Aalis, the new bakery in Milan destined to become a benchmark for signature breakfasts

Milan seemed destined to become a city of small wine bars and enotecas serving natural wines with tapas. But the trend has shifted: true well-being is no longer found in aperitifs, but in breakfast, preferably with exquisite pastries and filter coffee. The capital is gradually transforming into a city of bakeries, with a French and a Danish influence.

Among those who have followed this trend is Paolo Martuccelli, a renowned entrepreneur in the craft beer industry, with several locations between Milan and Trieste. Together with a large team of partners and professionals, he has joined this new Milanese wave.

Aalis opens at Via Montebello 7, a short walk from the Catholic University of Milan. It's a neighborhood bakery designed to serve customers throughout the day, though its team has bigger ambitions. In addition to Martuccelli, the project includes Alex Marelli, his longtime partner in opening the Shallo craft breweries, and Alice Marelli, a gourmet captivated by the bakery format she discovered on her travels, which inspired her to create a space that was more than just a shop selling bread and baked goods.

Also involved are Martin Dumas, a veteran baker with experience in Milan, where he opened the successful Égalité bakery; Francesco Palma, food and beverage manager; and Gherardo Mazzani, a culinary consultant who collaborated on the development of the breakfast and lunch menus. The team combines professionalism and talent, and the project, according to its promoters, will expand in several directions in the near future.

Aalis is a versatile space for breakfast, buying bread to go, enjoying a leisurely brunch, or attending themed evening events that pair baked goods with craft beers. It also hosts pop-up dinners for select guests. The shop is dominated by Viennese pastries and breakfast items, with a selection of breads, including baguettes, that has already garnered social media attention. It's a place to enjoy alone or with friends.

Although there will be some adjustments to the products, the selection is already extensive and carefully curated. At the tastings, we sampled an excellent hazelnut cake, which costs between €3 and €6 per slice; a perfectly puff pastry pain au chocolat; and a small red pizza for €3, topped with a delicious tomato. Pastries range from €2.80 for a croissant to €3.80 for a pain suisse. There are also more distinctive options, such as the cramique, a Belgian brioche with chocolate chips, or the "dome brioche," a clear homage to the Sicilian brioche.

The savory counter offers croque monsieur, toast with ham and fontina cheese (€7), croissants filled with prosciutto and figs (€7.50), and focaccia (both plain, €3, and with mortadella, €6). The coffees, created in collaboration with the Roman roaster Aliena Coffee Roasters, range from filter to cold brew, priced from €1.50 to €6. Brunch runs from 10:30 a.m. until early afternoon, featuring egg dishes, avocado toast, and salads, as well as appetizers and the day's main courses.