The story
Nestled on Via Leopoldo Cicognara, Pan brings a Japanese-inflected sensibility to Milan’s breakfast scene. The bistro, helmed by a former sous chef of Bottura, has earned a loyal following among local creators: “Pan is one of the best places for breakfast in Milan,” notes Qui si Taffia, while others praise its shokupan and yuzu brioche. Open from breakfast through aperitivo, it’s a spot that feels both neighborhoody and intentional.
The menu leans into East-West mashups—“Japanese-inspired pastries with a twist, like matcha and yuzu croissants, at a reasonable price,” says Cosa mangiamo oggi? Favorites include shoku toast, the curry pan, and a toast with strong mustard. Not every visit is perfect: Franchino Er Criminale found everything cold and lacking proper desserts, but still gave it a 7.5, noting he’d love to try it fresh. For a tiny bakery with big ideas, Pan remains a compelling Milan stop.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2024.
What diners say
Synthesized from 29 Google reviews · tap an aspect for the detail
Diners consistently praise the pastries, baked goods, and creative drinks like matcha and cinnamon cloud coffee, often calling them excellent or standout. The minimalist aesthetic and trendy vibe are widely appreciated. However, a recurring concern is the long wait times and occasional disorganization in seating, especially on weekends, which can detract from the experience.
Pastries & Baked Goods
The pastries are a highlight, with many reviewers raving about the croissants, sfogliati, brownies, and cube croissant. The matcha croissant and cinnamon pastries are frequently mentioned as delicious, though a few note that some items can be gummy or lack crispness.
Drinks
Matcha drinks, especially the strawberry matcha and Pan's matcha, are popular and considered high quality. The cinnamon cloud coffee and tiramisu coffee also receive praise. A small number of reviewers found the matcha bland or the coffee odd.
Service & Wait Times
Service is often described as friendly and attentive, but many diners report long waits for a table, especially on weekends, and occasional disorganization in seating. Some feel the staff can be dismissive or slow, though this is not universal.
Value for Money
While many find the food and drinks reasonably priced, some reviewers feel the portions are small for the cost, or that certain items like a single egg are overpriced. The quality-to-price ratio is generally seen as fair, but a few consider it slightly expensive.
Atmosphere & Vibe
The minimalist Japanese-inspired decor and trendy ambiance are widely appreciated. The café is described as beautiful and well-curated, though it can get noisy and busy, which some see as a sign of popularity.
Savory Dishes
Savory items like the truffle toast, smashed potatoes, and sandwiches receive mixed feedback. Some find them tasty and well-prepared, while others describe them as average or lacking flavor. The vegan sandwich and tuna sandwich are noted as heavy or disappointing by a few.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 13 dish mentions say about the food
Pan’s Shoku toast earns rapturous praise for its airy, caramelized crust, while the overall vibe is one of cozy, unpretentious warmth that makes every bite feel like a quiet celebration.
“The shoku toast is delicious. It's a must-try here.”
“The shoku toast is amazing — did you hear that crunch inside? It gave it that extra edge. I loved it a lot.”
What creators say
4 creators have covered Pan. Most active: Qui si Taffia, Cosa mangiamo oggi?, Franchino Er Criminale
Shorts 1
Videos 3
- Qui si TaffiaLoved
48H A MILANO - I MIGLIORI bar, ristoranti e cocktail bar nel 2024! DA PROVARE! · @ 2:00
A Japanese-style bakery open from breakfast to aperitivo, famous for its shokupan.
Dishes mentioned
Shoku Toast
The shoku toast is amazing — did you hear that crunch inside? It gave it that extra edge. I loved it a lot.
- Croissant
Pano Cioccolato
Between this and the one from L'oste e Caffè, I think the best was this one from Pan because it was more generous with the chocolate. I'm a big fan of chocolate, so I'd choose this one — we reward gluttony.
Pan offers Japanese-inspired pastries with a twist, like matcha and yuzu croissants, at a reasonable price for the quality.
Dishes mentioned
Curry Pan
The curry pan is savory, with a super crunchy outside because it was fried, very bready and soft, a little greasy. It has a vegetable curry inside that's spiced but not hot. Very delicate. Delicious.
- Croissant
Anpan con Fagioli Azuki
The anpan is filled with azuki beans. The bread is soft and fluffy, super suitable for breakfast. The beans are good but nothing like cream for our tastes. The jam is crunchier because the beans are whole. Try it once in your life to satisfy your curiosity.
A tiny, friendly neighborhood bakery with good focaccia dough, but everything was cold when I visited. No proper desserts. I'd give it a 7.5, but I'd love to try it fresh.
Dishes mentioned
Focaccia Mozzarella e Pomodoro
This focaccia with mozzarella and tomato is cold — it's been sitting for a few hours. It looks a bit ugly, but I assure you the dough is good. It's a shame it's cold, because the base is solid.
- Focaccia
Panino alle Olive
I took an olive bread roll since there were no desserts. It's good.
