Starbucks Just Opened Its First Store EVER in Italy, and It's More Gorgeous Than We Imagined

Updated on 9/6/2018 at 12:18 PM

The Starbucks experience we know today was inspired by the coffee culture in Milan, Italy, so it's hard to believe there's never been a single location in Italy. That all changes on Sept. 6 when the Starbucks Reserve Roastery opens in Milan, and it might be Starbucks's most extravagant store yet. Located inside the historic Poste building in Piazza Cordusio, a square in central Milan, this location is Starbucks's third Reserve Roastery behind Seattle and Shanghai.

The beautiful coffee shop is 25,000 square feet and boasts marble countertops, Italy-inspired architecture, multiple coffee bars, an actual bar with alcohol, an affogato station, and much more. If you stop by for a pour-over coffee, you just might linger for hours.

Although locals in Italy were understandably hesitant to welcome the global chain when the plans were first announced in 2016 (after all, Italy is the birthplace of espresso), Starbucks's former CEO Howard Schultz assures people that Starbucks doesn't want to step on any toes. "We are not coming here to teach Italians how to make coffee, we're coming here with humility and respect, to show what we've learned," he said last year. "This store will be the culmination of a great dream of mine." And it's a dream for any Starbucks-lover, too.

See every detail of the first Starbucks in Italy ahead, and you'll be tempted to visit it during your next trip.

You Can Get Up Close With the Roasting Equipment

This is the first Roastery where customers can get a 360-degree look at the coffee-roasting process. Guests can take a walk around the equipment, including the roaster and the cooling tray.

A Bronze Cask Is the Centerpiece

Customers won't be able to miss the big bronze cask that sits in the middle of the Milan Roastery. Occasionally, it will open up and give viewers a glimpse inside the de-gassing chamber, "a natural part of the roasting process through which every coffee bean passes," Starbucks said. The casks in the Starbucks Reserve Roasteries in Shanghai and Seattle are made of copper, but this is the first one made of bronze, a traditional material in Milan.

The Green Color Is a Nod to Milan

Starbucks notes the Milan location is "an explosion of brightness and color," which "celebrates Milan's iconic status as a destination for fashion and design." The interior includes jewel-toned marble, bright green roasting equipment, and a green clacker board.

There's a Cool AR Experience

Close to the entrance is a floor-to-ceiling visual representation of Starbucks's history, and the wall will incorporate an augmented reality (AR) experience. By pointing your phone at an image, you can learn more about Starbucks and its coffee.

This Is the First Starbucks to Use Marble in Its Bar Tops

All bars were carved from a 30-ton block marble sourced from Tuscany. As if that weren't luxurious enough, the marble countertops are heated from within so that they're warm to the touch.

Don't Miss the Mosaic Floor

Starbucks paid close attention to detail throughout the whole space, including the floor, which has stones "hand-laid by local artisans" in a mosaic pattern.

Um, There's a Bar, Too

Welcome to the Arriviamo Bar, a cocktail bar located on the mezzanine at the top of the Milan Roastery's staircase. The concept is inspired by the Italian aperitivo, a tradition to have a drink and a light meal in the early evening. You can grab a spot here for a specialty coffee or one of more than 100 different cocktail options.

There's an Affogato Station

Ice cream is made to order with liquid nitrogen, which creates an icy appearance as cold steam is released into the air. Stop by this station for an affogato, or ice cream with espresso poured on top.

The Bakery Has a Wood-Fired Oven

This location also has a bakery section, which serves artisan bread made in a wood-fired oven.

Sip Coffee at the Street-Side Cafe

It wouldn't be a European Starbucks without street-side seating, would it? Customers can enjoy the full menu of coffees, cocktails, and food outside on the Roastery's terrace.

The Roastery Is Worth a Stop For the Building Alone

With a coffee in hand, you can stick around for photo opportunities galore.

The Historic Building Has Been Around For Decades

Starbucks won't be the first business to call this building home.

The Store Is Howard Schultz-Approved

Howard Schultz posed at the Milan Roastery with Liz Muller, senior vice president and chief design officer at Starbucks.

There's Plenty of Seating

Take a break from the regular hustle and bustle of your morning Starbucks order.

Snap a Picture of the Bronze Cask

The bronze cask sits at the center of the coffee shop.

Take In All the Details

This is definitely unlike any Starbucks you've been to before.

Try a New Coffee

Starbucks Reserve Roastery locations offer more than the standard menu, so pick a coffee that stands out.