The Great Cafés of Turin

Turin is a pleasantly old-fashioned place where people still take the time to enjoy the little pleasures in life, such as a really superb cup of coffee at one of the city’s magnificent cafés. The grandest of all is the Caffè San Carlo (Piazza San Carlo 156), a regal establishment with gilded mirrors, framed paintings, marble floors, a massive chandelier and suited waiters. It opened in 1842 and has been serving superlative coffee, pastries and sandwiches since.

Nearby, the Caffè Torino (Piazza San Carlo 204) is another grande dame, with gilded moldings and huge fireplaces.

At Baratti & Milano (Piazza Castello 29), the marble bar and coffered ceilings date to its opening in 1858. The specialty here is bicerin, a hot drink native to Turin made of espresso, drinking chocolate and whole milk served layered in a small, rounded glass.

A version of this article appeared in the March 2015 print edition of Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report under the headline “Great Cafés.”