There’s a small square in the Navigli district where the city’s noise stays outside: a church whose two naves tell eight centuries of history, spanning the 12th to the 15th centuries, and whose bell tower has served as a landmark for generations of pilgrims and boatmen arriving from the Naviglio.
A stone bench, two trees, and for the past few years, a new scent: that of freshly baked maritozzi from Montalcino Caffè, which opened in 2023 at Via San Cristoforo 1.
A Parisian bistro with the soul of the Navigli
Marble, brass, dark green wood paneling, vintage mirrors, petrol blue velvet, and materials like rosewood and linen: the design looks straight to Paris, but the atmosphere remains deeply Milanese. Two small tables out front, a few more seats inside, and a curved counter with a display case of sweet and savory treats: among the cafés that have opened in Milan in recent years, this is one of the few places designed to be enjoyed all day long, not just for a quick coffee.
If you’re looking for a refined spot with a family-friendly atmosphere, you won’t be disappointed.
From breakfast to aperitif, without leaving the counter
Maritozzi and savory croissants in the morning, followed by gnocchi with pecorino and truffles, Tuscan crostini, puntarelle and burrata, club sandwiches, and croque monsieur throughout the rest of the day. The beverage menu follows the same rhythm—juices, wines, spirits—accompanying guests from breakfast throughaperitif time.
This comes as no surprise, considering that behind the project is the same family that has been running the historic Ristorante Montalcino on the Naviglio Grande since 1978—one of the area’s most established Tuscan establishments, known for its cellar of regional wines and spirits.
For those looking for a place to have breakfast in Milan without having to switch venues for an aperitif, the answer is right here.
The story behind the counter
The restaurant was founded in 1978 by a group of Brunello di Montalcino producers, who chose Edgardo Sandoli to lead the project. Today, the torch has been passed to his daughter Marta, for whom San Cristoforo is no ordinary neighborhood: she got married here years ago, in the very same church that now overlooks the family café.
The Montalcino Caffè project was conceived during the pandemic, with the support of the parish priest, who leased the space next to the church—a way to revitalize, during a difficult time, the bond between the family and the neighborhood.
How to get to Montalcino Caffè
The restaurant is accessible via the M4 line (San Cristoforo stop, about a 20-minute walk) or by strolling alongthe Alzaia del Naviglio Grande. Prices are in line with Milanese averages and not excessive for the area.
📍 Via San Cristoforo 1, Milan
☎️ 02 2318 8734
⏰ Tuesday–Sunday, 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
