50s Italian style Cafe designed by Wes Anderson. If you've seen his films it has a similar visual stye, nostalgic and interesting color choices. It's part of Fondazione Prada and right at the entrance. If I knew earlier I wouldn't have wasted time walking around outside after trying to find it and popped in when I got there when it was less crowded. There wasn't any seating left but you can eat in the room next to Bar Luce or on the long steps outside. The attention to detail is great, the staffs uniform of tiny bow tie and short apron give it a familiar but unique feel. The way ceiling with integrated beams feels like the ceiling of an old bathhouse. The only odd thing is the carved stone wallpaper. Feels like a better choice would have been a vintage looking wallpaper or actual carved stone. Fresh orange juice and pistachio gelato. Gelato came out of a covered metal container and had that desirable natural color, great taste and airy texture. The fresh OJ was what my French friend said she missed the most about living in Milan and it was perfect on a hot day. They had candies near the cash register I brought back for the kids. Wouldn't not recommend the chocolate almonds ones, they had super thick shells that were hard to eat. The raspberry hard candies are interesting, they last an abnormally long time in your mouth. read more

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We LOVED our experience at Bar Luce. David, our server, was soooo sweet and funny! He also gave us tips for our stay in Milan. On to the food. The pastries, coffee, and affogatos were sooooo good. The strawberry cake was amaaaazing. We loved everything we ate. Last but not least, the vibes. We loved the Wes Anderson decor. It made the experience just that much better! I wish we could come back everyday! read more

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I did not expect to have one of the best sandwiches of my recent trip to Milan, at a cafe inside of the Fondazione Prada, designed by director Wes Anderson no less, but here we are. The flavors are layered in ways you have to experience for yourself, and as you're watching the bartender put ten thousand different ingredients into your wife's bloody mary, you'll realize that it's in fact, all about the experience. Come for the art, stay for the sandwiches. Bar Luce is 1000% worth the effort to get to. read more

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Just go. It's awesome. No reservations - it does get busy at 1p-ish, so if you can go between 12n-1p, you have a better chance of getting a table. Make sure to check out the books for sale in the room next door - highly curated, tremendously interesting selection. read more

One of my favorite meals & places in Milan! The ambiance and vibes here are unmatched -- incredible retro decor, very on point colors, and some of the best service I've experienced so far in Italy. Our waiter David was so kind and funny. We ordered two sandwiches, and both were phenomenal. The bread they use here is so crispy yet chewy and pairs perfectly with the ingredients inside. Definitely try a sandwich with pink sauce!! The desserts here were also so beautiful and delicious. We got a strawberry tart and some cannolo which were filled generously with a custard. They were perfect in every way -- highly recommend. The tart was not too sweet at all so perfect if you prefer your desserts on the lighter side. The prices here are also super affordable -- around 10 euros for a sandwich and even cheaper for the cafe drinks, though the cocktails are more expensive. Such a hidden gem cafe and a must visit! Wish I could go back already :') read more

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A filmmaker Wes Anderson design. Beautiful turquoise and pink interior- pink terrazzo floor and green upholstered Formica ( comfy) furniture; classy veneered wooden paneling. Steve Zissou( Bill Murray) pinball machines. A jukebox playing Italian hits from the '50s and '60s. We must be on the set of the movie" The Grand Budapest Hotel". No, perhaps " The Royal Tanenbaums" or wait " The Darjeeling Limited". Or " Rushmore" ? We are actually in Milan, Italy on a very exclusive block where Mr Anderson teamed up with Prada to bring to us this fun, comfortable and beautiful cafe and bar serving gorgeous cakes, yummy and big sandwiches and drinks galore. We got a few veggie sandwiches that were delicious - sun dried tomato and cheese; a Caprese with the freshest mozzarella that would make you cry. The highlight was the Cafe's signature cake - vanilla pan de spagna with chocolate cream and covered in pink fondant with espresso! ( photo)OMG! Loved the staff. The waitstaff was so cool. They were in white shirts and black bow ties and made this experience even more enjoyable. So please - the next time you fly into Malpensa airport in Italy. Rent that Lamborghini and head southwest about 45 minutes to Bar Luce. You will absolutely love it. Oh yeah, the prices are reasonable. The next day, hop in your speedster and head north about an hour to another beautiful spot where you just might bump into Mr George Clooney in Como. Have a great time! read more

