Camparino in Galleria

Photography by Camparino in Galleria

Words by Mattia Pastori and Marianna Piva

Camparino in Galleria image 1

Address: Piazza del Duomo 21, Milano, Lombardy, 20121, Italy
Tel: +39 (0)2 8646 4435
Email: info@camparino.com
Website: view Camparino in Galleria’s website
Instagram: @camparinoingalleria
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CamparinoInGalleria/
Hours: Mon 08:00-21:00, Tue-Fri 08:00-22:00, Sat-Sun 08:30-22:00
Door: Go early
Style: Café bar
Food: Tapas/plates & dishes
Established: 1915

Steeped in aperitif history, Camparino in Galleria in the centre of Milan is a traditional Italian bar offering classic and new cocktails.

Review

Gaspare Campari had already invented his famous Campari bitters when (in September 1867) he moved his bar to premises in the newly built Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. His drink proved instantly popular with the upmarket clientele as did the magnificent glass-roofed Galleria, Europe’s first shopping arcade.

Davide Campari, the son of Gaspare, opened the Camparino in 1915. It was the first "Bar di passo" in Milan; a place where you could stand up at bar counter with a Classic Campari Cocktail in your hand.

His classic art nouveau café bar survives on the left-hand side of the Galleria entrance, facing the Duomo. It is a must visit for drinks aficionados who come here to sip a Negroni or a simple Campari and soda (a Campari Seltz) in Gaspare’s honour. If you order from the cashier and take your receipt to the bar your drink will cost a fraction of what it costs at a table.

The Galleria’s mosaic floor includes the symbol of the city of Turin - the black bull. Legend has it that revolving three times on one heel over the bull’s genitals brings good luck.

For more bars in Milan, please see our recommended Milan bars page.