Orsonero Coffee

Orsonero Coffee opened in 2016 as Milan's first specialty coffee shop, at a time when almost every bar in the city served the same dark-roasted espresso. Its small espresso and brew bar on Via Giuseppe Broggi, in the Porta Venezia area, helped introduce many Milanese to lighter roasts, single-origin beans and filter coffee, and it remains a reference point for the city's growing specialty coffee scene. A second café has since opened on Via Paolo Lomazzo, in the Paolo Sarpi neighbourhood.

The menu changes with the beans in stock. Orsonero works as a multi-roaster café, serving coffees from different roasters, and it also has its own micro-roastery. You can order espresso and milk drinks in the usual Italian way, or try a filter brew to taste the character of a particular coffee more clearly. Staff are happy to explain the options and recommend something if you are unsure.

The original bar is small and simple, so it is better for a coffee and a chat than a long stay. Prices are a little higher than for a standard Italian espresso, reflecting the quality of the beans and the preparation, but still reasonable.

Orsonero suits coffee enthusiasts above all, and anyone curious to see how coffee culture in Milan is changing. It is also a pleasant stop while exploring Porta Venezia, an area known for its Liberty-style architecture, independent shops and lively bars. If you want breakfast, pair it with a pastry from one of the bakeries nearby.

The Via Broggi café opens from Tuesday to Sunday, with shorter hours at weekends, and closes on Mondays, while the Via Lomazzo café opens Monday to Saturday. Check the website before visiting, as times can change. Note that the café closes in the late afternoon, so it is a morning or lunchtime stop rather than an evening one. If you are new to specialty coffee, ask for a filter brew alongside your usual espresso to compare the two; the difference in flavour is often a surprise. Via Broggi is a few minutes' walk from the Lima and Porta Venezia stops on metro line M1, close to Corso Buenos Aires, one of Milan's main shopping streets, and to the Indro Montanelli gardens.