Lubna

In the Scalo Romana area, a few metres from Fondazione Prada, Lubna came to life just under a year ago, bringing together gastronomy, mixology, music and culture in an international setting. Created from the redevelopment of a former oxygen depot from the early 1900s, the venue is the heart of an urban hub that also includes the Magma event space and Scaramouche, a contemporary art gallery.

Lubna’s design plays with concrete, iron and semicircular lines, creating a space that feels both industrial and welcoming. A long 15-metre counter connects the open kitchen and cocktail station, while a state-of-the-art sound system delivers a thoughtful soundtrack that shapes the evening, elevates the atmosphere and builds a distinct identity. The audio quality matches that of a hi-fi listening lounge, with vinyl and digital selections spanning jazz, soul, sophisticated electronica and contemporary sounds. The music programme features collaborations with DJs, sound designers and vinyl collectors.

The kitchen is helmed by Enrico Croatti, a Michelin-starred chef already known for sister restaurant Moebius, who in this new project has chosen to put fire back at the centre, treated not just as a technique but as a storytelling tool. Embers, smoke and ash shape dishes such as Piada grigliata alle erbe di campo, squacquerone e pecorino di fossa or Spiedini di calamari nostrani. Sweet surprises follow suit, also touched by flame, like the Cioccolato fondente bruciato con sorbetto alle pere.

Intertwined with the food is the cocktail list created by Giovanni Allario, former bar manager of Moebius and the driving force behind its inclusion in the world’s 50 best bars. Here too, fire is the unifying thread: smoked, toasted or charred ingredients find their way into the cocktails with finesse, yielding original combinations. Currently on the menu, for example, is the Strawberry & Roasted Capsicum, made with Gin Roku, Mezcal Montelobos, Vermouth Dolin dry, Americano Rosato, Biancosarti, Italicus, strawberries and roasted pepper. Those who prefer tradition will not be disappointed by the twists on classics.

Lubna is a contemporary social space that, just months after opening, has established itself as one of the most exciting spots on the Milanese listening bar scene, connecting visual arts, sound and flavour. An ambitious project that reflects the dynamic identity of an evolving Milan, capable of reinventing itself without forgetting its roots.