In the heart of Turin, just a short walk from Piazza Carignano, there is a place that for more than two and a half centuries has watched history unfold without ever interrupting its own story. Opened in 1757, Ristorante Del Cambio is not only one of the oldest restaurants still in operation in Italy, but also an authentic witness to the political, cultural and social life of both Piedmont and the nation.
Its rooms, adorned with velvet, crystal and period furnishings, have welcomed aristocrats, intellectuals and statesmen over the centuries. Among them stands out Camillo Benso di Cavour, who was a regular guest here: his table is still preserved today, turning the restaurant into an almost museum-like space where the memory of the Italian Risorgimento remains tangible.
Del Cambio was in fact far more than an elegant meeting place: it became a forum for discussion and exchange, a crossroads of ideas at a time when Turin was the political and cultural capital. Within these walls, relationships, decisions and visions took shape, helping to forge the course of national history.
Its uniqueness lies in continuity: few places in Italy can boast such longevity without ever losing their identity. Even today, while evolving over time, Del Cambio maintains a deep connection with its eighteenth-century origins, drawing inspiration from the foundational historical cookbooks of Piedmontese cuisine.
