A journey through the city’s most beloved pastry shops, featuring pastel-colored icing, sugar sprinkles, and recipes passed down from mother to daughter.A journey through the city’s most beloved pastry shops, featuring pastel-colored icing, sugar sprinkles, and recipes passed down from mother to daughter.
In Milan’s best pastry shops, or pasticcerie, you can savor perfect panettone, tiramisu, and other Italian treats. They are spaces that bear witness to Milan’s history while also reflecting current trends—and all of them reflect the city’s culture of excellence.
Here, ahead of Vogue World 2026, we’ve gathered some of Milan’s most renowned pastry shops, with both historic icons and new favorites.
La Bruma, 21 Piazza Vetra
This newcomer, which opened in January, has already become a buzzing hotspot. The contemporary pastry shop is from the team behind the popular Via Stampa bistro, which has also become one of Milan’s must-visit dining destinations in recent years. Through the large windows, you can admire one of the city’s most beautiful parks, the Piazza della Vetra, located directly behind the Basilica di San Lorenzo. Inside, the minimalist yet warm design evokes Copenhagen’s bakeries while the menu is a blend of British, Northern European, and Italian influences. Everything is designed to be spontaneous and easy: You order at a counter and carry your steel tray to your table. The offerings include both sweet and savory items, with some original and surprising pastries such as one filled with pumpkin béchamel, black kale, and Parmesan. At the heart of the project lies the same philosophy that drives Via Stampa: consistency, top-quality seasonal ingredients, and a combination of tradition and innovation. The space, designed by Officina Magisafi, is a balanced blend of glass, steel, and Tanganyika walnut. It is open from morning through aperitif hour most of the week (weekdays until 7 p.m., Saturdays until 8 p.m., and Sundays until 4 p.m.).
La Mary, Via Marcona 70
The name of this pasticceria is a play on words: On the one hand, the la before Mary reflects its roots in Milan (it’s a characteristic of the dialect of Italian spoken in Milan and Lombardy more broadly, to use a definite article before a given name) and, on the other, “Mary” pays homage to Marie Antoinette, highlighting the French spirit of the project. The pastry shop, which opened at the end of 2025, is the dream come true of three friends: Denise Bonenti, a photojournalist working in communications; Andrea Bologna, an insurance broker; and Laye Dia, a pastry chef and entrepreneur. Dia takes the lead in the kitchen, drawing on his extensive experience in the restaurant industry at establishments including Milan’s Verdi, Pasticceria Sissi, and Ba-Ba Reeba. The focus is on single-serving cakes, such as cheesecake, berry tarts, caramel and passion fruit cakes, and a reimagined tiramisu. The interiors are by architect Paola De Francesco and interior designer Kurt Stapelfeldt, while the brand identity was developed by A Studio Creative. On the walls hang illustrations by the British artist Anna Higgie. Open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
Oslo Made in Heaven, Via Filippo Corridoni 1
This pasticceria is owned by Yasmine and Julie Audi, two sisters who decided to carry on a family tradition. Their mother, Nayla Audi, opened the first Oslo Made in Heaven shop in Beirut, and today the business also has a location right in the heart of Milan, near the San Babila church and square. The space was designed by architect Benoît Dupuis, who also reimagined the Crazy Horse cabaret in Paris. What brings the pair the most satisfaction is having combined the expertise they inherited from their mother with the elegance of Italian traditions. In the winter, their hot chocolate topped with toasted meringue is always a favorite. In warmer months, they serve Iced Fluff, a springtime version of hot chocolate, and mini cakes—smaller versions of their cakes, perfect for intimate birthday celebrations.
