Welcome to my curated Milan city guide.
Having lived in Milan for a year (and visited many times since), I’ve uncovered the city’s hidden gems, best local haunts, and chicest spots to grab a spritz.
My travel guides are not massive, comprehensive lists of everything I’ve ever seen, done, and experienced in these destinations, nor are they a compilation of the city’s “most popular” things to do.
Instead, my guides are a selection of handpicked, carefully considered restaurants, bars, and activities that are truly worth doing. Whether it’s a hidden gem with the best cacio e pepe in town or, yes, even a tourist attraction that is genuinely worth tolerating the crowds, you’ll find it here.
Each flagged destination includes a remark from me about why it’s worth visiting so you can perfectly plan your own itinerary and know exactly what to expect.
Milan Highlights
If you need to narrow things down even further, below are my all-time favorite spots and my top 3 recommendations for where to eat while in Milan. Anytime I am back in Milan, I always make time for these restaurants no matter what.
1. Rovello 18
Seasonal and refined Italian food, this restaurant always tops my recommendation list. Not the mention the cacio e pepe is one of the best I’ve had (including the many samplings I’ve had in Rome where it’s originally from). As a veg-lover, I also deeply appreciate the way they highlight in-season produce. In fact, they inspired my ovolo mushroom salad recipe. The wine list is also extensive and exceptional.
2. PIZ
If you’re going to participate in the typical tourism around the piazza duomo (and you should), you will struggle to find truly good food that isn’t a tourist trap restaurant – that’s a given in the center of any city. Enter PIZ: the most delicious pizza you’ll ever have in a colorful, high-energy environment that is super fun and fast, yet is just a stone’s throw from the Duomo di Milano. I cannot recommend any other restaurant that close to the center so PIZ is a MUST. Get the classic margherita and the blanco. I always order both, whether I’m sharing with someone or not. The blanco is changed my life, but I live for a classic margherita so it’s impossible to choose just one. If you notice a line, don’t fret. It moves quickly and they’re known for doling out a free glass of Prosecco to those waiting.
3. Nebbia
Modern Italian with some of the most memorable dishes I’ve ever had. From incredible oysters, sardines with date butter, and various pasta and seafood dishes that change regularly, you truly cannot go wrong with a meal at Nebbia. Their desserts are phenomenal as well, including the tiramisu but I recommend exploring their other offerings as well (but definitely still get the tiramisu). If you order anything, you must must must order the pollo fritto con arachidi e peperoncino. Trust me.
Can’t make it to Milan?
Bring the taste of northern Italy to you, right in your own kitchen with some of my favorite Italian-inspired recipes.
Sydney is a 29-year old American living between France and Italy. She has a WSET Level 2 certification in wine, along with a degree in environmental engineering and an MBA. She loves exploring local farmer’s markets, haunting her favorite wine bar, and discovering new restaurants.
