Turin's evening ritual
In Turin, aperitivo is more than a drink before dinner. Vermouth went on sale here in 1786 – and with it, according to the Piedmont region, came the custom of having an aperitif before dinner. Here's how to do it like the locals.
from€93.00per person
See the aperitivo tour
The word first of all means a drink: usually an alcoholic one based on wine, vermouth or a bitter liqueur, meant to whet the appetite. In everyday life, though, "prendere l’aperitivo" means the ritual around it – meeting friends or colleagues for a drink in the early evening, after work and before dinner.
The glass almost always comes with something to eat. That can be anything from a bowl of olives, crisps and grissini to plates of cured meats, cheese, small tramezzini and warm bites. In Turin, aperitivo is a fixed part of the evening; the tourist board Turismo Torino calls it "un vero e proprio rito", a true ritual.
Aperitivo sits between the end of the working day and dinner. There are no fixed times: each bar decides when it serves nibbles or a buffet and for how long. The guided aperitivo tours on this page also start in the early evening. If you want to go out for dinner afterwards, plan your aperitivo early enough – restaurants in Italy usually open later in the evening than you may be used to at home.
The terms are often mixed up. Here's how they differ:
| Type | What you get | When it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Aperitivo | A drink with small bites at the table or the bar: olives, crisps, grissini, a few morsels of cured meat or cheese | Before dinner at a restaurant |
| Aperitivo with buffet | A drink plus a self-service buffet with cold and hot dishes | If you only want a light bite later |
| Apericena | Aperitivo ("aperitivo") and dinner ("cena") in one: so generous that it replaces dinner | Instead of a restaurant, for example by the Po |
| Happy hour | Mainly cheaper drinks at certain times; food not necessarily included | More in bars and pubs than in classic cafés |
What is included in the price, and whether nibbles or a buffet come with your drink, varies from place to place. If in doubt, ask before you order.
No Turin aperitivo without vermouth. The aromatised wine emerged in Turin at the end of the 18th century, at the court of the House of Savoy and in the workshops of Turin's liqueur makers. In 1786, Antonio Benedetto Carpano was the first to sell it commercially, in a liqueur shop on Piazza Castello. According to the Piedmont region's tourism portal, Duke Vittorio Amedeo III liked the drink so much that he made it the official aperitif of the court. With vermouth, the region says, came the custom in Turin of having an aperitif before a meal.
Today vermouth comes as Rosso, Bianco and Rosé. Throughout Piedmont it is part of aperitivo, served neat or as the base for cocktails such as the Martini and the Manhattan.
One place with vermouth history is Caffè Elena at Piazza Vittorio Veneto 5: according to the association of historic cafés, Giuseppe Carpano refined his vermouth recipe here between 1889 and 1902.
Extra Vermouth: under the name "Extra Vermouth – l’Ora del Vermouth di Torino", Turismo Torino promotes a tasting in participating bars, restaurants and historic cafés. You choose three neat vermouths or one neat vermouth and one cocktail, served with small tasters of Piedmontese cuisine. Participating venues and current conditions are listed on turismotorino.org.
Everything about history, styles and tastings is on our page about vermouth in Turin.
There are aperitivo bars all over Turin. Turismo Torino names these areas as evening meeting places – each with its own character. Individual venues change often, so pick a bar you like when you're there.
According to Turismo Torino one of the largest squares in Europe, with historic cafés, restaurants and aperitif bars. Under the arcades you can drink vermouth or Piedmontese wine, and from the outdoor tables you look out over the Po and the hills with the church of Gran Madre di Dio.
Until the 1950s the fishermen's boathouses stood here, beneath the 19th-century embankment walls. Today the Murazzi, just below Piazza Vittorio, offer apericena, dinner, cocktails and music with river views. In summer it's the classic spot for an evening by the water.
The city's oldest district is also one of its traditional nightlife areas. In the narrow lanes between Via Garibaldi and Porta Palazzo you'll find traditional and international cuisine and cocktail bars. From there, the evening carries on to Borgo Dora.
According to Turismo Torino "the beating heart of Turin's nightlife" and a good place to start the evening. The multicultural district lies right next to Porta Nuova station, and its centre is Largo Saluzzo. Lots of bars, trattorias and venues, popular with young people.
The university district behind the Mole Antonelliana has more and more bars, bistros and small restaurants. The crowd here is younger and the venues often more experimental. According to the provider, the Aperitivo & Street Food Tour also ends with a cocktail or vermouth in Vanchiglia.
For an elegant aperitivo in the centre: according to Turismo Torino, Caffè San Carlo (since 1822) and Caffè Torino (since 1903) offer an elegant atmosphere, "perfect for an aperitif". Under the arcades you stay dry even when it rains.
If you only have one aperitivo evening in Turin, the area around Piazza Vittorio Veneto is a good place to start. According to Turismo Torino, bars, clubs and restaurants with river views stretch from the Parco del Valentino along Corso Moncalieri to Piazza Vittorio.
Via Po links Piazza Vittorio with Piazza Castello and is lined with arcades all the way. What to see in the area during the day is on our page about the sights; the Mole Antonelliana is just a few minutes away.
