Vitello tonnato is sliced cold poached veal under a creamy tuna, caper and anchovy sauce. A Piedmontese summer classic from the late 18th century.
The name tonnato comes from the French tannè (tanned), referencing leftover veal slow-cooked for tenderness. The original 18th-century sauce had no tuna, only anchovy, capers and egg yolks. Pellegrino Artusi added tuna in his 1891 cookbook, which standardised the modern version. Today the dish is canonical Piedmont, in summer with a glass of cool Roero Arneis or Gavi.
4 editor picks for Vitello Tonnato in Turin, ranked by editorial score. All Turin signature dishes · Vitello Tonnato across every city.
Consorzio ★ 4.5
quadrilatero-romano · Via Monte di Pieta 23, 10122 Torino
Consorzio in Turin's Quadrilatero Romano is a slow-food trattoria with a serious wine list. Tumin ravioli, finanziera, plin, a long Piedmont cellar.
Tre Galline ★ 4.4
quadrilatero-romano · Via G. Bellezia 37, 10122 Torino
Tre Galline in Turin's Quadrilatero traces an inn on this street to the XVI century. Bollito misto from the trolley, vitello tonnato, agnolotti.
Le Vitel Etonne ★ 4.3
centro-storico · Via San Francesco da Paola 4, 10123 Torino
Le Vitel Etonne in Turin's Centro builds the carte around vitello tonnato in many guises, plus a Piedmontese tasting from the Susigan kitchen.
Trattoria Valenza ★ 4.2
aurora · Via Borgo Dora 39, 10152 Torino
Trattoria Valenza on Borgo Dora next to Porta Palazzo is a rustic Piedmontese room loved by Gambero Rosso. Live music on Thursdays and Saturdays.