7 Unforgettable Secrets Of The Starbucks Milan Roastery: Why Italy’s First Store Is A Global Masterpiece

Stepping into the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Milan is not just about ordering a coffee; it is an immersive, theatrical experience that completely redefines the brand’s presence in the birthplace of espresso. Opened in the historic Palazzo delle Poste in Piazza Cordusio, this flagship location is a stunning tribute to Italian craftsmanship and coffee innovation, designed to charm even the most skeptical Italian coffee purist. As of December 2025, the Roastery continues to be a global landmark, constantly updating its unique menu and experiences to remain a fresh, must-visit destination for travelers and locals alike.

This is not a regular Starbucks. It is one of only a handful of Reserve Roasteries worldwide, and its existence in Milan—a city synonymous with traditional, quick-service espresso bars—was a bold, decades-long dream realized by Howard Schultz. The result is a 25,000-square-foot architectural marvel that blends the high-touch drama of coffee roasting with the elegance of Milanese design, offering a unique blend of coffee culture, mixology, and world-class Italian baking.

The Complete Biography of the Milan Roastery: A Design & Culinary Marvel

The Starbucks Reserve Roastery Milano is less a coffee shop and more a multi-level coffee sanctuary. It is a one-of-a-kind entity with a rich 'biography' of its own, defined by its spectacular location and unique offerings.

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• Official Name: Starbucks Reserve Roastery Milano
• Location: Piazza Cordusio, 3, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
• Building: Historic Palazzo delle Poste (Former Post Office)
• Opening Date: September 7, 2018 (First Starbucks store in Italy)
• Concept: An immersive, multi-sensory coffee roasting, brewing, and retail experience.
• Size: Approximately 25,000 square feet (2,300 square meters)
• Signature Features: Bronze Roasting Cask, Arriviamo Bar, Princi Bakery, Solari Board, and a heated outdoor terrace.
• Design Collaboration: Led by Starbucks Chief Design Officer Liz Muller, with local Italian architecture and design influences, including designer Patricia Urquiola.
• Current Status (2025): A thriving global flagship, continuously updating its seasonal Reserve coffee offerings and exclusive menu items like the Summer 2025 Tiramisu Cream-inspired drinks and seasonal Espresso Martini Flights.

7 Unforgettable Secrets That Make the Milan Roastery Unique

The Milan Roastery’s success lies in its deep respect for Italian culture while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of the coffee experience. It is packed with features and entities you won't find at a typical Starbucks.

1. The Princi Bakery Partnership: An Italian Culinary Anchor

Unlike other Starbucks locations that offer generic pastries, the Milan Roastery is home to a full-service Italian bakery known as Princi.

This is a true collaboration with renowned Milanese baker Rocco Princi, and it is a cornerstone of the Roastery’s appeal. The Princi Bar offers freshly baked goods throughout the day, including sourdough bread, focaccia, pizza, and desserts.

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The menu transitions seamlessly from morning pastries (like Princi granola and cakes) to savory afternoon and evening options, featuring classic Italian ingredients such as Salame Milano and Bufala mozzarella on focaccia or a fresh Caprese salad. This commitment to authentic Italian food elevates the entire experience far beyond a simple coffee break.

2. The Arriviamo Bar: Coffee Meets Italian Aperitivo

The Arriviamo Bar is perhaps the most surprising and distinctly Italian feature of the Roastery. It is a dedicated cocktail bar on the mezzanine level, celebrating the Italian tradition of aperitivo.

Here, the focus shifts from pure coffee to expert coffee mixology. The bar serves a sophisticated menu of classic cocktails, wines, and beers, but its true specialty is the range of coffee-infused signature cocktails.

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A must-try is the famous Espresso Martini Flight, which often features seasonal variations like the Orange Cacao or Molé Spice Espresso Martini, providing a high-end, late-afternoon destination that rivals any of Milan's established cocktail lounges.

