15 Great Milan Restaurants and Cafes
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Discover 15 great Milan restaurants and cafes where you can eat traditional Milanese food unless you’re more in the mood for pizza or Chinese food.
One of the first mistakes travelers make about Milan is they think they can do it all in one day. Sure, there are great sites you could see in fa ew hours like The Last Supper, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and, of course, the magnificent Duomo di Milano. But Milan is not Florence. It’s a large, dynamic city with over 1.3 million people living withing the city’s central ring and 5 million living in the region. Despite its size and the way that European cities have become more like museums than neighborhoods, much of Milan’s center still feels communal and remarkably real.
When it comes to food, Milan is not a simple city for many travelers. Traditionally, Milanese cuisine was influenced by the nearby mountains and Po Valley. But, thanks to the city’s rail connections along with three major airports, the city’s restaurants serve some of the best foods from Italy, Europe and the world. Most people love New York City for its culinary diversity. Milan is similar but different – while the city’s competitive atmosphere means that you can find great traditional, modern and international cuisine, there’s still a good amount of traditional Italian food to be enjoyed here.
🇮🇹 Milan To Do’s
Milan is a popular destination, so you should book your tours, hotel and rental car ASAP. These are our top picks:
📸 Tours and Activities
1. Milan Food Experiences with Locals (a great way to taste the city)
2. Navigli Food & Drinks Tour with Eating Europe (wear stretchy pants)
3. Best of Milan: The Last Supper Tickets, Duomo & City Tour (we loved this tour!)
4. Milan Super Saver: Skip-the-Line Duomo and Rooftop Guided Tour (great if you’re short on time)
5. Como, Bellagio & Varenna: Small Group from Milan with Boat Cruise (fun day trip)
6. Bernina Red Train, Swiss Alps & St Moritz from Milan (explore a different country)
🏨 Accommodations
1. Hotel (rooms at all price points)
2. Airbnb (apartments with kitchens)
🚗 Rent a Car to Explore the Region.
When you’re in Milan, look around any corner or take any short ride on the city’s comprehensive metro system. Want pizza but can’t get to Naples? There’s probably a traditional Neapolitan style pizzeria like Sorbillo or excellent world class pizzeria like Confine nearby. Love pasta? You can go to Rovello 18 and enjoy tagliatelle al ragu that rivals any pasta served in Bologna. Craving Asian food? There’s great Chinese cuisine to be found including food from unsung northern regions like Xinjiang.
Milan’s traditional Italian coffee scene is fun but, if you’re looking for excellent, specialty beans, Milan’s baristas are unafraid to break from Italy’s coffee tradition. Looking for great Italian sweets? Milan’s geographic position, so close to France, the Alps and the rest of Italy makes the city a wonderful pastry center where you’ll not only find Milan’s famous sweet bread, panettone, but also great cakes, brioche and gelato.
And the Milanese love to party. You can enjoy great aperitivo sessions at bars in just about every area of town. Milan is European living at its best. While there are worthwhile destinations nearby, like Lake Como, Milan is ideal for people who want to eat well while experiencing the wonders of its sophisticated lifestyle.
Where to Eat in Milan
While Milan is an easy city to visit, its restaurant scene doesn’t hit you in the face like happens in other Italian cities like Naples and Rome. Discerning research is required. But, once you crack the code, the rewards from eating in Milan are worth the extra effort.
After doing a good deal of advance and on-the-ground research, we ate well during three separate trips to Italy’s most fashionable city. Ranging from cheap eats to destination dining, we now have our favorite Milan restaurants and cafes. These are the ones you shouldn’t miss:
1. Ristorante Ratanà – Modern Osteria in a Historic Building
When dining at Ratanà’ you need to reserve the costeletta (breaded, bone-in veal chop) 48 hours in advance. This may sound presumptuous. Do it anyway. The monstrous chop, which is a tremendous value, is the neoclassical trattoria’s signature dish. It’s also big enough to share.
Helmed by eccentric chef Cesare Battisti and located in a former tram depot since 2009, Ratanà offers ultra-refined renditions of Milanese staples like saffron risotto, served with a halved bolt of bone filled with scrumptious marrow, and breaded Milanese meatballs called mondeghili, also served with saffron, but this time in the form of creamy mayo. And, despite the abundance of suited businessmen who often fill the restaurant’s contemporary dining space, Ratańa is a comfortable place to eat with excellent service and wine.
