The 10 Best Restaurants in Milan — Where to Eat for an Authentic Experience

Milan might not have the same gastronomic reputation as other Italian cities like Rome, Florence, or Palermo, but I’m here to tell you that it’s a massively underrated foodie destination. If you’ve ever joined one of my Milan food tours, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about!

The Lombardian capital is the birthplace of some exquisite regional specialties. Today, the culinary landscape here blends these traditional dishes with recipes from the length and breadth of the country, along with a host of international-style favorites.

Below, you’ll find my rundown of the best restaurants in Milan for a memorable dining experience!

Exploring Milan’s Culinary Scene

Like most Italian cities, Milan is incredibly diverse in its epicurean offerings. Although the wealth of global eateries has steadily increased, Milan has held onto its heritage and continues to place importance on hearty, age-old recipes, quality ingredients, and local produce.

Top Restaurants in Milan You Can’t Miss

L’immagine Bistrot Ristorante

Photo credit: L’immagine Bistrot Ristorante

In the Cagnola area is one of the best restaurants in Milan that I’ll never tire of visiting, L’immagine Bistrot Ristorante.

Their wooden paneling and vaulted ceilings make it feel traditional and cozy, perfectly matching the menu of local and regional dishes. After a glance at the menu, I knew the osso buco was for me, and it was teamed with a serving of Milanese risotto.

Thanks to the beefy, tender veal, and creamy but earthy risotto, each bite was so flavorful and nourishing. The team managed to combine two Milanese favorites without one overshadowing the other.

L’immagine Bistrot Ristorante (€20-€40) – Via Varesina, 61, 20156 Milano MI, Italy.

Ribot Restaurant

Photo credit: Ribot Restaurant

Ribot is an elegant old-school restaurant near the San Siro, where Lombaridan and Florentine cuisines meet.

The interior is equestrian-themed, which was evident as soon as I walked in and saw the dark beams and walls filled with photo frames of horses and jockeys. As the menu is very much meat-focused, I felt it was only right to order steak, and I opted for the beef tagliata.

It arrived promptly, and each thick slice of rare beef was even juicier and more robust than the last. I loved the charred taste on the outside, which was softened by the sweet braised onions and parsnip.

Ribot Restaurant (€30-€50) – Via Marco Cremosano, 41, 20148 Milano MI, Italy.

Trattoria de la Trebia Milano

Photo credit: Trattoria de la Trebia Milano

Trattoria de la Trebia Milano is among my best-loved spots in the Porta Romana area and a must-visit restaurant for meat lovers.

It’s sophisticated but charming, with warm wooden decor, curtains draped on every window, and a superb wine cellar. Everything on their extensive menu of Italian dishes sounded fantastic, but my buddy and I were eager to try their signature t-bone Florentine steak.

I knew it was going to be good as soon as the waiter dropped it to our table. This steak had it all: a melt-in-your-mouth consistency, deep umami flavors, and subtle hues of garlic and black pepper.

Trattoria de la Trebia Milano (€20-€40) – Via Trebbia, 32, 20135 Milano MI, Italy

Bosco Verticale Restaurant

Photo credit: Bosco Verticale Restaurant

Bosco Verticale Restaurant is a classy but casual spot for Italian fare near Garibaldi Station.

Their friendly staff, mix of contemporary and timeless decor, and varied menu are just a few reasons that place it among the best restaurants in Milan. There’s a balance of meat, fish, and vegetarian options, which you don’t always find in the north, and I went for the octopus with creamed potatoes.

The octopus had such mild flavors and a lightly crisped exterior, which countered the zingy lemon hints from the velvety, whipped potatoes.

Bosco Verticale Restaurant (€20-€40) – Via Federico Confalonieri, Via Volturno, 15, 20124 Milano MI, Italy. 

Joia

Photo credit: Joia

Joia in Porta Nuova is an exceptional eatery for plant-based food, and it stands as the first vegetarian restaurant in Europe to earn a Michelin star!

The chic, understated interiors have some bold pops of color from the artwork and decorative plants, which reflects Joia’s menu: refined, clean tastes mixed with intense bursts of flavor.

From the tasting menu, the highlight for me was the Japanese-inspired asparagus. Each piece of sweet asparagus and salty nori seaweed was placed in a bed of silky mashed potato made with mint green shiso, spicy kimchi, and tangy bearnaise sauce.

Joia (€100-€150) – Via Panfilo Castaldi, 18, 20124 Milano MI, Italy.

Nerino Dieci Trattoria

Photo credit: Nerino Dieci Trattoria

Nerino Dieci in Cinque Vie is a reliable spot for a mix of local and international flavors.

It looks quite upscale on the surface, but the vibe is surprisingly laidback. I especially liked the open kitchen and olive green color scheme. Before I even got here, I had my sights set on the seafood carbonara.

