SANT AMBROEUS CELEBRATES 90 YEARS OF MILANESE HERITAGE, CULTURE, AND TIMELESS HOSPITALITY

The milestone anniversary will bring a year-long program of partnerships and cultural activations that brings its history, community, and Milanese spirit to life.

FROM THE WIRES...

New York, NY | April 2026 —This year, the beloved Milanese hospitality institution Sant Ambroeus celebrates its 90th anniversary —a rare milestone in hospitality —honoring the heritage, culinary tradition, culture, community, and people that have defined the brand for nearly a century.

Founded in Milan in 1936, Sant Ambroeus has carefully evolved over generations. What began as a small pasticceria and café quickly grew into a Milanese institution, a gathering place for artists, intellectuals, designers, and generations of locals. Ninety years later, that same spirit continues to define the brand as it spans Milan, New York City, The Hamptons, Palm Beach, Aspen, Paris, and soon Los Angeles, Dallas, and Miami.

Still family-run to this day, Sant Ambroeus carries forward a legacy of craftsmanship and authenticity passed from generation to generation for nearly a century. Sant Ambroeus has preserved a distinct art of welcoming: understated elegance, meticulous care, warmth expressed through discretion, and a sense of belonging that feels instinctive the moment you walk through the door. Its unwavering commitment to consistency has also carried them through time. Whether in Milan or Manhattan, Paris or Palm Beach, guests can expect the same Milanese hospitality, attention to detail, and familiar dishes.

“Sant Ambroeus has always been more than a place to dine,” says Gaetano Guarducci, Managing Partner. “It reflects a Milanese way of life —one rooted in ritual, elegance, and genuine human connection. Celebrating ninety years is about honoring our history, taking a moment in time to appreciate and take pride in what Sant Ambroeus is today,  and just as importantly, continuing to evolve thoughtfully while preserving the spirit that has defined us since the beginning.”

At the heart of Sant Ambroeus’ ninety-year story is not only its heritage or its recipes, it is the extraordinary people who have carried its values forward, day after day, decade after decade. From the master bakers, baristas and chefs who have honored the same recipes for generations, to the servers whose warmth has welcomed multiple generations of the same families, to the managers and chefs who have upheld the strict discipline of Milanese service, these individuals are the living archive of Sant Ambroeus. 

Many members of the team have been with the company for ten, twenty, even thirty years, whose dedication, intuition, memory, and craft have defined what Milanese hospitality feels like in every dining room around the world.

In celebration of this milestone, Sant Ambroeus will unveil a year long program of partnerships and cultural activations that brings its history, community, and Milanese spirit to life. The celebrations will debut in Milan during Salone del Mobile, where Sant Ambroeus will highlight the artistry of its pasticceria with a 90th anniversary-themed window installation at their Milan location. In New York, the iconic Soho location plate wall will be transformed into a visual journey of the brand’s storied history through an artist collaboration which will be unveiled during Frieze New York. 

Available across all global locations, Sant Ambroeus will be introducing new, exciting culinary creations to the menu, including a highly-anticipated rendition of the principessa cake in a celebratory burgundy edition drawn from the brand’s heritage color palette. Layers of delicate orange sponge are filled with orange pastry cream, whipped cream and lightly soaked in simple syrup, then finished with a smooth burgundy marzipan. They will also be launching a new cocktail, Milano 36, a vibrant tribute to the brand’s Milanese roots. Crafted by shaking Aperol, Amaretto Adriatico Bianco, Molinari, and fresh citrus, the cocktail reveals a luminous rosé hue and a bright, balanced profile inspired by the spirit of Milan’s aperitivo culture. Served in custom glassware engraved with Sant Ambroeus’s iconic dove, the drink celebrates the elegance, ritual, and conviviality that have defined the brand for nearly a century.

In the fall, the brand will also be launching a limited-edition 90th anniversary capsule collection comprising a premium selection of a  hat, scarf, tote, and sweater, designed as collectibles for the Sant Ambroeus community and fans alike. The retail offerings will be available in limited quantities online. Together, these initiatives pay tribute to the institution’s heritage while capturing the stories, rituals, and relationships that continue to define Sant Ambroeus today.

Sant Ambroeus’ 90th anniversary will honor the community that helped shape its legacy, celebrating the characters, regulars , creative forces, friends and family who made the restaurants and coffee shops a global institution.