Best Brunch In Turin: The Definitive Guide
Located on the western bank of the Po River, Turin is the capital city of Italy’s Piedmont region and is one of the most important commercial and cultural hubs in the northern part of the country. Because of its rich history and culture, as well as the selection of landmarks and attractions that it offers, Turin has become a booming tourist destination in northern Italy.
Aside from exploring mountain hikes, soaking up the history, and taking in the sights, one of the best things to do in Turin is to fill your stomach with amazing food. Just like most cities in Italy, Turin is a dream come true for foodies and gourmands. In fact, the city is renowned for its chocolate production and its array of historic cafés, where you can enjoy excellent coffee and a lovely breakfast or brunch meal.
Even though brunch started out as an American tradition, this doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy it in a place like Turin. However, the Italian version of brunch might be a little different than what you are used to; pancakes or bacon and eggs are sometimes replaced with light pastries and sweet treats alongside a cup of cappuccino.
Still, having brunch in Turin remains to be an enjoyable and unique experience, especially with this charming city as your setting. If you want to see what the city has to offer, check out this definitive guide to the best brunch in the city. For convenience, don’t forget to locate a Bounce luggage locker in Turin where you can safely store your luggage while you enjoy a terrific meal.
Caffè Mulassano
Established in 1907, the Caffè Mulassano is one of the most popular and historic cafés in all of Turin. Situated in the grand Piazza Castello, the café has an Art Nouveau-style exterior and an elegant interior highlighted by mirrored walls and ornate woodwork, making you feel like you traveled back in time to the 20th century.
While the café itself is enough reason to visit, Mulassano also serves excellent food and coffee. However, if you must order one item on the menu, it should be the tramezzino, which is a triangular-shaped sandwich with the crusts removed and is typically filled with tuna, prosciutto and olives. The café is said to be where this now-iconic Italian sandwich was invented and first served.
Caffè Al Bicerin
Turin has combined two of its most famous products – chocolate and coffee – to form a drink unlike any other, known locally as bicerin. This delicious concoction is regarded as the most famous drink in Turin and a definite must-try when in the city. Although it is served in a number of spots around Turin, you have to try it in the place where it gained fame – Caffè Al Bicerin.
Located in Piazza della Consolata, this historic coffee bar has been around since 1763 and has been largely unchanged since, save for a minor renovation in 1856. It's almost like a museum! The café is even said to be frequented by numerous important personalities in history, including Camillo Benso of Cavour, a prime minister who made the unification of Italy possible. The café prides itself in using the same bicerin recipe from when it first opened. Aside from this classic drink, the menu also features treats that you can enjoy mid-day, including biscuits, cakes and even gelatos.
Teapot: Tisaneria Con Cucina
Turin is best known for its coffee culture but for those looking for an alternative, Teapot: Tisaneria Con Cucina is one worth checking out. Even though they still serve the usual espresso and cappuccino, the star here is tea (as its name suggests). They offer around thirty different varieties of loose leaf teas.
For their food selection, they serve breakfast and lunch meals such as pancakes, bacon, eggs, muffins, biscuits and yogurt. During the weekend, Teapot has a full brunch menu featuring American-style meals, Italian dishes, and a decent vegan-friendly selection.
Caffè Fiorio
Another one of the many iconic cafés found in Turin, and perhaps the one with the most colorful history, is Caffè Fiorio. Founded in 1780, the café boasts an old world interior with rich wallpaper, red velvet seats and a striking marble counter. It is known as a favorite meeting place for Turin’s intellectuals, literary figures, artists, aristocrats and politicians, including the likes of Camillo Cavour and Massimo D’Azeglio.
Today, Fiorio is frequented by both locals and tourists, especially for its signature gelato. For a morning pick-me-up meal, the café serves some freshly-baked pastries and a range of coffee and chocolate drinks.
Caffè Torino
Located in the bustling Piazza San Carlo, Caffè Torino has been a beloved coffee spot since it first opened its doors in 1903. Housed inside an Art Nouveau-style building, the café exudes elegance – from its sweeping curved staircase and gilded mirrors to its crystal chandeliers and floral decorations – and will make you feel like you are in another period of time. At one point, the café had the likes of local writer Cesare Pavese and French artist Brigitte Bardot as regular customers.
Starting your day at Caffè Torino is a must; they offer a wide variety of freshly baked pastries and delicious food all day long. If you have a craving for sweets, then you should definitely sample their signature gianduiotti, which is ingot-shaped chocolate that originates from the Piedmont region.
Ristorante Slurp
If you are looking for the typical American-style brunch that you might not have found anywhere else in Turin, you should head over to Ristorante Slurp to satisfy your cravings. Located along Via Massena, the restaurant serves a mix of Italian and American cuisine and also a fair amount of vegan-friendly meals.
What makes Slurp a favorite among locals and tourists alike is its dedicated brunch menu comprised of a variety of dishes, such as lumberjack pancakes with Nutella (fabulous after an outing with the kids), omelets, and clubhouse sandwiches. Of course, no brunch menu would be complete without the signature espresso or cappuccino.
Pai Bakery
Definitely one of the most unique brunch spots in Turin, Pai Bakery is a coffee bar that also doubles as a bicycle shop, thus their slogan “fast bikes and slow food”. Situated in Via Cagliari, the café offers both traditional Turinese dishes alongside some international flavors and offerings. Every weekend, the restaurant offers brunch that is served all day long.
