Milan is one of Europe’s premier cities of fashion and with a chic, cosmopolitan atmosphere, the café scene is thriving. Cafés play an important role in the lives of Milanese residents and unlike in most parts of the world, many of the cafes serve food and alcoholic beverages as well as the usual bakery products, coffee and soft drinks.
Milanese cafes are much more than simply somewhere to grab a quick coffee. They often have their own restaurant, bar, bistro and other facilities which make them a lot more exceptional than a standardized Starbucks! This means that whether you’re just wanting to stop by for a quick coffee after work or looking for somewhere to relax and unwind to the sound of live jazz music, there’s a Milanese cafe that’s perfect for you.
The Most Popular Cafes In Milan.
The following are the most popular cafes in Milano:
B Café.
This trendy, vintage-themed establishment in central Milan serves a delicious selection of dine-in and takeaway food, hot drinks and alcoholic beverages. The family-run B Café, or simply ‘B’ for short, starts the day with breakfast that includes homemade bakery products and brioches that you choose your own filling for. At lunchtime, you can select from salads, platters to share with friends, cold dishes and freshly made sandwiches.
As evening descends on the city, the dog-friendly B Café comes to life and plates up delightful appetizers and serves cocktails, beers, coffee and non-alcoholic refreshments. The legendary cafe also hosts an in-house band, a jazz duo called ‘Just Friends’, who give the atmosphere a sophisticated backdrop while the guests chat amongst themselves.
Langosteria Café Milano.
Langosteria started its days as a popular restaurant but in 2012 opened a bistro and in 2016 opened its café. Combining fine dining with cocktails, snacks and superb coffees, the Langosteria Café Milano is a haven from the hectic city outside. The establishment has a stylish sense of traditional décor, a well stocked bar and serves a wonderful range of food and drinks for lunch and dinner.
Some of the highlights on the menu include the must-try oysters, prawns and scampi as well as the authentic range of local pasta dishes and seasonally inspired main courses and desserts. The cafe also has a fantastic range of wines local from Lombardy wines as well as high-end international labels.
Yguana Cafe.
This small modern establishment is packed full of personality and serves cocktails, drinks, coffees, a hot Italian-inspired buffet and has an outdoor terrace with covered seating for its guests. The service is second to none in the Yguana Cafe and there’s a great selection of food on offer, including pizza, pasta, salads, fresh fruit and finger-licking cakes; so whether you want a quick snack or a full meal, the Yguana Cafe has got you covered!
The prices are very reasonable compared to nearby restaurants and there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. The buffet is the culinary highlight of this establishment with a magnificent array of fresh Italian produce on display for you to peruse. The establishment is open late and serves drinks and cocktails to a fairly young and trendy clientele, making it a great spot for drinks with your friends after a long day at work.
Mint Garden Café.
Appropriately named the Mint Garden Café, this lovely Milanese community hub is full to the rafters with beautiful plants and flowers that give the establishment a wonderfully homely and fresh feeling. The Mint Garden Café is a great European-style bistro that serves food, coffee and cocktails.
The café offers dine-in and takeaway food and drinks and serves coffees, alcohol, wine and beers as well as a great menu that includes organic dishes, small platters of snacks, vegan options and is open late into the night serving food, making it the ideal stop-off during an evening out in central Milan. With indoor and outdoor seating, you can really put your feet up and relax in this iconic establishment making it the perfect place to meet up with your friends and family for a truly unique Milanese experience.
Rabbit Hole Café.
The Rabbit Hole Café is inspired and based on the famous ‘Alice in Wonderland’ fantasy novel by Lewis Carroll. This tea room serves an astounding range of homemade cakes as well as hosting private parties such as birthdays, communions, baptisms, bachelorette parties and more. The chefs at the Rabbit Hole Café can even make a custom cake just for you.
