Calicantus Sforzesco
Piazza Castello, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
2.8/5(279)
2.9/5(180)
Synopsis score
The Synopsis
The place in brief
“Calicantus Sforzesco is a café located in a strategic position inside the Castello Sforzesco in Milan. Although many visitors appreciate the unique location and the convenience of a break during the tour of the castle, the experience is often compromised by service judged as unprofessional and lacking cleanliness standards. The perception of value for money is extremely polarized, with numerous complaints regarding high prices compared to the quality offered.”
Main topics
The dashboard
One page, everything at a glance.
Place information.
- LocationInside the Castello Sforzesco, Milan
- Price rangeFrom 1 € to 30 € per person
- Type of serviceCafé with table or counter service
Popular opinions
What everyone keeps saying.
What people love
Areas for improvement
What people notice
Ranked by guest confidence.
Atmosphere
60
Food
35
Value
30
Wait
25
Service
20
Cleanliness
15
Synopsis AI
Tips for visitors
A few practical notes from recent guests to help you choose with confidence.
Photos
From reviews
In their own words
Recent reviews, unedited.
Synopsis never rewrites reviews - we show you the originals so you can judge for yourself.
Cristina
20/04/2026Honestly, this was the worst Aperol Spritz and Hugo I’ve ever had, especially considering the exaggerated prices.
Tomás Núñez
19/03/2026Worst food experience after 3 weeks spent in Northern Italy (including lunch at McD). The plates seem like been purchased frozen at the local supermarket and defrosted and warmed in a microwave. This was my guess after hearing many familiar beeps. Staff urges you to choose because, unlike many italian tourist food sites, their "kitchen" closes 2pm SHARP. Don't pretend to have quick lunch, even a salad after arriving 1.45 PM. The risotto and pasta wasn't accompanied by bread or cheese as it is customary for every plate like these (except for those with seafood). Tje only tasteful there was the aranciata from Puglia. Don't waste your money there.
Gabriela Lupu
18/03/2026We had a coffee and some sweets. Was a perfect place to be when the rain started.
Gianluca Bonanno Manfredi
24/02/2026I tried this place though even though it had bad reviews. Ngl I was surprised by the service and delicious food and cappuccino. It was also very cheap. Recommended
Rebecca Edwards
19/02/2026Place was dirty, overpriced food/drink and staff acted like they did not want us to be there! Only ordered 3 things and he rolled his eyes at us…not what we wanted after having a lovely time in the castle…
Alanoud Khalid
28/01/2026The worker are rude and not polite for tourists. Worst experience! 👎
Rafael Marquez
21/01/2026Terrible service, mainly due to an elderly woman who attended us and was very rude and unpleasant. Prices are high for what is offered. I should have checked the ratings and reviews before eating here.
Deyan Zhelev
28/12/2025It's not the worst but the younger male waiter always makes so much noise with the coffee cups and aways leaves the door open in the cold when he goes out. The muffins are nice though.
Vlad Alecu
25/11/2025There is a QR code menu at the entrance where you can check the prices. I think that i paid 1.5€ for a cappuccino and it was pretty good considering the price and location.
Arees Aharonian
26/10/2025Very rude staff, unpleasant to talk to and not helpful at all.
Jack Abdel Sayed
25/10/2025Never going there again.
King Tut
25/10/2025Very rude staff Seevice was extremely slow and unprofessional wtf Food was bland STAY AWAYYYYY
George G. Salib
24/10/2025Service is completely bad here Very rude staff…. The guy there is no nice and should not be in a hospitality business when I tried to keep the review “clean” but I would never come back here Also the place is very dirty
Bernie S
17/10/2025€7.50 for 2 softdrink bottles. Absolutely rip-off. Unfortunately there didn't seen to be anywhere else on site you could fill a water bottle so they have a captive audience
Vanessa Bauer
28/09/2025Cappuccino was good, but the service is absolutely impolite! I will never go there again and cannot recommend it.
Scouser1965
11/09/2025Great place to stop by on a hot afternoon and grab a beer on an outside table in the heart of the castle. Prices were a little steep and service could have been better but it didn’t matter too much as the location was fantastic and I enjoyed my visit.
Khalad Jamil
09/09/2025I ordered iced Latte it was fine
Holly Fossett
03/09/2025I had the best latte here. Had to have a chocolate croissant too. The staff are patient and polite. Would definitely come again for a quiet place to relax and have a coffee.
Francisco Ib
28/08/2025Soft drinks and coffe in a pinch by the museum, but would not recommend due to very bas service. Staff ignored us, and then chastised us for asking questions about the menu. Not worth the stop.
