Il Signor Panino

the panino here is reason enough to stop walking. turin has a long, serious relationship with food done simply and done well, and via dei mercanti sits right in that older part of the city where you half-expect things to be good without being showy about it. il signor panino fits that logic. it's a local spot with local standing, which in this city means people who actually know coffee keep coming back. if you're moving through the centro storico and need something that holds you over properly, this is worth the detour. the coffee is the kind you drink standing at the bar, which is still the right way to do it in turin. end the morning here with an espresso before the lunch crowd arrives.