Turin’s top bites can simplify their itinerary and book a walking tour that covers a number of the city’s key delicacies and destinations, all in one excursion. On a traditional food tour, you can look forward to trying everything from agnolotti to tartare. Alternatively, book a street food-centric tour for wide-ranging grazing, plus wine.
Dessert is something Turin does exceptionally well. Follow lunch with a patisserie tour, where you’ll sample bicerin (a frothy coffee and chocolate drink) and marrons glacé (glazed chestnuts)—or pick a chocolate-centric option to indulge in everything from gelato to chocolate bars.
Dining in restaurants is one thing—but in Turin, nothing quite beats a home-cooked meal. Have the special chance to browse markets for fresh ingredients, cook, and share lunch in a local’s home during a small-group cooking class, featuring a menu of pasta and tiramisu.
And when you’re finished, you’ll be right on time for aperitivo hour. Turin is known for its vermouth production, though locals can also be found sipping on wine, beer, and spritzes as the workday winds down. (Don’t worry: Snacks are also included in the aperitivo experience.)
Turin’s biggest claim to gastronomic fame might be what's just beyond the city borders: Italy’s Piedmont region. It's where some of the country’s most prized wines—including Barolo and Barbaresco—are produced. With easy transit from central Turin, Piedmont is worth devoting the better part of your day to, both to taste these world-class wines and meet the winemakers behind them.
Another of the region’s culinary pursuits: hunting for Alba's prized white (and black) truffles. Assisted by trained truffle dogs, you’ll walk through the Langhe woods, admiring the views, all while seeking the local rarities.
