Panettone, Milan’s emblematic leavened delight, is synonymous with Christmastime. Nowadays, though, it’s not unusual to find it on offer year-round. In fact, the panettone tutto l’anno slogan that went into effect a few years back hasn’t lost momentum. But anyway, I digress. So, in honor of Natale, here’s a look at some of the best spots to nab some artisan-style (aka good!) panettone in Milan this holiday season–in no particular order of course.
1. Olivieri 1882 Pop-up at Rinascente
The Vicenza-based Oliveri 1882 once again has a pop-up in the food court (top floor) of the Rinascente, a department store in Piazza del Duomo, selling traditional and alternative versions of its award-winning panettone. Flavors include salted caramel with apricot, white chocolate and berries, and a special edition version with white chocolate, candied olives, and rosemary version, a collaboration with Lorenzo Cogo, Italy’s youngest Michelin-starred chef. The latter is available on the website, and they ship worldwide. Nicola Olivieri also makes a wonderful pandoro. Piazza del Duomo, 7th floor, website, ships worldwide
2. Pavé
Luca Scanni, Giovanni Giberti, and Diego Bamberghi’s beloved contemporary bakery churns out some of Milan’s best breakfast treats along with some of the city’s finest panettone. Starting at 38€ for 1 kilo, Pavé’s panettone flavors include traditional; chocolate fondant; pistachio, raspberry, and white chocolate; four chocolate; and coffee and chocolate. The panettone per due 19 € is a jar-leavened vacuum-packed option for two (or one who never turns down a second helping). Via Felice Casati, 27; +39 02 3790 5491; website, ships to Europe
3. Marchesi 1824
This classic pastry shop has been satisfying the Milanesi’s sweet tooths since 1824, and its panettone is just as beloved as the institution itself. Prices start at 46€ for 1 kilo for the traditional. Also available are chocolate and one sans the candied fruit. You can also get a traditional encased in plush velvet packaging for 445€. If you pop in, don’t forget to pick up some ginevrine while you’re there—flat, oval, flavored candies the size of jelly beans. Various locations, website
4. Pasticceria e Dessert
Speaking of ginevrine–Marcello Rapisardi’s at Pasticceria e Dessert shouldn’t be missed. They come in a colorful myriad of classic and playful flavors, Campari being one of the latter. Nor should the equally whimsical array of gelée. Or the carbonara-filled chocolate. Okay, I’m digressing. So, Rapisardi approaches panettone in the same manner, proferring up one of the city’s top traditional preparations as well as alternative versions in chocolate; date and walnut; fig and chocolate; and marron glacé. Prices start at 29€. Piazzale Bacone, 12; +39 02 8421 5008; website
5. Crosta
Since its 2018 opening, Simone Lombardi and Giovanni Mineo’s Crosta is one of Milan’s most esteemed destinations for pizza and all things baked and leavened. Stop in for lunch, dinner for pizza tondo, or all day long for a snack, something to go, or just to kick back with a coffee. The excellent traditional panettone goes for 35€ for 1 kilo. Via Felice Bellotti, 13; +39 02 3824 8570; website
6. Tone
At Giovanni Marabese’s Georgian and Nordic-inspired bakery, baker Marco Bianchi draws influences from around the world to offer a selection of excellent leavened, sweet, and savory delights. Indeed the panettone is undeniably Italian, and it’s available in traditional; without candida; date and chocolate; and lemon citron with chamomile. Via Donatello, 22; + 39 351 873 1109; website
7. Pasticceria Besuschio
So, Pasticceria Besuschio is outside of Milan in the town of Abbiategrasso. If you have the schlep in you, catch the train at Porta Genova to arrive at one of Italy’s top bakeries. In addition to the traditional (starts at 30€ euro for .75 kilo), Andrea Besuschio, the third-generation to run the show, also prepares fior di gianduja, moscato, and the Straciock, his son Giacomo’s creation that incorporates cacao and Piemontese hazelnut flour. website
8. Sant Ambroeus
The historic restaurant and bakery that opened in 1936 offers four different types of panettone. Classic for purists who would never give up candied fruit – for raisin-only lovers, a non-candied option is also available – Dark Chocolate for the sweet tooth, as well as special Marron Glacé, Milk Chocolate, and Apricot and Pistachio. You’ll also find Pandoro, wrapped Marron Glacè, and Cioccolatini Speciali (little chocolate candies), semi-spheres of white chocolate in pastel colors and contrasting columbine with gianduia and caramelized hazelnut filling, contained in jewel boxes. Panettone and pandoro pricing starts at 46€. website
9. Gelateria Paganelli
At Gelateria Paganelli, one of the best gelato shops in Milan, Francesco Panganelli offers a rather intriguing panettone – a version that’s filled with gelato. The particular panettone he uses comes from Padoan, which you can also purchase at the shop. It’s gianduia and apricot flavored and made with olive oil — it also goes into the epic panettone gelato. website
10. Peck
The Milanese mecca for food pilgrims sells traditional panettone year-round, and it’s often cut up and placed in a sample basket. In addition to the traditional, pastry chef Chef Galileo Reposo prepares amarena cherry, lemon, and almond; pear and chocolate; orange, pineapple, and ginger; pistachio, coffee, and white chocolate. Pricing starts at 36€. Three locations: via Spadari 9; Peck CityLife in Piazza Tre Torri; and Peck Porta Venezia on via Salvini 3; website
11. Shallo
At both the Brera and Nolo locations of this lively beer bar, you’ll find an artisan panettone made with the shop’s signature brewed beverage. You can order a slice of the beer panettone from the Christmas merenda (snack) menu, or buy one whole to bring home.
