Bars and Cafes in Center (Torino)

Achille Cafè

This elegant bar, located in the heart of Turin, can also be hired for receptions and parties both inside and outside. The interior is extremely elegant with 18th century furnishings. The Achille Cafè is also known for its presentations of jazz evenings. In addition, the management offers an exclusive tour in a limousine with, of course, the classic bottle of champagne.

Caffè del Progresso

This place is a studio room by day for students from the nearby university, a sought after tea room in the afternoon, and an enchanting meeting place at night. They also hold original art exhibitions here.

Caffè Roberto

Caffe Roberto is located right in the centre of Turin, and is a great place to stop off while you are walking through the city or doing some Christmas shopping. The strong point of this bar is its aperitifs accompanied by good music; this is actually a musical café and in previous seasons it has introduced live music on Sundays, consisting of mostly acoustic jazz and blues.

Caffè Rossini

Caffe Rossini has artistic roots; it was initially a café devoted to art and above all to poetry. With time it has become one of the most popular places in Turin, both as a place for a pre-dinner drinks and in the evening. It is always packed and has begun to host various DJ's and is planning to start to offer a restaurant service. Restaurant service has yet to be started but it promises to be of high quality. It offers excellent aperitifs and snacks.

Caffè Antonelli

Caffé Antonelli is located at the gates of Turin's historic center, in Piazza Vittorio. This is one of the most popular cafés with the students from the nearby university.

Al Refettorio

In the centre of the Borgo Nuovo, not far from the elegant Via della Rocca and from the charming piazzetta Maria Teresa, there is an eatery which will meet all your requirements! It is a café in the morning, a wine bar during the lunch break, a tea room in the afternoon and a wine shop from 6p onwards. A complete lunchtime menu is on offer which includes soups made from seasonal ingredients, many salads and some meat and fish dishes. The home made sweet or savoury pies must be tried.

Caffé Florio

Caffé Florio was founded in 1780, but only became really successful in the early 1800s when it was taken over by the Florio brothers. This café saw a whole host of political personalities pass through it during the Risorgimento, right at the time when Italy's future was being determined in Turin. It was called 'The café of the pony tails and the Machiavellians' because it was the meeting point of may aristocrats, officials and members of the government. Among these was Giovanni Prati, Cesare Balbo and Santorre si Santarosa. Together they made the Florio into the breeding ground for public opinion in Turin. This is why it is said that the king Charles Albert used to enquire about the latest news asking, 'Qu'est-ce qu'on dit aujourd'hui au Café Florio?' In 1845, the Café was refurbished by a host of artists and was transformed into a meeting place for many of the middle classes among whom were Rattazzi, Lamarmora and D'Azeglio. The premises at the time were adorned with frescos by Gonin, Morgari and Gerbi and by sculptures by Bogliani which were unfortunately damaged during the last war. However, the internal rooms have retained some of the old atmosphere.

Cremeria Ghigo

There is still some trace of this confectionery's original reputation before the Unification of Italy. However, physically it is an entirely different building. It has been run by the Corsino brothers since 1986. They make an amazing whipped cream, which is wonderful served with meringues, ice-cream, crushed marron glace, or with the oblio (a type of empty cannolo). The choice of which combination to chose is all yours. Another historic product is the nuvola: a cloud shaped pandoro which rises naturally and covered in butter and icing sugar. The place is very popular with the university crowd and is very busy at breakfast time thanks to its delicious croissants filled with cream or chocolate.

Rollplay Cafè

The Rollplay cafe is right at the heart of the city centre in Piazza Castello, the meeting point for Turin's two most central streets, via Roma and via Po. An American style cafe complete with all the accessories reflect this. This is the ideal hang out for those who really appreciate what the USA has to offer. Various shows are staged in the evenings such as cabaret, live music and other performances. The exotic and Cuban cocktails are a speciality of the house, as well as the pizza and the range of beers from the bottle as well as on tap.

Caffetteria degli stemmi

This city centre cafe is located half way between Piazza Vittorio and Piazza Castello. There are a variety of lunch menus on offer and prices are very reasonable. This is a pleasant, elegant cafe divided over two floors. However, the dark colours, the imposing wood and marble bar do create a slightly cold and detached atmosphere.

Il Siculo

This is not a particularly well known gelateria and it is not easy to come upon by chance, however, once discovered it will not be forgotten. It simply looks like a takeaway, and there are not even any tables to sit down and eat one's ice-cream. But the quality of the produce makes up for this in no uncertain terms. There are always new and exciting flavours among the wide selection of ice-creams, sorbets and semifreddi, but the old favourites will not disappoint.

Xò Cafè

This is one of the newest and most innovative cafes in Turin today. It changes between a cafe-bar during the day and a nightclub at night, which organizes disco evenings, cabaret shows and initiatives such as happy hour. The original menu offers various lunch dishes, but not exactly at bargain prices. There is a great selection of snacks and nibbles along with the aperitifs. There are two floors of which the upstairs houses the bar, and the downstairs acts as the disco at night. It is decorated in the same style as any other modern bar.