Marchesi 1824, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Via Santa Maria alla Porta 11/a, and Via Monte Napoleone 9
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Among Milan’s most famous and beloved pastry shops, the original Marchesi 1824, in its historic headquarters on Via Santa Maria Alla Porta, has long been a haven for intellectuals, aristocrats, and gourmets. Now owned by Prada, it continues to uphold its rich cultural and gastronomic heritage. It has three locations in Milan: the historic location and two others on Via Monte Napoleone and in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. A new seasonal offering is an Italian-style brunch, which puts a fresh spin on the Anglo-American meal. The menu features avocado toasts made with waffles, eggs Benedict, classic omelets, a club sandwich, and the Marchesi 1824 Burger, served with French fries. The dishes are accompanied by bread, butter, and jam, and there’s a selection of wines available too.
Confetteria Romanengo: La Corte, Via Camina Della 23, and La Corte Manzoni, Via Manzoni 5
Although not originally from Milan, Confetteria Romanengo is rightfully considered one of the best pasticcerias in the city. Tucked away in a courtyard in the historic center, the first Milan location, La Corte Caminadella, offers the delights of one of Italy’s oldest confectioneries, founded in Genoa in 1780. A world of candied almonds and flowers, jellies, jams, ginevrine (small sugar candies typical of Genoa), chocolates, and marzipan awaits. All of the treats are made fresh daily using only natural ingredients, free of preservatives, and are inspired by the recipes of 19th-century French confectioneries. In the salon de thé, guests can enjoy breakfasts featuring pastries and other baked goods, as well as savory delicacies; at lunchtime, salads and other dishes feature Ligurian flavors. Afternoon tea is celebrated in the intimate setting of a charming parlor. This April another location, La Corte Manzoni, opened on Via Alessandro Manzoni.
Pasticceria Cova, Via Monte Napoleone 8
Founded in 1817, Cova is another of the city’s iconic gathering places and a beloved symbol of excellence. The store’s story began with Antonio Cova, a Napoleonic soldier who opened the Caffè del Giardino next to La Scala, which soon became one of the most highly praised spots among the Milan elite. Two leaders of Italian unification, Garibaldi and Giuseppe Mazzini also sat at its tables during the days of the uprising and Antonio Cova was on the front lines, leading the rebels. In 1890, the artist Romano Di Massa painted a portrait of Giuseppe Verdi at Cova, attesting to the fact that it was then the city’s most luxurious café. It even makes an appearance in Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms. After the bombing of Milan in 1943, the Cova was relocated to Palazzo Marliani on Via Montenapoleone at the corner of Via Sant’Andrea, where it continued to serve as a gathering place for both Italian and international celebrities, including Brigitte Bardot, photographers from the American Richard Avedon to the Italian Giovanni Gastel, actor and poet Carmelo Bene, and novelist Alberto Moravia. Among its many specialties, its cappuccino was declared the best in Italy by writer Lina Sotis.
Pasticceria Gattullo, P.le Porta Lodovica 2
Fortunately, the decor at this institution has never changed. Neither has the quality of its pastries, the friendliness of its staff, or the generally cheerful atmosphere. Gattullo is one of the most beloved pastry shops among the Milanese, as evidenced by the long lines outside on weekends. In the ’70s and ’80s, it was a gathering place for artists, actors, and personalities from Milan’s entertainment scene; today, it continues to charm customers with classic desserts and artisanal panettone that reflect Italy’s most authentic baking traditions. During warm months, enjoying a coffee and a treat at one of the outdoor tables with their fluttering pink tablecloths is a must. Gattullo is open from breakfast to aperitif hour, closing at 8:30 p.m.
Pasticceria Cucchi, Corso Genova 1
Located at the corner of Corso Genova and Piazza Resistenza Partigiana, Pasticceria Cucchi was founded by Luigi Cucchi and his wife Vittorina in 1936 as a caffè concerto—a venue where patrons could eat and drink while enjoying concerts by a small Spanish orchestra. In 1943, during the Allied bombing of Milan, the venue was razed to the ground but then quickly rebuilt. Today, the atmosphere of those years still lingers, thanks to the furnishings, which have remained largely unchanged. It’s a unique landmark in the city.
