Restaurants in Torino
Scannabue
Address- Largo Saluzzo, 25/h
Phone- +39 011 669 6693
Hours- Open every day for lunch and dinner
Price- Middle range
Reservations- By phone and online
View of Largo Saluzzo and La chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo from Scannabue
This is a bistrot style Michelin recommended restaurant in the trendy San Salvario area. We reserved a table out on the patio which has a view over the Largo Saluzzo and La chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo, built in 1865, but heavily damaged during World War 2 bombings. The offerings are typically Piedmontese, prepared with attention to detail, love and not to mention fresh pasta.
Recommended Dishes
They offer a reasonably priced ‘traditional’ tasting menu, if you want to narrow the selection and save room for dessert!
Primo- Angolotti del Plin with three meats (rabbit, veal and pork) sautéed in Alpine butter
Secondo- Vitello Tonnato (their way!)
Dolci- Panna Cotta (traditional ‘cooked cream’ dessert) or Bunet (a traditional Piedmont chocolate pudding)
La Piola di Alfredo
Address- Via Sant'Ottavio, 44
Phone- +39 333 766 4584
Hours- Open for lunch and dinner every day except only open for lunch on Monday
Price- Low range
Reservations- By phone
This restaurant is known as a ‘bettola’ which is a synonym of ‘taverna’ (tavern) and implies a casual eatery. Indeed La Piola is cheap and cheerful with wood furnishings all around, but they offer quality food and a comfortable experience, if you are looking for authentic culinary experience in Torino. We had a delicious lunch after spending the morning in the Museo Nazionale Del Cinema, located just around the corner, about 300 meters away. In fact, the restaurant is close to the university, so my friend who recommended it said he would often pop over for a nice home cooked meal between classes.
Recommended Dishes
Antipasti- Start with a ‘seasonal’ antipasto selection
Primo- Try a local pasta such as Tajarin or Plin
Secondo- Le Polpette (meatballs in a rich red sauce)
At lunch, they had ‘piatti composti’ offering an economical ‘combination plates’, a main and a side, with house wine as well.
Gli Amici del Tegamino- Permanently closed (unfortunately)!
This restaurant was a recommendation from our Airbnb host, a Turin native. It was a casual, local spot for ‘Pizza in the pan’ which originates from Torino. La Pizza al Tegamino (o al padellino), again, translates close to ‘pizza in the pan’ as it is cooked in the little pan made of aluminum or iron while in the oven. The result almost resembles the controversial Chicago ‘deep dish’ style. This preparation method differs from the traditional Pizza Napoletana or Pizza Romana, discussed in other posts. You might want to seek out another place for this Torinese pizza, which I did not know was a thing until arriving in the city. This place, Tegamino 68, looks like a solid alternative!
Bicyclette
Bonus restaurant for dessert, crepes, in particular.
Address- Via Sant'Agostino, 4/D
Phone-+39 011 436 9705
Hours- Check website
Price- Low range
Reservations- By phone
This establishment has a lot of character and self-describes as a ‘cocktail bar’. We stopped by for a night cap and sweet crepe after enjoying a casual Tegamino pizza dinner. The restaurant is named after a bicycle that according to legend, belonged to a young Frenchman and has been in the same spot since 1985. The additional quirky decor complements the theme. Although we indulged in a delicious caramelized treat that was set on fire table-side as pictured in the cover photo, they offer a formidable list of savory and sweet crepes. Bicyclette is in a very central location, specifically the Quadrilatero Romano di Torino, an area which dates back to Roman times, as the name suggests, but is now known as a popular area for bars and restaurants. Bicyclette could also be a good choice for a casual crepe lunch while exploring the city center.