Fancy Floss
13/08/2025Best iced shaken cappucino and croissant
Pascale
13/08/2025Staff were friendly and the service was fast. The iced cappucino was very delicious.
Stephanie Rogl
12/08/2025The door doesn‘t close automatically so the air conditioning has no chance against the hot air streaming in from outside
Sam Meler
06/08/2025The food was not good, the sandwich was dripping with oil to the point where it was very gross The baked goods are very dry The coffee is good I would stop here for a coffee, but nothing else One waitress for the entire bar, she was very busy understandable
Paul Vry
16/07/2025Don't stop here even if you're desperate. Go about 100yds into the park and use one of the Chiosco.
E T
09/07/2025I had a marocchino here... It was one of the best coffee I have had had in my life, so I was very surprised with the ratings here.The lady who made the coffee might not have been the most cheerful one if I compare her with the stereotype of the "typical Italian", but she made a really delicious drink for me. I don't think she or any other employees were rude with me.
David Phillips
05/07/2025Ridiculously expensive. 21.90 euro for 3 soft drinks. Nothing special about atmosphere to justify pricing. Better to walk outside the castle for food and drinks.
Andy Andrei
21/06/2025Is awful!! I paid 15€ for 2 waters, on Cyder juice and a coffee... I had do get up and take it they, 3 of them, were to busy talk about talk shows and stuff... I waited for about 5 minutes to wait for them to finish gossip so i can get something to drink.
Johnny Barros
20/06/2025Terrible service. The long-hair boy was working as if he was doing us a favor. Disrespectful, to say the least. Avoid this place at all cost.
James Ryan
13/06/2025Our most expensive soft drink we have had - ever. 6 Euros for a 330ml bottle of Coke. Staff friendly - but price was not clear until we looked at the receipt. It was cold though and they gave ice - and Pringles seem a bargain at 2 Euros.
Alexandros Mavropoulos
18/05/2025We visited the cafe for some coffee and rest from the walk,the coffee was ok but the service wasn’t so good.The thing that saved the cafe was the location
Adam Crighton
14/11/2024Rude staff and poor coffee
Kath Roberts
13/11/2024Awful service, not clean, extremely rude, terrible quality coffee and food. The only reason it must still be open is because of the location
Ionut Anghel
13/10/2024Worst service ever. We waited for 15 min for someone to take our order and decided to take it to go after all since no one came to us.
Thilanka Siriwardana
22/09/2024I hope they are a bit more polite and kind toward their customers.
Sam Tribe
08/09/2024Wish I'd seen the other reviews before coming. Service is essentially non existent. Staff incredibly ignorant.
Arzu
24/08/2024Very unfriendly people. I stood on the line but she didn’t accept me but the person behind me. Location is at a good and quiet place but not worth because of the service.
Tommy Lam
18/06/2024Food is like straight from microwave oven, staff is very impolite and inattentive, atmosphere is OK but it was too hot during summer time.
Rus Hughes
09/06/2024Caffe late was a half pint of milk with a shot of espresso, cafe americano was a half pint of water with an espresso.
Michael Alber
28/04/2024If you wanna be ignored by service personel for 15 minutes, you have come to the right place
Max Krichenbauer
12/03/2024Worst pizza I had, even though it cost 6Euro per slice. Staff were also super inattentive and unfriendly. On top of that, doves would repeatedly get in and staff would yell and clap to get them out again.
Maxim Dzidzverg
25/01/2023Very disappointing experience. The food quality was terrible, and the service was just as bad. The bartender attempted to deceive me, and I was overcharged. Only after I insisted did they finally admit the mistake — but it should never have happened in the first place. I wouldn’t recommend this place based on my experience.
bloom boom
18/05/2026J’étais venue il y a un an et j’avais assisté à un service déplorable. J’étais persuadée que j’étais juste tombée à un mauvais moment. Donc j’ai commis l’immense erreur d’y retourner. Quand je suis entrée en souriant, un type me dit vertement d’aller m’asseoir et qu’il viendrait prendre ma commande. J’ai poireauté 25 minutes…il n’y avait pas grand monde. Je l’ai rappelé. Il n’est jamais revenu. Au bout de 30 minutes, n’ayant pas le courage de mener un combat pour avoir un café …je suis repartie. Au moins cette année ça ne m’a rien coûté.
B K “Rubibubi”
15/05/2026Wir hatten nur zwei Cappuccino und das schmeckte nicht nach Espresso mit Milch sondern nur nach Milch. Schade. Wir würden hier keinen Kaffee mehr trinken.
