Highlights
Did you know?
When Alexandre Dumas visited Turin in 1852 to do research for his Grand Dictionnaire de cuisine, he was so fascinated by the bicerin that he devoted an enthusiastic description to it.
The French writer was struck not only by the deliciousness of the drink, but also by the elegant ritual of its preparation and tasting.
Origins and history of a legendary café
The history of Caffè Al Bicerin begins in 1763, when a venue opened in Piazza della Consolata which immediately became a point of reference for the Turin nobility and bourgeoisie.
The original name was Caffè della Consolata, and its privileged position, adjacent to the Marian basilica of the same name, made it a meeting place frequented by the faithful, intellectuals and prominent personalities of Savoyard society.
Over time, it was the drink served inside that gave the venue the name by which it is universally known today.
The bicerin: the iconic drink of Turin
The bicerin is much more than a simple drink: it is the gastronomic symbol of Turin, a unique preparation in the world born within these very walls and unchanged in its recipe for over two and a half centuries.
The name derives from Piedmontese and literally means little glass, the transparent container in which this extraordinary layered mixture is served, with its visible strata: hot chocolate at the bottom, espresso coffee in the middle, and on top whipped milk cream, which floats delicately without mixing with the other ingredients.
The neighbourhood and the setting: Piazza della Consolata
Caffè Al Bicerin is located in one of the most evocative and least tourist-crowded squares of Turin: Piazza della Consolata, in the heart of the city's medieval quarter, just a few minutes' walk from the Cathedral and the famous Porta Palatina.
Looking out onto this square means immersing oneself in an intimate and authentic atmosphere, far from the major commercial thoroughfares, where time seems to flow more slowly and the scents of coffee and chocolate mingle with the morning air.
Origins and history of a legendary café
The story of Caffè Al Bicerin begins in 1763, when a venue opened on Piazza della Consolata that immediately became a meeting point for the Turin nobility and bourgeoisie. Its original name was Caffè della Consolata, and its privileged position next to the Marian basilica made it a gathering place for the faithful, intellectuals and prominent figures of Savoy society. Over time, the drink served inside gave the café the name by which it is universally known today.
Related experiences
During the 19th century, the Bicerin became one of Turin's most lively cultural salons. Alexandre Dumas, who visited the city in 1852, was so fascinated that he explicitly mentioned it in his writings. Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, a great regular of the establishment, used to enjoy his favourite drink before parliamentary sessions. The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, during his stay in Turin, also found in the small café on Piazza della Consolata an ideal refuge for his meditations.
Today the venue is run with care and passion, preserving its original historic identity. The 19th-century furnishings, the dark wooden benches, the round white marble tables and the great wall mirrors are the same as they were almost three centuries ago. Caffè Al Bicerin has been added to the list of Locali Storici d'Italia, a recognition that certifies its extraordinary cultural and heritage value.
The bicerin: Turin's signature drink
The bicerin is far more than a simple drink: it is Turin's gastronomic symbol, a preparation unique in the world that was born within these walls and whose recipe has remained unchanged for more than two and a half centuries. The name comes from Piedmontese dialect and literally means little glass, the transparent container in which this extraordinary mixture is served in visible layers: hot chocolate at the bottom, espresso in the middle and frothed milk cream on top, gently floating without blending with the other ingredients.
The original recipe is jealously guarded by the family that runs the café, and preparation follows a precise ritual passed down from generation to generation. Every ingredient is selected with care: the chocolate is dense and velvety, the coffee is freshly extracted with the utmost precision, and the milk cream is made by hand. The result is a perfect balance of intense, complementary flavours that wins you over from the first sip and that no imitation has ever managed to authentically replicate.
In addition to the classic bicerin, the café offers a selection of artisan chocolates, pralines, paste di meliga, baci di dama and other specialities of the Piedmontese confectionery tradition. Every product is made according to traditional recipes, confirming the café's commitment to preserving and showcasing Turin's gastronomic heritage. Tasting a bicerin at Caffè Al Bicerin is, to all intents and purposes, a cultural as well as a culinary experience.
The neighbourhood: Piazza della Consolata
Caffè Al Bicerin is located in one of Turin's most evocative and least crowded squares: Piazza della Consolata, in the heart of the city's medieval quarter, just minutes' walk from the Duomo and the famous Porta Palatina. Looking out onto this square means immersing yourself in an intimate, authentic atmosphere far from the major shopping streets, where time seems to flow more slowly and the aromas of coffee and chocolate mingle with the morning air.
Opposite the café rises the splendid Basilica of Maria Consolatrice, one of Turin's most important places of devotion, with its baroque façade and richly decorated interior. The contrast between the sacred and the secular, between the spirituality of the church and the worldly pleasure of a steaming cup, has given this corner of the city a unique and irreplaceable identity. It is no coincidence that generations of Torinesi have chosen this place for the most meaningful moments of their everyday lives.
The surrounding neighbourhood offers further points of interest: nearby are the Musei Reali, Palazzo Reale, the Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista with the Cappella della Sindone, and the evocative medieval arcades of Via delle Orfane and surroundings. A visit to Caffè Al Bicerin fits naturally into an itinerary discovering the oldest and most aristocratic Turin, the one that still moves and surprises visitors from all over the world.
Did you know? Alexandre Dumas and the secret of the bicerin
When Alexandre Dumas visited Turin in 1852 to research his Grand Dictionnaire de cuisine, he was so fascinated by the bicerin that he dedicated an enthusiastic description to it. The French writer was struck not only by the drink's quality but also by the elegant ritual of its preparation and tasting. Since then, Caffè Al Bicerin has become a must-stop for the great travellers passing through Turin, from Nietzsche to Puccini, from Cavour to the Savoy kings, all drawn by that little glass capable of capturing the city's most authentic essence.
The bicerin has been recognised as a Traditional Agri-food Product by the Piedmont Region, in testimony of its cultural and gastronomic value. The original recipe of Caffè Al Bicerin is so jealously guarded that even the staff don't know all the steps of its preparation. A living legend that, cup after cup, continues to be written every day in this timeless corner of Turin.