Bugan Coffee Lab — Restaurant in Bergamo

I can't say enough positive things about this place, their product, and their efforts. It is an absolute rarity to find someone crushing it so damn hard.

Michelin star level perfection.

Update one year later visit 4.9.24 + 5.9.24

Last time I came my espresso was prepared directly by Maurizio and it was absolutely the highest level. The god shot.

This visit to Bergamo we came two days in a row to Bugan.

Both days it was the same lady behind the machine.

First day the Ethiopian espresso was solid. 7.5/10 not life changing but good. Asked for a spoon to stir and instead got a speach about big cups and swirling. no spoon received .Lame

Today I ordered the Ecuador as an espresso shot(came with a spoon😏) and it was both simultaneously over and under extracted.

I asked for steamed milk so I could add on top as to not make a big deal over a bad shot and was met yet again with a lecture. After i said the shot was not to my liking she offered to remake my drink as a cappuccino.

What I received was way too much milk and a hint of coffee flavor. Also lame.

When I gave the empty cups back I told her I meant no offense...this is where it went quickly downhill.

She went on to try and lecture me again about how it was just not the right coffee for me. She insisted when SHE visits a café SHE can tell if it is a preparation shortcoming, but implied that I do not have he same capability.

She then went on about how precise her technique is and there couldn't have been any shortcomings in the preparation. Lol

Firstly you never know who you are talking to and what their base of knowledge is. This is espresso 101 if you have simultaneous bitter and sour then preparation is the first place you turn.

I find it mildly offensive that someone that hasn't tasted what you've tasted gets so defensive and preachy.

As someone who has earned a living for a huge chunk of my life largely in part to my palate I'm honestly super confused.. the best chefs , baristas, mixologists, bakers , etc that I've worked with were all curious when confronted with dissatisfaction and never offended.

I'm glad I don't live in Bergamo, because a barista like her could ruin a good...

Bugan was like rescue point for us at our vaccation in Italy. We was been looking for speciality coffee with no excuses (pour overs, ballanced espresso , coffehouse focused on coffee, lighter roasts etc.) For me, speciality coffee is mainly about people and service, because you can get a perfect cup of coffee, but when the barista who serves it looks like he/she is bothered even by your presence, all magic is lost, no matter how skilled he/she is.

Bugan fullfill all of our expectations and more. Skilled barista served us a very tasty coffee with a joy, explaining us a background of every coffee he offered.

Many people may be offended by “no sugar” rule, but nobody is going to lecture you about how you should drink your coffee, so if you don´t like it that way, you can choose another coffee shop, or give it a try.

For me it’s more like a recommendation, because sugar will hide all interesting notes in your coffee, without giving a chance to show all potencial. Many people had been working on this “cup of yours” (including farmers, pickers, importers, roasters and finally baristas), so at least it deserve a chance, don’t you think ? 😊 🕊

Prices are good, If you realised that you have something special and lets say unique for Bergamo.

Thank you for this...

Unbelievable! They just don't have sugar. And they do not bother telling in advance. I don't care what crazy anti sugar thing is going on in Italy, but I don't like to be forced to be part of it! I love my coffee, I only drink high quality capuccino (that's why I actually searched and found this place) and I always have it with the exact right amount of (preferably brown fine powdered) sugar, because for me the bitter sweet combination is what makes this beverage so addicting. So, either tell (with words, not hidden on some black board) in advance or get some high quality sugar. Everything else is just the rude and reflects a rather small understanding of coffee culture! At least I would have expected not to have to pay for the beverage I then of course...