It can be a challenge eating out with kids. You need fast service, a buzz loud enough so your child will blend in, a menu with food everyone will like, and it can’t take half the day to get there or they’ll start whining that they’re hungry. I’m only talking about my own children, of course, but the family restaurants in Turin listed below fit the bill every time.
All of them have changing tables and highchairs, and all but one have some form of entertainment for the kids, be it crayons, a swing set, or a dedicated, supervised playroom to allow you to have a quiet adult meal. And all have good food. The list is in alphabetical order and includes websites or phone numbers.
Best for Outdoor Scenery
Pizzeria Alberoni
Corso Moncalieri 288
Phone: 011 6615433
Located on a bank overlooking the Po River, this pizzeria is surrounded by trees and has lots of outdoor space for the kids to run around. Open both lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended.
Best for an adult meal when you don’t have a babysitter
Art & Cafe Le Meridien
Via Nizza 230
Phone: 011 664 2820
Adults eat in a gorgeous and modern space while the kids are seated in a separate area, with caregivers, at their own tables with their own menus. When the kids are done they can play, and parents can pop in to check on them. Reservations recommended.
Best for Local Food
Circolo Arci La Cricca
Via Ignazio Giulio 25
Phone: 011 521 1653
A relaxed and inexpensive place with a great courtyard, Circolo welcomes children. The restaurant serves local specialties such as vitello tonnato, bagna cauda, and chinotto. Open for dinner only.
Best for a fun atmosphere with music and dancing
El Centenario
Via Biancamano 3
Tel. 011 539506
An inexpensive Tex-Mex restaurant with music and dancing, there’s also a children’s menu. Open for dinner only. Reservations recommended on weekends.
www.elcentenario.com
Best for outdoor space and lunchtime salads
Quattro Con at the Esperia Circolo Canottieri
Corso Moncalieri 2
10131 Turin
tel. 011 8190679
With a large outdoor space for kids to run around and a river view, this restaurant has really good lunch time salads (and dancing into the wee hours in case you did locate that babysitter). Open at lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended.
www.esperia-torino.it/ristorante.htm
Best for pizza and mussels
Fratelli La Cozza
Corso Regio Parco 39
Phone: 011 233337
Run by a charismatic local named Chiambretti, this place has good atmosphere and great pizza. They also have a children’s pizza. Open lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended.
Best for Sunday brunch and location
Ham and You
Via Pietro Micca 15c
Tel. 011 540424
This is a “Prosciutteria”, which means the focus is prosciutto, or ham. Great Sunday brunch, fast service and in the center of town, this is a good bet for kids. Open for lunch and dinner every day except on Sundays just open for brunch/lunch.
www.hamandyou.it
Best for a unique atmosphere
Kirkuk Café
Via Carlo Alberto 16/b
Tel. 011 530657
With an atmosphere from 1001 nights, this restaurant specializes in Greek, Turkish, and Kurdish cuisine – think falafels, grilled vegetables, and baklava. It’s not specifically geared for kids, but the décor includes low tables, lots of floor pillows, and a friendly staff. If you’re with kids, arrive early, before it gets too busy and the kids can’t test out all the pillows. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Friday. Monday and Saturday open for dinner only. Sunday closed. Reservations recommended.
www.kirkukkaffe.com
Best nice restaurant in a good location
Marechiaro
Via San Francesco d’Assisi 21
Phone: 011 535757
A nice restaurant frequented by journalists and famous Italians. No coloring books and no children’s menu, but kids are very welcome and it’s right in the center of Turin, with summer outdoor seating on a pedestrian street. Open only for dinner. Reservations recommended.
www.marechiaroristorante.it
Best if you like malls
Old Wild West
Via Nizza 262
Phone: 011 6674445
Inside a mall (read: loud) this is an inexpensive Tex Mex chain restaurant with 4 different kids menus. Colorful, casual, and big, it serves both lunch and dinner. No need for a reservation.
Best completely kid-oriented restaurant
Peter Pan
Via Cigna 3
Tel. 011 4367852
This restaurant has 2 supervised play rooms: one for kids ages 3-6 and one for ages 6-12. Parents can actually sit and eat while watching their kids through a window. Play rooms are free on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Open for lunch and dinner every day except closed Sunday lunch and Monday dinner. Reservations recommended.
www.peterpanristorante.com
Best for food allergies, vegans, or macrobiotic
Ristohsawa
Largo Montebello 31/b
Tel. 011 8124863
If you are vegetarian, vegan, eat macrobiotic, or have food allergies, eat here. They use no meat, fish, butter, cheese, milk, or sugar. Open for both lunch and dinner, except closed Sunday and Monday for lunch.
www.ristohsawa.it
Best if you’re going up to Superga
Stazione Sassi
Piazzale Modena 6
Tel. 011 8997513
With a swing and a big space for the kids to run around, this reasonably priced restaurant is right next to the funicular that goes up to the Superga basilica, which offers one of the best views over Turin. Open daily for both lunch and dinner, except closed Monday and Tuesday lunch. Reservations recommended on weekends.
www.stazionesassi.it
Madeline Jhawar is the founder and owner of Italy Beyond the Obvious. She lived in Italy for 5 years, working as a tour guide and operations manager, and now lives in Chicago, USA, with her husband and two children.
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