Unmissable pastries from iconic bakeries in Milan
From breakfast to afternoon tea and special occasions, here are the unmissable sweet treats that will brighten your day
As we at Flawless know well, Milan is not just about fashion and design: it is a city meant to be tasted, from wine and cocktails to fine food and pastry. Today we want to tempt you with a handful of unmissable treats from historic bakeries across town. From cloud-soft brioches to regal cakes and regional specialities, here are five delicious yet unexpected creations that tell the story and elegance of Milanese baking—and that we urge you to try without delay. Get ready for a sweet journey through irresistible flavours and aromas.
The filled brioche at PASTICCERIA SISSI
Piazza Risorgimento, 6
Located in Piazza Risorgimento, Sissi is a historic bakery that has welcomed locals and visitors for decades with carefully crafted pastries, making breakfast that bit sweeter. Alongside tarts, baked cakes and pralines, its signature creation is the filled brioche: soft and fragrant, it is filled to order with custard, chocolate, whipped cream or jam. Perfect for an indulgent breakfast or a special afternoon treat, it is a Milanese baking classic.
The Torta Principessa at Sant Ambroeus
Corso Matteotti, 7
Founded in the ’30s, pasticceria Sant’Ambroeus is a Milanese institution that has since expanded internationally, known for elegance and sophistication. The Torta Principessa is its signature bake: soft layers of lemon sponge alternate with pastry cream and whipped cream, coated in pink almond marzipan fit for royalty. Delicate decorations finish the masterpiece, making it perfect for birthdays, elegant afternoon teas or moments when you need a special treat.
The bombolone at Pasticceria Marchesi 1824
Via Santa Maria alla Porta, 11/A
Since 1824, Marchesi on Corso Magenta has been a landmark of Milanese pastry, and today, with two other city locations, it continues to delight with chocolate, cakes, sweets and irresistible croissants. Among all these treats, we recommend the Bombolone: perhaps an unexpected choice, but trust us, it is irresistible. Soft and freshly made, it holds custard, chocolate or pistachio in an indulgent bite. One taste is enough to see why Marchesi 1824 is considered Milan’s most refined parlour.
The budino di riso at PASTICCERIA CUCCHI
Corso Genova, 1
Cucchi, a historic bakery on Corso Genova, has turned its budino di riso into an icon—a traditional treat across Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia that not everyone knows, but that is genuinely addictive once tasted. It features a crisp shortcrust pastry shell with a soft rice pudding filling, scented with orange and lemon zest, Madagascar vanilla and a hint of almond. Delicate and fragrant, it is light enough for any time of day, from breakfast to an afternoon snack, without ever overwhelming the palate.
The Torta Martesana at Pasticceria Martesana
Via Cagliero, 14
Pasticceria Martesana is a Milanese institution for lovers of traditional sweets. Now with several addresses across town, it welcomes generations of sweet lovers with classic, refined creations, including its iconic panettone. Today, however, we want to recommend another great classic: the Torta Martesana, which, as the name suggests, is its signature cake. Made from soft torta paradiso soaked in Maraschino, filled with two layers of crema pasticcera and finished with crumbled sponge cake, it is a light, elegant dessert perfect for any occasion.