It's a quaintly decorated and brings back nostalgia for yesteryear. However, it is also crowded and difficult to find a seat. You have to swoop down as soon as you find someone that looks like they're about to finish. Perhaps they need more seating or some other arrangement to control the crowd. We enjoyed our coffees and the tart. Despite other reviews to the contrary, we found the staff helpful. Note that we visited on a Saturday afternoon. Maybe a weekday visit will be less crowded. Good luck and enjoy! read more

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This bar designed by Wes Anderson oozes aesthetic. Inspired by the 1950s style, this bar takes an old Milanese cafe look and feels a bit like you're walking into a movie set. The employees have a certain finesse with every movement and creates a warm, inviting atmosphere in each interaction. I had the Luce sandwich which was hearty but not heavy. It was filling especially for a late lunch with a St Germaine spritz on the porch facing Fondazione Prada. Ambience - classic 1950s accompanied with pinball machines and teal fountain looks that are inviting read more

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BAR LUCE was designed by American film director Wes Anderson in 2015, Bar Luce recreates the atmosphere of a typical Milanese cafè. As explained by Anderson, "the approach I used to design this bar is exactly the opposite I usually use for the set designs of my movies. I tried to make it a bar you'd like to go to five times a week. When I was really young I wanted to be an architect, and this chance I've been given to pretend to be a real one is a childhood fantasy come true!". Bar Luce was conceived by the film director as "a space for real life with numerous good spots for eating, drinking, talking, reading, etc. While I do think it would make a pretty good movie set, I think it would be an even better place to write a movie. I tried to make it a bar I would want to spend my own non-fictional afternoons in." The café is located at the entrance building of Fondazione Prada. The range of colors, the formica furniture, the seats, the floor, and the wood wall panels are reminiscent of Italian popular culture and aesthetics from the 1950s and 1960s, echoing artistic decisions Anderson made for his short film Castello Cavalcanti (2013). The arched ceiling and the patterned decoration for the top half of the bar's walls, recreate a 'miniature' version of the vaulted glass roof and the decorations of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, one of Milan's symbolic buildings. Other iconographic sources have been equally inspirational, notably two masterpieces of Italian Neorealism, both set in Milan: Miracolo a Milano, 1951 (Miracle in Milan) by Vittorio De Sica and Rocco e i suoi fratelli, 1960 (Rocco and His Brothers) by Luchino Visconti. The bar, accessible from the internal spaces of Fondazione Prada and from Via Orobia, has become one of the new highlights of the city of Milan. read more

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We loved this place. We read a ton about it prior to visiting (Wes Anderson's cool design and delicious sandwiches.). It was a little off the beaten path as we walk everywhere when we are on vacation - but we loved walking there and seeing so many new areas in Milan. We loved all the restaurant's details - the vintage furniture, the fun bowtie server outfits, the pinball machines. The vegano sandwich was UNREAL. It was so delicious. We purchased five sandwiches and our bill was 35 euro... we thought that was incredibly reasonable and a very welcomed surprise. read more

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1 star for decor and 1 for great cakes The rest, a disaster. The manager is obnoxious to no end, the waiters walking around like they know nothing. They are basically getting by as this cafe was designed by Wes Anderson, but it is truly sad that the customer service is so poor that no sane human will think about coming back. Not just us, everyone was being jerked around like it's a privilege to be here. It all ultimately leads to the terrible manager, be better or leave customer service. read more

