Caffe Fiorio

Caffe Fiorio is a historic cafe at Via Po 8 in Turin, in Italy's Piedmont region, on the arcaded street that runs from Piazza Castello down to the Po river. It was founded in 1780, which makes it one of the oldest cafes in the city, and it is described as a meeting place for politicians and intellectuals in Turin's past. The category is historic cafe, with moderate pricing, and the setting under the Via Po arcades gives it a covered, elegant frontage that suits all weather.

The cafe is known for gelato and coffee. Gelato is the listed speciality, and one guide names the venue as the origin of the walking cone in the 1920s, although that claim rests on a single source and should be treated as a local tradition rather than an established fact. Coffee drinks and ice cream make up the core of the offer, and the cafe works equally well for a morning espresso, an afternoon gelato or a late-evening stop. Specific flavours were not verified for this entry.

The atmosphere is genteel and old-fashioned, with the cafe's long history shaping its character, and the noise level is moderate. There is no dress code. Its long opening hours make it useful later in the evening than most cafes in the area, which suits visitors finishing dinner on Via Po or walking back from Piazza Vittorio Veneto. A wine list was not verified, and the beverage programme is centred on coffee and ice cream.

Listed hours are Monday to Thursday from 8:00AM to 1:00AM, Friday and Saturday from 8:00AM to 2:00AM, and Sunday from 8:00AM to 1:00AM, though the listing may be out of date and should be confirmed by phone on +39 011 8173225. Reservations are not normally taken and the cafe operates on a walk-in basis, although larger parties should phone ahead. Ordering gelato to take away is usually cheaper than eating it seated. Via Po is close to the Royal Palace and the Mole Antonelliana, so the cafe sits on a natural walking route.