Italian cuisine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: a historic recognition that celebrates not only individual recipes but also a social, cultural and historical system that has been handed down for centuries in Italy. People, gestures, ingredients, territories and communities that have shaped a country and contributed to making it unique and famous throughout the world.
Piedmontese cuisine is one of the richest regional heritages in Italy, with dishes that reflect the deep connection between the land, the seasons and craftsmanship, and which have certainly contributed to this important success. Among the most iconic specialities, whose recipes have been handed down for generations, are:
- Il Vitello tonnato: tender veal prepared and cooked slowly and meticulously, cut into thin slices and served with a typical creamy sauce made from tuna, egg yolk, anchovies and capers — a classic Piedmontese starter.
- Agnolotti del plìn: typical small and delicate filled pasta, the first course par excellence of Piedmontese cuisine: small and delicate, usually filled and served with roast sauce.
- Tajarin: very thin egg noodles, often seasoned with butter and Tartufo Bianco d'Alba.
- Bagna caoda: a fragrant hot sauce made with garlic, anchovies and oil, to be enjoyed with seasonal vegetables, an expression of Piedmontese conviviality.
- Fritto misto alla piemontese: a rich and traditional dish in its “savoury” version (with meat and vegetables) and “sweet” version (small pastries, fruit): a great convivial classic in the colder months.
- Bollito misto: an assortment of boiled meats with sauces and condiments such as the typical "salsa verde".
- Bonèt: the iconic spoon dessert with amaretti biscuits and cocoa, the perfect ending if you taste a Piedmontese meal.
These dishes are not just recipes, but testimonies to a living cultural heritage, made up of tradition, knowledge passed down from generation to generation, conviviality and a connection to the land — all values central to UNESCO recognition.
Alongside the tradition of typical dishes, Piemonte also stands out on the international fine dining scene thanks to a large number of Michelin-starred restaurants. The Michelin Guide, a global benchmark for gastronomic quality, recognises numerous Piedmontese establishments every year for their technical skill, creativity and the high quality of the raw ingredients used.
Did you know about all these Piedmontese dishes? Try them in the Piedmontese cuisine restaurants in Torino and its province, choosing from among those participating in the Mangébin circuit.