Navigli is one of the most romantic Italian neighborhoods in Milan. Although the area is at its liveliest at night, there are a great range of charming cafes and brunch spots to enjoy during the day.
Gogol and Company café is also a bookshop and exhibition space | Courtesy of Gogol and Company, Milano
Gogol & Company, located in Navigli’s Via Savona, is a typical Milanese breakfast spot. Locals come to drink their espressos while reading the daily newspaper in the relaxed and laid-back setting. Gogol & Company’s interior is decorated with comfortable sofas, reading chairs as well as book shelves, where guests can peruse through a range of classics. In addition to great coffee, the cafe serves delicious pastries, most notably brioche. It also offers sandwiches and other light snacks – perfect for brunch.
Juleps Milano is restaurant, café and bar all in one. During the week, guests can either drop by for a casual drink accompanied by popular bar snacks in the stylish bar or get a light lunch in the adjacent restaurant. Every Sunday, Juleps Milano offers an amazing brunch buffet that lasts over four hours and includes everything from egg specialties to excellent salads and delicious pastas to homemade desserts. Brunch at Juleps is the perfect addition to every rainy Sunday in Milan.
God Save The Food, which started out as a small business, has slowly taken over the whole city of Milan with its outstanding food and great service. The cafe offers everything from delicious pancakes, in a savory version with salmon, or a sweet version with Nutella and bananas to a full English breakfast, which also comes in a vegetarian variation. Most notably, God Save The Food does some of the best eggs Benedict you can eat in Milan. They promote special morning pick-me-up drinks, such as a Bloody Mary, mimosa or Bellini, which make a nice addition to the breakfast menu. Every Sunday, from noon until 6pm, God Save The Food offers a rich brunch buffet.
Fonderie Milanesi is a stylish Italian restaurant and cool pub that is particularly popular with the young in Milan. Mostly frequented for aperitivo hour or a late dinner during the week, Fonderie Milanesi serves a great late breakfast and brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays. There, guests can enjoy all the classic Italian breakfast options side-by-side with excellent coffee specialties as well as a glass of champagne or two to make your Sunday brunch experience even more special.
That’s Bakery is a great cafe in the heart of the Navigli quarter that is especially dedicated to using sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. It is most famous for its delicious pancakes that come in various forms, fresh homemade brioche and the range of cupcakes that bring a pinch of American culture to Milan. Every Saturday and Sunday, That’s Bakery offers not only one delicious brunch option, but three. Guests can pick between the open sandwich brunch, the classic eggs brunch or the inventive hamburger brunch.
Taglio, a charming cafe in the Navigli area, is a quiet and relaxing spot to have breakfast on both weekdays and weekends. It serves a classic Milanese breakfast that traditionally consists of croissants or egg variations with fresh bread. These are accompanied by excellent espresso or other coffee specialties. Taglio is dedicated to only using fresh, high-quality products for its delicious dishes. When possible, the ingredients are also locally sourced. Particular attention is given to the quality of the olive oil used as well as the flour for the many different bread variations.
Luca & Andrea, a cafe and bar that is located directly at the Naviglio Grande, not only offers great food but breathtaking views of the canal by day and night. Luca & Andrea Café Bar serves a tasty lunch menu with all sorts of antipasti, soups and small pasta and risotto specialties. The menu also includes a wide range of homemade desserts that regularly change. However, they always include classics like tiramisu, torta di mele (apple pie) and strudeldi mele e canella(apple strudel).
Gelacreperia, a combination of ice cream shop and traditional creperie, is a great addition to the food scene on Ripa di Porta Ticinese. While the ice cream admittedly makes for a rather interesting brunch experience, it is one of the most typical desserts you can enjoy in Italy in general, and Milan specifically. Crwpes, on the other hand, are and always have been a popular breakfast classic all around the world. Here, they come in endless shapes and forms. It is recommended to go for the most classic version: the crepe with Nutella and bananas.
Al Fresco, a restaurant and cafe, is located in an old, abandoned warehouse that has been transformed into a green oasis and a meeting place with fine cuisine. Al Fresco is a place where friends can get together or where guests can just relax and read a book in a quiet and friendly atmosphere. The food at Al Fresco reflects a dedication to fresh, native and natural ingredients that are used to cook delicious sweet and savory dishes. The salads, cheese plates and wide choice of homemade desserts are perfect for a late breakfast experience.
