Historical Foods you should try
A Milan restaurants and pastries guide
by Julian Cano, Maxime Treluyer, Morgane Cruciani, Maria Ramos
Studying abroad can be an exciting and adventurous time in someone’s life, but it can also be difficult and overwhelming trying to find your place in a new country. Why should finding a place to enjoy great food and drinks be part of that adjustment? Studying in Milan these past few months has been an amazing experience and we want to alleviate some of stress that comes with adapting to new place by providing you with some of the most historic places in Milan for café, pastry and aperitivo.
MARCHESI 1824:
Marchesi 1824 is one of Milan’s most historic pastry shops. Originally owned by Angelo Marchesi, this family operated Pasticceria was opened, you guessed it, in 1824 on Via Santa Maria Alla Porta, 11/a, where it still operates to this day. However, ownership changed in 2014 when the company was purchased by the Prada Group. The shop immediately garnered a reputation for their handmade delicate confections, use of the highest quality of ingredients, and magnificent craftsmanship. This led to Marchesi 1824 expanding their shop’s offerings. In the 1900’s they introduced coffee, baked pastries, cakes, biscuits, as well as other sweets that are now enjoyed in their three locations in Milan, as well as their London location, which opened in 2019.
Marchesi 1824 is one of Milan’s most historic pastry shops. Originally owned by Angelo Marchesi, this family operated Pasticceria was opened, you guessed it, in 1824 on Via Santa Maria Alla Porta, 11/a, where it still operates to this day. Although, ownership changed in 2014 when the company was purchased by the Prada Group. The shop immediately garnered a reputation for their handmade delicate confections, use of the highest quality of ingredients, and magnificent craftsmanship. This led to Marchesi 1824 expanding their shop’s offerings. In the 1900’s they introduced coffee, baked pastries, cakes, biscuits, as well as other sweets that are now enjoyed in their original location and two other locations in Milan (In the historical Galleria and on Via Montenapolene), as well as their London location, which opened in 2019.
Throughout the years, Marchesi 1824 has maintained its reputation by never veering away from its 20 th century flare. When you walk into their shops, the beautiful wallpapers, aged mirrors, and pastel colors take you back in time and deliver an experience like no other. When we were there for breakfast, during fashion week, there was a wide variety of clientele. There were clerks from the high-end fashion stores ordering café for their clients, tourist like us, and locals dressed to the nines enjoying a “cappuccio” and cornetto. The waiters were dressed in suits and made every café meticulously and perfectly. When we bit into our cornetti and felt the crisp of the flakes and the creaminess of the pistachio filing, we understood exactly why this is one of Milan’s premier pastry shops.
Marchesi 1824 is also quite famous for making one of the best Panettone (an Italian Christmas pastry) in Italy, as well as candies, spreadables, and they even offer an exquisite aperitivo. If you are looking for an elevated experience, but at a relatively low cost, Marchesi 1824 is the place to go.
Address : Via Santa Maria alla Porta 11/A, 20121 Milano MI
Opening time : Monday to Saturday : 7h30–20h Sunday : 8h30–20h
https://www.pasticceriamarchesi.com/eu/it.html
LUINI:
Luini is a famous and historical bakery serving panzerotti since 1888. The shop located in Milan was founded by Giuseppina Luini and her family after they moved to the city via S. Radegonda 16, in 1946. The idea of making panzerotti came from this lady, Giuseppina, who one day, while looking through the recipes handed down by her grandfather, found the family recipe for these “fresh pizza dough turnovers”. This bakery is well established in Milan and has become a famous and historic place in the city to get panzerottis. It’s a piece of Italian history and know-how.
The shop has not outlived its time: Luini continues to welcome many visitors from all over the world or local people who want to eat its renowned panzerotti. Between sweet and salty food, all lovers of Italian food are delighted. Its location, close to the Duomo, allows visitors to come and taste the Milanese specialty without having to travel too far.
Here are our reviews :
-A very good value for money : It is quite cheap and delicious, plus the place is immediately in the middle of practically everything. There are a lot of things to choose from, you can think that while waiting in line (huge).
