Introduction: Why Turin’s Piedmont Desserts Are Worth the Trip
Piedmont — and Turin in particular — is famous for one of Italy’s most refined pastry and chocolate traditions. The region gave birth to iconic treats that blend chocolate, hazelnuts, cream and exceptional artisanal know-how. Wandering the historic center of Turin — under the elegant arcades of Via Roma, across baroque squares like Piazza Castello or Piazza San Carlo — you’ll find century-old establishments, historic chocolate houses and cafés where time seems to stand still. These places don’t just serve desserts: they tell a cultural, social and gustatory story.
In this guide I offer a detailed tour of the Piedmont desserts you absolutely must try in Turin. You’ll find specific addresses, typical opening hours, price ranges in euros, sensory descriptions, and local tips to get the most out of each tasting. The goal is to give you a practical, immersive route: whether you love intense chocolate, cream-filled pastries, or cozy moments in a historic café, this guide will help you plan your sweet itinerary.
The desserts featured here go beyond a simple list: they come with tips on service (to-go or sit-down), the best time of day to enjoy them, and the historical context that explains why these recipes became local emblems. For example, the gianduiotto (chocolate made with Piedmont hazelnut paste) is linked to the abundance of the local hazelnut (Tonda Gentile delle Langhe) and Turin’s chocolate-making industrial heritage. The bicerin, a hot drink made with coffee, chocolate and cream, is a Turin coffee specialty served in a glass and appreciated since the 17th century for its richness and warmth.
This guide is designed for curious travelers who want to taste both the must-try classics and a few lesser-known artisanal gems. You’ll find historic patisseries like those around Piazza Castello, contemporary chocolate houses that respect tradition, gelaterias that highlight local fruit, and museum shops or iconic company boutiques (like the Museo Lavazza) where you can round out your visit with a tasting. The prices are meant as a budgeting reference; opening hours are typical but it’s best to check online before you go, especially on Sundays and public holidays.
Finally, to make the experience more visual and help you plan shots, I’ve placed image markers at the most photogenic spots: café facades, dessert plates, chocolatiers’ windows, tea room interiors and in-situ tasting scenes. These cues can inspire your photos and tempt you to stop for each delicious moment.
Historic Cafés and the Signature Drink: Bicerin and Its Variations
The bicerin is a Turin must: a hot, velvety drink made from layers of espresso, thick hot chocolate and unsweetened fresh cream, traditionally served in a small glass. The name comes from the Piedmontese word “bicerin,” a diminutive of “bicchieri” (glass). For an authentic experience, head to the historic cafés that have kept the serving ritual and old-world atmosphere alive.
Caffè Al Bicerin — Piazza della Consolata, 5, 10122 Torino. Hours: daily 08:30–19:30 (closed some holidays). Price: about €6.00–€8.00 for a traditional bicerin served in a glass. Description: Located near the Basilica della Consolata, this intimate historic café claims to be the birthplace of the bicerin. Cozy interior, woodwork and mirrors, attentive service. The bicerin here is dense and stratified, with cream placed on top to preserve the contrast. Local tip: sit by the window to watch the square, and ask for a version with a splash of liqueur (often available) if you want a more grown-up touch.
Caffè Mulassano — Piazza Castello, 15, 10123 Torino. Hours: Mon–Sat 07:30–19:00, Sun 08:00–14:00. Price: bicerin €5.50–€7.50. Description: This Art Nouveau café, famous for its sandwiches and inventions (it’s said the tramezzino was popularized here), also offers a carefully made bicerin. The fin-de-siècle atmosphere and uniformed waiters add to the charm. Local tip: if the dining room is full, the counter is a great place to enjoy it standing up, the old-fashioned way.
Baratti & Milano — Via Roma 20 (corner Piazza Castello), 10123 Torino. Hours: Mon–Sat 09:00–20:00, Sun 10:00–18:00. Price: bicerin and chocolate drinks €6.00–€9.00. Description: Baratti & Milano is a Turin institution, known for its sweets and confectionery as well as its elegant cafés. Their bicerin is often served with a sweet accompaniment (mini-biscotti or gianduia). Local tip: pair your drink with a box of pralines or gianduiotti for a tasty souvenir.
Chocolate and the Gianduiotto: Artisans You Can’t Miss
Piedmont is the home of the gianduiotto, a small boat-shaped chocolate made with hazelnut paste (gianduia). This treat is inseparable from the Tonda Gentile delle Langhe hazelnut and Turin’s chocolate-making craft. Turin hosts chocolatiers who work beans and hazelnuts with artisanal precision; here are some spots to buy and taste exceptional chocolate.
Guido Gobino — Via Lagrange, 1, 10123 Torino. Hours: Mon–Sat 10:00–19:00. Price: gianduiotto per piece €1.20–€2.50, 250 g box €12–€20. Description: An artisan house founded by Guido Gobino, renowned for its bars and finely textured gianduiotti. The products highlight the quality of the hazelnuts and cocoa. The shop features elegant displays and seasonal creations. Local tip: try the “gianduia extra” chocolate bar and ask for a guided tasting if staff are available.
Caffarel Boutique Torino — Piazza Carlo Felice 1 (or central boutique, check locally), 10121 Torino. Hours: vary by shop, typically 09:30–19:30. Price: boxes of gianduiotti €6–€18, 250 g assortments €15–€30. Description: Caffarel is one of Piedmont’s historic houses (founded in 1826) and played a big role in popularizing the gianduiotto. Boutiques offer collections of pralines, bars and chocolate specialties. Local tip: enjoy the elegant packaging as a gift; some assortments include notes about the origin of the hazelnuts.
