• HostMilano 2025 will take place from 17 to 21 October in Milan, Italy, and will host the 2025 World Barista Championship.
• The 2023 edition drew over 180,000 visitors from 166 countries, making it one of the world’s most important coffee, hospitality, and food service trade shows.
• Hundreds of coffee brands will exhibit at this year’s event, which will also host the 2025 World Latte Art Grading System Championship, Moka Challenge, and the Gran Premio Delle Caffetteria Italiana competition.
• Milan is also home to some of Italy’s leading specialty coffee shops and roasters, including Cafezal, Orsonero Coffee, and Ditta Artigianale.

Every two years, HostMilano – one of the world’s largest B2B hospitality trade shows – takes place in Milan, Italy. The 2025 event, scheduled to take place from 17 to 21 October, will be held at the Fiera Milano exhibition and trade centre.

This year, HostMilano will host the 2025 World Barista Championship. Other competitions at the event will include the 2025 World Latte Art Grading System Championship, Moka Challenge, and the Gran Premio Delle Caffetteria Italiana competition.

Many brands will also organise their own afterparties and unofficial events across the five days. Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit some of Italy’s best specialty coffee shops and roasters.

Read on for the essential coffee guide to HostMilano.

Check out the PDG Events Calendar here. We will continue to update the article as more afterparties and events are announced.

Which competitions will take place?

HostMilano will be held at the Fiera Milano exhibition centre, Strada Statale Sempione, 28, 20017 Rho Milan, Italy – just outside the Rho Fieramilano metro station.

“It’s a world-class event of unique scale and influence, attracting an enormous global audience,” says Ioannis Papadopoulos, the founder and CEO of IRM. “Host is the ultimate meeting point for the coffee and hospitality industries, where thousands of professionals gather to discover the latest innovations shaping the future of our sector.

“We’re excited to showcase the spirit of Greek coffee culture at booth G55 in hall 18, and demonstrate how IRM is shaping the future of roasting.”

The event will feature several competitions, including the 2025 World Barista Championship, which marks its 25th anniversary this year. 

Other notable championships at HostMilano include:

• World Latte Art Grading System Championship, which assesses baristas’ technical latte art skills, as well as their creativity and flair
• Gran Premio Delle Caffetteria Italiana – competitors have 13 minutes to prepare two cappuccinos, two espressos, and two cold coffee drinks, which contain traditional Italian ingredients
• Moka Challenge – competitors have ten minutes to brew and serve coffee in a three-cup moka pot
• Espresso Italiano Champion competition held by the Istituto Espresso Italiano (IEI)

Why coffee events are so popular in Italy

Specialty coffee is an industry built on close relationships and collaboration, so events and trade shows are an essential part of sales and marketing. Given its historical ties to espresso culture, Italy is a popular destination for major coffee expos.

In 2022, World of Coffee – another major industry trade show – took place in Milan. Other coffee events hosted in Italy include SIGEP, Trieste Coffee Festival, and TriestEspresso Expo.

Every two years, HostMilano takes place in Milan, the second most populous city in Italy, and attracts nearly 200,000 visitors from around the world. 

“As one of the biggest global hubs for coffee innovation, HostMilano gathers the world’s most forward-thinking brands and professionals under one roof,” says Jan Adriaens, the CEO of Perfect Moose. “This year, at booth H32 in hall 16, we will unveil upgrades to our automated milk steamers and offer an exclusive sneak peek at a brand-new prototype.”

The event is now in its 44th edition, and is known for showcasing the latest innovations and technologies in the global coffee, hospitality, and food and beverage industries.

“From the rise of vegan drinks to technological innovation in automation and the growing importance of sustainability, not to mention customers’ increasing awareness of quality, the beverage industry is undergoing major changes,” says Tharyn Estevez, the Director of Global Marketing at SEB Professional Beverages. “Host reflects these developments. 

“At the SEB Professional Beverage booths B48, B56, E47, and E55 in hall 12, we will showcase five leading brands: WMF, Schaerer, Curtis, La San Marco, and Zummo, offering comprehensive solutions for diverse beverage needs and business models.”

HostMilano will also include Host Talks – Beyond The Cup and the Coffee Addition showcase, demonstrating key trends in the coffee industry.

“Attending events like HostMilano is important because it connects us directly with global industry leaders, decision-makers, and innovators in the foodservice sector,” says Keelan Hartnett, the Managing Director of Flo-Smart. “It’s an opportunity to showcase how our technology revolutionises cold beverage service – serving iced coffee or matcha in less than six seconds – while building partnerships, finding distributors, and gathering market insights.”