-Simply the best : One of the best places to visit if you are in the Cathedral. The place does not have tables to set up so you have to go, and you will notice a lot of people standing out of place enjoying their sandwich or pizza. So fresh, delicious and value for money. Try to visit them very early in the morning to avoid the queue line but in case you could not so don’t worry they are very fast. We tried Ligurian traditional sandwiches and spinach, and we recommend them.
(We do not advise you to pick up your panzerotti at 12PM and 18PM, the shop being really crowded)
Address : Via Santa Radegonda, 16, 20121 Milano MI
Opening time : Tuesday to Saturday : 10h-20h
CAMPARINO:
What exactly is Aperitivo and why is it so meaningful in Italy ? The Aperitivo is basically a drink, alcoholic or not, that Italians drink before dinner with sometimes “amuse-gueules”, sorts of appetizers you can enjoy before going home to have dinner. Not only a time to drink, this tradition is also a time to gather people together in coffees and bars after a long day of work. Available between 5pm until 8pm, aperitivo is a must try during your stay in Milan ! Where to go ?
Camparino is a well known place in Milan. Near the Duomo, inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Camparino, defined as the symbol of the Milanese Aperitivo, is the perfect place to taste the italian tradition. They serve their signature drinks, Campari with their iconic cocktails such as Spritz, Negroni, Milano Torino, …
Camparino is not only a nice place to enjoy our aperitivo, it’s also full of history and part of Milanese culture. The place opened in 1867 in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele which was newly built. The bar celebrated its 155 years anniversary in 2022.
Originally, the famous italian drink was created in 1860 by Gaspare Campari, who inaugurated Caffè Campari in 1867, the name changed in 1915 by Davide Campari after his father’s death. Campari is a red liqueur obtained from the infusion of herbs in alcohol and water. Well known in Italy, this apéritif is a mix of bitter, spicy and sweet and stands out by its red color.
Going there will allow you to meet both Italian culture and Milan history while admiring a nice view.
Address : P.za del Duomo, 21, 20121 Milano MI
Opening time : Monday to Saturday : 9h30–00h
Sunday : 9h30–22h
PANARELLO:
Panarello started in 1885 when Francesco Panarello, being just 17 years old, opened a pastry shop in the city of Genoa. Forty Five years later Francesco managed to open a laboratory in Milan and he kept gradually opening shops in Genoa and Milan. All of these shops offer a wide variety of sweets, from pastries to cakes, breads and even biscuits. They have a selection of fresh products and a selection of packed products that can include cookies or different types of breads. In 1993 he innovated the pastry world with an electric oven which was considered a very modern system at the time. The World War II bombing destroyed the artisanal laboratory in Genoa and one they had built in Milan. However, they were able to keep opening more and more shops because of how popular their products were.
Unfortunately, in 1960 Francesco passed away and this led to his eleven sons to take care of the family business. At the time, the Lagaccio biscuits and the pandolce were the most popular products of Panarello. They were so popular that the company started selling them at retail stores.
In 2013 Panarello was able to start offering gluten free options of their majestics sweets making them enjoyable for everyone.
We have visited the Panarello at via Moscova several times during our stay in Milan and it is by far our favorite coffee shop. Their aesthetic is simple but charming and their prices are very reasonable. A cappuccio and a chiffaro are a perfect combination for breakfast; a chiffaro is similar to a croissant but it is a particular leavened butter puff pastry of Panarello with a soft dough. They can be filled with chocolate or they can be “vuoto” which is when it doesn’t contain any filling. If you’re looking for a midday snack, getting a macchiato and a cannoncino which is a puff pastry with a soft center of pastry cream is a great option. Panarello shops are open from 9am to 7:30pm from Monday to Sunday so you can try their specialties for breakfast, midday coffee and even for your last coffee of the day. Whatever sweet you are craving, they have it! You can choose between drinking your coffee standing up at the bar or sitting outside to get a glimpse of the beautiful city views.
Address : Via Speronari, 3, 20123 Milano MI
Opening time : Monday to Sunday : 9h-19h30
