ITALY (PIEDMONT/PIEMONTE)
Alba is a small town in the Piedmont region in northwest Italy, with a population of barely over 30,000. Alba is about 50 km south of Turin, approximately halfway to Genoa. It is only a few short km from Bra - where the Slow Food International is headquartered!
Don't let the small population deter you from visiting, however. It is a quintessential Italian village with its own unique characteristics that set it apart - including that the air smells like chocolate! Yes, you read that right. The Ferrero Rocher chocolate factory is located in town and the hint of chocolate often fills the air. Alba is also famously known for white truffle. The city hosts the International White Truffle Fair in the fall which brings in truffle hunters & buyers, chefs and special dining experiences, exhibitions & music, and people from around the world.
Come here to enjoy the laid back, slow pace of a small town, and enjoy the ridiculously good food and wine, truffle, and chocolate. It's also perfectly situated near countless wineries and famous towns (like Barolo!) so it makes a great home base to take day trips.
alba
Jump to:
what to drink, what to try, where to stay, helpful resources
where to eat
La Piola has a great location on Piazza Duomo - highly recommend getting a table outside before sunset! It is the sister restaurant to 3-Star Michelin restaurant Piazza Duomo (and often in the World's 50 Best Restaurants!), which is located right above. La Piola prides itself on using the best and freshest ingredients and you'll be able to see that come through in their dishes. Because of their focus on fresh ingredients, their menu changes quite often. You will probably find something on the menu with hazelnut and there will more than likely be an agnolotti pasta on the menu. You might be lucky and be able to order the Gran Torino for dolce - a chocolate, coffee, and hazelnut concoction - absolutely delicious! The service was attentive and the ambiance sitting outside on the piazza overlooking the duomo was beautiful. Reservations recommended.
La Piola has a great location on Piazza Duomo - highly recommend getting a table outside before sunset! It is the sister restaurant to 3-Star Michelin restaurant Piazza Duomo (and often in the World's 50 Best Restaurants!), which is located right above. La Piola prides itself on using the best and freshest ingredients and you'll be able to see that come through in their dishes. Because of their focus on fresh ingredients, their menu changes quite often. You will probably find something on the menu with hazelnut and there will more than likely be an agnolotti pasta on the menu. You might be lucky and be able to order the Gran Torino for dolce - a chocolate, coffee, and hazelnut concoction - absolutely delicious! The service was attentive and the ambiance sitting outside on the piazza overlooking the duomo was beautiful. Reservations recommended.
La Piola has a great location on Piazza Duomo - highly recommend getting a table outside before sunset! It is the sister restaurant to 3-Star Michelin restaurant Piazza Duomo (and often in the World's 50 Best Restaurants!), which is located right above. La Piola prides itself on using the best and freshest ingredients and you'll be able to see that come through in their dishes. Because of their focus on fresh ingredients, their menu changes quite often. You will probably find something on the menu with hazelnut and there will more than likely be an agnolotti pasta on the menu. You might be lucky and be able to order the Gran Torino for dolce - a chocolate, coffee, and hazelnut concoction - absolutely delicious! The service was attentive and the ambiance sitting outside on the piazza overlooking the duomo was beautiful. Reservations recommended.
La Piola has a great location on Piazza Duomo - highly recommend getting a table outside before sunset! It is the sister restaurant to 3-Star Michelin restaurant Piazza Duomo (and often in the World's 50 Best Restaurants!), which is located right above. La Piola prides itself on using the best and freshest ingredients and you'll be able to see that come through in their dishes. Because of their focus on fresh ingredients, their menu changes quite often. You will probably find something on the menu with hazelnut and there will more than likely be an agnolotti pasta on the menu. You might be lucky and be able to order the Gran Torino for dolce - a chocolate, coffee, and hazelnut concoction - absolutely delicious! The service was attentive and the ambiance sitting outside on the piazza overlooking the duomo was beautiful. Reservations recommended.
La Piola has a great location on Piazza Duomo - highly recommend getting a table outside before sunset! It is the sister restaurant to 3-Star Michelin restaurant Piazza Duomo (and often in the World's 50 Best Restaurants!), which is located right above. La Piola prides itself on using the best and freshest ingredients and you'll be able to see that come through in their dishes. Because of their focus on fresh ingredients, their menu changes quite often. You will probably find something on the menu with hazelnut and there will more than likely be an agnolotti pasta on the menu. You might be lucky and be able to order the Gran Torino for dolce - a chocolate, coffee, and hazelnut concoction - absolutely delicious! The service was attentive and the ambiance sitting outside on the piazza overlooking the duomo was beautiful. Reservations recommended.
La Piola has a great location on Piazza Duomo - highly recommend getting a table outside before sunset! It is the sister restaurant to 3-Star Michelin restaurant Piazza Duomo (and often in the World's 50 Best Restaurants!), which is located right above. La Piola prides itself on using the best and freshest ingredients and you'll be able to see that come through in their dishes. Because of their focus on fresh ingredients, their menu changes quite often. You will probably find something on the menu with hazelnut and there will more than likely be an agnolotti pasta on the menu. You might be lucky and be able to order the Gran Torino for dolce - a chocolate, coffee, and hazelnut concoction - absolutely delicious! The service was attentive and the ambiance sitting outside on the piazza overlooking the duomo was beautiful. Reservations recommended.
