Pastry Perfection: Your Guide to the 5 Best Milan Bakeries

Is there ever a bad time for an Italian pastry? We don’t think so. From the morning brioche to kick-start your morning, a little treat with your afternoon caffè, a tiramisu (meaning literally pick-me-up) to get you through the busy day, or decadent pasticcini to enjoy with Sunday lunch, Italy’s sweets are truly something else. Every city has its own delicious specialty waiting for you: Napoli has the sfogliatelle, Rome the maritozzo, and Milan bakeries love to share a slice of panettone.

But that isn’t all that awaits you behind the vetrine (store windows)! Let’s step inside the top Milan bakeries to explore the delectable sweet treats you can’t miss.

Milan bakeries often compete to make the best panettone in the city. Photo credit: Pasticceria Cova

Panificio, Pasticceria, or Produzione Propria? Find the best bakeries in Milan

If you are visiting Italy and want to grab a bite of warm, fresh-baked goods, there are a few types of bakeries: 

Italy doesn’t always have a bakery in the sense you might think, rather they have artisans specialized in bread, and ones specialized in sweets, then sometimes they might overlap! So if you are looking for something a little salato (savory) search for a panificio, a bread maker. These stores will have breadsticks, focaccia, a little pizzette, and more!

Instead, if you are craving something sweet, look out for a pasticceria, who specializes in pastries. 

And if you’d like to have a coffee too? Some cafès even make their own fresh croissants, just keep an eye out for those who mention “produzione propria” which means they baked them there.

Warm slices of freshly-baked Italian bread is heaven at any time of day. Keep reading to discover the best Milan bakeries to pick up this delicious bite. Photo credit: Pasticceria Pavé

Pasticceria Marchesi

It’s impossible to talk about Milanese pastries and not mention Pasticceria Marchesi. The original bakery is located at Via Santa Maria alla Porta, just around the corner from The Last Supper. A keystone of Milanese heritage since 1824, it is still family-run and open daily to delight both locals and visitors alike.

There are actually three bakeries of Marchesi you can visit in Milan. The original at Santa Maria alla Porta has kept its original decoration. A warm wooden interior with tables stacked with elegant creations. Here you can enjoy a coffee and a pastry, or pick up a famous panettone to bring home.

The next bakery is located within Milan’s Galleria, decorated with a creative vintage vibe, pull up a seat in one of the green velvet chairs and enjoy a sweet bite with an even sweeter view of the Galleria’s halls. 

Local Tip: If you are traveling with little ones, don’t be intimidated by the elegance of Marchesi’s Galleria bakery. They in fact love kids and often host cake-decorating events for special holidays. 

Finally, when you find yourself tired from shopping the boutiques of Monte Napoleone, stop in the third location for a dolcino (a little sweet).

We’ll leave you with a Marchesi bucket list: don’t leave Milan without a bite of their panettone, their chocolates, and at least one freshly-baked breakfast pastries.

Pasticceria Marchesi, one of the best Milan bakeries, is a local favorite for breakfast and a late afternoon pick-me-up. Photo credit: lin Judy

Pasticceria Sissi

Croissant lovers – here is your go-to in Milan! Pasticceria Sissi is run by an enthusiastic, international husband and wife team with a love for all baked goods. Step inside this little corner cafè to be warmly welcomed into the bohemian setting: pink walls surround small wooden tables, with a bar counter echoing the clinks of caffè al volo – a quick espresso.

And about those croissants we mentioned? Every day they are baked fresh, then abundantly filled to order with the cream or jam of your choice. The brioche dough itself is delicious, but the pastry cream spilling out the edges is what completes the experience.

If you are bringing along a friend who lacks your sweet tooth, Sissi also creates savory brioche for a filling breakfast or snack on the go.

There is absolutely no better way to start your Italian day than with a cream-filled, freshly-made brioche. Photo credit: Darren and Brad

Pasticceria Pavé

While Marchesi might be our go-to for a historic setting and a step into Milan’s long-standing pastry tradition, Pavé is our must for something a little more modern.

Founded by three friends in 2012, the bakery has become known far and wide as one of the best bakeries in Milan. Their goal was to create a simple and welcoming environment where guests could savor delicious food.

Their shop banner reads “Breakfast Revolution” and we couldn’t describe it better. Pavé takes fresh breakfast seriously, but serves it all through the day. Stop in here for a coffee & freshly baked croissant. If you are looking to impress your next dinner host, grab one of their cakes!

You can also enjoy a full lunch at Pavè and while it is laptop friendly, they do ask you to respect other clients and not take up too much time on busy days.

Our must-try: the brioche centosessanta, a classic croissant filled with abundant apricot jam.

This may be controversial, but croissants in Italy are just as good as any French city. Photo credit: Pasticceria Pavé

Pasticceria Cova

Once again we are taking you back in time to taste the traditional excellence of Cova’s baked goods. One of the best bakeries in Milan since 1817, they’ve been located in their current spot on Via Monte Napoleone since the 1950s. 

This isn’t your average caffè al banco spot, in fact, the best Cova experience is their afternoon tea! Not a common tradition in Italy, Cova has embraced this afternoon delight to prolong the classic aperitivo. Before heading off for a spritz and savory bites, why not enjoy a cup of tea and some fine little pasticcini instead?  

Oh but don’t worry, the staff also are happy to switch that cup of tea out for a glass of spumante (sparkling white wine) any time of day.

So grab a seat in one of their blue plush booths, and let the tuxedo-clad waiters show you true Milanese hospitality.

The elaborate window displays at Cova have become legendary. There is no way to pass by without stopping in for a quick treat. Photo credit: Pasticceria Cova

Pasticceria Serge

A bakery and cafè dedicated entirely to one of the Milanese’s favorite sweets: the cannoncino! This is a small cylindrical pastry with a crispy exterior, that has been filled with pastry cream. 

The baker, Sergio Gavezzeni, has been in the pastry business for over 40 years and has refined his recipes to be truly a gourmet experience. Focusing on the excellence of the simple details such as the basic pastry cream, he has created incredible sweets. 

You’ll find Serge just a few steps from Duomo, on Via Giuseppe Mazzini. Step in for a quick coffee and a cannoncino with fresh filling.

Perfect size, perfect crunch, perfect amount of sugar – the beloved cannoncino really is the perfect pastry. Photo credit: albyantoniazzi 

As you can see, if you really want to experience the best of the best pastries, fresh breads, and desserts, make sure to check these wonderful Milan bakeries off your list. And if you want to take advantage of the city’s best treats along with its top sites, make sure to sign up for our small-group tours of Milan. Whether its a guided visit inside the Duomo along with a walking tour of historic Milan or skip-the-line tickets to Castello Sforzesco, our local tour guides will give you unique insight into what makes Milan so special.