Pro Tip
Make time for a pre or post meal walk around the Isola neighborhood to catch a fun glimpse of the verdant Bosco Verticale. It’s one of Milan’s modern architectural gems.
Ristorante Ratanà is located at Via Gaetano de Castillia, 28, 20124 Milano, Italy.
2. Confine – World-Class Pizzeria in the Center of Milan
If you only eat one pizza in Milan, you should eat it at Confine. Opened in 2023 and operated by Francesco Capece and Mario Ventura, both from Salerno, the pizzeria has quickly moved its way to the top of the worldwide pizza class.
The not-so-humble pizzeria has two upscale dining rooms, a sophisticated wine cellar and an open kitchen. The kitchen is where Capece makes pizza magic using – gasp – an electric oven. This may not earn the pizzeria a blessing from the Naples pizza police but it really doesn’t matter since Confine’s pizza tastes so good.
You can eat Capece’s pizzas on their own or as part of a multi-course tasting menu. Popular pies include classic Margherita di Bufala and his creative Botox pie topped with a melange of cheeses plus white fig jam.
Pro Tip
Check out our Milan Pizza Guide to discover more pizzerias worth visiting.
Confine is located at Piazza Cardinal Massaia, 20123 Milano, Italy.
3. Marchesi 1824 – Elegant Pastry Shops Owned by Prada
We’re obsessed with Marchesi 1824 thanks to both its look-but-don’t-touch, chic decor and its delightfully decadent pastries. We’re not alone. The Milanese have been frequenting Marchesi 1824’s original Santa Maria alla Porta pasticceria for two centuries, both before and after the Prada Group acquired the shop in 2014. And, since the acquisition, Prada has opened additional locations in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, on Via Monte Napoleone and in London.
Marchesi 1824 is famous for its year-round pannetone and aurora cake made with layers of sponge cake, Madagascar bourbon vanilla syrup, custard and fresh whipped cream. We didn’t order either of those sweet treats during our luxurious visit. Instead, we shared a decent bombolone freshly filled with pistachio cream and an excellent, cloud-like slice of pretty ‘pink’ sponge cake made with strawberries, strawberry cream and vanilla Bavarian cream.
Pro Tip
Visit all three Marchesi 1824 salons in Milan to find your favorite.
Marchesi 1824 has multiple locations. We visited the pasticceria located at Via Monte Napoleone, 9, 20121 Milano, Italy.
4. Rovello 18 – Elevated Milanese Dishes Near San Vittore
We started our Rovello 18 lunch with, of all things, a gilda – the iconic tapa of pickled peppers, artichokes, anchovies and olives from Spain’s Basque region. In Milan, that’s a surprise. In ultra traditional Italy, it’s a shock. But the nation could use the kind of fresh air that flows inside this dark yet cozy trattoria. At first glance, Rovello 18 looks like a traditional Milan bistro with its welcoming bar, stylish decor and extensive wine list. But a quick glance at the menu, with its array of dishes more commonly eaten in other Italian cities and beyond, reveals something different.
That eclectic menu contains Italian food standards like tagliatelle al ragu, saffron risotto and vitello tonnato. Rovello 18’s vitello tonnato, with impeccably finished slices of pink veal surrounding a mound of creamy tuna, ranks as the best we’ve eaten in Italy so far. And the restaurant’s tagliatelle con ragù, made with sausage from Piedmont’s Bra, is excellent evidence that great pasta with meat sauce isn’t exclusive to Emilia–Romagna.
Pro Tip
Consider sitting at the bar with a view of Rovello 18’s state-of-the-art open kitchen and wood-fire grill. It’s an ideal spot for diners who appreciate a front-row view of the culinary action.
Rovello 18 is located at Via Ariberto, 3, 20123 Milano, Italy.
5. Trattoria della Gloria – Neighborhood Gem in Navigli
Located just a short walk from the fun yet touristic Navigli canal, Trattoria della Gloria is an intimate chef-driven bistro with utterly modern sensibilities. The atmosphere in this neighborhood spot is intimate yet convivial, its wine list is fresh and vivacious and its food is both impeccably sourced and beautifully prepared. To those who still don’t understand why we love eating in Milan, make a reservation and head here.
