For many Milanese, breakfast is a sweet, sacred, precise ritual. They order the classic combo "brioche e cappuccino". Brioche has a different meaning in France; in Italy it means what is more commonly known as a "croissant". But that's enough semantic detail so early in the morning! There is a wide choice of establishments offering excellent "colazioni" (breakfasts). My top tip is that you drop in to the Gattullo café-bakery. This bar is typical of the 70s and serves superb croissants (not from frozen, as is unfortunately becoming more and more widespread in Milan), fine cakes, and delicious pastries and cappuccinos. If you pass by on a weekday, you'll experience the electric atmosphere of Milanese mornings: a coffee at the counter and an immediate rush to work!