Although unconventional, the delicate prawns, buttery clams, and meaty swordfish paired beautifully with the rich egg yolk and punchy parmesan.

Nerino Dieci Trattoria (€20-€40) – Via Nerino, 10, 20123 Milano MI, Italy.

Cantine Milano

Photo credit: Cantine Milano

If you’re in Abbadesse, swing by Cantine Milano for an upmarket and unforgettable dining experience.

The teal walls and slick brown finishes made the dining area feel high-end, while their menu was the epitome of indulgence. I opted for the truffle taglioni, which a friend had recommended.

Al dente tanglioni and sharp, gooey parmesan fondue were already a winning combination. However, the addition of nutty and savory black truffle pearls added so much complexity to the dish.

Cantine Milano (€30-€50) – Via Traù, 1, 20159 Milano MI, Italy.

Langosteria

Photo credit: Langosteria

Langosteria in Porta Genova is among the best restaurants in Milan for seafood, so much so that it’s made its way onto the Michelin local dining guide.

Inside, it’s a moody ambient eatery with soaring ceilings, old-fashioned leather booths, and dim lighting. I sampled a range of dishes here, but the grilled king crab came out on top.

While the crab’s gentle, slightly sweet notes shone through, the grilling process ensured there were some smokey hues. The infusion of sharp lemon and fiery chili enhanced both of these components to create a well-rounded flavor palette.

Langosteria (€100-€150) – Via Savona, 10, 20144 Milano MI, Italy.

Osteria Conchetta

Just outside of Navigli is Osteria Conchetta, a vibrant restaurant for Lombardian cuisine.

It’s quintessentially Italian inside, from the exposed brick and textured white walls to the romantic atmosphere. I wanted something Milanese, so I chose the costoletta.

This particular deep-fried cutlet was made from pork rather than veal, but it was just as tasty. The succulent, umami meat worked so well with the crunchy and crumbly breadcrumbs on the outside.

Osteria Conchetta (€30-€50) – Via Conchetta, 8, 20136 Milano MI, Italy.

Sapori Stellari

Sapori Stellari lies in the heart of Milan’s Zone 6 and is a great place to explore another side of the region’s cuisine.

What initially made this place stand out to me was the rustic decor, as every corner has chunky wooden pillars, quirky trinkets, and subdued lighting. I soon learned that it’s not your average restaurant, as it has no menu and focuses primarily on cured meats and cheeses.

The bresaola, a meat native to Lombardy, was the star for me. This variety was made from beef and was delightfully chewy despite having little to no fat. With each bite, the spicy, garlicky flavors deepened.

Sapori Stellari (€30-€40) – Via Savona, 127, 20144 Milano MI, Italy.

 

Sources:

L’immagine Bistrot Ristorante. (n.d.). L’immagine Bistrot Ristorante – Via Varesina, 61, 20156 Milano MI, Italy. Retrieved from https://www.limmaginebistrot.com/ 

Ribot Restaurant. (n.d.). Ribot Restaurant – Via Marco Cremosano, 41, 20148 Milano MI, Italy. Retrieved from https://www.ribotmilano.it/ 

Trattoria de la Trebia Milano. (n.d.). Trattoria de la Trebia Milano – Via Trebbia, 32, 20135 Milano MI, Italy. Retrieved from https://trattorialatrebia.it/ 

Verticale Bosco Restaurant. (n.d.). Verticale Bosco Restaurant – Via Federico Confalonieri, Via Volturno, 15, 20124 Milano MI, Italy. Retrieved from https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187849-d12460701-Reviews-Bosco_Verticale_Restaurant_Milano-Milan_Lombardy.html 

Joia. (n.d.). Joia – Via Panfilo Castaldi, 18, 20124 Milano MI, Italy. Retrieved from https://joia.it/en/joia-en-translation/ 

Nerino Dieci Trattoria. (n.d.). Nerino Dieci Trattoria – Via Nerino, 10, 20123 Milano MI, Italy. Retrieved from https://www.nerinodieci.it/ 

Cantine Milano. (n.d.). Cantine Milano – Via Traù, 1, 20159 Milano MI, Italy. Retrieved from https://cantinemilano.com/en/

Langosteria. (n.d.). Langosteria – Via Savona, 10, 20144 Milano MI, Italy. Retrieved from https://www.langosteria.com

Osteria Conchetta. (n.d.). Osteria Conchetta – Via Conchetta, 8, 20136 Milano MI, Italy. Retrieved from https://www.osteriaconchetta.it/ 

Sapori Stellari. (n.d.). Sapori Stellari – Via Savona, 127, 20144 Milano MI, Italy. Retrieved from http://www.saporistellari.it