This is a restaurant that’s unashamed to offer a pedestrian dish like minestrone, a Milan staple that’s rarely found on restaurant menus. Trattoria Gloria serves a beautiful version of the classic soup, filled with colorful fresh veggies – it’s almost impossible to sink your spoon in without first taking a photo. Don’t wait too long. Your palate will be rewarded with a variety of textures like the leafy Swiss chard, starchy sweet carrots, herbaceous celery and starchy young yellow peas that filled our bowl.
The restaurant’s trio of owners also offer dishes like pork and rabbit on their ever-changing menu. (The minestrone is the only dish with a permanent spot.) Don’t obsess too much on what to order – instead, go with the flow and choose a nice glass or bottle of wine to go with your meal. Ironically, the red wine we chose was called Fiasco which was the exact opposite of how we’d describe our meal.
Pro Tip
Make the hipster move and pre-game your dinner with aperitivo at Iter. The upscale bar is located a block off the canal and a short walk from Trattoria della Gloria.
Trattoria della Gloria is located at Via Mario Pichi, 5, 20143 Milano, Italy.
6. Pasticceria Cucchi – Classic Milan Cafe
Originally called Caffè Concerto when Luigi and Vittorina Cucchi opened the doors in 1936, Pasticceria Cucchi became a local institution after it was bombed during World War II and rebuilt with a decor that features elegant chandeliers and marble floors. Operated by the Cucchi family for three generations, it’s now in the hands of the Monti family.
Pasticceria Cucchi stays busy from breakfast in the morning until the sun sets after pre-dinner aperitivo sessions. Regulars pair pannetone slices and filled brioche pastries with cappuccinos and shakeratos. They also grab outdoor tables where they can linger with or without a cigarette. This is exactly what we did (senza cigarettes).
Pro Tip
Take a break from touring and treat yourself to Pasticceria Cucchi’s afternoon tea.
Pasticceria Cucchi is located at Corso Genova, 1, 20123 Milano, Italy.
7. Trattoria Madonnina – Historic Trattoria Near Navigli
Helmed by Pasquale Malafronte since 2023, Trattoria Madonnina is Milan’s oldest trattoria with a history that spans three centuries. And, while we’d like to call it unique, there are probably thousands of Milan restaurants, like Trattoria Madonnina, that have gingham-checkered tablecloths, bread baskets on every table and various family portraits and cheap art prints on the walls. But this trattoria offered us the kind of classic Milanese dining experience we were looking for when we landed in Milan for our second visit
We had this realization during our meal while eating ossobuco, that most classic of Milanese dishes. Not only was the veal shank bathed in a luscious meaty sauce and served over rust-colored, super creamy polenta but it was also topped with gremolata, a colorful mince of green herbs and lemon zest. That verdant garnish was a beautiful reminder that we were dining in Italy’s most stylish city.
Our vitello tonnato was gorgeous too, with its medium poached slices of veal, creamy tuna sauce, caper berries and pickled red onions. That being said, the pasta we ordered, a fusilli with cherry tomatoes and stracciatella, which leaned away from Milan toward the south, provided an exciting counterpoint to the rich fattiness of the ossobuco.
Pro Tip
Make Trattoria Madonnina the first stop on your Milan food journey. You’ll get a solid introduction to Milanese cuisine in the trattoria’s cozy setting away from the touristed center.
Trattoria Madonnina is located at Via Gentilino, 6, 20136 Milano, Italy.
8. Osteria del Treno – Traditional Food Near Milano Centrale
Justifiably named since it’s just a 10 minute walk from Milano Centrale (Milan’s central train station), Osteria del Treno looks like any other classic Italy restaurant. It’s not. It’s also not a hidden gem. Not only has Osteria del Treno been featured on Stanley Tucci’s show, but it’s also a local stalwart thanks to an affordable menu with quality Milanese and Northern Italian classics like ossobuco, trippa all Milanese (braised tripe done in a Milan style) and tagliatelle with rabbit ragu. That warming tagliatelle, a homey pasta dish with a rustic ragu, makes this osteria a worthwhile stop whether or not you’re staying near the train station.
