Espresso, Design & Serendipity in Milan: A La Marzocco Love Story

Last year, as you may know, I took a pilgrimage to Florence, not just for the art, not just for the pasta, but for espresso. Specifically, I was lucky enough to be a guest of La Marzocco and was taken to the the iconic La Marzocco headquarters and the Accademia del Caffè Espresso, a temple for coffee lovers tucked into the hills of Tuscany. There, among gleaming espresso machines, a rain forest… yes… a rain forest…an amazing culinary workspace and passionate coffee professionals, I soaked in the art of espresso. I even made a few friends, from both Accademia itself and La Marzocco, people whose love for coffee runs as deep as a perfect ristretto.

Fast forward to this last week in Milan, cue the serendipity.

It’s Design Week in the Brera District, the city buzzing with creative energy, bold ideas, and, to my surprise… familiar faces. I bumped into some of the very same folks from Florence. Big hugs & even bigger smiles, a spontaneous reunion brewed over an espresso (of course).

La Marzocco was everywhere and they weren’t just making coffee, they were making magic. I spent my time visiting all three of their design pop-ups. Here’s how that all went down:

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1. La Marzocco x House of Negroni Edicola – Corso Garibaldi 85

Coffee and Negroni, could there be a more Italian pairing?

They had transformed a classic Milanese newsstand into a cocktail meets caffeine wonderland. Espresso by Bugan Coffee Lab, ready-to-drink Negronis crafted exclusively for the event, and a magazine rack curated by Coqtail and Cook Inc for all the discerning drinkers and foodies out there… I wish I’d have managed to get a copy of the Coqtail mag in all honesty, as well as a cup that had ‘I wish this was a Negroni’ embossed into the side of it… but, oh well…

The vibe? Think: classy aperitivo hour with a touch of espresso geekdom… the espresso was brewed on the La Marzocco Linea Mini, the same I have at home but this one was a special edition ‘House of Negroni’ version that was sat next to the little Pico grinder in the same custom design. The coffee, as I say, was supplied by Bugan Coffee Lab, it was a stunning Ethiopian Shantawene, it was bright, complex, and seriously unforgettable.

I went back to the stand in the afternoon and managed to meet, the legendary Salvatore Calabrese, yes, that Salvatore, the cocktail maestro himself, made a special guest appearance to shake (and stir) things up… announcing the launch of the Negroni Svegliato.

Coffee, cocktails, and creativity - the perfect Milanese mix.

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2. La Marzocco Café – Via Palermo 11

This one felt like walking into a minimalist design dream built entirely around espresso.

Showcasing La Marzocco’s latest machines, including the stunning Porsche x La Marzocco Linea Micra, the café is all about blending performance, precision, and personality. The craftsmanship is next level highlighted by the Officine Fratelli Bambi bespoke creations. If you’ve ever wanted to customize your espresso machine like a piece of fine art, this is your moment… maybe one day, Salvatore… no, not that Salvatore, my Salvatore at home can have a bit of a makeover… or, when Philtered Coffee House becomes an actual thing, I shall  get one custom made from scratch… now, there’s food for thought.

Bonus… You could actually test the machines, talk to the experts, and imagine your own at home café setup. Yes, I wanted to take one home…. After all the slogan is ‘take the cafe home’ but not the ‘not for sale’ Porsche one, anyway, my suitcase wasn’t big enough… Ryan Air would have definitely charged me for that.

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3. Modbar Espresso Atelier – Via Ciovasso 11

This. Was. A. Vibe… or at least that’s what the kids were telling me…

 

A hidden gem tucked into a stylish, thoughtfully designed space, the Modbar Atelier offered an immersive dive into undercounter brewing systems, the kind that disappear visually, but wow in function. This spot wasn’t just for coffee pros, it was for anyone who sees coffee as part of a lifestyle aesthetic where the machines disappear and the flavours take center stage.

This space was a celebration of quiet innovation clean lines, intentional design, and coffee that spoke volumes. While the full lineup wasn't on during my visit, what was there more than made up for it... it was only the previous day that I was in Bugan Coffee Lab admiring their Modbar set up and seeing how the whole space is opened up with no barriers, now I get to see under the countertop...

There were masterclasses by 1895 Coffee Designers by Lavazza, dreamlike chocolate pairingsfrom Fabrizio Fiorani, and sourdough bites from H. Osen along with storytelling from Aqua e Polveri, Pure poetry in coffee form. I missed the sourdough and stories… however, I met the world famous Fabrizio and well… his chocolate was absolutely stunning, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say something that may be controversial… it was the best piece of chocolate I’ve eaten… there… I said it… almost too beautiful to eat (almost).

I had an exquisite espresso tasting from the 1895 coffee designers which showcased both tradition and innovation, I was taken aback by these when I tried their coffee at the London Coffee festival last year... this time round, it again, didn't disappoint.

It was the perfect way to wind down, slow sips, rich flavours, and a space that reminded me how elegant and expressive great coffee can be.

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Takeaway… To go… you know what I mean…

Milan Design Week became something much more than design. It became a story of connection, craft, and community, of reuniting with coffee officianados I met in Florence, and seeing how their passion was poured into every cup and curated space.

Whether you’re a designer, a barista, or just someone who loves a beautifully pulled shot, the La Marzocco Design Week Experience is your invitation to drink it all in… well… that’s for next year now as by the time you’re reading this, I will be just finishing writing this up on the flight home and it’ll be all over.

Until next time, Milan. My cup and heart are full… too cheesy..? Well… I did bring some cheese back with me sooooo…

 

Here are some things you may want to check out:

https://accademiaespresso.com/en/

https://en.bugancoffeelab.com/en

https://fabriziofiorani.com

https://www.lavazza.com/en/business/1895-coffee-designers-collection

https://modbar.com

https://lamarzocco.com/uk/en/