Best Cafes in Milan Serving Specialty Coffee
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Updated on Aug 18, 2025
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Milan’s specialty coffee scene has been steadily developing over the past decade, transforming the city’s traditional espresso culture one cafe at a time. I discovered that passionate baristas here aren’t just serving coffee, they’re creating experiences that challenge everything Milanese know about their beloved beverage. In a city where Italians traditionally down their morning espresso at lightning speed while standing at the bar, these pioneers dare to slow things down. Each cafe tells its own story through carefully sourced beans and thoughtful brewing methods. Here are my seven favourite spots where Milan’s coffee scene is consistently brewing excellence.
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Recommendations for accommodation in Milan
Residenza delle Città – Exquisitly designed aparthotel with a touch of retro. —> Booking.com
21 House of Stories Navigli – Popular for its outdoor pool with bar and super stylish rooms. —> Booking.com
Casa Brivio – Impeccably designed boutique hotel. —> Booking.com
When Brent Jopson and his wife Giulia Gasperini moved from Vancouver to Milan, they encountered a coffee culture vastly different from what they knew. Traditional Italian bars dominated every street corner, but specialty coffee? Nowhere to be found. The Canadian-Italian duo decided to change that. In true pioneering spirit, they opened Orsonero, bringing third wave coffee culture to a city that thought it already knew everything about coffee.
The space feels distinctly un-Italian with its Scandinavian-inspired interior, all clean lines and natural wood. What struck me most was their approach to hospitality – it’s warm without being overbearing, knowledgeable without being pretentious. Gardelli, one of Italy’s finest roasters, supplies their house coffees, while rotating guest roasters from Northern Europe keep things interesting. The menu respects Italian coffee traditions while gently pushing boundaries. You can still get your espresso, but why not try it as a single origin from Ethiopia?
The name says it all, really. NOWHERE appeared seemingly out of nowhere and turned Milan’s coffee expectations upside down. Instead of the typical Italian bar setup, here you’ll find single-origin espressos and yes, avocado toast. The founders deliberately created an accessible space that feels effortlessly cool rather than intimidatingly sophisticated. Recently, they also ventured into roasting their own coffee beans.
Carlos Eduardo Bitencourt brought a piece of Brazil to Milan when he opened Cafezal in 2018. As the city’s first specialty coffee roastery in the fashion district, it was bound to make waves. Carlos sources exclusively Brazilian beans, and trust me, once you taste them, you’ll understand why.
That interior with deep blue walls, pastel-colored stools, and that gorgeous black marble counter…it’s like Wes Anderson decided to design a coffee shop in Milan. Carlos roasts on site, and taking his beans home with you really is the best souvenir.
During the 2022 World of Coffee event, Carlos expanded his coffee empire with this impressive 500-square-meter space. The Specialty Coffee Lab is on a mission to demystify specialty coffee for Italians who might find it exclusive or intimidating.
Every week, they run coffee courses ranging from beginner sessions for curious newcomers to advanced training for baristas and restaurant owners.
Lea and Lorenza have created something special at O|nest, a neighborhood gathering place where excellent coffee meets seriously good food. The duo made some bold choices, like refusing to serve single shots or provide sugar packets. Their philosophy? If the coffee’s good enough, you won’t need to mask its flavour.
Lorenzo, their skilled barista, sources beans from various European roasters and knows his way around both a state-of-the-art espresso machine and a V60. Don’t miss their book collection or the hidden garden out back, it’s the perfect spot to lose an afternoon with a hand-filtered Colombian and a good read.
You know that warm, content feeling you get when everything just feels right? The Danes call it hygge, and this cafe embodies it perfectly. Walking into Hygge feels like stepping into a Copenhagen living room that somehow landed in Milan. The Scandinavian design creates an atmosphere where you’ll want to linger over your single-origin pour-over. A communal table encourages conversation between strangers and their international brunch menu is a great addition to the coffee offering.
Federico Maggiulli discovered his passion for coffee during his time in London, and that international perspective shows in everything Il Cafetero does. Under the guidance of Italian Latte Art Master Chiara Bergonzi, Federico has developed into one of Milan’s most skilled baristas.
The partnership with Sevengrams roastery means access to their exclusive Lot Zero line, coffees that showcase what Italian roasting can achieve when quality comes first. Whether you order an espresso or opt for a hand-filtered brew, Federico guides you through the experience, sharing his knowledge without overwhelming. It’s this balance of expertise and accessibility that makes Il Cafetero special.