Okay, hear me out, because I know what you’re thinking: Starbucks in Italy? She’s crazy!

I will admit that there is some level of insanity in me, though that is mostly contained in things outside of coffee recommendations (think resigning from my job before finding my next job, traveling solo, buying a one-way ticket to another country without a firm return or a destination beyond the initial destination–this is lunacy).

Therefore, refrain from instant dismissal, stick with the shock, and just read:

There are certain things you have to see in a city–the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Strip in Las Vegas. Their fame is legendary, and well-established.

Starbucks is everywhere. Their fame is legendary and well-established. Equally legendary and well-established: coffee in Italy. So, what happens when you put these two iconic brands, tastes, and cultures together? Magic. And this is why I recommend going, wholeheartedly, to the Starbucks Reserve in Milan.

Milan is an incredible city, rich with history, architecture, and, most notably, fashion. Milan is one of the busiest and most crowded tourist destinations on the planet. I marveled at every turn.

The Duomo took my breath away. Sempione Park was lush, spacious, and beautiful. The Da Vinci Museum was one of the most interactive, informative, and most fun museums I have ever patroned. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II was filled with a ton of people, and some of the most expensive, lucrative fashion designers in the world.

Incredible. All of it.

That’s not all though. On a photo shoot and tour, I was reminded that the first Starbucks, and the only Starbucks at this time, to enter the borders of Italy was standing in Milan. I remembered hearing about it on the news, at home in the US, and laughing. I remembered Italians making fun and practically mocking the idea. I asked about its welcome and business–it had been a hit! The coffee, the food, the decor, the concept, had all been well-received.

Since it is the first Starbucks in Italy. Since it is the only Starbucks in Italy. Since it received great reviews among locals and tourists, I had to check it out.

The place is massive, and opulent. It’s not a regular coffee shop but a reserve. There’s an upstairs area for coffee and small pastries. The main floor has two sections to order coffee and food–food menus differ on each side. The main floor is also home to a roastery. There are places to buy beans, speak to experts, and purchase all kinds of coffee-related items. There is outdoor seating on the front patio–it’s located in Piazza Cordusio so lots of traffic and people to view on said patio.

Unlike most other locales in Italy, it’s incredibly spacious–there’s plenty of seating to take that much-needed extended break. Food options are plentiful. Wifi is available, and due to food, space, and Wifi, working individuals are a regular sight.

Now, I realize there are a few select reserves in the world that mimic much of what I saw, tasted, and enjoyed in Milan. However, the spectacle is rare and beautiful; moreover, it’s the first of its kind in Milan and truly novel in the whole of Italy.

So, with all of that, I have to say: if you’re ever in Milan, in between all your shopping and sight-seeing, make sure to check out Starbucks Reserve. It’s the only one in Italy. The drinks and food are delicious. The decor is spectacular. The ambiance is vibrant.

Starbucks in Milan? Yes please!