Panificio Luini

On your first trip to Milan, the only Italian worth learning is “Dov’è Panificio Luini?” Luini’s panzerotti is the best in Milan and, quite possibly, the world.

A panificio is a bakery, which is of utmost importance when attempting to grasp the full power of the panzerotto. A panzerotto consists of sweet deep-fried dough resembling that of a doughnut. The dough creates an envelope, encasing the perfect amount of filling before being dropped in the fryer to give the exterior that golden glow.

Over the years, Luini has expanded its menu to include the sausauge, the sweet, and the sauceless, but I recommend the standard panzerotto as it was recommended to me: tomato and mozzarella.

Here stands the original panzerotto in all its simplistic glory. For only about 3€, this beauty can be yours. Served in an open wax-paper bag, the panzerotti are just asking to be eaten immediately.

The first bite is filled with Luini's fried yet magically soft dough. Then, the pizza-pocket explosion begins. The sauce is sweet, light, and, unlike American pizzas, used surprisingly sparingly. The cheese is fresh and still melted from the fryer.

If you're now in the process of booking your flight to Milan, as I assume most of you are, Luini's website helps you plan your trip(s) to the bakery accordingly, displaying a day-to-day list of opening hours. Located right by the Piazza del Duomo, Luini's is easy to find -- just look for the hoard of hungry people.

The line looks long, but it moves quickly. After waiting, you'll be so anxious to dive in that you'll devour your panzerotto before you're able to consciously enjoy it. My advice: buy two.

Panzerotti - Panificio Luini via S. Radegonda 16, Milano-Italy