Marc Jacobs Café
The Marc Jacobs Café, located on Piazza del Carmine, is connected to the Marc Jacobs store and in the immediate vicinity of the Milan Cathedral. Due to its prime location in one of Brera’s main tourist areas and its famous name, Marc Jacobs Café attracts a large number of tourists everyday. However, this is still a great place to enjoy a classic Milanese breakfast, consisting of excellent coffee specialties and a freshly baked brioche or croissant. For the hungrier guests, the café also serves a range of brunch offers, such as omelette and scrambled egg with bacon or salmon.
Piazza del Carmine 6, Milan, Italy, +39 02 878059
Crocetta Panini d’Autore 1982
Crocetta Panini d’Autore 1982, first opened in December 2013, and is just a few steps away from the famous Milan Cathedral. The café is especially known amongst locals for its excellent paninis and high-quality coffee that make for a great breakfast or a light lunch. Crocetta Panini d’Autore 1982 serves an incredibly diverse choice of paninis, ranging from prosciutto crudo or prosciutto with shrimps to smoked salmon.
Piazza Diaz 5, Milan, Italy, +39 02 545 0228
Caffè Vecchia Brera
Creperia Caffè Vecchia Brera is a Parisian retro-style bistro that serves authentic cuisine and is located in the heart of Brera’s historical center, just a few steps away from the city’s most important sights. Caffè Vecchia Brera is the perfect spot for breakfast, brunch, a quick lunch break or just a morning coffee with its diverse drinks and food menu. However, the crêpes are by far the café’s greatest specialty. They come in over 80 different savory and sweet variations, including the creola, which is Prague smoked ham, mozzarella, fresh tomatoes and olive pâté, or portofino with hazelnut cream, ice cream, strawberries and whipped cream.
Via Dell’Orso 20, Milan, Italy, +39 02 8646 1695
Farage
Farage is one of the most traditional cioccolaterias and pasticcerias in the whole of Milan. With a long-standing tradition in pastry-making and chocolate production. The most important trademark of Farage is the traditional brioche that is 100% homemade and always fresh. The classic brioche at Farage is also complemented by a diverse choice of other brioches, filled with vanilla cream, white chocolate or pistachio cream. The brioche is best enjoyed with a delicious caffé latte or cacao at Farage.
Via Brera 5, Milan, Italy, +39 02 7862 3698
Fruteiro
Fruteiro is a tropical juice bar in the heart of the Brera district that uses directly cultivated fruit from its very own fazendas in Brazil. The Fruteiro juice bar prepares delicious vitamins, the Brazilian version of smoothies, by combining the pulp of tropical fruits with fresh fruit and other ingredients. Fruteiro also serves a great variety of ice cream and sorbets, as well as fruit salads and toasts. Guests can also purchase the frozen fruit pulp to enjoy the delicious drinks in their home. Fruteiro makes for an extraordinarily healthy breakfast option.
Via Rivoli 2, Milan, Italy, +39 02 5303 1310
New Art Café
Located in Via Brera, the New Art Café is especially popular with young Milanese citizens, who come for the very affordable prices, relaxed atmosphere and laid-back attitude of the servers. New Art Café, in the center of the pedestrian part of Via Brera, actively contributes to the lively street scene in Brera with its charming outdoor seating area and background music. New Art Café serves a classic Milanese breakfast, consisting of the traditional espresso and croissant, as well as a number of light lunch dishes, such as hot and cold sandwiches, salads and pastas.
Via Brera 23, Milan, Italy, +39 02 7208 0518
Brera District, Milan, Italy | © Joe Hunt/Flickr
Fioraio Bianchi Café
Fioraio Bianchi Café is a charming café with a French-style ambiance that has been a fixture in Milan’s café and restaurant scene for the last 40 years. It offers a very unique experience with its concept: flower shop meets café. Fioraio Bianchi Café’s interior is beautifully decorated with an extraordinary attention to detail in its floral collection. All the floral items, which are arranged much like a museum exhibit, can also be purchased. The café serves classic breakfast options from eight in the morning everyday and is also open for lunch and dinner. The menu is adapted seasonally, but is also orientated towards classic Milanese cuisine with modern influences.
Via Montebello, 7, Milan, Italy, +39 02 2901 4390
Al Teatro Café
Al Teatro Café is located right next to Teatro Fossati, one of the most beautiful historic buildings in central Brera. The new café not only has the capacity to seat at least 60 people, but it also has a renovated attic, where visitors can enjoy a rich happy-hour buffet and performances by local DJs. Although especially popular during aperitivo hour, Al Teatro Café is also a great place to have a quick breakfast on weekday mornings with its convenient location and elegant atmosphere.
Corso Garibaldi 16, Milan, Italy, +39 390 286 4222
Zucca
Zucca, located right on the Piazza del Duomo, in the immediate vicinity of the famous Milan Cathedral, is the perfect location to take a break during a busy day of sightseeing. Once frequented by Giuseppe Verdi and Arturo Toscanini, Zucca has a long-standing history as one of the most traditional cafés in Milan. This is the ideal place to enjoy a coffee in a fascinating environment of culture and history.
Piazza del Duomo 21, Milan, Italy, +39 02 8646 4435
Larte
Situated in the outskirts of Brera, just a few steps away from Teatro La Scala on Via Manzoni, Larte is a multi-function venue with something for everyone. It is a great place to enjoy a coffee and pastry for breakfast in the front café, or for dropping in during aperitivo hours in the late hours of the afternoon. The café offers a wide choice of fresh salads, homemade pastas, and fish specialties, as well as hot sandwiches and homemade dessert. The excellent wine list also features an exquisite selection of Southern Italian bottles.
Via Manzoni 5, Milan, Italy, +39 02 890 96 950
