starbucks, chick-fil-a, target, anthropologie, hobby lobby. these fab five places were all second homes to me especially when jack and kate were super little. the first two had drive-thru - best invention a mom of little kiddos could ask for!!!
when we moved to italy, all five of my beloved places were suddenly no longer a part of my everyday life. my heart was so sad.
then, we heard starbucks was coming to milan, italy. and not just any starbucks, but a RESERVE roastery - a more upscale coffee shop which would include a high end princi bakery with oven onsite, coffee bar, a nitro gelato affogato where you get a scoop of freshly made gelato in your espresso, arriviamo bar for pre-dinner cocktails and bites inspired by the italian apertivo which is enjoying a drink in the early evening with small snacks.
there are currently only three reserve roasteries in the world - seattle, shanghai, and now milan! they are opening three more soon in new york city (december 13th!), tokyo, and chicago. how amazing would it be to visit them all!
anyways, needless to say, i was ecstatic and counted down the months until the grand opening! chris was excited too, but since he is a huge fan of the local italian coffee bars here, he didn't act as if a long lost family member was finally coming home!
today was a perfectly cool and crisp november day to visit this gorgeous historic building built between 1899 and 1901 that was once a post office (poste). they really could not have chosen a more ideal building and location of piazza cordusio (blocks from the duomo!) for the first starbucks in italy.
after waiting in a line (long but moved quickly) to get in, we were rewarded with a breathtaking sight of the massive interior space that was just as exquisite as the outside! we felt like we had stepped into a willie wonka coffee factory - so romantic and opulent, yet warm and cozy too!!
i was instantly in love with everything, the color scheme, the textures, the materials used, lighting, the yummy smells, EVERYTHING!
my eyes scanned over tuscan white marble bar tops and gleaming touches of copper - a perfect mixture of sparkling glass and earthy wood tones sprinkled throughout... my favorite though had to be the FLOOR - the candoglia marble pieces were hand laid by local artiscans in a beautiful traditional palladian pattern in colors of cream, copper, pink, grey, and black! swoon...
piazza cordusio in itself is a sight to see with its handsome architecture and mix of vintage and modern trams criss-crossing through the oval shaped square. i felt like i could spend hours just hanging out in the starbucks outdoor terrace with my green matcha latte watching the trams and people go by.
every square inch inside and out screamed to be photographed. but somehow i held myself back from going overboard - must save some for my next visit, right?!
as you enter, from left to right:
* PRINCI BAR with their delicious artisanal pizzas, pastries, breads baked in a hand-built, wood-fire oven.
* GIFT SHOP AREA
* SCOOPING BAR where you consult with a coffee master to help choose which starbucks reserve coffee suits your taste.
* ROASTING AREA
* BATHROOM (downstairs and spectacularly designed as well!)
* ARRIVIAMO BAR (upstairs) cocktails + nibbles + more coffee + that wood FLOOR!: i would love to have that gorgeous herringbone pattern in my dream home one day!
* MAIN BAR we sat here to try the nitro gelato!
it was incredibly fascinating to be able to get a 360 degree look at the art of coffee roasting right there as we sat sipping our coffee and dowing our nitro gelato! from the roaster, to the cooling tray, to the 22 foot bronze cask that serves as the de-gassing chamber (which is a natural part of the roasting process), and the packaging area - each part of the process added such an exciting element to the atmosphere!
there could not have been a more beautiful setting for this jewel of a building! the evening's blue light perfectly showcased this historic masterpiece. and the tram cables framed it all so well.
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and so Milan gave in. I can’t say I love Starbucks. it is ok but coffee is not the best there, coffee cocktails are pretty good though. You added so much photos, wow! I feel like I visited the place with you
Coffee cocktails – I must try those! I always get the same things and I feel like I need to explore more! I did try their green matcha tea and it was just delicious!
I love those photos. I liked building interior and the snacks also looked delicious.
Thanks, Sarah! Take care!
I am in Palermo right now. I will try and visit Milan’s starbucks. I like your review.
SICILY!!! Oh, have a WONDERFUL time in Palermo! Have been wanting to go down there for ages now! Safe travels!
It is indeed the most beautiful Starbucks I’ve ever seen.
And your photography is just stunning!!!
Thanks, Nina! Love your blog – so fun!
Wow! What can I say. Absolutely incredible photography, that looks like an incredible place to go for coffee. We are Costa fans here in the UK but I am sure I would happily visit that Starbucks if I was there on a visit. Such character – looked amazing.
Thanks, John! I had to google Costa! Will definitely try their coffee next time we’re in the UK!
Reading this post was absolutely fun! The pictures are great, what photography skills you have, amazing! I love visiting Italy and knowing Starbucks is now established makes me so happy! I plan on going to Italy later on this year and I will make sure to visit
Thank you, Florence! They opened up more regular Starbucks throughout Milan and at their Malpensa airport!
Omg these photos are absolutely breathtaking! I’m going to Italy next year and I can’t wait! I love Starbucks
I’m so excited for you! Can’t wait to see your photos!!