Some of the highlights on the menu of cakes include the ‘Mad Hatter’ cake which is made with milk chocolate, eggs and peanuts and has a Rocher cream and chocolate filling while the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ cake is made with pistachio egg, whole pistachios and is filled with Strawberries and pistachio nuts. There are also vegetarian and vegan cakes on the menu and plenty of options for people with special dietary requirements. This unique Milanese institution is a must-visit for any Lewis Carroll fan but it’s also a fantastic option if you’re looking for a magical cake as a present for a friend or family member.
GRAMM Café.
Serving coffee, cocktails and drinks, the glamorous GRAMM cafe is certainly one of Milan’s best-kept secrets. This stylish, trendy and fashionable café has a fairly young clientele who relax in the intimate atmosphere while sipping cocktails, spirits, beers and local wines. There is indoor and outdoor seating and free WiFi throughout. The entire venue is completely wheelchair accessible and you can order a takeaway snack from the bar before you head back home for the night.
The GRAMM café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, specializing in Italian cuisine. The establishment is also open late, serving drinks to a fashionable crowd of students, young professionals and anyone looking for a relaxing late-night atmosphere. If you’d like to keep up with the latest news you can join the GRAMM café’s online Facebook community.
Milano Café.
This elegant Milanese café is located near the city center in the popular Sempione district. The café has a sophisticated living room atmosphere with comfortable furnishings, plants, works of art on the walls and magazines on the tables to read while you have a drink or enjoy a coffee. The Milano Café has seating for nearly 300 people including a beautiful rooftop terrace with over 100 seats that is always popular in the warm, summer months.
There’s a great menu in the Milano Café that is focused around a large Mediterranean-themed buffet with hot and cold dishes to choose from. You can also order grilled vegetables and pair your food with carefully selected cheeses, cured meats, hot snacks to share with friends and freshly made salads. From 10 pm onwards, from Tuesday through Sunday, the venue stays open as a cocktail bar that serves drinks into the early hours of the morning. The rooftop terrace also hosts special events and live music between May and September when the warmer weather allows the guests to stay out late into the night without getting too cold!
This stylish, olde-worlde cafe is clean, tidy and welcoming with fantastic staff that always go out of their way to make your visit with them unforgettable. There’s an easy-going atmosphere and the cafe serves a delightful range of Italian favorites including freshly made pizzas, pasta dishes and tasty desserts. The menu includes a good choice of vegetarian and vegan options as well as a lot of healthy eating options.
You can also order a coffee and take advantage of the cut-price happy hour drinks in the evening. The bar serves cocktails, beer, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages and fruit juices. If you’re feeling peckish, you can also order late-night food. The café has free WiFi throughout, is dog-friendly and the lovely establishment is the ideal place to have breakfast, lunch or dinner if you have children.
Montmartre Café 1952.
Named after the iconic Parisian district of Montmartre, the café is one of the best in Milan. With stylish décor and a great choice of coffees, alcoholic drinks and superb table service, the Montmartre Café 1952 is more of a cafe bar than a restaurant, although you can order light snacks.
Keeping in the French tradition, the café has an on-site kiosk where you can buy tobacco, sweets and other small items while you’re having a beer or a cup of coffee. There’s also a great cocktail list and the music is always top-notch. The Montmartre Café 1952 has a laid-back atmosphere that attracts a wide range of guests, including trendy young students as well as older professionals.
Radetzky.
Founded in 1988, the Radetzky is a household name in Milan. Starting its days as a bar and café it’s evolved to become a popular institution in the nightlife of the city. With indoor and outdoor seating, including super comfortable sofas, the Radetzky serves amazing cocktails and hosts regular quiz nights.
The Radetzky is a great place for business meetings during the day but it’s also an exciting nighttime venue, making it the best of both worlds. Highly recommended for Sunday brunch or lunch during the week, the menu includes favorites such as chips, appetizers, fresh focaccia, light bites and dishes to share with your friends or work colleagues.
Milan’s Café Scene Is An Iconic Aspect Of The City’s Daily Life.
Café culture in Milan is about so much more than just picking up a coffee on your way home from work! With live music, extensive menus and an atmosphere that is always welcoming, no resident or visitor to Milan can truly experience the magic of the city without spending some time relaxing in the chic, elegant and sophisticated cafés.
