Marchesi 1824

On.the.Road

Luxury brands venturing into the food industry often use their brand name on restaurants or acquire establishments with historical significance. Pasticceria Marchesi, a local café in Milan known for serving the best coffee, is one of them. Founded in 1842, the original branch of Pasticceria Marchesi is located on the main road leading to the Santa Maria delle Grazie church, where you can see The Last Supper. Attracted by the unique exterior, I decided to enter after having a decent panini nearby. The interior was modest, and Milanese, wearing trench coats, were spending time sipping coffee in groups. In Italy, as is customary in cafes, you pay before ordering your coffee. I was somewhat surprised when Milanese patrons made way for me to approach the counter as if the Red Sea parted. It seemed like I was the only non-local there. Feeling awkward disappeared the moment I took a sip of coffee. Although there were several cafes affiliated with famous brands like Gucci, Armani, and Trussardi in Milan, the coffee was below expectations, and I always longed for more caffeine. However, one sip at Marchesi solved it all. It truly was the best coffee in Milan. The barista asked if I wanted another one seeing the change in my expression, and I nodded vigorously. A cappuccino was placed in front of me as a gift. It was delicious, too. So delicious that I couldn't even take a photo. Reluctantly leaving, I bought another sandwich which was also beautifully packaged. Time passed, and in 2014, Prada acquired Marchesi and opened a store on Via Monte Napoleone. The coffee was still good, with frothy cappuccinos, but the original branch's aura was unmatched. Foreign magazines refer to Pasticceria Marchesi as 'Prada's bakery.' Ah, I wish this café would just remain as a local one. Though acquired by Prada, being called Prada's bakery or Prada café doesn’t feel right.