Picture it, Italy. A picturesque and historic country with a long and famous culinary tradition. Prosciutto, mozzarella cheese, antipasto, tiramisu, all delicious foods but hardly fitting for plant based nutrition, right? Well look to the north Italian city of Turin. This city has gone through some serious gastronomical changes as more and more dining venues have eliminated meats and dairy products from their menus.
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| Turin Mayor, Chiara Appendino |
It has been a new development springing from the recent victories of Italy's 5-Star Movement political party. Some of the party's major endorsements are environmental protection and embracing sustainable energy. Reducing and even eliminating the meat from the food supply is seen as a means to satisfying those environmental goals. 5-Star member Chiara Appendino was elected mayor of Turin on June 20, 2016 and since then the city has seen a tremendous shift in local culinary culture. Restaurants that were once known for their skill at preparing meat have transitioned into plant based cuisine. Appendino even made it official herself when she announced her intention to transform Turin into Italy’s first Vegetarian City. Though this transition has not been without critics. Many Turin based traditional chefs see this new movement as a threat to their livelihood. Members of the 5-Star Movement emphasize that this plant based food initiative is not intended to take anything away from the local meat industry, rather to provide healthier food options to citizens and tourists.
Restauranteur, Claudio Viano, affirms that Turin has always been at the forefront of social progress in Italy. He should know as he opened the first vegetarian restaurant in Italy, Mezzaluna, 20 years ago. The number of plant based options has prompted the creation of a Turin Veg Map for tourists. This is a full and convenient listing of all the plant based options available in the city. In Turin, there are now more than 30 restaurants and shops serving vegan and vegetarian food, which for a city this size, is possibly the highest number in Italy.
Here is a short sampling of a few of the plant based eateries that can be found in Turin. So of you are planning a trip to Italy pay them a visit and tell them Gorilla Picnic sent you.
Operating in Turin since 1994, Mezzaluna is a vegan and organic restaurant, cafe, and health food shop in a charming historic building in the city center, with outside seating in summer.
A Tutto Vapore
Vegan deli offering seasonal and healthy dishes. Most dishes are steamed.
Vegan restaurant and deli, run by a Brazilian lady.
Cuisine: Vegan, Italian, Organic, Western, Fast food, Juice bar, Beer/Wine, Take-out
Flower BurgerVegan fast food eatery with several outlets. Makes burgers and fries.
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