Justus Relinger
15/05/2026Keine Preisinfo, gigantischer Dreck auf dem Boden und der Cappuccino schmeckt nur nach Milchschaum. Die Bedienung war freundlich.
Giovanni Bezzon
03/05/2026Secondo me ottimo!
Tom HOANG
26/04/2026Comment est ce possible ? Le cône de la glace est moue comme une crêpe moisie et les chaises hautes sont bancales, j’ai failli tomber de la falaise d’Etretat… How is this even possible ?? The ice cream cone is as hard as a rotten pancake and the tall chairs are so wobbly I almost felt from Etretat’s cliff… Had to write it twice so you fellow brothers don’t sit on tall chairs and eat kitkat icecream The crème café was good tho
matteo salaris
05/04/2026Accoglienza e qualità del cibo in linea col posto, prezzi molto alti ma d’altronde siamo dentro il castello sforzesco
VALTER BARBISONI
29/03/2026saremo anche a Milano, ma un caffè (€ 1,80) e una acqua tonica (€ 6,00) mi sembrano fuori da qualsiasi logica, ovviamente servizio selfservice. piccioni all'interno del locale e baristi maleducati.....a mai più.
Jessica Bergamaschi
24/02/2026Bellissima location! Staff molto cordiale! Consiglio!
Ottavia B.
24/02/2026Sono stata al bar all'interno del Castello Sforzesco. Che dire, meravigliosa atmosfera, personale veramente professionale, specialmente il barman Francesco, che mi ha consigliato un cocktail buonissimo! Ci tornerò sicuramente e consiglio l'aperitivo con amiche in questa bellissima location!
Jessica Brocchetta
24/02/2026Cordialità e gentilezza
Silvia Timis
24/02/2026Ottima esperienza. Cibo squisito!
Chiara Ceribelli
24/02/2026Esperienza ottima. staff cordiale e disponibile.
Fabrizio Buttaboni
24/02/2026Sono stato a pranzo, personale molto cordiale, locale in una bellissima cornice, consigliato per un pranzo e una pausa caffè
Silvia Ferrara
20/02/2026Caffè ottimo e location molto bella
Andrei
15/02/2026Un angolo di pace nel cuore di Milano. L'ambiente è arioso e molto tranquillo, da ricordare quando si torna a visitare il castello sforzesco
Mati
15/02/2026Ottimo caffè e personale super professionale. Il locale è accogliente e molto bella la location!
Antonella Plizzari
12/02/2026Dopo aver visitato il castello per sono fermata al bar per un pranzo veloce, tutto buonissimo prezzi nella norma. Consiglio di assaggiare la focaccia ai cereali farcita che mi stata consiglia dal gentilissimo cameriere.
andrea camo
12/02/2026Location meravigliosa personale gentile e professionale ottimo da riprovare
Lorenzo Miretta
11/02/2026Ottima colazione in una piacevole location!
Arianna Gottardi
10/02/2026Piacevole pranzo nel mezzo del Castello Sforzesco! Cibo buono e servizio cortese. Un posto dove fermarsi volentieri durante la visita.
Luca Merlo
09/02/2026Posizione fantastica, servizio veloce prezzo buono (per la media dei locali del centro di Milano). Menzione per le focacce farcite che sono davvero gustose.
マイキー
06/01/2026カフェラテが2.2ユーロと安く、また非常に美味しかった。他のコメントにあるように天井の汚さが少し目立つが、それ以外は特に問題ない。 注文をする際は店員に自分から話しかけに行かないと反応してくれないが、それくらいの些細な問題である。 カフェラテが非常に美味しく安くオススメ。
Daniele M
05/01/2026Presi cappuccio e brioches, buoni nella norma. Il problema è la pulizia dei tavoli, un consiglio cambiate più spesso le spugne con cui pulite i tavoli. Odorano di formaggio andato a male.
Jean-Michel RAZAFIMANANTSOA
24/12/2025À fuir !! Arrivés à 14h et...impossible de manger salé ! On a l'impression de déranger. De plus la serveuse vous fait la gueule alors que le personnel du musée est très agréable.
Enea Bietti
23/12/2025Posto sporco e distrutto,servizio lento e disorganizzato,abbiamo chiesto una cioccolata e ci è arrivata poco densa quasi liquida e alla richiesta della panna neanche la cortesia di risponderci. Peggior bar mai visitato.
