Restaurants in Milan
With a reputation for fashion over food, Milan has long been in the shadow of its contemporaries when it comes to good cooking. However, that’s changed in recent years and the city is now garnished with a smorgasbord of decent dining options that accompany its long-toothed espresso scene.
The Milan restaurants below have been grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over €100)
Moderate (€30 to €100)
Cheap (up to €30)
These prices are for a three-course meal for one with a half bottle of house wine or equivalent.
Milan restaurant prices are subject to IVA (value added tax) at 10%, but this is always included within the prices given. A 15% service charge is sometimes added to the bill at the end. It is customary to round up the bill and leave a tip of a couple of euros tip if the meal and service have been good.
Expensive
Acanto Ristorante
Cuisine: ItalianThe fabulous old-style Italian dining room in the luxurious Hotel Principe di Savoia comes complete with Murano glass chandeliers, a huge dessert trolley and top-notch sommeliers. The food is exquisite classic Italian, so expect dishes like turbot with artichoke cream and apple vinegar or guinea fowl with Madeira wine. Book a window table for garden views.
Address: , Piazza della Repubblica, 17, Milan, 20124Telephone: +39 02 6230 2026.
Website: http://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/milan/hotel-principe-di-savoia/restaurant-bars/acanto/
Cracco
Cuisine: Modern ItalianWith two Michelin stars above the door, and wine cellars of 2,000 labels, this eponymous fine dining establishment near the Duomo showcases the talents of chef Carlo Cracco. The interior may look like an airport lounge, but with innovations like pasta with sea urchins and coffee, the most tasteful elements are left on the plate.
Address: , Via Victor Hugo 4 (off Via Orefici), Milan, 20123Telephone: +39 02 876 774.
Website: http://www.ristorantecracco.it
Il Ristorante Trussardi alla Scala
Cuisine: ItalianOverlooking Piazza della Scala, this stunning first floor, Michelin-starred restaurant serves innovative fine dining that complements its white pillars, gold trimmings and attentive staff. Combining the very best of Italian and French cooking, expect plates to be culinary objets d'art as fresh fish and vegetables become the celebrities of the show.
Address: , Piazza della Scala 5, Milan, 20121Telephone: +39 02 8068 8201.
Website: http://www.trussardiallascala.com
Moderate
DA NOI IN
Cuisine: ItalianDA NOI IN’s executive chef, Fulvio Siccardi, is on his way to a third Michelin star for his excellent modern twists on traditional Italian cuisine. Located in the trendy Forcella district, the dining room is a clinical take on home comforts with old books and two open fires. Try uovo in gabbia (egg in a cage), the chef’s signature dish.
Address: , Via Vincenzo Forcella 6, Milan, 20144Telephone: +39 02 837 8111.
Website: http://www.magnapars-suitesmilano.it/ristorante/
El Brellin
Cuisine: ItalianEl Brellin serves up classic Milanese cooking, with fresh pasta, delicious wine, and tasty home-cooked desserts. Take a table upstairs and you'll have views over the canal. There's a sumptuous buffet on Sundays.
Address: , Alzaia Naviglio Grande, 14, Milan, 20144Telephone: +39 02 5810 1351/ 8940 2700
Website: http://www.brellin.com/en/
Le Vigne
Cuisine: ItalianThere’s no pretence at this simple osteria which serves up delicious, exquisitely cooked dishes such as risotto aifrutti di bosco e zola dolce (risotto with wild berries and sweet gorgonzola) and daube di manzo al vino in civet con polenta (beef daube in red wine with polenta). Decorated by bottle-lined shelves and ancient black and white photos, this is a real picture of an Italia of old.
Address: , Ripa di Porta Ticinese 61, Milan, 20143Telephone: +39 02 5811 3224.
Cheap
Alla Fontana Pizzeria
Cuisine: ItalianLocated in the trendy Isola district, this cheap and cheerful restaurant is hugely popular with locals. Its colossal plates of gnocchi, crisp roast chicken and well-topped pizzas will induce envy if eaten on the outside tables. Half portions are available.
Address: , Via Thaon di Revel, 28, Milan, 20159Telephone: +39 02 668 4735.
Brek
Cuisine: ItalianFor tasty and affordable food, you won't go far wrong at this central self-service restaurant by Piazza San Babila. Hearty pastas, fresh pizza, assorted salads, healthy fruit juices and gargantuan desserts are just some of the belly-fillers on offer at Brek.
Address: , P.tta U. Giordano, 1, Milan, 20122Telephone: +39 02 7602 3379.
Website: http://www.brek.com
G.B. Bar
Cuisine: ItalianIn need of a quick bite and a caffeine hit while dashing around Centro, the heart of Milan? This vegetarian and vegan friendly café offers cheap paninis and sandwiches in a bustling yet friendly environment.
Address: , Via Agnello, 18, Milan, 20121
Telephone: +39 02 863446