Page 184 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Milan & The Lakes

182  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

BARS AND CAFÉS

In general, Milanese bars and cafés are drinks are cheaper. Cafés are usually
places to go for lunch or an aperitif. more crowded during the lunch break,
Breakfast for most Milanese office workers when office workers stop for a quick salad
tends to consist of a cappuccino with a or panino. As well as cafés, Milan also has
croissant, usually consumed at the bar excellent cake shops or pasticcerie, where
counter. In the Brera quarter, cafés are lively you can sample pastries and cakes. For a
and full of atmosphere. In the early evening more formal afternoon tea there are tea
they are popular places to relax in with rooms (sala da thé), which are also packed
colleagues and friends. Fashions come and at lunchtime. Many are historic places with
go and a café that is “in” one month may period furniture. At the lakes, some of
be suddenly empty a few months later. the more enterprising bars and cafés offer
To counteract such swings, many Milanese entertainment in the evening, either with
bars have initiated a “happy hour”, when a piano bar area or a small band.

Where to Look deservedly famous for
In Milan, there are plenty its aperitifs.
of places to choose from, In the Ticinese quarter
whether you are going out Coquetel (see p184) is a
for an aperitif or to eat snacks, popular place, especially
and the choice will vary from during happy hour, when the
area to area. In the atmospheric young Milanese get together
Brera quarter the bars usually for an early evening drink.
have tables outside in summer. For those with a sweet
These places are popular tooth who like croissants
with the fashion set and art and pastries for breakfast,
students. Jamaica (see p185) the place to go is Angela (see
is one established institution, p184), near Fieramilanocity,
an ideal place for a cocktail or Sissi (see p184), where you
before dinner as well as for a can enjoy cream pastries. If
chicken salad for lunch or an you like brunch, a habit that
after-dinner drink. Le Rosse Luini, a snack bar famous for its panzerotti, is increasingly popular in
(see p185) is equally popular. filled pastry pockets (see p185) Milan, you can choose from
This small bistrot offers a among Refeel (see p184), an
terrific selection of cold cuts The Conca del Naviglio area American bar that looks like
and delicious wines. In the is always busy. There are a living room, Take Away (see
mild season you can sit outside. numerous places to try such p184), which also serves good
Around the Navigli, which as the Caffé della Pusterla salads, and Fioraio Bianchi
is a pedestrian precinct, from (see p185), located in the Caffè (see p184), with its
8pm in summer all the bars renovated medieval walls of appealingly old-fashioned look.
and cafés have tables set out the city, California Bakery
outside, and it is possible to (see p184), which is a good place Historic Cafés and Bars
forget that Milan is a bustling to try for Sunday brunch, and
com mercial city altogether. Pasticceria Cucchi (see p184), Some of Milan’s most
frequented cafés and pastry
shops have a long tradition,
and are housed in old palazzi
with fine interiors. One
interesting historic pasticceria
is Sant’Ambroeus (see p185),
famous for its traditional
panettone. Another ornate
setting for breakfast and
an aperitif is Taveggia (see p185),
which has been a favourite
with the Milanese since 1910.
Don’t miss Zucca in Galleria
(see p185), (for merly Camparino),
a historic, old-fashioned bar
Watching life go by at a café in Piazza del Duomo and the place where the

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