Where to Get a Taste of Milan’s Rising Specialty-Coffee Scene

This renewed respect for coffee is in line with how coffee has historically been viewed in Italy. Coffee first arrived in Venice toward the end of the 16th century. It was initially expensive and reserved for the rich until the proliferation of bottega del caffé (coffee shops) in the 1700s. Coffee houses became meeting places for philosophers and scholars, the so-called caffè letterari, where people discussed revolutionary ideas.

Italians cemented their role in coffee history in the late 1900s with the birth of the espresso. The espresso machine was invented in Turin by Angelo Moriondo, then improved and marketed by Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzera and Desiderio Pavoni. Traditional, straightforward Italian espresso drank standing by the bar with a side glass of water became the norm, and generations of Italians proud of their coffee culture have resisted anything new. But even the deepest roots can’t avoid change.

The so-called cervelli in fuga, the “escaping brains” who left to find better job opportunities, are bringing back coffee techniques they found abroad. Part of this is a return to manual work and human connection in a digital age, and another part is an awareness of specialty coffee produced with a sense of responsibility for the welfare of foreign workers and manufacturers.

It’s still easier to find a quickly served espresso in Milan than it is to find specialty coffee. The first world-class coffee shops started opening up in the mid-2010s, and today, there are a handful of places where you can experience the best of Milan’s cutting-edge specialty coffee. These are the coffee shops to taste for yourself why Milan is, once again, somewhere you can count on for a quality cup.

1. Orsonero

Photo: ORSONERO COFFEE/Facebook

Widely considered the first specialty coffee shop in Milan, Orsonero opened in 2016. It’s operated by Canadian Brent Jopson and his Milanese wife Giulia Gasperini. The shop has an inviting neighborhood feel that contrasts with the modern, sophisticated interior design. Rather than follow the design lead of the Italian cafes in centuries past, Jopson and Gasperini opted for a modern look that can be found in cafes from London to New York and back. An ever-changing list of roasts means there’s always something new to try. You’ll hear a lot of English being spoken, but Orsonero also has its fair share of locals who’ve become regulars.

What to order: Filter coffee and a cappuccino

Where: Via Giuseppe Broggi 15 20129, Milano

2. Moleskine Cafè

Photo: Moleskine Café, Milan Corso Garibaldi/Facebook

In the heart of the Milanese artists quarter Brera, Moleskine Café combines specialty coffee with literature, throwing it back to the old concept of caffè letterario. It’s run by the same Moleskine brand that makes notebooks and other work materials favored by artists, writers, and designers, and the customer base reflects that. Here, you can enjoy a cup from the choice of blends that use beans from Rwanda, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala, as well as browse around the famous collection of stationary and writing supplies.

What to order: Filter coffee and an Americano

Where: Corso Garibaldi 65 20121, Milano

3. Out of the Box

Photo: Out of the Box, Via Malpighi 7, Milano/Facebook

Don’t be concerned if the shop front confuses you. As the name suggests, there’s nothing conventional about Out of the Box, and it looks nothing like a conventional coffee place. It’s one of the best gelaterie in town and also makes also an incredible coffee. The idea of combining incredible gelato and specialty coffee came from entrepreneur Flavio Sears who, thanks to decades of experience in the food and beverage marketing industry, was able to create this great mashup.

What to order: Filter coffee

Where: Via Marcello Malpighi 7 20129, Milano

4. Cofficina Ticinese 58

Located in one of the hippest areas of Milan, Corso di Porta Ticinese, Cofficina Ticinese 58 opened in August 2017 and soon became the place to go for coffee in Ticinese. Here, English-speaking expats, tourists, and trendy locals gather to share their love and knowledge of specialty coffee. Small and always packed, a lucky few can claim a spot on the cozy couch in the lounge area. Others sit by the wall-mounted bar and observe the baristas do their magic.

What to order: Espresso and filter coffee

Where: Corso di Porta Ticinese 58 20123, Milano