I am a major -- MAJOR -- movie nerd and lover of all things Wes Anderson. When I read that he had designed a cafe at the Prada museum in Milan, it was a no-brainer that I had to book a plane ticket and jet off to Italy. Mere months after I first learned of Bar Luce, my butt was on a plane across the pond! Bar Luce is literally like stepping onto the set of one of his movies. If you've never heard of Wes Anderson and you're heading to this cafe, I advise you to rent a few of his films ("Moonrise Kingdom" and "Fantastic Mr. Fox" are my two faves) and watch them. If you already are a Wes fan, you will be in heaven. My visit here was truly one of the happiest days of my life (my photos say it all). I oohed and aahhed and squealed with glee at every little detail in the joint, from the vintage inspired ice cream cart to the meticulously organized candy display case and liquor bar. The bowtie-clad servers (who were friendly across the board) seemed to really get a kick out of my enthusiasm and the Wes Anderson themed t-shirt that I was wearing. I saw a couple of Japanese girls dressed in Suzy Bishop / Margot Tenenbaum style vintage clothing and they were just as excited as I was, language barrier be damned! We ordered quite a few snacks since we spent the whole day at a corner table here. First up was a beautiful plate of finger foods and a huge assortment of tasty nuts and olives that came gratis with our order of two glasses of bubbly prosecco. Budget travelers, this is a great deal: order sparkling wine and you get all sorts of tasty noms at no additional charge! Even the miniature pastries looked as if they belonged in one of Wes' movies. There was even a tiny little pig in a blanket! Next up was a gorgeous black torte cake (I had to order one in homage to Agatha and Mendl's bakery from "The Grand Budapest Hotel") with an outstanding espresso and a cappuccino. Man, Italians know their coffee and there's no better coffee in the world than in their country, and the coffee at Bar Luce is first rate as expected. The cake was decadent, moist, rich and so chocolatey that I could only finish half. While my plane ticket to Milan was one of the best $1,400 I've ever spent, not everything was peachy: First, there are absolutely no items for sale with the logo of the place on it. I guess that's maybe an "ugly American" thing to want a souvenir, but I would've snapped up anything with the retro Bar Luce design (totally wish they had their adorable logo espresso cups for sale, my husband offered to pay a lot for one but no dice)! The sugar packets and the thin paper napkins are the only souvenirs that you can feasibly take, but let's get real: what the heck are you going to do with those at home? A ceramic cup or notepad or bar towel would be useful and practical. I was also SUPER bummed because the custom designed Zissou themed pinball machine only takes old Italian lire coins that you can usually get for free at the counter. Unfortunately, they were completely out of lire coins on the day I visited and since it was a Sunday, the guy who could empty out the machine's compartment wasn't coming by! I think they should just have the thing set for free play because this was a HUGE disappointment. I still posed for a photo as if I had been able to play. Luckily the gorgeous pink (PINK!!) jukebox was in working order; I had a blast selecting oldies and watching the mechanics as the 45s tumbled and whirred before blasting epic tunes. It's truly a work of art so don't miss it! Also make sure you go downstairs to the restrooms and bring your camera as you'll want a shot of the black and white hallway. One last tip: there's another custom pinball machine based on Anderson's short film "Castello Cavalcanti," a movie he made with Jason Schwartzman for the opening of the new Prada museum. Look it up on YouTube, it's worth a watch before visiting. I planned only one day in Milan on this European adventure, but I spent a total of 6 hours just sitting at this cafe and I'll admit it: I got all teary eyed when it was time to leave. I can't wait to return! A MUST VISIT FOR ALL WES ANDERSON FANS AND MOVIE NERDS. read more

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I appreciate the effort of creating an intellectually stimulating environment throughout the Prada Foundation; and the actual creativity placed in this bar. The staff is truly nice and professional. Sandwiches are good and coffee of course great (not unusual in Italy). Wes Anderson's decoration is very disappointing. It does not capture the magic of his sets; and it just feels like a thematized bar. Its materials are not really capturing the depth of Italian 1950s bars, neither there is any sense of humor with the faked condition of this design. The terrazzo flooring has the right colors, but whereas Italian traditional terrazzo's are mostly cement-based, this one is mostly resine, what makes it look like plastic. The wooden paneling is not made of wood foil glued on a pine base and hand finished with "gomalaca", but just a super thin printed pattern on MDF, industrially glued and coated. This makes it look like a Leroy Merlín solution, totally disconnected with the European tradition of wooden paneling in cafes. Furniture gets a bit better. But wall papers are really nothing if compared with the exuberance and richness in patterns, colors and textures of the 1950s and 1960's wallpapers. And there is a weird memorabilia that seems a bit sad. Only a handful of mostly very well known cheap reproductions of vintage classics. Seems to lack professional knowledge and dedication. Surprising in a great OMA environment, developed by the refined Italian part of the firm. Rather than Wes Anderson, this could have been a commission to one of Wes Anderson's art directors, what for sure would have allowed to air the real experts, and would have given this place a much more ambitious momentum. In short, if you are at Fundazione Prada in the mode for a caffe or a sandwich use it; but I am afraid it'd be best not to grow higher expectations. read more

