In Turin for Eurovision? Here's Where to Eat

It's the city that's home to the most important Egyptian museum in the world (outside of Cairo) and the evocative National Cinema Museum. But above all, it's the city that will host the Eurovision Song Contest 2022, from 10 - 14 May.

Never before has the northern Italian city of Turin been so lively and vibrant, not only with new restaurant openings, but also with a host of fresh initiatives as the city falls under the spotlight for the highly anticipated international music competition.

Where to eat in Turin during the Eurovision Song Contest 2022?

Here is our guide to one off event-dinners, special menus, news and historical addresses to check out when in Turin.

Pop-up 'Ristorante Europa' - for charity dinners

Pop-up Europa Restaurant by Tuorlo Magazine, will arrive at Edit, for the duration of the festival, offering different chefs and charity dinners each evening, with proceeds being donated to Josè Andrés' World Central Kitchen.

Ukrainian chef Ksenia Amber, who recently took the stage at haute cuisine chef congress Identità Golose, will serve as the resident chef, introducing her country's national cuisine in a contemporary key.

On 12 May, Stefano Sforza from Turin's Opera restaurant, will helm the kitchen along with Londoner Daniel Morgan, chef Rigels Tepshi of Ottocentodieci restaurant in Pavia, and chef Karime Lopez, from one-Michelin-starred Gucci Osteria in Florence.

On 13 May, it's Italian chef Luigi Taglienti's turn, along with the Norwegian Ondrej Taldik; while on 14 May the dinner will be hosted by chef Laura Santosuosso from Remulass in Milan, and the Italian-Greek chef Noah Dal Colle, from London.

Bacalhau Osteria, for Portuguese cooking

Bacalhau Osteria is Turin's only restaurant to offer Portuguese-inspired dishes based on fine Icelandic cod: an address where the Nordic fish is interpreted in many ways, from appetisers to desserts.

During Eurovision, chef patron Fabio Montagna, will transform his restaurant into Casa Portugal: a tribute to the singer-songwriter Maro, competing with the song 'Saudade, saudade', but also to the country that has so influenced his cuisine.

Until Sunday 15 May, they will be offering a speical Portuguese aperitif and a 4-course Portuguese tasting menu (30 euros), with dishes including cod salad with chickpeas and onion, cldeirada de bacalhau (fish soup and bacalhau with croutons) and bacalhau à braz (bacalhau cooked in milk, with onion, fried potatoes, egg yolk and black olives). Naturally, the pastel de nata is not to be missed - accompanied by vinho verde, Portuguese beer and bubbles and liqueurs such as ginja.

Antica Focacceria S. Francesco for Sicilian cuisine

Sicilian Antica Focacceria S. Francesco now boasts with twelve outlets around Italy, with this Turin venue - in via Principe Amedeo 3, in one of the most beautiful squares of the capital - being the most recent addition.

Try a whole range of Sicilian classics, including: 'schiticchio', a sort of aperitif punctuated by Palermo street foods; 'vastedda ca 'meusa', a round sandwich covered with sesame seeds and stuffed with spleen and veal lung; aranicini and eggplant parmigiana. Those looking for the traditional Sicilian desserts like granita, will also be spoilt for choice here. 

Trattoria Vegetale at Mercato Centrale in Turin

At the the heart of Porta Palazzo, a lively multi-ethnic district, is the largest market in Turin: Central Market. Try browsing through the various food options, including the new Trattoria Vegetale by chef Antonio Chiodi Latini, which opened in March. It showcases traditional recipes based on fresh vegetables, with dishes ranging from leek and potato gnocchi, to fried artichokes and mixed fried fish.

At the Antico Vinaio, 'schiacciata' is served

Speaking of new openings and historic places - in via Sant’Ottavio at the corner of Via Verdi, in the heart of Turin's university district - discover All'Antico Vinaio, a famous symbol of Florence that has travelled the world.

Thanks to the great success of founder Tommaso Mazzanti's clubs in Italy and abroad (remember the pop-ups that alomst drove Los Angeles and New York crazy) he now brings his excellent stuffed schiacciata to the city of the Mole. Even in Turin, now you can taste the typical leavened bread stuffed with abundant fillings based on cold cuts and cheese.

Extra Vermouth, the aperitif of Turin

An aperitif in Turin is a must. Yes, the ritual that today characterises the Italian pre-dinner ritual was born in the Savoyard city, punctuated by a glass of Vermouth. Known throughout the world, Vermouth was invented in Turin in 1786 by Antonio Benedetto Carpano, and initially sold in a liquor shop in Piazza Castello. Its recipe is based on Moscato del Piemonte and full-bodied wines from the South, with extracts and infusions of about 30 aromatic herbs.

There are various types of Vermouth: red, white, rosé, dry and extra dry. In Turin, the aperitif is a real ritual and can be tasted in many places in the city. With the Extra Vermouth initiative, it's time for the aromas and flavours of Turin Vermouth to be tasted. 

Eat in a piola in Turin

Those looking for a true Turin experience cannot help but eat in a 'piola', a typical trattoria where you can savor the regional dishes that hold a dear place in the hearts of Italians: from plin (typical stuffed ravioli with three roast meats), to vitello tonnato and boiled meats, not forgetting tajarin (fresh pasta noodles), concluding with bonet (a classic spoon dessert made with amaretto, chocolate and coffee).

There are a number of historic addresses, ranging from the Antiche Sere to the Locanda San Giors, between Quadrilatero and Porta Palazzo. There's Vitel Etonné and La Via del Sale in the center, or the Piola da Cianci in the lively Piazza IV Marzo. For those looking for somewhere to eat really well, with dishes that showcase Piedmontese cuisine with a modern twist, try Consorzio. Wherever you decide to go, book in advance to avoid missing out - these are very popular places.

Try a fine dining restaurant in Turin

Those looking for more modern gourmet cuisine can opt for a Michelin-starred restaurant in Turin (including Unforgettable, where chef Cristian Mandura experiments with vegetables), or for new generation restaurants that are changing the gastronomic scene of the city.

Among these is Azotea, a cocktail bar with Nikkei cuisine, a stone's throw from Piazza Vittorio, where the dishes are a lot of fun; but also the contemporary-inspired bistro, Gaudenzio, in via Gaudenzio Ferrari, a short distance from the Mole, where you can taste tapas paired with natural wines. 

Farmacia del Cambio, a Michelin-starred breakfast 

Del Cambio restaurant, led by chef Matteo Baronetto, is a well-known institution in the city. The one-Michelin-star restaurant in Piazza Carignano is one of the oldest in Italy. Next to it stands the Farmacia del Cambio, where you can try one of the best breakfasts in Italy, overlooking the Michelin starred kitchen, or outdoors, admiring the historic Palazzo Carignano.

People come here to taste pastry chef Maicol Vitellozzi's 'crubik', inspired by the Rubik's Cube, filled with custard and made to perfection. This is nothing new, but it is undoubtedly one of the seven wonders of the gastronomic world. How could you miss it?