I agree that this is indeed the most beautiful Starbucks! I hope I get to visit this one day! Thank you for sharing!
If you visit Milan, this Starbucks is located a short walking distance away from the Duomo. The square it sits on is so pretty as all the trams criss-cross there.
Oh wow, this is surely the prettiest Starbucks I have ever seen! I mean, even the bathroom is gorgeous. It could serve as a tourist destination in town actually! Thanks for sharing the experience! 🙂 ~ Ola @ WanderWithOla
Right??! I lingered far longer than necessary in the bathroom cause it was just so stunning! I adore places with pretty bathrooms .🤣
IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL JEEZE. WHY FOESNT WVERY STARBUCKS LOOK LIKE
THIS!? haha
There are a total of 6 Reserve Roasteries around the world: Seattle, Shanghai, Milano, New York, Tokyo, and Chicago (coming soon). I would love to visit all starting with the one in Tokyo next! They are all equally STUNNING!
Wow! This is the coolest Starbucks I’ve ever seen. Your photos are beautiful and I felt like I was there. I would love to try the gelato and I never knew about Reserve.
Me too! I did not know anything about their Reserve roasteries beforehand – I was just happy any ole regular Starbucks was coming. They definitely put their all into these exclusive locations!
These are all such beautiful pictures. That Starbucks has got to be the coolest!
Thank you!! I love anything HISTORIC so this was like a dream for sure!
Are you sure? If then this is a trivia for me. Why does Italy doesn’t have one earlier though?
I think Italy was afraid that if there was a Starbucks everywhere, it would negatively impact the local coffee shops. In my opinion, the Starbucks and the local coffee shops don’t need to compete as we still go to both. My husband prefers the local coffee shops and I can go either way. I was just so excited as it reminded me of HOME (U.S. where we are from). Tourists will go to both as well.
I think I heard Howard Schultz talk about this Starbucks in a podcast a few years ago. It sounded amazing then and I can see how his vision came to life. Now if we could just get a similar experience in the US.
Amazing vision for sure! And I love how much respect and gratitude he had towards the Italian culture in his vision. The U.S. has two Reserve Roasteries: Seattle + New York (brand new!) with Chicago on the way. You should go check them out!
I can imagine your joy with the launch of Starbucks in Italy! Who just never wants some good Starbucks?
I love exploring new places and learning new culture and all that but sometimes I just want a little bit of HOME away from home, you know?
How awesome to have a piece of home with you in Italy! This Starbucks looks incredible! Love all your pictures!
Hey Pam! Haha – yes!! You read my mind! Like when I see McDonald’s drive thru here in Italy. I get all excited even though I don’t really eat much of it. Still get super happy to stop by and grab some fries!! 😁
I do love Starbucks but I think if I were in Italy I’d have to skip it for something local. They have so many wonderful options there. At least this Starbucks looks super pretty!
You can always do both! This RESERVE is so pretty – definitely worth stopping by for a bit if you are in Milan! And funny thing: when we went, everyone was speaking Italian, so I’m thinking mostly locals come here!! Baristas speak both.
This is such a beautiful Starbucks! I hadn’t heard of the Reserve Roastery before but I definitely want to visit one — particularly the one in Milan. Milan is a beautiful place — I need to get back there!
Milan certainly is a beautiful city! We love going there every other month!
wow! never thought they’d do it.. but well, I am glad they thought about it well and I guess the cafe is competitive enough… would love to go there in the future!
It really looks like they showed considerable respect for the Italian coffee culture here!
oh my goodness i have missed your posts! your storytelling is as magical as ever, loved reading this 🙂 x
I’ve missed yours too! Great catching up with you!! 😘
I agree that this Starbucks looks like the most beautiful one in the world. I love all the decor and architecture. It just looks so amazing.
They put so much thought and love into this place – definitely took it to the next level!
I am SO jealous. I love to go to Starbucks but if they looked this beautiful here, I would be sure to go everyday to do my computer work there!! Holy COW, it is beautiful!
Me too! I told Chris that if we were to live here permanently, we would have to pick Milan. Unless, Starbucks opens in Rome. Then, we shall have to see! 😆
WOW! that Starbucks is great looking! I’m excited for you, but I also don’t want the entire world to be americanized… Now, I find myself wanting one of those tasty pastries ; )
I feel the same way. I wouldn’t mind though if they just had them in airports! But it sure was exciting to walk into this one!
Starbucks in Italy looks elegantly amazing! OMG! I wish I can go there right now.
I was so impressed too! I envisioned a shiny brand new building, but the fact that they used a historic building just made it that much more special!
I think we are rather spoilt in the UK as we have astar bucks around every corner. The new shop opening looks amazing and I hope they expand with more of them.
Oh, I know!!! I was so surprised to see so many! Made me super happy! 😆 Can’t wait to visit the UK again…
You definietly captures the essence of Starbucks. I love the composition of your photos. and that’s great that Italy finally has a Starbucks!! and it is a Starbucks Reserve!