A distinctive medieval tavern delivering an immersive, sociable experience with well-received food and drinks, though reservations, shared seating, unconventional tableware, and strongly historical flavors require the right expectations.
Emporium Infernalis delivers exceptional service and immersive design that anchor a strong dining experience, with food quality and historical knowledge consistently praised across its loyal following. Solid execution across food, attentiveness, and atmospheric staging keeps it reliably excellent, though some uncertainty in our assessment prevents a higher grade. The medieval-themed setting and engaging hospitality make it a worthwhile destination within Turin.
Emporium Infernalis is less a conventional dinner stop than a deliberately immersive tavern night: low light, wood, weapons, costumes, themed music, shared seating, and hosts who happily turn the meal into a story. Reviewers repeatedly describe the welcome as warm and sociable, with one guest capturing the effect as feeling like entering another century while still enjoying the comfort of a lively city restaurant. The cooking is rustic, historical, and intentionally distinctive rather than familiar Italian comfort food. Pork shank, bread gnocchi, platters, and especially the house hippocras and mead receive the most affection; the current menu also offers hare-and-sausage lasagna, wild-boar ragù, falafel, spelt, beans, polenta, and other vegetarian or vegan choices. Some diners find the sweet or spiced profiles and historical rules—no forks or napkins—fun and memorable, while others find the food less impressive than the theatrical menu names. Families can manage it, especially because the menu includes pasta, polenta, bread gnocchi, falafel, beans, and a honeyed apple dessert, and the owners reportedly accommodate younger guests with nonalcoholic drinks. Still, picky eaters may resist the unfamiliar flavor combinations, shared table, loud events, and deliberately unconventional service.
Area vibe: Historic central Turin with cafes, bars, and cultural institutions.
Safety: Generally safe with active evening footfall though pockets of nightlife can be rowdy late at night.
What's nearby: Close to Corso Re Umberto, Porta Nuova station, university faculties, theatres, and mixed dining options.
The safest bets are the wild-boar crostone, hippocras pork, bread gnocchi, and house mead, with some specialty prices unavailable
Come prepared for shared tables, unconventional tableware, sweet or spiced flavors, and a bill that rises noticeably with themed drinks
Expect a lively theatrical tavern where costumes, storytelling, themed music, and communal dining replace a quiet restaurant atmosphere