Gian Zaniol is a two time Italian Brewers Cup champion, head barista at Berlin's Chapter One, and proud ambassador for BRITA. 

We spoke to Gian back in October about his collaborative photojournal project with BRITA and Romedia Studio, "La Ricetta di BRITA".

Ahead of his appearance at the BRITA Brew Bar at The Milan Coffee Festival this weekend, the star barista treated us to five of his favourite specialty coffee shops in Italy; perfect for those extending your trip or planning a winter break to the bel paese. Here are his picks:

 

Ditta Artigianale, Florence

With two locations in the historical center of Florence, Ditta was one of the very first coffee shops in Italy to embrace the 'worldwide' view of coffee. The head of this wonderful place is Francesco Sanapo, a multiple Barista Champion and big coffee lover. I think one of the best things about Ditta (as well as the coffee of course) is the amazing team that Sanapo has built with some great head baristas: Francesco Masciullo, Simone Amenini and Eva Palma.
 

Aroma, Bologna

Owned by Cristina Caroli and Alessandro Galtieri (3rd place at the World Brewers Cup 2019), this little place serves different coffees from the likes of Gardelli Specialty, His Majesty the Coffee, and Lelli, but you can find much more, and amazing homemade coffee-based sweets. All of this since 2001 – not bad right? Aroma proudly focuses on coffee, no compromise!




Tazza Pazza, Genoa
When passionate people have a target the sky is the limit. Tazze Pazze is one of the best places in Italy to have a coffee. It’s a family bisuness with two different locations, one of which is in the beautiful historical center of Genoa. Here you can find Andrea Cremone and his brother Matteo Caruso, two young baristas who will drive you through the wonderful world of coffee. Highly reccomended.




Faro luminari del Caffè, Rome
This place is simply unique. Here you can drink coffee from roasteries all over Europe and have some great Italian food in a beautiful location. To me, they're the best in Rome. If coffee and delicious food aren't enough for you, Dario Fociani, Arturo Felicetta and Dafne Spadavecchia have one of the best teams you can find. They will make your coffee experience outstanding!




Taste Coffee and More, Treviso
Without any doubt my favorite Coffee Shop in Italy. When you enter Taste, this little coffee shop in the historical center will turn you in love! Owned by Elisa Urdich and Fabio Tiralongo, this beautiful couple will help explain everything and help you to find the perfect cup of coffee, be it espresso, filter coffee or moka pot. Taste is a multi-roastery, with focus on coffee; there's no distraction here, coffee is the king. Some of the roasteries you can find are: Bugan, Gearbox (which is actually my favorite roastery), Vannelli, Neroscuro, Ditta Artigianale, 3MarksCoffee, La Cabra, April and many more. Don’t miss the chance to visit! 

Gian Zaniol will be on hand at the BRITA Brew Bar each day of The Milan Coffee Festival, giving demonstrations, workshops, and even some vegan breakfast for the early risers! Read more for the full schedule.