La Piola has a great location on Piazza Duomo - highly recommend getting a table outside before sunset! It is the sister restaurant to 3-Star Michelin restaurant Piazza Duomo (and often in the World's 50 Best Restaurants!), which is located right above. La Piola prides itself on using the best and freshest ingredients and you'll be able to see that come through in their dishes. Because of their focus on fresh ingredients, their menu changes quite often. You will probably find something on the menu with hazelnut and there will more than likely be an agnolotti pasta on the menu. You might be lucky and be able to order the Gran Torino for dolce - a chocolate, coffee, and hazelnut concoction - absolutely delicious! The service was attentive and the ambiance sitting outside on the piazza overlooking the duomo was beautiful. Reservations recommended.
When you walk into Osteria dell'Arco, you're surrounded by wine on all sides; it makes for a very unique setting. You can't go wrong with the pasta here - our favorites were the Plin with fresh vegetables and the Gnocchi with asparagus. For our piatto secondo, the octopus was perfectly cooked. The absolute highlight, however, was the dessert. Called the semifreddo alla nocciola (which basically looks like a giant Reese's Peanut Butter cup) but is made with gianduia instead. This isn't hyperbole: this is my favorite dessert I've ever had. We will be making more trips to Alba, even if just for this dessert!
When you walk into Osteria dell'Arco, you're surrounded by wine on all sides; it makes for a very unique setting. You can't go wrong with the pasta here - our favorites were the Plin with fresh vegetables and the Gnocchi with asparagus. For our piatto secondo, the octopus was perfectly cooked. The absolute highlight, however, was the dessert. Called the semifreddo alla nocciola (which basically looks like a giant Reese's Peanut Butter cup) but is made with gianduia instead. This isn't hyperbole: this is my favorite dessert I've ever had. We will be making more trips to Alba, even if just for this dessert!
When you walk into Osteria dell'Arco, you're surrounded by wine on all sides; it makes for a very unique setting. You can't go wrong with the pasta here - our favorites were the Plin with fresh vegetables and the Gnocchi with asparagus. For our piatto secondo, the octopus was perfectly cooked. The absolute highlight, however, was the dessert. Called the semifreddo alla nocciola (which basically looks like a giant Reese's Peanut Butter cup) but is made with gianduia instead. This isn't hyperbole: this is my favorite dessert I've ever had. We will be making more trips to Alba, even if just for this dessert!
When you walk into Osteria dell'Arco, you're surrounded by wine on all sides; it makes for a very unique setting. You can't go wrong with the pasta here - our favorites were the Plin with fresh vegetables and the Gnocchi with asparagus. For our piatto secondo, the octopus was perfectly cooked. The absolute highlight, however, was the dessert. Called the semifreddo alla nocciola (which basically looks like a giant Reese's Peanut Butter cup) but is made with gianduia instead. This isn't hyperbole: this is my favorite dessert I've ever had. We will be making more trips to Alba, even if just for this dessert!
When you walk into Osteria dell'Arco, you're surrounded by wine on all sides; it makes for a very unique setting. You can't go wrong with the pasta here - our favorites were the Plin with fresh vegetables and the Gnocchi with asparagus. For our piatto secondo, the octopus was perfectly cooked. The absolute highlight, however, was the dessert. Called the semifreddo alla nocciola (which basically looks like a giant Reese's Peanut Butter cup) but is made with gianduia instead. This isn't hyperbole: this is my favorite dessert I've ever had. We will be making more trips to Alba, even if just for this dessert!
When you walk into Osteria dell'Arco, you're surrounded by wine on all sides; it makes for a very unique setting. You can't go wrong with the pasta here - our favorites were the Plin with fresh vegetables and the Gnocchi with asparagus. For our piatto secondo, the octopus was perfectly cooked. The absolute highlight, however, was the dessert. Called the semifreddo alla nocciola (which basically looks like a giant Reese's Peanut Butter cup) but is made with gianduia instead. This isn't hyperbole: this is my favorite dessert I've ever had. We will be making more trips to Alba, even if just for this dessert!
When you walk into Osteria dell'Arco, you're surrounded by wine on all sides; it makes for a very unique setting. You can't go wrong with the pasta here - our favorites were the Plin with fresh vegetables and the Gnocchi with asparagus. For our piatto secondo, the octopus was perfectly cooked. The absolute highlight, however, was the dessert. Called the semifreddo alla nocciola (which basically looks like a giant Reese's Peanut Butter cup) but is made with gianduia instead. This isn't hyperbole: this is my favorite dessert I've ever had. We will be making more trips to Alba, even if just for this dessert!