Beyond its menu, Osteria del Treno provides an intriguing glimpse into Milan’s history with its Sala Liberty, a large gathering hall that adjoins the main dining space. Originally a 19th century gathering space for railroad workers, the hall now hosts public and private events year round. (Stanley Tucci filmed an episode in this hall without disclosing the name of the space.)
Pro Tip
Walk behind the dining room before or after your meal and peek inside the historic Sala Liberty.
Osteria del Treno is located at Via S. Gregorio, 46, 20124 Milano, Italy.
9. Antica Trattoria della Pesa – Historic Trattoria in Porta Garibaldi
Antica Trattoria della Pesa is one of Milan’s oldest restaurants. Open since 1880, its menu serves many of the classic dishes that Milanese locals have continuously eaten over the years – risotto (both alla Milanese and al salto), ossobuco and costoletta just to name a few.
This is the kind of restaurant where locals take visitors for a true taste of traditional Milanese cuisine, which is how we ended up eating in the restaurant’s cozy bistro during our initial visit. It’s where we first ate ossobuco in the dish’s home city. It’s also where we ate delightful zabaione with fresh berries for dessert.
Fun Fact
Ho Chi Minh worked at Antica Trattoria della Pesa during the 1930s. He later served as the President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam from 1945 to 1969.
Antica Trattoria della Pesa is located at Viale Pasubio, 10, 20154 Milano, Italy.
10. Trattoria Mirta – Creative and Seasonal Spot in Casoretto
Open since 2007, Trattoria Mirta is probably the only restaurant in the Casoretto district with both Milanese and Uruguayan roots. But don’t expect to eat South American food here. Mirta’s chef, Juan Lema, loves Milan. He also loves fresh, locally sourced ingredients. His menu reflects both of those passions.
Lema’s menu changes daily and, while skewing Italian, doesn’t lean too hard into Milan. While we ate Milanese meatballs served with mixed salad and yogurt during our lunchtime meal, we also ate pasta with ragu and grilled sausage served over caponata. However, the most creative (and messiest) dish was easily the pastrami di vitello starter served on toast with red cabbage and pickles. We’re still scratching our heads on that dish.
Pro Tip
Despite its neighborhood location, don’t assume that you can walk into Trattoria Mirta without a reservation.
Trattoria Mirta is located at Piazza S. Materno, 12, 20131 Milano, Italy.
11. Mercato Centrale – Food Market Inside the Train Station
Taking the train to or from Milano Centrale has its perks thanks to the train station’s close proximity to Mercato Centrale. That proximity couldn’t be any closer since the food market is literally inside the station. Score!
As for the other perks, they include the sandwiches, pizza, pastries and dumplings sold at 32 stalls on two floors. For those not in a rush to catch a train, they also include crafted cocktails.
Pro Tip
Budget adequate time to explore the market’s many food stalls If you’re visiting Mercato Centrale before a scheduled train trip.
Mercato Centrale is located at Via Giovanni Battista Sammartini, 2, 20125 Milano, Italy.
12. Luini – Iconic Street Food Spot Near the Duomo
Open since 1949 and located a stone’s throw from both the Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Luini was the first Milanese bakery to sell Puglia’s panzerotti in the city. Similar to a calzone but smaller and fried, the panzerotto is now a popular street food that’s sold all over town. However, if you just eat one panzerotto in Milan, you should eat it at Luini.
You may want to try Luini’s OG tomato and mozzarella panzerotto or a different savory flavor like ricotta and spinach or hot salami and mozzarella. Or maybe you’ll go for a sweet flavor like ricotta and chocolate or pear and chocolate. Better yet, order two.
Pro Tip
Don’t be deterred if you encounter a long queue at Luini. It should move quickly since all orders are take-away.
Luini is located at Via Santa Radegonda, 16, 20121 Milano, Italy.
