A distinctive, inexpensive Turin-center restaurant with generous filled potatoes and strong value, but queues and highly inconsistent service can seriously affect the visit.
Poormanger 2 delivers strong food quality anchored by praised carbonara and generous potato fillings, but inconsistent execution across visits prevents a higher grade. Service remains divided between attentive and dismissive experiences, while the historic-center location and portico setting provide genuine appeal that anchors its casual, budget-friendly identity.
Poormanger 2 is a lively, casual stop in Turin’s historic center built around one clever idea: enormous baked potatoes loaded with Italian and Piedmontese-inspired fillings. The best visits sound genuinely fun—think portico dining, youthful energy, and a carbonara potato that several diners would happily revisit. The catch is the queue and front-of-house roulette: some guests find the team quick and kind, while others describe long waits or striking rudeness. The cooking is accessible rather than haute cuisine, but the format gives familiar flavors a playful twist. Carbonara, ragù, gricia, eggplant parmigiana, cheese, sausage and vegetable combinations make the menu filling and easy to understand, while the current list also offers a notably strong vegan and vegetarian range. Portions are generally generous and main dishes sit around €6-10, making this a compelling alternative to another plate of pasta or pizza—provided you are comfortable with a walk-in system and a potentially crowded room. Families can find approachable choices in the potato format, including ragù, cheese, vegetables and simpler fillings, but this is not a guaranteed stress-free family meal. There is no children’s menu in the supplied data, queues can be awkward with a small child, and one review reports children being scolded. Go early, keep the order simple, and avoid relying on the restaurant for a tightly timed family dinner.
Area vibe: Elegant historic city centre known for cafés, arcades, and cultural institutions.
Safety: Generally safe with steady evening footfall, well-lit streets but occasional late-night quiet side streets.
What's nearby: Near Palazzo di Città (City Hall), Piazza Castello, museums, cafes, tram and metro stops, and a busy dining and shopping corridor.
Start with the €9 Carbonara potato, then consider the Gricia, eggplant parmigiana, or a well-priced vegan filling
Plan for a walk-in queue and uneven service, especially at busy times, and check your bill before leaving
Vegetarians and vegans have plenty to choose from, but gluten-free suitability is not documented