My first lunch of the #ItalRail15 trip was at illy Cafe Milano on Piazza Gae Aulenti, which had only just opened in time for EXPO 2015. I couldn’t resist. But can a coffee brand really pull off a proper Italian lunch?
How to find illy Cafe Milano at Piazza Gae Aulenti
Follow the signs to Porta Garibaldi train station, or, if you’re coming from the station, leave it and take the escalators upstairs. You can’t miss the piazza thanks to its skyscrapers. Right next to Hugo Boss and similar higher-priced shops, you’ll spot the red, iconic Illy sign and a few tables and chairs outside. Sitting out there is lovely, but with the constant rain showers, I had to go inside.
Lunch at illy Cafe Milano: ordering and atmosphere
When you enter, you first arrive at the front desk. You order and pay on the right and pick up your order on the left. But I didn’t want a snack; I wanted a proper Italian lunch, so I went to the restaurant area at the back of the store. Luckily, a table for two at the window was free, with a nice view of both old and new houses.
More Milan food stops? Check out my other Milan restaurant reviews and my Milan travel guide. If you’re after a cafe moment of a different kind, I also watched live coffee bean roasting in Milan.
What I ate: pasta al pomodoro with ricotta, eggplant and mint
I chose the pasta al pomodoro con fiocchi di ricotta, melanzane e menta for 8 euros, plus some water. The restaurant wasn’t full yet, so the pasta arrived about five minutes after I ordered. It was still very hot, and the first bite was just so Italian and really delicious. Some of the pasta was a bit too firm for my taste, but tomato sauce, eggplant and mint (!) gave a classic dish a new twist. For another pasta lunch in the city, have a look at my penne alla arrabbiata in Milan.
For dessert I ordered the dessert del giorno, a frolla with crema pasticcera alla vaniglia del Madagascar, for 4 euros and, as is obvious at Illy, un caffè. (All prices are from my visit in 2015, so expect them to have changed.)
My review of the illy restaurant in Milan
All in all, I can recommend a visit to illy Cafe Milano, whether for lunch, dinner or a snack from the bar. The location is great if you have some time to spend at the train station: escape the hustle and enjoy your connection time in a relaxed way. The cafe shop also sells macarons in different flavours for 1.50 euros each, but I haven’t tried them. And an espresso is a must if you pass Porta Garibaldi by metro or train. If you’re wondering what’s acceptable coffee etiquette, read when to order a cappuccino in Italy. At the time, illy was also the official coffee partner of EXPO 2015, and we all know how important coffee is.
illy Cafe Milano: address and opening hours
Address: Piazza Gae Aulenti, Milan, Italy
Opening hours: every day from 7 am to 10:30 pm (as of my visit, please check before you go)
Photos: lunch at illy Cafe Milano at Piazza Gae Aulenti
Where is illy Cafe Milano located?
illy Cafe Milano is at Piazza Gae Aulenti in Milan’s Porta Nuova district, a short walk from Porta Garibaldi train station. Follow the signs to the station or take the escalators up from it and look for the red illy sign next to Hugo Boss.
What are the opening hours of illy Cafe Milano?
When I visited in 2015, illy Cafe Milano was open every day from 7 am to 10:30 pm. Hours may have changed since then, so check before you go.
How much does lunch at illy Cafe Milano cost?
On my visit in 2015, a pasta al pomodoro with ricotta, eggplant and mint cost 8 euros and the dessert of the day 4 euros. Prices have probably changed since then.
How does ordering work at illy Cafe Milano?
In the cafe area, you order and pay at the front desk on the right and pick up your order on the left. For a sit-down lunch, I went to the restaurant area at the back of the store.
Is illy Cafe Milano a good place to wait for a train?
Yes. It is close to Porta Garibaldi station, so you can leave the station crowds behind and have lunch or an espresso between connections.
Does illy Cafe Milano have outdoor seating?
Yes, there are tables and chairs outside on Piazza Gae Aulenti. On my visit I had to move inside because of rain showers.
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