From dorayaki to baklava, here are the best international pastry shops in Milan

Few cities in Italy can have such a focused offer of international cuisines. Even fewer still are those that can count on foreign pastry shops: not street food stalls with a few sweets, not a mochi served at the end of a sushi dinner, but actual shops exclusively dedicated to the art of baking. Milan is an exception, a place that has so much to offer that a fine selection can be made: here are the international pastry shops not to be missed in the city.

The best international pastry shops in Milan

Dolce Kerstin, German pastry shop

Kerstin had three great passions: writing, red silk scarves and sweets. Besides Goethe, of course, who aroused her curiosity about Italy. Italian was also the man with whom she fell in love and by whom she had three children, who finally realised her dream: to open a workshop for handmade cakes and a literary café. Here, in fact, you can have the ritual of "kaffee und kuchen", afternoon coffee and cake, ranging from all the typical sweets of the German tradition and more.

Dolce Kerstin – via Frugoni, 23 – dolcekerstin.com

La Medina, Moroccan pastry shop

If you have been to Morocco and are nostalgic for it, not far from the Three Towers area you can breathe in the country's typical atmosphere thanks to this cosy tea room with its warm and familiar atmosphere. Plenty of teas to choose from, infusions, and then home-made pastries. Pastries (many made with dried fruit) for a snack or a mouth-watering dessert, but also breakfasts and brunches, with plenty of savoury options.

La Medina – via Tolentino, 1 – Instagram

Le migliori pasticcerie internazionali di Milano

L'Île Douce, French patisserie

Refined French-style creations characterise this place, which is especially not to be missed at breakfast, thanks to the excellent viennoiserie, including pain au chocolat and croissants with excellent homemade fillings. Here, then, a taste of cannelé and macaroons is a must. For those who prefer choux pastry, no problem: there really is something for everyone.

L'Ile Douce - via Lambertenghi, 15 – iledoucemilano.it

Mourad, Middle Eastern confectionery

It will be hard for gourmands to resist the many delicacies on display at Mourad's: in the heart of Corso Buenos Aires, an elegant pastry shop overflowing with small delicacies with the scent of the Middle East. Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt: three cultures that meet and marry in a series of extraordinary desserts, to be enjoyed in the restaurant or taken away, perhaps for dinner at a friend's house. Figurone assured.

Mourad – Corso Buenos Aires, 86 – Facebook

Pastéis & Café, Portuguese pastries

The pastries come directly from Portugal, shot raw and then baked in this workshop in Via Farini. Pastéis & Caffè is a must-visit address for lovers of pastéis de nata, puff pastries filled with custard, to accompany a good cup of espresso. The only, mouth-watering, speciality to be found in this sign is a must-visit for a taste of authentic Portuguese tradition.

Pastéis & Caffè - via Carlo Farini, 53 – Facebook

Hiromi Cake, Japanese pastry shop

Curiosity about the flavours of Japanese confectionery art can be satisfied at Hiromi Cake, where you can find creations of all kinds. There are more western products such as cheesecake and tart, with an oriental touch given by the use of Matcha tea or yuzu, and then typically Japanese sweets such as dorayaki and mochi.

Hiromi Cake – via Triboniano, 256 – hiromicake.it

Mr Time, Chinese pastries

In Milan's beautiful Chinatown, there is no shortage of fine pastries: here they do take-away only, including savoury dishes, but it is the sweets that rule, especially egg tarts and the legendary cheesecake, which is very high and fluffy. Then there are biscuits, mooncakes in autumn and... pastéis de nata, very popular in China, especially in the Macao area.

Mr Time – via Paolo Lomazzo, 10