Orso Laboratorio del Caffè — Restaurant in Turin

21 Sep update: If you are remote working and alone, know that you may be asked to leave any moment because their seats are limited and unfortunately it is no longer a welcoming place to stay.

I love this place- the coffee and brioche are great, the place has such character and history and the staff though initially are cold, warm up to you over time.

I work remotely and this used to be my favourite place to work in the mornings, especially after rowing at the po. It saddens me that it no longer seems to be a remote work friendly place.

However, on two accounts I was asked to leave, once I switched to the bar seat, and another time, this morning, my coffee which was unfinished (barista didn't seem to notice there was still a little left), was abruptly taken away from me and I was then given the signal that I had to leave or switch to the bar seat (which ultimately I didn't take because it was partially blocked by a couple seated nearby) to make space for a group of 5.

It was not the intention of the barista I think but I was really sad and felt hurt because I really like this place and have recommended it to so many people, other Turin locals and my friends from abroad, but felt so unwelcome this morning. So much of my work, the meditations, programs and course were created and finished here. It was almost like a home, which now I have lost.

3 years in after my move to Turin this is still the best coffee and the ONLY place I've found here that does a decent flat white (€3.1). Staff are friendly, service is prompt, coffee is excellent, location is in a lovely spot in a lively part of town, near a good bakery and small market. Highly recommended!

Update: In summer they do a great freddo cappuccino (€1.9) (very milky) and shakerato! Must try. 🔌This is also an excellent place for remote working, with free Wi-Fi and a few power outlets for charging your phone (USB) or laptop (plug). They also now have...

I am truly sad to be writing this comment about this place. I have been studying in Turin for 6 years and Orso has been one of the very few places that have a nice and cozy atmosphere and was not kicking students out. I have learned that that changed today as me and my friend have been kicked out after ordering, let me specify that it had been five minutes, just because we had our laptops out. I come from İstanbul where there are many many more cafes and bars to sit and enjoy your time at. Turin was already a city suffering from a hostile cafe culture, which I find contradicts cafe culture as a whole anyways, and this made it worse.

*Edit after the cafe’s response: I do understand that your bussiness is a cafe and not a library, the problem with your new rule is that you are saying you will not be allowing laptops (and tablets as well, as we have been kicked out due to those) on weekends; my question is depending on what? Do you allow people to come by and spend 15 mins. on a laptop to pay their bills while drinking a cup of coffee (as we have been kicked out after 5 mins. and putting our tablets on the table)? Can someone get a book and read it while at your establishment with a cup of coffee on weekends or is it just the electronic devices that set you off? Will I be kicked out if I read on a Kobo or a Kindle if your employee thinks it is a tablet? Can I spend 3 hrs. speaking with a friend but not studying even if I get the same things? It is condescending to first, reply in Italian when I specifically wrote in English as most students in Turin are international, second, to assume that I am not aware of the fact that your establishment is not a library. Thank you for your...

I've made a 4* review a year ago, but now will change it to 3*. All this time I was buying filter coffee beans at Orso, but every single time it was bitter and overroasted - across all origins I've tried.

My guess is they are buying high quality beans, but due to some reason roast it too dark, thus losing most of aroma and sweetness of a specialty coffee. Maybe they are adapting it to local taste, I don't know.

My last purchase was a EUR 20 pack of natural Ethiopia which I expected to be decent due to high price but alas, again it is too dark bitter. Unfortunately there are no other local roasters in Turin, so another choice is to order coffee beans online.

:::::::::::::::: Edit to reply to owner :::::::::::::::: Hey, I believe the last time the coffee was less bittery was around 1 year ago. I believe I've bought every single origin (filter roast) since then, but it was always on a bitter side. My last purchase was a bag of Ethiopia Gatta limited edition few days ago – the beans smell fantastic but the taste again is bitter (I've tried it both at your place and made...