The Barbajada, Milan’s elusive caffeinated (and, at times, spiked) hot chocolate dates back to the early 19th century and holds De.Co (Demonizione Comunale), a status bestowed upon gastronomic products that characterize a city’s history. You can learn all about the beverage on the latest episode of my podcast The Milano Files—it’s just a mere five minutes long, so why not give it a listen? In honor of winter, I re-realased the episode, and you can listen here, or find it on all major streaming platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and more.
The Milanesi take tremendous pride in the Barbajada. Yet despite the beverage’s enduring connection to the city, the places that offer the Barbajada are few and far between. Thankfully, I was able to find it at my former local coffee haunt, Torrefazione Hodeidah—they spike the drink (pictured above) with rum, and it’s just an ever-so-satisfying antidote to those chilly Milanese winter afternoons. The Lombard capital doesn’t usually get a lot of snow, but the winter air packs the kind of cold that simply chills you right to the bone. Thankfully my new digs are close to Pavé, so I can get there in 15 minutes to get a fix if needed.
In case you’d like to try the Barbajada when you’re visiting Milan, here’s a list of some places that offer it. I should mention that this list is by no means exhaustive! I always keep my eyes out for one, so I’ll be adding to this list as I come across more places that serve it. In the meantime, if I missed somewhere that you know, please do let me know, and I’ll update the list.
Where to drink the Barbajada in Milan
1. Pavé (one of my favorite breakfast places in Milan!) Note: their version steams the milk cream instead of using cold whipped cream. Via Felice Casati, 27; open seven days website
2. Pasticceria Marchesi: Via Montenapoleone 9; Via Santa Maria alla Porta 11a; Galleria Vittoria Emanuele II (above the Prada menswear shop); all open seven days website
2. Torrefazione Hodeidah Via Piero della Francesca, 8; closed Sunday; website
4. Vergani Via Saverio Mercadante 17; Corso di Porta Romana, 51; all open open seven days website
Note: This was originally published on January 13, 2023, and has been updated.