Sister restaurant to Osteria dell'Arco, Osteria del Boccodivino is located in the nearby town of Bra. In fact, we ate at both restaurants on the same day not realizing this…and saw the same staff member at lunch and dinner and he recognized us! How embarrassing! If you have time, it's worth the visit to Bra to check out Osteria del Boccodivino and walk around the quaint town. You are seated in a beautiful courtyard and have your choice of delicious local cuisine. We made sure to try two of the local specialities - the selection of raw meats and the tajarin pasta. Both excellent!
Sister restaurant to Osteria dell'Arco, Osteria del Boccodivino is located in the nearby town of Bra. In fact, we ate at both restaurants on the same day not realizing this…and saw the same staff member at lunch and dinner and he recognized us! How embarrassing! If you have time, it's worth the visit to Bra to check out Osteria del Boccodivino and walk around the quaint town. You are seated in a beautiful courtyard and have your choice of delicious local cuisine. We made sure to try two of the local specialities - the selection of raw meats and the tajarin pasta. Both excellent!
Sister restaurant to Osteria dell'Arco, Osteria del Boccodivino is located in the nearby town of Bra. In fact, we ate at both restaurants on the same day not realizing this…and saw the same staff member at lunch and dinner and he recognized us! How embarrassing! If you have time, it's worth the visit to Bra to check out Osteria del Boccodivino and walk around the quaint town. You are seated in a beautiful courtyard and have your choice of delicious local cuisine. We made sure to try two of the local specialities - the selection of raw meats and the tajarin pasta. Both excellent!
Sister restaurant to Osteria dell'Arco, Osteria del Boccodivino is located in the nearby town of Bra. In fact, we ate at both restaurants on the same day not realizing this…and saw the same staff member at lunch and dinner and he recognized us! How embarrassing! If you have time, it's worth the visit to Bra to check out Osteria del Boccodivino and walk around the quaint town. You are seated in a beautiful courtyard and have your choice of delicious local cuisine. We made sure to try two of the local specialities - the selection of raw meats and the tajarin pasta. Both excellent!
A wine shop located next to Palazzo Maro, Enoteca De Gustibus has outdoor seating that looks out to the Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Giovanni Battista. This al fresco setting is great to have a glass (or two) of wine with a charcuterie board or a pinsa, similar to a traditional pizza but the dough is made with a different flour blend and is stretched to more of an oval/rectangular shape. Try the mortadella - it’s my favorite!
A wine shop located next to Palazzo Maro, Enoteca De Gustibus has outdoor seating that looks out to the Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Giovanni Battista. This al fresco setting is great to have a glass (or two) of wine with a charcuterie board or a pinsa, similar to a traditional pizza but the dough is made with a different flour blend and is stretched to more of an oval/rectangular shape. Try the mortadella - it’s my favorite!
A wine shop located next to Palazzo Maro, Enoteca De Gustibus has outdoor seating that looks out to the Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Giovanni Battista. This al fresco setting is great to have a glass (or two) of wine with a charcuterie board or a pinsa, similar to a traditional pizza but the dough is made with a different flour blend and is stretched to more of an oval/rectangular shape. Try the mortadella - it’s my favorite!
A wine shop located next to Palazzo Maro, Enoteca De Gustibus has outdoor seating that looks out to the Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Giovanni Battista. This al fresco setting is great to have a glass (or two) of wine with a charcuterie board or a pinsa, similar to a traditional pizza but the dough is made with a different flour blend and is stretched to more of an oval/rectangular shape. Try the mortadella - it’s my favorite!
what to drink
what to drink
Coming from a single grape varietal (the Dolcetto), this red wine pairs extremely well with the agnolotti di plin. We find it to be extremely easy to drink, and it goes well with almost any other dish in the region!
Dolcetto d'Alba
Another local red wine made with a varietal from the region (Barbera), although it can be partial nebbiolo grapes in its marketing. If the Dolcetto isn't your favorite, try the go-to for locals.
Barbera d'Alba
Nebbiolo is grown throughout the Piedmont region, in all directions from Turin, and is used to make red wines. Perhaps the most well-known (and pricey) is the Barolo, which we adore but save for special occasions. There are a lot of other options, like Barbaresco, as each micro region has their own take on how they use the versatile Nebbiolo grapes. Branch out and explore - find one that matches your palette!
nebbiolo wines
what to try
what to try
If you are in the area between October through January (maybe!), you might luck out and be able to try the Piedmont White Truffle. Only available in this area of the world, and only found in the wild, it’s a rare delicacy. The best way to eat it is over a dish with not overpowering flavors, and to have the truffle grated directly over the dish in front of you. A true gem!
piedmont white truffle
A specialty pasta that is made with a higher ratio of egg yolks than normal. It is traditionally made with butter, salt, and pepper. It pairs very well with Piedmont White Truffle!
tajarin
where to stay
where to stay
casa dellatorre
helpful resources
helpful
resources
This site contains affiliate links which we may receive a small commission from.
recent posts
Touring turin (torino)
home base in verona
picturesque portofino
The Full Story »
Touring turin (torino)
Venice in winter
lake como is calling
The Full Story »
home base in verona
The Full Story »
Touring turin (torino)
The Full Story »
Touring turin (torino)
The Full Story »
Venice in winter
The Full Story »
not so gritty Genoa
The Full Story »
back to bologna
