As host to two Fashion Weeks each year, Milan is buzzing with designer stores, models and creative people. Here are some of the top places to see and be seen in the Italian city.
1. Fashion Cafe
Customers truly feel stylish in this venue, which is surrounded by international designer stores, with many art galleries and shops nearby. Open for breakfast, brunch and lunch, the place continues the party with young models and trendsetters after dinner, when it turns into a buzzing nightspot. Enjoy a selection of antipasti, meat and fish, carb-filled dishes or desserts with your coffee or vino.
2. Emporio Armani Caffe
Head here for a hot drink and pastry; alternatively, enjoy a creamy risotto or caesar salad if you’re feeling more than peckish. The brand has restaurants under the same name in many of the world’s major cities, each of them boasting sleek ceramic flooring and silver fibre-glass walls. The novelty is its signature Italian chocolate with an “A” engraved into it.
3. The Garden Cafe
You won’t be able to tell whether you’re inside or outside in this eatery, which is decorated with lush plants throughout. Fashion types stop by for a bite in between shopping or visiting one of the 10 showcases by Corso Como, a brand that has been around for more than 25 years and has offerings in Seoul, Shanghai and Beijing.
4. Bar Luce by Prada
Film director Wes Anderson set out to recreate a typical cafe from the city when he designed Bar Luce. Sweet treats are displayed at the counters and classic games machines line the room. Customers can choose to sit at a table or in individual seats with slide-out tables that resemble something you’d find on an aircraft. Situated in Fondazione Prada, it’s an inspiring place for creatives that looks like something straight out of a movie.
5. Pasticceria Marchesi
The brand, which has been around since 1824, has launched its third cafe in the city, and the Prada-owned place reflects the classic patisserie that originally opened on Santa Maria alla Porta. Pasticceria Marchesi remains a family-run brand and still hand-makes its sweets, which go well with coffee or cocktails. This branch at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II has added a tea room.
6. Pasticceria Cova
Situated in the city’s Golden Triangle of Via Monte Napoleone, Via della Spiga and a few famous shopping streets in between, the Louis Vuitton-owned Pasticceria Cova has been the place to go for a cappuccino for two centuries. Take part in people-watching at its finest, as people flock in from surrounding designer stores.
7. Dolce & Gabbana’s Bar Martini
Dolce & Gabbana’s Bar Martini is just as good for a lunchtime hot beverage as it is for dinner and drinks. The venue serves a range of delicious beverages, including offerings with hazelnut chocolate, white chocolate, whipped cream and chocolate chips, plus amaretto di Saronno. The intimate venue brings the outdoors in, with greenery as a contrast against the black surfaces.
8. Il Ristorante at Bulgari Hotel Milano
Don’t miss the gorgeous breakfast spread at the hotel, which takes its name from the Italian jewellery and fragrance brand. It offers classic pastries with juice and coffee or an American version with eggs made your way. The luxurious designer space has been replicated with branches across the world, including London, Bali and Tokyo.
9. Ceresio 7 by Dsquared2
This poolside eatery by designers Dean and Dan Caten, also known as Dsquared2, was launched during Milan Fashion Week in September 2013. The pair have their headquarters below the venue inside the Enel building. Sit outside and enjoy dishes from chef Elio Sironi while taking advantage of the financial district’s stunning skyline views.
– TEXT BY LEAH SIMPSON
PHOTOS: FASHION CAFE, EMPORIO ARMANI CAFFE MILAN ’S FACEBOOK PAGE, 10 CORSO COMO’S FACEBOOK PAGE, FONDAZIONE PRADA’S FACEBOOK PAGE, PASTICCERIA MARCHESI’S FACEBOOK PAGE, PASTICCERIA COVA’S FACEBOOK PAGE, MARTINI BAR DOLCE & GABBANA’S FACEBOOK PAGE, BULGARI HOTELS’ FACEBOOK PAGE, SUPPLIED
This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings.