12. Pasticceria Cucchi
This caffé-concerto-turned-bar/pastry shop has been going strong since 1936, and it remains one of the finest institutions in town–it also happens to be one of the panettone-year-round backdrops. For the holidays, Cucchi often collaborates with a fashion house that designs special edition packaging, last year’s partner was MSGM. The 1-kilo classic panettone goes for €45–and sells out quickly (if it hasn’t already!). Corso Genova, 1; +39 02 8940 9793; website
13. Panificio Davide Longoni
One of the city’s most esteemed bakers, Davide Longoni’s traditional panettone (40€) is one of the most thoughtfully composed, containing candied fruit from Panificio Moderno in Trento. The oranges used to make the candied fruit are grown ecologically by the SOS Rosarno, a Calabrian association organization that fights for solidarity against illegal hiring. Via Gerolamo Tiraboschi, 19; + 39 375 585 0656; website
14. Daniel
Daniel Canzian serves some of the finest contemporary riffs on Milanese cuisine at his namesake restaurant. Since 2019, the chef has collaborated with Albertengo, a Cuneo-based panettone producer, for a Christmas panettone called “Mio,” which features an ingredient that originated in his kitchen: a roasted orange paste. This year, he’s collaborating with Albertengo on MassaBon, which contains roasted apricots. It can be purchased online or at the restaurant–or even enjoyed by the slice for dessert if dining at the restaurant. Both cost €35. website
15. Le Polveri
Everything at Aurora Zancarano’s charming micro-panificio is a delight, and the panettone is no exception. Pricing starts at 21€ for 500 grams, and you can buy one online or pick it up in person. I recommend the latter so you can Via Ausonio, 7; website
16. Exit Gastronomia Urbana
At Matias Perdomo’s gastronomia/restaurant not too far from the Duomo, guests can purchase a panettone (starting at 19€ for 500 grams) from the Parma-based Caccio Lab. Anyone dining there during the holiday season can order it by the slice for dessert there as well as at the nearby Exit Pastificio Urbana. Perdomo and his team are also highlighting other products this holiday season, and they’ll even customize a gift basket if desired. Piazza Erculea, 2; +39 02 3599 9080; website
17. Il Laboratorio di Niko Romito
The three-star Michelin-rated Abruzzese chef recently opened this boutique specializing in all things leavened and homemade in Milan, and panettone is on offer. The 1.5-kilo limited edition traditional panettone is packaged in a red velvet box and costs 150€. Otherwise, the 1-kilo chocolate and traditional versions go for 55€ each. Via Solferino 12; website
18. I Dolci Namura
Daniele Torresani’s classic panettone, available at this beloved family-run pastry shop, is fluffy and flavorful–everything a classic panettone should be. He also prepares chocolate and marron glacé versions as well as vegan versions. The latter, which he debuted in 2014, contains olive oil, einkorn, and type 1 flour. Via Castelvetro, 16; +39 02 3453 4176; website
19. Iyo
One of Milan’s most epic restaurants, Iyo is the first Japanese (and non-Italian) restaurant in Italy to receive a Michelin star. The team is offering a panettone filled with gianduia and a Japanese twist: candied yuzu. 45€ for 750 grams. Via Piero della Francesca, 74; +39 02 4547 6898; website
20. Pasticceria San Gregorio
Sixty-five years young, Pasticceria San Gregorio makes excellent panettone and is perhaps best known for letting the freshly baked domes dangle upside down from metal rods installed along the ceiling. Traditional panettone starts at 19€ for 500 grams and also comes in 1-,2-, and 5-kilo options. They also make gluten-free and three-chocolate versions as well as 100-gram panettoncino. Via S. Gregorio, 1; +39 02 2952 4182; website
21. Pasticceria Martesana
Vincenzo Santoro founded this bakery in 1966. Today, he counts two additional locations (Chinatown and Sant’Agostino) as well as an eponymous pastry shop at Mercato Milano Centrale. His esteemed panettone (42€ for 1 kilo) is made from a lievito madre that’s over 50 years old. Multiple locations; website
22. Pasticceria Clivati
This bakery near Porta Genova has been charming the Milanese since 1969. Over the holidays, guests can choose from traditional panettone, three chocolate, marron glacé, or vermouth and ginger. They also sell panettone year-round in portions from 100 g to 5 kg, Pricing starts at 35€. Viale Coni Zugna, 5; +39 02 832 2591; website
23. Iginio Massari
The Brescia-based chef opened a Milan outpost of his namesake pastry shop in 2018 and currently has a pop-up inside Central Station. He’s one of Italy’s most famous panettone makers, and his loyal clients order their panettone months in advance. In fact, Roy Shvartzapel, who runs From Roy mail-order panettone in the US out of California, learned from him. The 1-kilo classic is available on his website for 43€, while the 500 grams and 2- and 3-kilo options are sold out. Customers can pick from panettone al cacao e cioccolato and a 500-gram lactose-free version. Via Guglielmo Marconi, Piazza Armando Diaz, 4; +39 02 4969 6962 website
