The 9 Best Cafés and Coffee Shops in Milan

It’s hard to imagine Milan without Pasticceria Marchesi at its centre. Founded in 1824 and family-run for generations, the storied institution was bought by the Prada Group in 2014 and now counts three shops in the city, as well as an outpost in London’s Mayfair. It’s easy to see why: the beautifully-packaged cremini and sugar-coated almonds are produced using only the finest ingredients and with the utmost attention to quality. It’s hard to pick the best of the three locations, but the café at Via Monte Napoleone 9 has pistachio-hued wallpaper and matching velvet armchairs where you can live out all your Instagram dreams.

In Milan, getting coffee typically involves standing at the counter and knocking back an espresso without even taking off your jacket. At Pavé, vintage furniture and friendly service invite you to linger a little longer. But it’s the food that makes it really difficult to leave. Fresh fruit tarts, brioche cream rolls and flaky croissants are baked on site daily, and it’s also one of the only places in the city that knows what to do when you order a flat white instead of a cappuccino. So take off your jacket and take a seat; you’ll be here a while.

Designed by Wes Anderson, Bar Luce takes inspiration from Italian popular and visual culture of the 1950s and ’60s. Pastel green formica tables, pink terrazzo flooring and decorative wallpaper recall scenes from Italian neorealist films, while the vaulted ceiling is a nod to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II; an architectural icon of the 19th century. Housed within the modern surroundings of the Prada Foundation, Anderson wanted to create a space for eating, drinking, talking and reading; and presumably also for winning points on the Steve Zissou-themed pinball machine in the corner.

The self-described “first bike bistro in Italy”, this humble café comes to life during sporting events and cycling tours. Long wooden tables and chatty regulars lend it a communal feel. The kitchen turns out simple, satisfying dishes with a Scandinavian twist: smoked herring smørrebrød, peppered mackerel and vegan balls all feature on the menu. When there’s no sport on, it’s a quiet place to come and work or read. Just get there early to nab a space on the bike rack – it gets pretty crowded.

Slap bang in the middle of Chinatown, this small coffee shop and roastery has been here since the ’60s. Today it’s run by two brothers who will gladly relay the history of coffee to those interested. Huge machines from all eras line the counter, while the smell of freshly-roasted coffee wafts through the door and out into the street. There’s a wide variety of beans to choose from: Bahia, Moka do Brasil or the premium Maragogipe are all available for both domestic and professional use.