If you like to eat like a local in Turin, here’s my food lover’s guide to where to find the Best Piola in my hometown of Turin. Hi my name is Amedea, I’m an Italian teacher based in Manchester UK.
To eat like a local in Turin, sample traditional Piedmontese dishes like Agnolotti del Plin, Vitello Tonnato, Bagna Cauda, and Bonet. Don’t miss trying Gianduiotto chocolates and Bicerin, a local coffee and chocolate drink. Explore local markets, osteria (traditional trattorias), and pasticcerie (pastry shops) for an authentic experience.
Traditional Dishes to Try:
Agnolotti del Plin: Small, meat-filled pasta parcels, often served with a simple sauce – rather like our own tortellini but distinctly Piedmontese.
Bagna Cauda: A warm dip made with garlic, anchovies, and olive oil, perfect for dipping vegetables – think of it as Italy’s answer to a proper fondue.
Bicerin: A layered drink of espresso, chocolate, and milk, often served in a glass – rather like a posh hot chocolate but infinitely more refined.
Bollito Misto: A selection of boiled meats, including calf’s head, pork belly, and various offal – rather like a mixed grill but with more adventurous cuts.
Bonet: A rich chocolate and amaretti biscuit pudding – reminiscent of a trifle but with a sophisticated Italian twist. You’ll love it!!
Carne Cruda: Piedmontese beef tartare, often made with Fassona beef – similar to steak tartare but with Italian flair.
Gianduiotto: A chocolate made with Piedmont hazelnuts – absolutely divine and far superior to your average chocolate. Don’t leave Turin without trying one!
Vitello Tonnato: Thinly sliced veal in a creamy tuna and caper sauce – an unusual but a great combination that works beautifully.
There are so many more dishes if you want to eat like a local in Turin, but these are a good start.
Where to eat like a local in Turin
Cianci Piola Caffè (Piola da Cianci)
A classic and bustling piola, open daily. Small indoor space with plenty of outdoor seating in a lively square near Piazza Castello. Known for authentic Piedmontese cuisine served affordably. One of my favourite
Address: Largo IV Marzo, 9/b – 10122 Turin
Phone: +39 388 876 7003
Website: ciancipiola.it
Piola Da Celso
A historic piola dating back to 1905, family-run with rustic décor. Offers a daily-changing menu announced verbally—no printed menus—to keep things traditional.
Address: Via Verzuolo, 40/b – 10139 Turin
Website: Facebook page: Piola Da Celso
Osteria Le Ramin‑e
A traditional piola-style osteria sourcing ingredients from Val Chisone. Must-try dishes include Fassone beef tartare and house-made agnolotti.
Address: Via Isonzo, 64 – 10141 Turin
Website: leramine.it
Caffè–Vini Emilio Ranzini
Tiny historic bar and wine tavern frequented by locals. Serves sfuso wine, simple sandwiches, and classic merenda sinoira(Piedmontese-style happy hour).
Address: Via Porta Palatina, 9/G – 10122 Turin
Website: Facebook: Caffè Vini Ranzini
La Piola Sabauda
Rustic and homey, right in the city center. Serves classic Piedmontese cuisine and sfuso wine in a welcoming setting.
Address: Via Giovanni Giolitti, 10 – 10123 Turin
Website: lapiolasabauda.it
What is a Piola?
Understanding Turin’s Unique Social Hub
As someone from Turin now teaching Italian in the UK, I often find myself trying to capture the essence of my home city for my students—not just its language, but its character, its rhythm, and its soul. One of the most charming and culturally specific institutions in Turin is the piola, a word that doesn’t translate neatly into English, but represents something essential in the life of many Torinesi.
What Exactly is a Piola?
In its simplest form, a piola is a type of informal tavern or eatery found almost exclusively in Turin and its surrounding region, Piedmont. Unlike a trattoria or a ristorante, a piola is deeply rooted in working-class tradition and local community life. These places offer simple, hearty Piedmontese food and local wine—often sfuso (loose wine served from a barrel or demijohn rather than bottles). But more than a place to eat, a piola is a social space: relaxed, unpretentious, and warmly convivial.
Traditionally, piòle (the plural of piola in Piedmontese dialect) were frequented by workers, students, artists, and old friends. They served as a “third place”—neither home nor work—where one could linger over a game of cards, a political debate, or a shared bowl of tajarin (thin egg pasta) without hurry or formality.
Origins and Cultural Role
The word piola has unclear etymological roots. Some believe it may derive from the Piedmontese word for a wooden peg used in barrels, while others associate it with local dialect terms for small, clustered gathering spots. What’s certain is that these venues evolved alongside Turin’s industrial past. In the early to mid-20th century, as the city grew around Fiat factories and railway yards, the piola became the go-to after-work destination for factory workers needing affordable, home-style meals and a place to unwind.
Today, while some piòle still retain their rustic, old-world charm—complete with checkered tablecloths, handwritten menus, and chalkboard wine lists—others have taken on a more modern flair. Yet even the newer ones try to preserve the essence: affordability, familiarity, and a certain unpolished authenticity.
Why Piòle Are Unique to Turin
One reason piòle are so closely tied to Turin is their connection to the region’s deep culinary and social traditions. Piedmontese cuisine is rich but modest—built around seasonal ingredients, hearty meats, cheeses, and homemade pasta. The piola is the perfect vessel for serving such food without pretension. Unlike in other parts of Italy where formal dining is often the norm, Turin’s piòle foster a more communal and down-to-earth experience.
The city’s specific linguistic and cultural identity also plays a role. Piedmont has long had its own dialect, customs, and identity somewhat distinct from the broader Italian narrative. The piola embodies this distinctiveness—it’s not just a place to eat, but a living archive of local stories, dialects, recipes, and rituals. If you step into a traditional piola in San Salvario or Vanchiglia, you might overhear a mix of Italian and Piedmontese, or see someone playing scopone (a card game) at the back.
Modern Revivals and Nostalgia
In recent years, there’s been a revival of interest in piòle, especially among young people. As Turin has become more cosmopolitan, many locals are eager to preserve or rediscover their culinary heritage. Newer piòle play on the theme with creative reinterpretations—serving traditional dishes with a twist, hosting live folk music, or offering “apericena” (a cross between aperitivo and dinner) in a piola-inspired setting.
This blend of nostalgia and reinvention keeps the piola alive and relevant. It’s not just a culinary destination; it’s a piece of urban identity. In a world increasingly dominated by chain restaurants and digital disconnection, the piola stands as a symbol of warmth, memory, and shared experience.
For those learning Italian, especially with an eye toward understanding its regional diversity, the piola offers a delicious and immersive gateway. It teaches vocabulary, yes—but also customs, values, and the quiet magic of ordinary life in a city like Turin. So next time you’re in town, skip the fancy restaurants. If you want eat like a local in Turin, look for a handwritten sign, a few tables under a faded awning, and the unmistakable scent of slow-cooked brasato. That’s a piola. And that’s Turin.
Experiencing authentic Turinese cuisine means embracing the region’s distinctive culinary heritage. From delicate pasta parcels filled with meat to rich chocolate confections made with local hazelnuts, Piedmont’s food culture offers something truly special. The city’s traditional coffee houses serve their famous layered beverages, whilst local markets overflow with seasonal produce perfect for the region’s signature warm dips. Whether you’re exploring bustling trattorias or discovering hidden pastry shops, Turin’s food scene reflects centuries of culinary tradition that continues to delight visitors today.
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