SPOTAHOME

Turin may not have the colosseum. It may not have the impressive Galleria of Milan, nor the breathtaking Duomo of Florence. There are no famed leaning towers. No charming gondola rides.

Nope, not in Turin.

Turin has something much better.

Turin has food.

If you’re new to Turin or the Piedmont region, you might not know where to start. Not to worry! Here’s a rundown of some Piemontese dishes that you just can’t miss on your next trip to Turin.

1. Bagna Cauda

First thing is first: antipasti.

And of all the antipasti in Piedmont, the bagna cauda is the most fascinating.

The main part of the bagna cauda is the sauce, which is a mixture of anchovies, garlic, and milk. The sauce is served fondue-style in a big pot with a flame underneath to keep it hot.

Each person then uses grilled vegetables, most commonly peppers, celery, fennel, or endives, to scoop up the sauce.

No utensils required!

2. Truffles

Truffles. Be still my beating heart.

Black or white, these God-given chunks of absolute bliss call the entire Piedmont region home.

Commonly found around Alba, an entire truffle festival is held in the town each autumn, where you can select one of your very own to buy.

But if your pockets don’t run deep enough to buy one of these expensive-- like, really expensive-- delicacies, head into any Piemontese restaurant in Turin and try a truffle risotto.

You’ll never look at food the same way again. You’re welcome!

3. Barolo wine

Technically wine is not a food, as some people will have you believe.

Whatever. Those people don’t know anything. Tell me about this wine, you think.

Barolo is possibly one of the best wines in Italy, and it comes straight from the vineyards in Le Langhe, Piedmont’s picturesque, hilly wine region.

Like the truffle, a good Barolo doesn’t come cheap. But do yourself a favor and try it. It is worth every cent.

4. Fritto misto alla Piemontese

Sweet, salty, and 100% fried.

The “Piemontese fried mix” is the perfect dish for fans of fried foods of all sorts.

Awesome! You think, fantasizing of days under the Italian sun eating nothing but fried deliciousness.

**But there’s always a catch, isn’t there? **

The dish, which is generally shared by the entire table, is traditionally made up of a few, well, unique tastes, to say the least.

Kidneys, frog’s legs, liver, testicles, lungs, semolina (with chocolate and without), apple, sausages, cabbage, veal, and chocolate-covered amaretto cookies are all the classic foods fried up in this interesting mix.

Some people love it. Some people hate it. But, if you’re traveling to Turin, you have to give this typical dish a taste.

5. Agnolotti

What’s Italy without pasta?

Pasta is plentiful in Piemont, and there’s nothing better than a classic dish of agnolotti.

Smaller than ravioli, agnolotti is another type of delicious, meat-filled pasta commonly found in Turin, Alessandria, Alba, and all around the Piedmont region.

Agnolotti are traditionally served 3 ways: with the extra sauce from roasted meat, with a ragu sauce, or, more typically, with a combination of butter, sage, and Parmesan cheese.

Yum.

6. Brasato al Barolo

Are you enjoying that glass of Barolo wine? Good stuff. Have another, and get ready to have your mind blown.

What if I told you that you could have a whole steak cooked in Barolo?

Yes. The brasato al Barolo, or brasà in Piemontese, is a regionally sourced steak that is cooked in the region’s incredible Barolo wine.

Are you getting hungry yet?

7. What about dessert?

If you have a sweet tooth, Turin and the Piedmont region are for you.

Ever hear of Nutella? Yeah. They, like, make that here. No big deal. If you visit the Ferrero factory in Alba, you might even be lucky enough to smell the chocolatey, hazelnutty goodness wafting in your direction.

But Piemont is more than just Nutella. It gets even better than just Nutella.

For the cookie monsters among us, try the baci di dama, or an amaretto cookie.

If you’re looking for something chocolatey, the bonet pudding is a classic favorite.

And if all that doesn’t suffice, then give a nice panna cotta a try-- after all, panna cotta is from Piemonte!

With these delicacies, you’ll just be scratching the surface of the incredible range of Piemontese dishes to try. But, if you’re new to Turin, you’ll be off to a great start!

Did we miss anything? Tell us about your favorite Piemontese dishes in the comments below!

Looking for you new home in Turin? Check Spotahome!