3. The Bronze Roasting Cask: A Theatrical Centerpiece

The massive, two-story tall bronze roasting cask is the beating heart of the Roastery and its most dramatic architectural feature.

This is the first place in Europe where Starbucks’ small-lot, high-quality Reserve coffee is roasted, a process that is fully visible to the public.

The kinetic copper pipes that snake across the ceiling—transporting the freshly roasted beans to various brewing stations—turn the industrial process of coffee production into a mesmerizing theatrical performance. The entire space is dramatically illuminated by triangular glass skylights, highlighting the scale and complexity of the operation.

4. The Solari Board: A Nod to Italian Heritage

In a subtle but significant nod to Italian design history, the Roastery features a split-flap Solari board.

These iconic electromechanical boards were once ubiquitous in Italian train stations and airports, serving as classic destination signs. At the Roastery, the Solari board updates with the latest information on the coffees being roasted and served, blending nostalgic Italian technology with modern coffee culture.

5. The Milano Roastery Microblend and Unique Oleato Offerings

The Roastery offers coffees and blends exclusive to this location, most notably the Milano Roastery Microblend, crafted specifically to represent the vibrant spirit of the city.

Furthermore, the Milan location was a key site for the introduction of the controversial yet innovative Oleato line—Starbucks Reserve coffee infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil. This unique offering highlights the Roastery's role as a Reserve Coffee Lab, a place for experimentation and discovery that pushes the boundaries of traditional coffee preparation.

6. The Marble and Wood Craftsmanship: Respecting Milanese Design

Every detail in the 25,000-square-foot space was obsessed over to honor the indelible magic of Milano.

The main espresso bar—the cornerstone of the store—is a magnificent, organically formed counter hewn from stunning marble, designed in contemporary Milanese fashion. The space is filled with rich, warm details, including hand-carved wooden furniture and terrazzo flooring, creating an environment that feels more like a grand European salon than a typical coffee shop.

7. A Global Hub for the 2025 Starbucks Experience

In a demonstration of its continued global significance, the Milan Roastery remains a focal point for the brand’s international initiatives. For example, in late 2025, the location was featured as one of four festive global cities in the "Starbucks for Life 2025" virtual Merrython event, cementing its status alongside Seattle and Tokyo as a key global coffee destination.

The Roastery’s ability to constantly evolve its menu, as seen with the Summer 2025 menu drawing inspiration from Italian classics like Tiramisu, ensures the experience remains fresh and relevant, even years after its celebrated opening.

More Than Just Coffee: The Topical Authority of the Milan Flagship

The Starbucks Reserve Roastery Milano is a masterclass in topical authority, touching on multiple entities beyond coffee to create a holistic luxury experience. It successfully integrates Italian culture and high design into the brand's global identity.

The Coffee Experiences and Tasting Room

The Roastery features multiple dedicated coffee bars and a Reserve Coffee Lab where patrons can explore different brewing methods, from pour-overs and siphon brews to the classic Italian espresso.

The entire operation is a showcase of the "Art of Coffee Mixology," allowing guests to witness the roasting process and then taste the fresh beans in various forms, providing an educational and sensory journey that appeals to both the casual visitor and the serious coffee aficionado.

A Place for Aperitivi and Evening Culture

By including the Arriviamo Bar and its focus on the aperitivo, Starbucks has successfully inserted itself into a sacred Italian evening tradition. This strategic move acknowledges that coffee culture in Italy extends beyond the morning espresso, embracing the social ritual of pre-dinner cocktails and light bites. The high-end setting and unique Signature Cocktails ensure it is a respected player in Milan’s competitive nightlife scene.

The Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Milan is a monumental achievement in retail and culinary design. It is a powerful statement that respects the deep-seated Italian coffee tradition while simultaneously offering a grand, multi-sensory experience that is uniquely Starbucks. Whether you are a fan of the brand or a curious traveler, a visit to the Palazzo delle Poste in Piazza Cordusio offers an unforgettable look at the future of coffee culture, served with a distinctly Milanese flair.