Max Solinas
07/12/2025C'è la Milano da bere e quella da vomitare. Cortesia mai pervenuta, brioche dura come il marmo, tetto che non viene pulito dall'epoca degli Sforza (un dito di guano di piccione per la gioia della trasparenza dei vetri), laboratorio dei panini open space tra due split d'aria, frigoriferi verticali usati come appendiabiti dal personale presente al momento, pavimento in mdf devastato che Beirut spostati, sporcizia immonda alle basi dei tavoli, schizzi di caffè sul frigorifero per ricordare l'importanza della pop art, scatole impilate a vista ovunque. Verifica post appalti, esiste?
Anastasia
23/11/2025Calicantus Milano si trova nel Secondo Cortile del Castello Sforzesco: lo staff è cordiale, estremamente comprensivo, gentile e molto flessibile. Dalle pareti in vetro si possono ammirare le strutture murarie storiche del castello e la vista sul cortile, creando un’atmosfera davvero piacevole. Tutto delizioso! Consigliatissimo.
Max Parisi (Maxkite)
12/11/2025Ottimo
Rany Y
26/10/2025No text provided.
Andreas Baumann
19/10/2025Günstiger Tee & schöner Platz zum sitzen
Davide Casagrande
05/10/2025No text provided.
Ivan Pronin
30/08/2025No text provided.
Joel Syne
06/08/2025A refusé de remplacer une boisson alors qu’il s’était trompé…..
ingrid pignol
30/07/2025Prix exorbitant!! Le fuze tea à 6€! Le biscuit du café habituellement offert à 1,50€!! Ouf Le capuccino à 2,20€ est très bon😉. Le cadre est agréable mais l'accueil est à revoir !! Le sourire n'est pas là!
Natacha Pungartnik
17/07/2025Un cadre agréable mais des serveurs tellement antipathiques, on a l’impression de les déranger alors qu’ils n’y a pas foule. Que ce soit avec les locaux ou les touristes le service est déplorable.
Mario Germani
10/07/2025Francamente non mi ha fatto una così cattiva impressione. È vero, non è un bel locale, è affollato, caotico, abbastanza caldo, lentissimo, le porzioni piccole, i piccioni entrano e vanno a beccare il cibo esposto, però i prezzi sono sorprendentemente molto bassi (c’è il listino online) e il cibo non è poi così male. Da tener conto che è dentro il Castello ma fuori per una buona distanza non c’è veramente nulla o le solite speculazioni milanesi che costano il doppio e non sono neanche un granché.
Uku Lele
08/07/2025Absurd unfreundliches Personal. Die leitende Kellnerin ist sehr laut geworden als wir mit unseren Kindern ein Kartenspiel auspacken wollten! Wir hatten alle etwas bestellt - schade um das Geld!
Elena mc
22/06/2025¡¡Evitadlo a toda costa!! Mi pareja y yo, en pleno junio, a 35 grados queríamos beber algo fresco pero si llegamos a saberlo ni nos paramos… 6€ un refresco… no tiene nada especial, no tienen buen trato, ni vistas bonitas… avanzad un poco más y en las calles de los alrededores hay cosas más baratas y mejores
[Sstreet F.]
22/06/2025AVISO ESTAFA PARA VIAJEROS,gente muy maleducada te miran mal si hablas otro idioma, y encima te cobran 6 euros por una mierda de refresco pequeño, cerrad este sitio ya
Giuseppe Russo
17/05/2025Caffè aromatico e profumato senza il solito sentore di bruciato, servito in tazzina super calda. Insomma un vero caffè. Complimenti
H
05/05/2025No text provided.
Konrad Bojko
02/05/2025No text provided.
Eryk Mazurek
11/04/2025Przepyszne ☕
Julien C.
09/04/2025A FUIR ABSOLUMENT !!! Uu vrai attrappe touristes. Ils pratiquent des prix de fous, et le personnel désagréable. Certains devraient changer de métier. L emplacement est beau, mais je commence à comprendre pourquoi il n y avait pas foule qui se pressait pour aller chez eux. Si vous avez soif, faites quelques mètres de plus pour aller dans les rues adjacentes. C est moins cher.
Stefan R.
22/03/2025Sehr freundlich. Toller Cappuccino.
Marie Barreau
18/02/2025Ce café vaut 6/5 ! Nous sommes venus à 10h30, il n'y avait personne, les pâtisseries et les boissons chaudes sont excellentes. La gérante est très gentille et le service rapide. Merci !
Gabriella
21/01/2025A cappuccino és a latte machiato rendben volt, jó ár- érték arány. Még meleg teát kértünk, a pultban egy csomó féle különleges tea doboza volt kirakva, de kiderült, hogy csak English Breakfast tea és kamilla van. Semmi flanc, kaptunk egy csésze forró vizet egy teafilterrel. Zéró kávézó- hangulat. A felszolgáló nem túl barátságos. Egyébként csodálatos a helyszín ahol található, ezért kicsit többet vártam tőle.