2 stars for design & decor & fantastic cocktails. That's the highlight of our experience because anything related to good customer service or Covid rules that make any sense, is non existent here. The employees, from the host to the servers, act like they own a Prada store & that their customers are all Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. They were condescending from the moment we arrived on a Saturday afternoon, telling us there was no available seating inside, although only 2 tables were occupied. They sighted Covid rules which they grossly exaggerated seemingly to be able to tell customers they were too full (all 2 inside tables). The 3 outside tables were offered instead in the dead heat under the burning sun with an awning which they had retracted ensuring the tables were extra uncomfortable. We asked them to let us know when an inside table became available considering it was hotter than Hades outside. They agreed but proceeded to sit 2 other parties inside the air conditioned dining room while we looked on from what seemed like the depths of the earth's crust. At least for a few moments, the sun gifted us a few inches of shade. Outside, we had to constantly call the server whenever we wanted to order, you know, to spend more money. Would've also been nice to get napkins with our hors d'oeuvres & desserts. After ordering the second round, we were never acknowledged after that. In fact, our order never came either. Every time we interacted with the waiters, they seemed bothered. We couldn't leave fast enough. Drinks & snacks were delicious but too bad we won't be returning to enjoy them again. At least we got a nice tan though. read more

Bar Luce - Gin & grapefruit basked drink & complimentary snacks. - Cafes Near Me - Milan, Michigan

Bar Luce totally nails it. Hot baristas? Check. Kooky pinball machines? On it. Total commitment to a theme? Perfect execution. From the pink script to the mint green retro trash bins, the cafe at Fondazione Prada is pure design bliss. And the caffe macchiato? One of the best I have ever had for just 1 euro. The bar is the perfect place to recoup after exploring the contemporary art museum and the icing on the cake for a trip to Milan's 'burbs. read more

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I'm so glad the hostel I stayed at was only a 6 minute walk from this café!! It was truly one of the main reasons why I wanted to visit Milan! LOCATION: I definitely thought I led my friends and I in the wrong direction because it was a dead street and there was "BAR" in green lights. Thought this place was a stand-alone but it's part of the Prada building, so don't be mistaken! FOOD: We got here towards their closing hours and already had dinner so we opted for desserts solely. I had the tiramisu (5€) and my friends had two different types of tartines. The tiramisu wasn't ground breaking per say, but it was still good and I'd definitely recommend it if you want a lighter dessert. SERVICE/VIBES: okay we all know Wes Anderson designed this café so I'm not gonna say more about it because it's wonderful. BUT the workers here are so nice and friendly and speak English super well so no worries! TLDR: 11/10 would come here again to try their other desserts, drinks, and spirits! read more

It's fun to go to Bar Luce in Milano. You see you enter the world of the famed whimsical film director Wes Anderson who designed this cool spot. Bar Luce is located in the striking contemporary art museum called the Fondazione Prada. Soon the Fondazione Prada will score another Wes Anderson coup as it will host next spring the first curated art exhibition by Wes Anderson which he created this autumn at Vienna's illustrious Kunsthistorisches Museum. In fact Milan will be the only other venue outside Vienna for this Wes Anderson show. But back to the café. You can certainly see elements from the film 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' here. I really like the chill seating pods he designed - both cool and effective. The bar area is also an eyeful of candy. However I did think that there was too much open space and given the popularity of this bar a couple more seating pods or tables could have been fit in. It also would have added to the effect to have less open space. Service was a bit slow, however, especially as my friend and I only ordered Cynars which you can pour right from the bottle. Oh well, maybe they were on Wes Anderson time ... whatever time that is! read more

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Wes Anderson doesn't disappoint!! It's got a similar vibe as The Grand Budapest Hotel. Very instagrammable. read more

Bar Luce - Cafes Near Me - Milan, Michigan

A must for the Wes Anderson fans out there or lovers of kitsch design in general. Small but perfectly formed Bar Luce is somewhere to be savoured over a few hours, particularly as the free-poured gin & tonics are on the large side (but worth the 12 euros price tag). Take note that you'll need to order and pay at the cash desk first before the barman makes your drink & don't give yourself a long walk by confusing the nearest overground rail station with the Metro stop of the same name. read more