Afterparties and events

Numerous companies and organisations will host their own activities and events during HostMilano:

Thursday 16 October

• Official Bloom book launch at Ditta Artigianale (invitation-only VIP session from 5pm to 6pm and public aperitivo session until 8pm)

Friday 17 October

• Hemro Group’s The Missing Piece at Casa Gessi Milano from 6pm
• Taste the Future at Stronghold Studio: Coffee + AI, including special guests Ben Tan, Matt Winton, and Boram Um

Saturday 18 October

• La Marzocco’s Out of the Box, returning after ten years, at Superstudio Più from 10am to 8pm
• Rancilio Group Evening Party at Casa Giardino from 8pm
• Macap’s aperitivos and cocktails evening at Pasticceria Cucchi from 7pm to 10pm
• Café Imports aperitivo evening at Osteria Alla Concorrenza from 6pm to 9pm

Sunday 19 October

• Firex and The Middleby Corporation’s 30th anniversary party at Via Piero della Francesca from 7:30pm to 11:30pm
• Aroma Latte Art Throwdown hosted by Spazio Torrefattori at booth K11 in hall 12 from 3:30pm to 6pm, with guest of honour World Latte Art Champion Carmen Clemente

Wednesday 22 October

• The 2025 World Espresso Championships, hosted by Dalla Corte, at Bobino Milano. The event starts at 12pm and will include an unofficial HostMilano afterparty

This list will be updated as more parties are announced.

Milan coffee shop tour

Considered Italy’s fashion, design, and financial capital, Milan blends historic architecture, such as the Duomo Cathedral, with modern trends. 

The city is also home to some of Italy’s best specialty coffee shops and roasters, which are challenging traditional mindsets about quality and flavour.

Carlos Eduardo Bitencourt, the founder and CEO of Cafezal (the first specialty coffee roaster in Milan that operates six locations in the city), shares his recommendations:

• Orsonero Coffee, opened in 2016
• Crosta, which also serves pizza and wine
• Ditta Artigianale, opened in 2013
• PAN, which is also a bakery and serves wine

Carlos also recommends Torrefazione Moka Hodeidah, a traditional roaster named after one of Yemen’s historic ports.

European Coffee Trip also recommends Bugan Coffee Lab, Nowhere Future Coffee Roasters, Altura Specialty Coffee, Bar Affori, Il Cafetero, Loste Cafe, Mascherpa, and Serra di quartiere.

Where to eat in Milan

The city’s food scene is a mix of traditional Lombardian cuisine, modern fine dining, and vibrant aperitivo culture. Food & Wine’s list of the best restaurants includes:

• Ristorante Ratanà, offering a fresh take on Milanese cuisine
• Modern fine dining restaurant Bu:r
• Capuano’s, serving traditional Napoli pizzas
• Michelin-starred Trattoria Trippa
• Ceresio 7, which includes a terrace and swimming pools

Carlos also recommends Da Martino, Giacomo Bistrot and Rosticceria, Mao Hunan Restaurant, and Osteria Lagrandissima.

What can we expect at HostMilano?

HostMilano is one of the most influential and impactful B2B trade shows in the global hospitality and restaurant (HoReCa) sector. Following the easing of pandemic restrictions, the 2021 event drew a then-record 110,000 visitors and featured 1,345 companies from across 144 countries.

In the years since, the event has continued to grow and is expected to draw close to 200,000 visitors from 17 to 21 October.

The event brings together thousands of exhibitors from the coffee, tea, hospitality equipment, and food service industries. Many of these brands showcase the latest innovations in coffee shop and roasting technology.

“One of our highlights will be the IRM Micro, a world-first tabletop roasting machine with a capacity from 50g to 2kg, built with the same engineering standards as our larger machines,” says Ioannis. “We’re also one of the only companies in the world to offer a 30kg fully electric roasting machine, a breakthrough that combines large-scale capacity with sustainability and efficiency.”

Automation is also a highlight of the expo, especially as coffee shop and roastery operators increasingly turn to automated solutions for support while navigating a turbulent market and rising costs.

“Another one of our highlights will be the unveiling of a brand-new Perfect Moose prototype, again developed with barista feedback in mind,” says Jan. “We will actively ask visitors for their insight, as our product innovations are always driven by people working behind and managing the bar, as well as visiting the café as customers.”

Given the scale and influence of Host, many brands strive to create memorable experiences at their booths, engaging with visitors in new ways to build lasting connections.

“Attendees can experience immersive themed environments showcasing the combined coffee and beverage expertise of SEB Professional Beverage and the WMF, Schaerer, Curtis, La San Marco, and Zummo brands,” Tharyn says. “Authentic application scenarios invite visitors to places where people enjoy a variety of beverage creations, such as an office, an Italian café, a hotel, or a convenience store.

“On 19 October, we will also host the Espresso Italiano Champion competition, organised by the Istituto Espresso Italiano, at our stand,” she adds.

Brands will also partner at HostMilano, underscoring the collaborative nature of specialty coffee.

“At E39 in hall 20, Flo-Smart will partner with Origin Coffee, Blendsmiths, and Beyond the Bean, who will supply iced coffee, matcha, chocolate, teas, and flavourings,” Keelan says. “We’ll see continued growth in cold and functional beverages and wellness-driven options, reflecting consumer demand for variety, health, and convenience.”

HostMilano is one of the most important events in the coffee industry. Alongside the trade show, competitions, and afterparties, attendees will be able to experience the city’s growing specialty coffee scene.

If you are participating in the expo in any capacity, make sure to register and book any activities in advance of your attendance.

To learn more about WoC Geneva, visit the website.

Photo credits: HostMilano, Specialty Coffee Association, Cafezal, IRM, Anna Fedyk, WMF, Flo-Smart

Perfect Daily Grind

Please note: IRM, Perfect Moose, WMF, and Flo-Smart are sponsors of Perfect Daily Grind.

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