Milan is not just about trendy fashion boutiques and design shops. It is also famous for its cafés and pastry shops where Milanese locals and tourists love to enjoy a cappuccino, a slice of cake or a pastry, and even a drink before dinner. If you want to discover the best patisserie in Milan, keep reading (I’ll give you three of my favourites).
Pasticceria Gattullo
This is an iconic name in Milan’s history. Opened in 1961 and still run by the founder’s family, Pasticceria Gattullo ‒ near Bocconi University and not far from the Navigli District ‒ is an elegant patisserie where you can enjoy and literally savour every moment of the day. From breakfast, at the counter or at a table, with delicious brioches and cappuccino (this is the typical breakfast Italians have at coffee shops), to lunch with their exquisite canapés; from the classic afternoon tea with “bigné” and other delicious pastries, to pre-dinner cocktails with all kinds of appetisers.
A specialty that I highly recommend you try? Gattullo’s legendary blueberry puff pastry.
Pasticceria Gattullo
Piazzale di Porta Lodovica 2, Milan
Tel. +39 02 5831 0497
Open:
Tuesday – Sunday 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
And if you love contemporary architecture, click here to discover Bocconi university SANAA campus.
Marchesi 1824
Since 1824, the year it was founded in Milan, Marchesi patisserie has been a symbol of the most elegant “Milanese spirit”. For over 200 years, Marchesi has been the place where the Milanese bourgeoisie meets to sip coffee at the counter ‒ a typical habit in a city where the pace is always frenetic (the Milanese are sometimes admired and sometimes mocked in the rest of Italy because we are always busy and in a hurry).
In addition to the high-quality products and impeccable service, what makes Marchesi so charming is the shop’s décor which has remained unchanged over time, with its floral decorations and splendid coffered ceilings.
An insider secret? If you want to linger longer, there is a lovely little room at the back of the shop where you can sample the shop’s delights in a more intimate setting.
And at Christmas, you can’t miss Marchesi’s legendary Panettone.
Marchesi 1824
Via Santa Maria alla Porta 11/a, Milan
Tel. +39 02 862770
Open:
Monday – Saturday 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Apart from the historic location mentioned above, you can also find Marchesi here:
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan
Via Monte Napoleone 9, Milan
Pasticceria Adolfo Stefanelli
Adolfo Stefanelli is a newer name in the world of Milanese patisserie, but he quickly became famous for the excellent quality of his creations and the philosophy behind his two shops in Milan.
The secrets? First of all, Adolfo Stefanelli’s haute patisserie creations are prepared almost exclusively by hand, without the use of machinery. The raw materials used are of the highest quality and are sourced in Italy, with the exception of chocolate and French butter.
Adolfo Stefanelli always strives to meet the needs of his most demanding customers, for example by offering flour-free and milk-free options, as well as vegan versions of some pastries.
You can’t miss two of their most famous creations: “Sospiro”, super soft sponge cake filled with Chantilly cream, or “Pasticciotto”, shortcrust pastry shell filled with custard cream.
Pasticceria Adolfo Stefanelli
Tel. + 39 02 3679 9016
Viale Premuda 12, Milan
Open:
Monday – Sunday 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Via Molino delle Armi 23, Milan
Open:
Tuesday – Sunday 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
This post was all about the best patisserie in Milan, with special focus on three of them: Gattullo, Marchesi 1824 and Adolfo Stefanelli.