13. Ulan – Unique Chinese Dishes in Porta Venezia
We discovered Ulan, a wonderful Xinjiang Chinese restaurant, the old fashioned way – we bumped into it while walking around the Porta Venezia neighborhood. Daryl, who loves everything rice, saw a photo of Ulan’s special rice on the menu posted outside the restaurant and couldn’t resist. The rice dish in question, shou zhuā fàn, is a Uyghur dish that’s essentially lamb fried rice. But, beyond its ingredients, what made this starchy dish special was the manner in which it was made – almost like a starchy risotto – with a combination of sticky and jasmine rice plus savory bits of lamb and flavors from both soy and cumin.
Not surprisingly, since Ulan’s food is from Northern China, there are plenty of noodle dishes on the menu. The one we ordered paired big, thick handmade noodles with three peppers, beef and a simple, savory sauce. The vegetables and beef were cooked in the wok with utter precision.
Pro Tip
Ulan looks unassuming but its food is both tasty and unique. It’s worth eating here if you’re in the city for more than just a night or two.
Ulan is located at Via Felice Bellotti, 13, 20129 Milano, Italy.
14. Orsonero Coffee – Milan’s Original Specialty Coffee Shop
Milan joined the global third wave coffee movement when Canadian barista Brent Jopson and his Italian wife Giulia Gasperini opened Orsonero Coffee in 2016. A lot has changed in the past decade. Not only does the city now have multiple specialty coffee shops, but other cafes (see Mascherpa below) serve flat whites crafted with single origin beans too. However, despite those changes, there’s still something special about drinking coffee at Orsonero.
Located on a leafy Porta Venezia corner, Orsonero bustles with a mix of locals and travelers who traipse through its doors every day except Monday. Some linger over coffee drinks and baked treats while others quickly down espresso shots at the bar. The vibe is friendly and the menu is succinct. And, when the weather permits, Orsonero’s outdoor seating makes it a great place to see and be seen.
Pro Tip
Check out our Milan Coffee Shop Guide to discover more coffee shops worth visiting.
Orsonero Coffee is located at Via Giuseppe Broggi, 15, 20129 Milano, Italy.
15. Mascherpa – Tiramisu Boutique
Although tiramisu’s roots are in Italy’s Veneto region, the creamy dessert is wildly popular all over Italy including Lombardy. And, while you can order tiramisu at many, if not most, Milan restaurants, the better option is to order a small, medium or large jar of the sweet stuff at Mascherpa.
The folks at Mascherpa specialize in just two things – tiramisu and specialty coffee. They make their tiramisu by hand with mascarpone and serve it in a range of flavors that include pistachio, Nutella, hazelnut, matcha and salted caramel. Classico is the most popular and the flavor that we paired with a cup of coffee brewed with lightly roasted Kenyan beans.
Fun Fact
Mascherpa loosely translates to mascarpone in the Milanese dialect. Unlike tiramisu, mascarpone has roots in Lombardy.
Mascherpa is located at Via Edmondo de Amicis, 7, 20123 Milano, Italy.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Top Milan foods include ossobuco, risotto, costoletta (breaded veal chop) and panettone.
Milan restaurant pricing, while on the high end for Italy, is comparable to European cities like Paris.
Tipping is optional in Italy. Most restaurants add a coperto, typically ranging from one to three euros per person, to their bills.
While Anthony Bourdain surely broke bread in Milan, he never filmed an episode of The Layover, No Reservations, or Parts Unknown in the city.
Stanley Tucci dined at Osteria del Treno and Ratanà when he filmed the fourth episode of Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy in Milan. He also imbibed cocktails at La Ca’ di Tencitt and Mag Cafe.
Locals typically start aperitivo at 6pm and dinner at 8pm.
Reservations are absolutely necessary at the best Milan restaurants.
Currently, 18 Milan restaurants have Michelin stars. Enrico Bartolini al Mudec is the only restaurant with three stars while Andrea Aprea, Seta by Antonio Guida and Verso Capitaneo have two stars each. The following restaurants have one star: Abba, Anima, Berton, Contraste, Cracco in Galleria, Horto, Il Luogo Aimo e Nadia, IYO, IYO Kaiseki, Joia, Moebius Sperimentale, Procaccini, Sadler and Sine by Di Pinto.
🇮🇹 Milan Travel Checklist
Check out our guide to eating in Italy as well as our picks for the best Italian foods and the best Italian desserts before your trip so that you don’t miss a delicious bite.
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