Pai Bakery’s brunch selection is also diverse; they offer sweet and savory pancakes, tarts, cheesecakes, and even a traditional English breakfast (that also comes in a vegan-friendly option). Their beverage list is also impressive and consists of different coffee blends, chocolate drinks, freshly-squeezed juices and even breakfast cocktails (try a Bloody Mary).
L'Orto Bistrò
Vegans and non-vegans alike will enjoy the high quality dishes served at L’Orto Bistro. The restaurant, which is 100% vegetarian, has a cozy atmosphere that will make anyone feel at home. It is one of the most popular breakfast joints in Turin because it uses carefully selected seasonal ingredients and offers a wide variety of dishes – from fruits and vegetables to oats and artisanal croissants.
The restaurant’s brunch menu, which is all vegetarian, features sweet and savory delicacies, including pizza, pastries, cakes, farinata and more. L’Orto Bistro also offers organic coffee and uses only soy milk in its coffee blends.
Locanda Leggera
Situated in the Vanchiglia district, right in the center of Turin, is Locanda Leggera, a restaurant with offerings from breakfast up to dinner. The dining spot offers local and international cuisine and offers both vegan and non-vegan options. Dedicated to promoting a healthy way of eating, their dishes are made using nutritious ingredients. In addition, they cater to special diets by offering gluten-free and sugar-free options.
Locanda Leggera’s brunch menu, which is available every Saturday, includes a wide array of savory buns, cookies, pancakes, fruit bowls, pastries, focaccia, sandwiches and cakes. Furthermore, Locanda Leggera also emphasizes the need for sustainability; all utensils and packaging are made out of recyclable materials and they offer free water to avoid the use of single-use plastic bottles.
Adonis Crêperie
Found within the neighborhood of San Salvario, Adonis Crêperie offers dishes inspired by both Italian and international cuisine. While the eatery only serves lunch and dinner during weekdays, they offer Sunday brunch, which is why it’s advisable to book ahead of time to ensure your spot.
The brunch menu at Adonis is comprised of a wide range of dishes that highlight various flavors. Some of the most popular items on their menu include the croque madame, crepes (both sweet and savory), schnitzel, shakshuka and more. They also offer dessert options such as gelato and cheesecakes. For drinks, Adonis serves different coffee varieties, fresh juices and alcoholic beverages like wine and beer.
Sweet Lab Torino
In a lot of places in Italy, brunch is typically only available during the weekend. However, if you can’t wait, don’t fret; Sweet Lab Tornio offers brunch every day of the week! The cute, pastel-colored shop is inspired by American, French and Anglo-Saxon cuisine and serves both hearty dishes along with sweet treats.
Sweet Lab boasts an extensive a la carte brunch menu all week, featuring staples such as eggs Benedict, French toast, croque monsieur, croque madam, omelet, salmon bagel and more. They also serve vegan and gluten-free options such as Greek bowls, avocado toast and hummus. On weekends, diners have the option to order from the usual a la carte menu or to avail of the buffet brunch, with a selection that changes every week.
As the name suggests, however, the main attraction at Sweet Lab is its selection of confections and dessert options. The café-bakery specializes in cakes and also offers cupcakes and cookies. They also have a tea room where you can choose from over 30 different tea infusions or have British afternoon tea paired with scones and small bites.
Da Farmacia del Cambio
Found in the lovely Piazza Carignano, Farmacia del Cambio is one of the best places in Turin to enjoy a cup of coffee or a delicious breakfast or brunch. The restaurant, which is reminiscent of a French bistro, offers a dizzying selection of baked goods found inside display cases, allowing diners to pick out the items they want to try. The pastries are sourced from Fabrizio Galla’s patisserie and include his famous creations, such as fruit tarts, cakes and even Piedmont’s own gianduiotto.
Apart from the sweets, Farmacia also offers an array of savory dishes, all of which are proudly made using strictly seasonal and high quality ingredients. Some of the must-try items from their menu include ham and cheese toast, salmon and avocado salad, and their varieties of the iconic tramezzini sandwich. Their coffee selection is also one of a kind; other than the classics, Farmacia offers special blends such as the bicerin (coffee with chocolate) and an orange-flavored coffee drink.
Roses and Tea
Arguably the most “Instagrammable” spot on this list, Roses and Tea draws both Turinese and foreign diners because of its aesthetically pleasing appearance and equally impressive menu. Heavily influenced by both British and French cuisine, Roses and Tea serves incredible baked goods as well as one of the best brunch menus in all of the city.
The brunch offering at Roses and Tea includes staples such as pancakes, club sandwiches, bagels, eggs served in different ways, pies, salmon and more. For dessert, you are spoiled for choice. The cake offerings change every day (except for the New York cheesecake, which is always available) along with other treats such as cupcakes, muffins, scones, key lime pies and so much more.
The drinks list here is also special. As you can probably tell from its name, the café has a huge selection of teas and infusions sourced from all over the world. If that’s not your cup of tea (pun intended), you can choose from their range of specialty coffees, milkshakes, smoothies, fresh juices and even cocktails.
Sunday Brunch in Turin, Every Day of the Week
Brunch in Turin is a must-do event while here. And why not, with so many places to choose from? Restaurants and cafes abound, waiting to serve you breakfast just about any time of day. After a late night in Turin, choose from any spot on this list!
