3 Best Restaurants in Brera, Milan: Where to Eat in the Artistic Quarter

The Brera district is Milano’s artistic beating heart. Its charming cobblestone streets are festooned with art galleries and an eclectic mix of some of Milan’s best restaurants.

If you love art and culture, then it only makes sense to include a stop in the Brera on your next Milan food tour.

Discovering Brera’s Culinary Scene

The creative energy and artistry of Milan’s Brera district attracts chefs and foodies from all over the city, and from all corners of the world. There are tons of traditional Italian restaurants offering high-quality Milanese fare. Not to mention eateries offering ethnic flavors that you can only find in an international city like Milan.

Street food is also strongly represented in the Brera. Which is convenient since there are so many great shops and walking tour attractions.

Of course, aperitivo culture is also alive and well in the artistic vibe of Milan’s Brera district. There are a lot of craft breweries offering interesting takes on beer, as well as bars and lounges with creative signature cocktails.

Top Restaurants in Brera You Can’t Miss

While you might feel spoiled for choice, I think the following are some of the best restaurants in Milan’s Brera district.

Bauscia

Photo credit: Bauscia

Bauscia offers some of the best traditional Lombardian cuisine in Milan’s Brera district with many dishes that are given a creative twist. It’s also within walking distance of Pinacoteca di Brera and the beautiful Sforza Castle, making it a great stop after a walking tour.

The ambiance in Bauscia carefully blends modern style with rustic Italian charm. The dining room’s warm lighting and stylish décor create a relaxed but refined setting that’s great for an intimate meal. 

Bauscia’s menu focuses on Lombard cuisine with classic dishes like cotoletta alla Milanese and ossobuco. One of my favorite dishes on their menu in the spring is risotto con asparagi, which uses a classic risotto base enhanced by seasonal asparagus. Then they garnish it with crispy speck ham.

Bauscia (€15-€25) – Via dell’Orso, 2, 20121 Milano MI, Italy – Open Monday to Friday for lunch from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM with dinner from 7:00 to 11:30 PM. Saturday lunch from 12:00 to 3:30 PM with dinner from 7:00 to 11:30 PM.

Ristorante Nabucco

Photo credit: Ristorante Nabucco

Ristorante Nabucco is just a short walk from iconic sites like the Pinacoteca di Brera and the famous Teatro alla Scala​. They specialize in Lombard and Northern Italian cuisine, with a focus on fresh locally sourced ingredients.

The ambiance at Nabucco is elegant and romantic, with cozy side rooms and larger areas with open tables. Making it a great stop for both intimate dinners or a larger gathering of family and friends. There’s also a great outdoor terrace that lets you soak in Brera’s vibe.  

The standout dishes on Nabucco’s menu start with classics like saffron-infused risotto alla Milanese, ossobuco, and cotolette alla Milanese. I also appreciate that they have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

Many of the specials at Nabucco feature fresh pasta, with seasonal vegetables. I think it’s one of the best places to get a taste of the freshest and best vegetables in Lombardy.

Ristorante Nabucco (€15-€25) – Via Fiori Chiari, 10, 20121 Milano MI, Italy – Open every day from 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM. 

Caffè Fernanda

Photo credit: Caffè Fernanda

You’ll find Caffè Fernanda within the renowned Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan, where they offer an eclectic dining experience that merges art, history, and gastronomy. It’s the perfect stop if you’re visiting the museum or Brera’s vibrant art galleries, and boutiques.

Caffè Fernanda’s ambiance reflects its artistic surroundings with marble, wood, and brass details. The café features curated artwork from the museum, to let you savor your meal while taking in the vibe.

The menu at Caffè Fernanda is sophisticated, yet accessible with options ranging from simple pastries to elevated and refined Italian dishes. Not to mention a variety of creative aperitivo cocktails that pair perfectly with their aperitivo spread.

Caffè Fernanda (€10-€30) – Via Brera, 28, 20121 Milano MI, Italy – Open Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Open Sunday from 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM.

What to Try: Classic Milanese Dishes in Brera

Milan’s Brera district is the perfect place to sample classic Milanese cuisine at every level. This includes some of the following dishes beloved by tourists and locals alike.

Risotto alla Milanese is an elevated risotto made using Lombardy’s world-famous rich butter and local short-grain rice. The restaurants in the Brera then give it the full Milanese treatment by infusing the sauce with vibrant saffron.

Ossobuco is a slow-roasted or braised veal shank you find served in many Brera restaurants. It’s often served over a bed of starchy polenta, or seated in a rich risotto, then topped with a bright gremolata sauce.

Cotolette alla Milanese is a breaded veal cutlet that’s very similar to a Viennese schnitzel yet given a touch of Milan’s elegance. This starts with being pan-fried in rich Lombard butter, as well as dry breaded to maximize the crispiness of the coating.

Aperitivo culture in Milan’s Brera district is vibrant with mixologists creating innovative cocktails, right alongside bars that offer classic negroni and Aperol spritz. All with an old-world vibe in the background. 

Sources:

Eating Europe. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/milan/

Bauscia Milano. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://bausciamilano.com/

Nabucco Ristorante. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://nabucco.it/

Caffè Fernanda. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://caffefernanda.com/