Hiromi Kusaka
31/12/2024チョコレート甘すぎず美味しいです
Gergely Zoltán Gulyás
29/12/2024Az eszpresszó és a fánk finom volt, a személyzet kedves, de a hely számomra túl pörgős.
Galina Kisseljova
27/11/2024Отвратительное обслуживание. Не советую ходить. Грязно и грубый персонал.
Dafne Sechi
11/11/2024Atteggiamento e comportamento della barista pessimo… Noi entrate alle 17:30, chiusura ore 19, già lava a terra, non dando la possibilità ai clienti di accomodarsi ai tavolini…anzi, inveendo in modo maleducato con una signora straniera che si stava per sedere… ridendole in faccia (tanto non capiva e scherzando con il collega sul fatto che le stava impedendo il lavoro delle pulizia, nell’orario di servizio rettifico nuovamente) sbattendo sedie e tavolini, insomma, non facendo sentire a proprio agio nessuno dei clienti… uniche cose da salvare di questo locale: location e caffè abbastanza buono, e anche l’altro barista uomo, lui è stato gentile, ma per il resto, mai più. Non si lavora così, io stessa ho fatto questo lavoro, se solo il mio datore avesse visto un terzo dell’atteggiamento che aveva la ragazza in questione, non sarei durata un giorno. A chi gestisce questo locale… guardate bene chi vi rappresenta, perché purtroppo ne risente della vostra immagine. In posto così bello poi…peccato.
Stefano Carboni
04/11/2024All'interno dei cortili del Castello Sforzesco, a prezzi da paesello in campagna!
Manh N.
03/11/2024az expreso nagyon kevés volt a kávé
LAURENT M
23/08/2024Eau plate 1.1€
Anne van Aa
16/08/2024De bediening is traag, het personeel onaardig en met die prijzen voelt het ook alsof je zwaar wordt afgezet. Niet gaan zitten & doorlopen.
systemrun4 systemrun4
04/08/2024Un caffè americano 2.2€. davvero troppo.
Gillot Emilie
16/07/2024No text provided.
Turkey
13/07/2024No text provided.
Nikita Krivosheev
27/06/2024Non c’è servizio al tavolo per carenza del personale. Bisogna fare una lunga fila per ordinare. Un posto come questo deve essere gestito meglio
alix DUPONT
23/06/2024A fuir! Tous sont très désagréables et ne font aucun effort. Mauvaise organisation, hygiène laissant à désirer. Ces gens ne devraient pas travailler dans un lieu touristique. Laissez votre argent ailleurs!
Lukáš Lánský
22/06/2024No text provided.
Martin Pokemon
12/06/2024Servizio molto lento, con poco attenzione ai clienti. Si vede che questo lavoro non li appassiona. È un peccato, perché il caffè è situato all'interno del complesso. Consiglio di sedersi piuttosto in una bella caffetteria di fronte a questo monumento.
Sara Blanco Correa
08/06/2024Las pastas estaban increíbles, probamos el croissant de pistacho (un must) y una pastita con Nutella que también estaba buenísima. Los camareros muy simpáticos y el lugar un encanto. Calidad - precio razonable.
dersandicus
11/05/2024Unfreundlicher Services und viel Lärm.
Monica Barbolini
18/04/2024L'ambiente è pulito e accogliente. Ottimo per uno spuntino. Non particolarmente caro essendo all'interno di un'area museale. Personale gentile
Gabi Reuter
05/04/2024mitten in palazzo: schön, kaffee lauwarm, service unfreundlich
GIUSEPPE NICOLETTI
04/04/2024Personale poco gentile e disponibile sopratutto con stranieri, confermo le recensioni sulla signora alla cassa, veramente indisponente, caffè bevuto di meglio, l’unica loro fortuna è la posizione ove ubicato…nn consigliato
Fuchun Zhu
17/03/2024No text provided.
Giuseppe Dapoto
28/10/2023Entrare in un contesto del Castello Sforzesco e poi trovarsi in un "bar" come questo si riesce a valuta la diversità delle epoche ed i contesti relativi. Servizio pessimo addetta al banco inadeguata e scocciata che riesce solo ad apostrofare i turisti che ahimè hanno la sola colpa di ordinare e pagare anche lautamente non è un bel vedere. Mi fermo qui perché il mio giudizio a questo punto sarebbe condizionato. Locale sicuramente sconsigliato.
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