Turin's historic cafés aren't just for Bicerin and chocolate. Several are also good for a classic aperitivo with vermouth:
More cafés with founding years and addresses are on our page about chocolate, Bicerin and historic cafés. Opening hours change – check them on the café's website before you go.
The Aperitivo & Street Food Tour with a local is available from both providers. Content, meeting point and cancellation are the same – compare the price.
| Provider | Included | Cancellation | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| GetYourGuide | 3 hours, at least 4 stops: Nebbiolo with cured meats, craft beer, stuffed potatoes, cocktail or vermouth | free up to 24 hours in advance | €93.00 |
| Tiqets | 3 hours: grissini with Piedmontese wine, aperitif with typical products, vermouth cocktails, stuffed potatoes, craft beer | free up to 24 hours in advance | €85.00 |
Details according to the product pages on 1 October 2026. Live prices, per person.
With a guide you get to know several venues and specialities in one evening – handy if you're only in Turin briefly and don't want to spend time searching.
Three hours through the centre with a local: Nebbiolo with cured meats on Piazza San Carlo, craft beer at a brewery, stuffed potatoes as street food and, to finish, a cocktail or vermouth in Vanchiglia. In English and Italian, maximum twelve people.
Meeting point according to the provider: Piazza San Carlo, in front of the church of Santa Cristina. Not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
from €93.00
See the aperitivo tour
Two hours through streets and historic cafés with gianduiotto, Cri-Cri chocolates, zabaione, gelato and, to finish, a Bicerin or vermouth. More sweet than savoury – a good afternoon warm-up. In Italian and English.
According to the provider, not suitable for vegetarians or people with gluten intolerance.
from €39.00
See the food tour
For later in the evening and for solo travellers: two and a half hours through three to four bars in the Quadrilatero Romano, with ice-breaker games, a quiz, spritz and drink discounts. In English and Italian, over-18s only.
Meeting point according to the provider: Piazza Palazzo di Città.
from €18.00
See Social NightAccording to the product pages, all tours on this page can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours in advance. More guided food tours are on our food tours page.
Shorter and quieter than a tour: in a small bar in the centre, a host explains what's in your glass. Ideal as an aperitivo before dinner.
One hour, maximum eight guests: white and red vermouth plus a vermouth spritz, with dried fruit, olives and cheese, and background on how it's made and its history. In English and Italian.
Meeting point according to the provider: a small wine bar, around ten minutes' walk from the Royal Palace. Alcohol for over-18s only; younger guests get alcohol-free alternatives.
from €35.00
See the vermouth tasting
An hour and a half in a wine bar a few minutes from the Egyptian Museum: two cocktails of your choice based on Turin vermouth, a platter of cured meats, local cheese and starters, plus the history of vermouth. In English and Italian.
A good fit after a visit to the Egyptian Museum.
from €34.00
See the vermouth experience
One hour, maximum eight guests: four Piedmontese wines – sparkling, white and red – with cured meats, cheese and bread or grissini. In Italian and English.
Meeting point according to the provider: a small wine bar, around ten minutes' walk from the Royal Palace.
from €42.00
See the wine tastingAccording to the product pages, all three tastings can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours in advance.
You pay for the aperitivo at the bar. For the day before, the Torino + Piemonte Card is worth it: it gives you free entry to Turin's major museums, from the Egyptian Museum to the Musei Reali.
Chocolate, gourmet tastings, wine and street food: our food tours page gives you an overview of all guided walks and tastings. If you'd rather cook yourself, take a look at the cooking classes in Turin.
A drink before dinner – often vermouth, a spritz or a glass of wine – served with small bites. It usually refers to the whole ritual: you meet at a bar in the early evening, have a drink and a little something to eat before going on to dinner.
With an aperitivo you get small bites with your drink and go out to eat afterwards. An apericena combines aperitivo and dinner ("cena"): the buffet or plates are so generous that they replace dinner.
In the early evening, between the end of the working day and dinner. There are no fixed times – each bar decides when it serves nibbles or a buffet.
Turin is the home of vermouth: in 1786 Antonio Benedetto Carpano began selling it in a shop on Piazza Castello. According to the Piedmont region's tourism portal, vermouth also gave rise in Turin to the custom of having an aperitif before a meal.
The classic is vermouth – neat with ice and a citrus twist or in a cocktail such as the Negroni or Americano. Spritz and Piedmontese wines are popular too. Alcohol-free aperitifs are available in almost every bar.
Turismo Torino mainly names Piazza Vittorio Veneto with its historic cafés, the Murazzi and venues by the Po, the Quadrilatero Romano, San Salvario and the university districts of Vanchiglia and Aurora. For an elegant setting, try the historic cafés on Piazza San Carlo.
Yes. The Aperitivo & Street Food Tour takes you to at least four stops in three hours, with wine, beer, street food and vermouth. There are also vermouth and wine tastings in small bars. All options are on this page.
Yes. The aperitivo tours and tastings on this page run in English and Italian.
A guided city tour on a red open-top bus, during which an aperitif with snacks is served. It lasts 90 minutes and starts on Piazza Solferino. According to Turismo Torino, the AperiCabrio runs from 1 September to 30 November 2026 on Sundays from 20:00 to 21:30, and on Fridays by reservation.
Nibbles or a buffet often come with the drink, but not everywhere. Each venue decides whether anything is included and what. It's best to ask before you order.