Bar Luce is a café that seems like it's straight out of a Wes Anderson film! I am a big Wes Anderson film fan, so this is great. I give this restaurant five stars because it was really delicious and I had a great time enjoying the atmosphere and scenery. There are pinball machines themed to his movies, a record machine/jukebox, very Wes Anderson lights, counters that seem like they're from a 50s diner, and lots of treats and food on display. The floor is retro and so are the walls and ceiling. All of the chairs and tables are vinyl and brightly colored. It really just reminds you of a 50s or 60s café and any Wes Anderson movie! I am an aspiring producer who is subbing in Italy for the summer, so I definitely had to go here. I ordered the most photogenic items on the menu: the Bar Luce coffee (basically a ton of whipped cream, chocolate, and coffee in a cute little cup), the bolognese/cheese sandwich, and the tiramisu. Each of these was beyond rich and delicious, and I am so full! I had the best time here and really enjoy the people watching and food. The service could be better, but it wasn't that bad... I honestly didn't notice how much time I was spending there because I really enjoyed it. It is right inside of Fondazione Prada, so you can enjoy art and then enjoy MORE art- your food and the café! Five big stars for Mr Anderson :) read more

This café really feels like a Wes Anderson movie, if you're a fan of his films. This café in Milan's Prada art museum is a welcome stop after you've taken in the modern art exhibits nearby. There is a walk up counter to order, or table service if you opt to pay a service charge. Finding a spot is tough with crowds of tourists all wanting to check out the 50's style décor, and admire the pinball machines and jukeboxes; no one seemed interested in playing either though. After managing to find my way to a table, I checked out the menu which is filled with a lot of sandwiches, as well as cocktails, coffees, and desserts. I had the St. Tropez, which is a flatbread filled to the brim with orange, foie gras, and a citrusy sauce. It's easily the best use of foie gras I have ever tasted, and they do not kid around with the portions: I was tasting foie gras bite after bite. I had an espresso with strawberry and pistachio gelato for dessert, which were on point as well. I would come again just for Bar Luce alone, and view the art as a side stop. If only Milan were closer to home. read more

Don't go just for the "Wes Anderson designed" Instagram pics... The design is cool, of course, but it's cool in a very bland commercial way, and the kitsch is overwhelmed by the fact that the bar is, at its heart, a tourist thoroughfare. The vibe is basically like a bustling museum gift shop and it's devoid of any real charm or ambiance. That said, the food and drinks are top-notch and well-priced. In conclusion: if you're going for Prada, it's a must, otherwise, it's a skipper. read more

Hip cool design from Wes Anderson. Whether you want a beer or cocktail, they have Italian and German beers on tap, and many familiar cocktails like Sazerac, John Collins, Side Car, or if you want something Italian get the Negroni. Have a snack with their 50+ sandwich varieties (I recommend the classic ham selections). After a drink/bite, head over to play some music or play the Zissou pinball machine! If you have time go next door to check out the Prada Museum. All in all, a good find in Milan! read more

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I was so excited to come here and really wanted to like it. Unfortunately we sat down and for 15 minutes watched tables that were seated after us get service with not even a glance from the sever. When we tried to get his attention he would say one minute and walk away. We eventually ended up waking out to find lunch and drinks elsewhere. Wish we could have tried it as we were looking forward to it for so long, however we were never served. read more

Not worth the trek out of the centre. More of a cafeteria than a bar or café. If you go there expecting quirky decor prepare to be disappointed. The cakes were nice but the staff were very rude and short tempered and noticeably annoyed when you asked them for anything. Definitely not worth the metro ride from the centre! read more

As a huge fan of wes anderson I HAD to come here and Im very glad that I did. After touring the museum I must say Bar Luce is a perfect representation of the ideal little retro cafe. Their gelato,candy,pastries look made to perfection. Their almond gelato is the BEST ive had in my whole time in italy. HOWEVER, girl serving gelato was just downright unpleasant. Waiter was downright unpleasant. Bar Luce needs nicer more friendly staff working there in order for me to give 5 stars. I felt extremely uncomfortable with the negative vibe they were putting in the air read more