Coffee In Milan For Noobs: The Essential Guide

If you are heading to Italy and want to experience the most enjoyable coffee in Milan, let us be your guide to the most amazing tastes and aromas in the city.

In contrast to the deliberate pace of southern Italy, the frenetic energy of Milan is reflected in its coffee culture, the businesses that realized the dream and the coffee roasters that call it home. Our essential guide will be invaluable to anybody new to the city, it’s coffee culture or even Italy in general.

Milan is home to the most iconic brands of espresso machines, like Gaggia, Rancilio and La Pavoni. Their list of products, that range from large commercial espresso machines, to professional grinders to home espresso makers are the definition of coffee culture that started in Milan but has spread all over the world. 

A Quick History Of Coffee In Milan

It is said that Italians have a passion for coffee in their blood, and this is certainly true for the Milanese! The tradition that binds them to coffee, in fact, is quite ancient and owes its birth to the vast coffee trade that the city had with Venice in the 17th century.

Milan was one of the first Italian cities to discover the taste of coffee. But how did the history of coffee evolve in Milan?

The tradition of meeting in front of a cup of coffee led the Milanese bourgeoisie to gather in cozy living rooms with sofas and tables. The concept of our coffee break today began to spread in the bars of Milan.

At the end of the 19th century, where bourgeois and aristocratic people gathered to sip coffee together and chat about the events of the day. They passed the time indoors to distinguish themselves from the working class, who instead still drank coffee on street corners, for the simple need to warm up in winter.

Today, cafes in Milan are the perfect places to meet up with friends, stop for a break from work or to warm up in the winter with a hot drink. But in the past, in the streets of Milan, people used to sip coffee outdoors, where it was sold in carts and for this reason it was called, in the Milanese dialect, the caffè del ginoeucc, because the carts were knee-high.

Today, like other major cities around the world, Milan is experiencing a craft coffee explosion. Light roasts and small-batch production introduce new flavor profiles that depart from the traditional Italian blends and roasts.

Coffee Culture In Milan

Coffee culture in Milan can be viewed as more “Progressive” than in other parts of the country, where traditions are respected and expected to last. Milan, and to a lesser extent Rome, are open to new ideas, processes and most importantly, tastes. 

As mentioned, Milan is experiencing a craft coffee explosion. Smaller roasters that aren’t tied to traditional tastes and experiences can be more daring with their offerings. They are open to try the new specialty coffee offerings because taste, as opposed to tradition, is more important in the business hub.

Signature Coffee Styles And Flavors Of Milan

The style of coffee that is enjoyed around Milan can best be described as: Balanced. Milano style coffee is known for being balanced and medium roasted. This is not the bold flavors of Naples. 

The coffee beans used in Milanese coffee tend to be less bitter with the result being a smoother, less intense flavor that still offers depth and complexity. If you are trying your first Milano style coffee, you can expect to enjoy rich, nutty undertones, often with hints of chocolate or toasted bread, which makes for an indulgent yet approachable cup of coffee.

Famous Coffee Bars And Cafés In Milan

• Marchesi 1824 – Founded in 1824 by the Marchesi family, and owned by Prada since 2014, this historic pastry shop continues to earn an excellent reputation of quality food due in large part to the artisanal production of Panettone, the popular Italian dessert bread created in Milan. While across Italy Panettone is usually available during the Christmas season, and a variation called Colomba available only during Lent, in Milan you can enjoy it all year round, including at Marchesi 1824.
• Sebastian Café Milano – The Sebastian Café Milano is a study in contrasts between the elegant and chic interior that harkens back to an earlier time in Milan, the fact that it is less than a year old and that it is smack dab in the middle of the well-travelled tourist routes in the city. Located at Via Dante 18, very near Castello Sforzesco and a short walk to the Duomo and can serve as a meeting point for those who wish to experience a stylish breakfast or something more from their offerings of traditional Mediterranean cuisine.
• Loste Cafè – It aims to be the progression of a traditional Italian bar, offering you hand-rolled pastries in the morning with a casual lunch enjoyed in a relaxed atmosphere with refreshing glass of wine, served by their friendly team.
• Gattulla – Another Pasticceria, they opened their first laboratory in 1961. Its history of tradition and quality is inextricably linked to a family and its passion for the art of pastry making.

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Wrapping Up Coffee In Milan

More traditionally on the business trail instead of the tourist trail of Italy, if you are looking for a celebration of coffee, culture and tradition, then Milan should definitely be on your itinerary. The history, influences and beauty of the city will make a stop here as memorable as it would be delicious.