La Bottega, Guido Gobino — Local services in Turin

The best hot chocolate in Turin. Period! If your taste is trained to the real chocolate richness, than the extra bitter hot chocolate will be an unforgettable experience. Otherwise go for the Gianduia.

If you are among the lucky people able to go beyond the superficial tasting experience that consider sweet as good and bitter as evil... (equivalent of seeing the tasting world from a black and white Television), if you are among the lucky people fully appreciating chocolate bitterness... then your experience will go even further. Why? The proportion of "real chocolate" vs sugar in your food will be higher and you will benefit from the incredible effects of chocolate in your body and mind. Yes, when you hear that chocolate is good for your health, this is correct but referring to the seed of the cocoa plant (Theobroma cacao) from which chocolate products are derived and NOT from the sweet (sugary) part of it.

The cocoa tree... even the name of it is inspiring: Theobroma. The name is made up of the Greek roots theo ("god") and broma ("food"). It should be immediately clear to you that chocolate goes beyond a simple food (not to mention going beyond the "sweet" degeneration of this incredible food).

So... an extra bitter chocolate will have higher content of the "good stuff". Leaving aside the body positive health effect, let's focus on the "feelings" effects. What am I talking about? REAL BITTER COCOA MAKES YOU FEEL HAPPY! Cocoa indeed contains: Phenylethylamine (sometimes called “the love drug”), Anandamide (named after the Sanskrit word for “bliss”) activates a receptor which causes dopamine production, causing a feeling of intense well-being. Finally, eating real chocolate results in releasing endorphins into the brain, decreasing levels of both stress and pain.

Cocoa bitterness is primarily due to the presence of Theobromine (the primary bitter-tasting alkaloid found in cocoa and chocolate). Theobromine is a vasodilator, a diuretic, and heartstimulant. Theobromine is closely related to caffeine. Indeed Caffeine is metabolized in the liver into three primary metabolites including theobromine at 12%.

Therefore... after the incredible experience of tasting Guido Gobino bitter chocolate, after sometimes you may experience happiness, euphoria, openness... chatting with the friendly store clerks tasting some additional award winning "cioccolatini" will make an impact on...

Upon entering the esteemed doors of Guido Gobino, one is immediately enveloped by an aroma that promises indulgence. For the connoisseurs who are passionate about hot chocolate but have dietary preferences that steer away from dairy, Guido Gobino is a sanctuary where taste is never compromised.

I had the pleasure of savoring their Indonesia Dark Chocolate—a concoction that is nothing short of a masterpiece. It's a bold choice, offering a depth of cocoa flavor that is rarely achieved in a liquid form. Made with cocoa and cane sugar, and intentionally crafted without milk, it is a testament to how intense yet smooth hot chocolate can be. The experience is akin to a symphony of rich notes, each sip is a new movement, unraveling the complex layers of the cocoa bean, sourced directly from Indonesia.

What stands out is not just the hot chocolate itself but the careful attention to detail. Each variant on the menu is a chapter of a story told through chocolate, with classic offerings for traditionalists, and innovative combinations for the adventurous.

The presentation is immaculate, a visual feast that complements the palate. It’s clear that at Guido Gobino, the craft of chocolate making is revered, an art form that they have undoubtedly mastered. It is a destination that truly celebrates the cocoa bean in its purest and most decadent forms.

For anyone who appreciates the finer things in life, particularly the alchemy of chocolate, a pilgrimage to Guido Gobino is essential. It is not just about sipping on hot chocolate; it is about experiencing the culmination of tradition, innovation, and passion...

Fantastic is an understatement. Everything about Guido Gobino is great.

The employees are really courteous. Even though they see me once or twice a year, they remember me and welcome me back. If I'm with friends, they ask about my family and ask me to send their regards.

For me, service is as important as quality of food - hence the reason why I started this review with the quality of service. But the food....

Oh my! If I don't visit this place every singe day I'm in Torino, then something IS missing. The chocolates are to die for - especially the gianduia with hazelnuts that is sold by weight. Not only have I become a loyal customer of Gobino, but every single person (family and friends) I have taken with me is now hooked. In fact, the first thing people ask me when they know I'm going back to Turin is to keep them in mind during one of my daily visits to Guido Gobino.

The chocolates - in their various forms - are great and subtle (they're not overly sweet). You can really experience, feel and taste the high quality of their products.

Highly...