Highlights
The secret of a deliciously long-lasting tradition
One of the most fascinating curiosities linked to Caffè Baratti & Milano concerns its famous artisan sweets, still produced today with traditional methods and recognisable all over the world by their characteristic vintage packaging.
These sweets, which have become a true Turin souvenir, represent the venue's ability to transform even the simplest products into objects of desire, capable of evoking memories and telling stories.
A history spanning more than 165 years
The history of Caffè Baratti & Milano begins in 1858, when the two founders open their first shop on via Po, in the historic centre of Turin.
From the very beginning the venue becomes a privileged meeting place for the ruling class, intellectuals and the Savoyard court, drawn by the quality of the preparations and the elegant, welcoming atmosphere.
With the move to the Galleria Subalpina in 1875, the café acquires its definitive location and its Liberty architectural identity.
Chocolate and the house specialities
At Caffè Baratti & Milano chocolate is much more than an ingredient: it is a philosophy, a tradition and an art. Turin is the Italian capital of chocolate, and Baratti & Milano is one of its most authoritative ambassadors.
The pralines, the cremini, the famous sweets and of course the dark and milk chocolate are still prepared today following recipes handed down through time, with selected raw materials and an artisanal care that can be perceived in every taste.
Galleria Subalpina: the architectural setting
Caffè Baratti & Milano is located inside the Galleria Subalpina, one of the most beautiful covered galleries in Italy, inaugurated in 1874 and designed by the architect Pietro Carrera.
With its iron and glass structure and neoclassical facades, the gallery connects Piazza Castello with Piazza Carlo Alberto and represents an extraordinary example of nineteenth-century Turin architecture, still perfectly preserved and fully accessible.
The Liberty style of the interiors tells a story of craftsmanship and refined taste: inlaid wooden counters, crystal chandeliers and gilded decorations create an atmosphere suspended between the Belle Époque and the great Piedmontese pastry tradition. But Baratti & Milano is not only beauty: it is also gastronomic excellence, with chocolate-making, pastry and artisan candies at its beating heart.
Related experiences
A history spanning over 165 years
The story of Caffè Baratti & Milano begins in 1858, when the two founders open their first shop on Via Po, in Turin's historic centre. From the outset, the venue becomes a privileged meeting place for the ruling class, intellectuals and the Savoy court, drawn by the quality of its preparations and the elegant, welcoming setting. With the move to the Galleria Subalpina in 1875, the café acquires its definitive location and its Liberty architectural identity.
Throughout the 20th century, Baratti & Milano hosted writers, politicians, artists and prominent figures of Italian cultural life. The Galleria Subalpina itself, with its iron and glass vault inspired by the great Milanese and Parisian galleries, is one of Turin's architectural jewels, and the café is undoubtedly its absolute protagonist. Walking through these spaces means immersing yourself in over a century and a half of city history.
Today the venue is still run with the same artisan dedication of its origins, keeping historic recipes and traditional working methods alive. The continuity between past and present is the true soul of Baratti & Milano, a place that never fails to move those who discover it for the first time and those who return there every day.
Chocolate and house specialities
At Caffè Baratti & Milano, chocolate is far more than an ingredient: it is a philosophy, a tradition and an art. Turin is the Italian capital of chocolate, and Baratti & Milano is one of its most authoritative ambassadors. Pralines, cremini, the famous candies and naturally dark and milk chocolate are still prepared today following recipes handed down through time, with selected raw ingredients and an artisan care perceptible in every bite.
Among the most beloved specialities stand out the gianduiotti, Turin's symbolic confection, here offered in an absolutely excellent version, and the boeri, the famous chocolates with morello cherry and liqueur that have always been part of the Piedmontese pastry tradition. The chocolate window is a true visual spectacle, with compositions that seem to come from another era yet feel irresistibly current.
Beyond chocolate, the pastry counter offers a top-class selection of cakes, biscuits and traditional Piedmontese sweets, while the coffee counter serves espressos and hot drinks prepared with the same care and attention. Stopping for a breakfast or afternoon snack at Baratti & Milano is one of those Turin rituals every visitor should experience at least once.
The Galleria Subalpina: the architectural setting
Caffè Baratti & Milano stands inside the Galleria Subalpina, one of Italy's most beautiful covered galleries, inaugurated in 1874 and designed by architect Pietro Carrera. With its iron and glass structure and neoclassical façades, the gallery connects Piazza Castello with Piazza Carlo Alberto and represents an extraordinary example of 19th-century Turin architecture, still perfectly preserved and fully usable.
The gallery hosts, in addition to the famous café, a historic bookshop, antiques shops and other businesses that help keep the old-world atmosphere alive. Walking through the Galleria Subalpina is an experience that fits perfectly with a visit to the café, offering an authentic snapshot of late-19th-century bourgeois and Savoy Turin.
The location is strategic and privileged: just steps away are Piazza Castello, the Palazzo Reale, the Teatro Regio and the Museo Egizio. Baratti & Milano therefore fits into a top-tier cultural and historical itinerary, making it an ideal stop for those wishing to combine a visit to the great Turin attractions with a moment of authentic gastronomic and architectural pleasure.
The secret of a sweet longevity
One of the most fascinating curiosities about Caffè Baratti & Milano concerns its famous artisan candies, still produced today with traditional methods and recognisable worldwide by their characteristic vintage packaging. These candies, which have become a true Turin souvenir, represent the venue's ability to turn even the simplest products into objects of desire, capable of evoking memories and telling stories. They are not just sweets: they are fragments of collective memory, pieces of a Turin that knows how to safeguard its identity with pride and style.