Tramezzino
Italian sandwich made with soft white bread and a range of fillings
Tramezzino is a type of Italian sandwich that uses soft white bread with the crusts cut off, most often shaped into triangles. It can be filled with ingredients such as prosciutto, tuna, or olives, though many other fillings are possible. This sandwich first appeared in Turin in 1925.
- First made in Turin in 1925
- Uses soft white bread with no crusts
- Often cut into triangle shapes
- Fillings include prosciutto, tuna, and olives
What is Tramezzino?
Tramezzino is a sandwich from Italy that uses soft, crustless white bread as its base. The bread is typically sliced into triangles, making it easy to eat by hand. Inside, you might find prosciutto (Italian cured ham), tuna, olives, or other savory fillings, but there is no fixed rule—many combinations are possible. The texture is tender and the fillings can be rich or light, depending on what is chosen.
Where does Tramezzino come from?
The tramezzino was first created at Caffè Mulassano, a café in Turin’s Piazza Castello, in 1925. It was designed as an Italian answer to the English tea sandwich, offering a similar style but with local flavors. The name was suggested by Gabriele D’Annunzio, who wanted an Italian word instead of the English 'sandwich.' The word comes from 'tramezzo,' meaning 'in-between,' with '-ino' added to make it smaller or cuter.
How is Tramezzino made?
To prepare a tramezzino, soft white bread is used, and the outer crust is trimmed away. The bread is then filled with a variety of ingredients, such as thinly sliced prosciutto, tuna, or chopped olives. Once filled, the sandwich is cut, most often into triangles. The fillings can be changed to suit different tastes, making the tramezzino a flexible snack or light meal.
How and when is Tramezzino eaten?
Tramezzini are commonly eaten as a snack or a light lunch, often found in cafés and bars across Italy. They are easy to eat by hand and are popular for quick meals or as part of a casual gathering. Because they can be made with many different fillings, they suit a wide range of preferences. They are usually served at room temperature.
Kinds of Tramezzino
While classic fillings include prosciutto, tuna, and olives, tramezzini can be made with nearly any savory ingredient. Some versions might use vegetables, cheese, or other types of cold cuts. The sandwich’s shape and soft texture remain constant, but the inside can be adapted to local tastes or seasonal ingredients.
What Tramezzino means
Tramezzini are a familiar sight in Italian bars and cafés, especially in northern regions like Piedmont. They reflect the Italian approach to simple, high-quality ingredients and casual eating. The sandwich’s name and style were created to offer an Italian alternative to British tea sandwiches, and it has since become a staple in everyday Italian food culture.
Questions people ask about Tramezzino
What is a tramezzino made of?
A tramezzino is made with soft white bread that has the crusts removed. It is filled with ingredients such as prosciutto, tuna, olives, or other savory items.
Where did the tramezzino originate?
The tramezzino was first created in 1925 at Caffè Mulassano in Turin, a city in the Piedmont region of Italy.
What shape is a tramezzino?
Tramezzini are usually cut into triangles, making them easy to hold and eat.
Can tramezzini have different fillings?
Yes, while common fillings are prosciutto, tuna, and olives, many other ingredients can be used to suit different tastes.
When are tramezzini usually eaten?
They are often enjoyed as a snack or a light lunch, especially in cafés and bars throughout Italy.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Tramezzino", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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