Pasticceria Peyrano — Via Po 16 (near Piazza Castello), 10123 Torino. Hours: Tue–Sat 08:00–19:00, Sun 09:00–14:00 (closed Mon). Price: chocolate pastries €3.50–€6.00, chocolate boxes €10–€25. Description: Although primarily a pâtisserie, Peyrano offers chocolate creations inspired by Piedmontese tradition. Their chocolate entremets often include caramelized hazelnuts and light mousses. Local tip: order an entremet to share — the textures are typically rich and generous.
Classic Patisseries and Local Creations: Where to Enjoy Brioches, Tarts and Entremets
Turin boasts historic patisseries where viennoiserie, fruit tarts and creamy entremets compete in elegance. Century-old shops blend traditional know-how with contemporary interpretations: light whipped cream, flaky puff pastry, silky ganaches. Here are recommended stops for a pastry loop.
Pasticceria Stratta — Piazza Castello 29, 10123 Torino. Hours: Mon–Sat 08:00–19:30, Sun 09:00–14:30. Price: individual pastries €3.50–€7.50, shareable cakes €20–€40. Description: Stratta is a Turin institution known for petit fours, canestrelli and entremets. The shop also offers seasonal compositions and classic decorations. The interior evokes Belle Époque glamour. Local tip: try the blueberry tart in season or the millefeuille for a contrast of textures.
Pasticceria Pfatisch — Via Carlo Alberto 31, 10123 Torino. Hours: Tue–Sun 08:00–19:00 (closed Mon). Price: individual pastry €2.50–€6.00, specialty items €12–€25. Description: Pfatisch offers a balanced range between tradition and innovation. Their products often incorporate local ingredients, like Langhe raspberry jam or Piedmont hazelnuts. Local tip: order a shareable pastry and a short espresso — the mix of textures is perfect for an indulgent afternoon.
Pasticceria Ghigo (and other local artisans) — multiple locations in the historic center. Hours and prices vary. Description: many neighborhood pastry chefs offer specialties like mixed “pasticcini” (mini pastries) and seasonal bûches or entremets. Local tip: during local festivities (Christmas, Carnival), look for seasonal specialties like artisan panettone, often made with gianduia or caramelized hazelnuts.
Gelato, Seasonal Sweets and Themed Experiences
Although Piedmont is best known for its chocolate and pastries, Turin also has excellent gelaterias and seasonal desserts worth stopping for. In summer, artisan gelato highlights local fruit; in winter, the same makers turn to warm creams, tepid soufflés and chilled or frozen variations of the bicerin.
Gelateria Pepino 1884 — Via Po 8/R (near Piazza Vittorio Veneto), 10123 Torino. Hours: daily 11:00–22:00, extended in summer. Price: gelato cup €3.00–€6.50, specialty frozen desserts €5.00–€9.00. Description: Founded in 1884, Gelateria Pepino is famous for traditional ice cream and for being among the first to offer take-away frozen desserts. Their recipes often include hazelnut and chocolate combinations. Local tip: order the “Pepino” specialty if available — a historic format that reflects an old Turin style of gelato.
Gelateria La Romana — Via Carlo Alberto (central location), 10123 Torino. Hours: vary, generally 12:00–23:00. Price: cone €2.50–€5.00, special sundaes €6.00–€10.00. Description: A much-loved artisanal Italian chain known for the texture of its creams. Fruit sorbets made with local produce are highly recommended for freshness. Local tip: pick two flavors — one milk-based (gianduia, almond milk) and one fruity sorbet for a lively contrast.
Museum and tasting: Museo Lavazza — Via Bologna, 32, 10152 Torino. Hours: Wed–Sun 10:00–18:00 (closed Mon and Tue, check online). Price: museum ticket from €8–€12; tasting workshops €15–€35 depending on the formula. Description: Museo Lavazza offers journeys through the history of coffee and sensory experiences around it, making a perfect complement to a dessert-focused day in Turin. Local tip: book a tasting workshop to learn about coffee-and-chocolate pairings and to sample variations of the bicerin or dessert pairings with single-origin coffees.
Conclusion: How to Plan Your Sweet Route in Turin
Turin offers a rich, structured palette of treats: historic cafés where you sip a bicerin while watching the city, chocolate houses that work gianduia with extreme care, and patisseries where tradition meets modernity. To make the best of this guide, start by defining your priorities: do you want a day focused mainly on chocolate, a mixed café-pastry route, or a hunt for seasonal gelato and desserts?
Practical planning: schedule tastings for the morning and mid-afternoon. Patisseries offer fresh viennoiserie at breakfast; cafés are ideal in the afternoon for discovering the bicerin with fewer crowds. For to-go purchases (boxes of gianduiotti, praline assortments), favor artisan shops around midday — many artisans restock their displays after the morning rush. Budget tip: plan between €3 and €10 per individual tasting (drink, pastry or gelato cup), and €15–€40 if you buy boxes to bring home.
Check and book: the opening times listed are practical guides but may change with the season and holidays. Before you go, consult official sites or call the shop to confirm hours — especially for workshops and museums, which often require reservations. And don’t hesitate to ask staff for recommendations: pastry chefs and chocolatiers love to share tasting suggestions and sometimes offer small samples to help you choose.
In short, follow the scent of hazelnuts, the melt of chocolate and the softness of cream. Turin is a city where every sweet pause can become a lasting memory — and this guide aims to help you turn those pauses into truly memorable experiences. Enjoy your tasty journey, and remember: the best tasting is often the one you share.