Sant Ambroeus, Corso Matteotti 7
Sant Ambroeus was also founded in 1936, based on an idea by two pastry chefs, as a tribute to the city’s patron saint, Saint Ambrose. Sant Ambroeus quickly became a favorite spot among Milan’s high society and beyond. In 1982, they opened a Sant Ambroeus in New York, the first in a series of locations abroad (there are now a total of four in New York City alone). Its DNA, however, remains rooted in Milan, highlighting quality ingredients, artisanal craftsmanship, and a sophisticated atmosphere. The original Milan location was restored in 2022 by the interior design firm Fabrizio Casiraghi, using materials typical of the city’s architecture. The menu offering is increasingly diverse, and the café is open from morning through after-dinner hours.
Pasticceria San Carlo, Via Bandello 1
Just a short walk from the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Pasticceria San Carlo has been baking local masterpieces since shortly after the end of World War II. Try the plum cakes, the mattonella (a cousin of tiramisu), the Amour polenta, the jam tarts, and the kranz (a braided and baked pastry of Austro-Hungarian origin), as well as the shortbread cookies and cakes. The recipes are time-honored and treasured—a legacy passed down from generation to generation by master pastry chefs.
Pasticceria Castelnuovo, Via dei Tulipani 18
The history of this pastry shop is tied to the story of Enrico Castelnuovo, its founder, who at age 14, in 1927, was already an apprentice pastry chef in Lecco. After the war, he and his wife opened a shop on Via Mercato in Oggiono, near Lake Como. Later, upon returning to Milan, they opened a small shop at 10 Via Marcantonio Colonna, followed, in 1960, by one in Lorenteggio—a Milan neighborhood that was still under development at the time—where they inaugurated their new shop at 18 Via dei Tulipani (its current location). Today, the pastry shop is run by Enrico’s son and grandson, who carry on the family tradition. Legendary singer-songwriter Lucio Battisti was a regular customer, and the Fior di Pesco cake, which is still made today, was created in his memory.
Pasticceria Biffi, 87 Corso Magenta
Pasticceria Biffi, founded by Paolo Biffi in 1847 on Corso Magenta, has its roots in the tradition of pan de Ton, the predecessor of the panettone, inspired by the sweet bread created by the baker Sciur Toni. Biffi has preserved and passed down the original recipe, which is still used today for its artisanal creations. In over 170 years of operation, the pastry shop has become a Milanese institution, marked by colorful historical anecdotes and distinguished visitors such as Pope Pius X. Today, Biffi is a go-to destination for both Milan residents and tourists, thanks to a selection of pastries that celebrates the excellence of Italian confectionery: from traditional desserts to miniature versions of the great classics, from brioches to cookies, and even leavened breads like panettone, prepared year-round and hand-wrapped. Alongside its desserts, it also keeps the tradition of the Milanese aperitif alive, offering savory snacks and classic cocktails, in keeping with the city’s elegance and historic sense of conviviality.
Pasticceria Ranieri, 7 Via della Moscova
Founded in 1967 through a collaboration between William Parenti, a window display designer for the confectionery company Alemagna, and master pastry chefs Francesco Rana and Giovanni Rovelli, Pasticceria Ranieri is today one of the leading names in Milanese haute patisserie. Tradition and innovation come together in creations such as the famous pineapple panettone, the Do di Petto cake filled with chocolate mousse and custard, and the Fior di Bosco, a cake made with raspberries and meringue. Awards and accolades—from the Gambero Rosso Special Prize to the Lianorg Top Choice Medal and the Frusta d’Oro—speak to its excellence. A favorite spot among entertainment personalities, the shop collaborated with pop icon Mina in the 1980s, serving as the backdrop for the covers of two of her albums. Even today, at its sole location at Via Moscova 7, the pastry shop continues its journey, balancing innovation with a respect for tradition and successfully nurturing its historic identity.
