Milan — Where Fashion Meets Food

Milan is known throughout the world as being a hub of commerce and global fashion. Life here moves at a frenetic pace, as the go-getting Milanese work as hard as they play.

This means that Milan is a place to be seen, and many of the people here dress to the nines simply to go out for an aperitivo or catch a bite to eat. So, to help you blend in on your next Milan food tour I thought I’d take a closer look at the city’s relationship with food and fashion.   

The Intersection of Fashion and Food in Milan

Milan’s status as a capital for global fashion profoundly influences its food scene, infusing the city’s air of sophistication, and luxury, with its cuisine.  

This starts with chefs embracing innovation and presentation. The plates that arrive to you are always works of art, begging you to take pictures to post on social media. This is both a reflection of the chefs working with only the freshest and best local ingredients, as well as the fact that we eat first with our eyes.

As an international city Milan also fully embraces the cuisine of other cultures. You see this in fine-dining Japanese restaurants and pan-pacific eateries. You’ll even find modern Italian food in restaurants that embrace fusion cuisine, putting creative twists on dishes like Risotto alla Milanese or Ossobuco.

Dining is an ingrained part of the Milanese lifestyle. Dressing up nicely, in the latest fashions and going out to “be seen” enjoying an aperitivo or dining down for an elegant meal is a thing to do.

This all ramps up during fashion week when special events in the city are at their peak. If you schedule your Milan food tour during one of these times, you’ll need to be proactive about pursuing the best reservations and dressing to fit the occasion.

Iconic Restaurants for the Fashionable Crowd

Milan has many chic restaurants and fine-dining establishments that cater to the fashionable crowd. These are places to be seen, and show off your best, while basking in an upscale Milanese dining experience.

Torre

Photo credit: Torre

You’ll find Ristorante Torre on the sixth floor of the Torre building in Milan’s Fondazione Prada. They offer a unique upscale dining experience that seamlessly combines fashion, art, and cuisine.

Torre’s dining room offers stunning panoramic views of Milan’s skyline framed by the architecture of Rem Koolhaas. Every square inch of the décor exudes elegance and sophistication, to match the high fashion style of the local diners.

The menu at Torre is an eclectic mix of Italian, Mediterranean, and European cuisine. You’ll find Milanese classics like saffron-infused risotto rubbing elbows with touches of avant-garde cuisine. While their signature dishes change with the season and what’s trendy, they are known for staple dishes like steak Florentine, Mezzi fusilli pasta in Genovese sauce, and red-pepper risotto.

Torre (€€€€) – Via Giovanni Lorenzini, 14, 20139 Milano MI, Italy – Open Wednesday to Friday from 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM. Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM.

Ceresio 7

Photo credit: Ceresio 7

Ceresio 7 Pools & Restaurant offers a luxurious rooftop dining experience with stunning views of the Milan skyline. Owned by Dsquared2 designers Dean and Dan Caten, it’s innately connected to the Milan fashion scene.

The ambiance at Ceresio 7 exudes an air of sophistication that is simultaneously casual and inviting. You can even choose to dine by the twin rooftop pools or the elegant indoor dining room. Both offer a great opportunity for people-watching.

Ceresio 7’s menu focuses on contemporary Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, which Chef Elio Sironi uses as the base for his creative twists. You see this in signature dishes like carbonara and risotto that are creatively accented with seasonal ingredients. Yet, I think their aperitivo cocktails are second to none.  

Ceresio 7 (€€€) – Via Ceresio, 7, 20154 Milano MI, Italy – Open every day from 12:30 PM to 12:30 AM.

Armani/Ristorante

Armani/Ristorante represents the epitome of Milanese elegance and fine dining. It sits in the heart of the city’s world-renowned Quadrilatero della Moda fashion district and is surrounded by iconic boutiques like Gucci, Prada, and Versace.

The ambiance at Armani/Ristorante is a synergy of modern minimalism and luxury, that is also consistent with Armani’s well-known brand aesthetic. The entire dining room is festooned with elegant decor, sleek lines, and large windows that provide stunning views of Milan’s skyline.

The menu was carefully crafted by master Chef Francesco Mascheroni in a way that celebrates Italian tradition integrated with trendy international flavors. This starts with a seasonal tasting menu that lets you explore the flavors of Milan and the best of international cuisine.

Signature dishes I recommend include Gragnano spaghettone with yellow datterino tomatoes and dim sum with ginger-kimchi consommé. There’s also an a la carte menu with vegetarian options.

Armani/Ristorante (€€€€) – Armani Hotel Milano, Via Alessandro Manzoni, 31, 20121 Milano MI, Italy – Open Wednesday to Saturday from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM.

Trendy Cafes and Bars in Milan’s Fashion Districts

Milan is known for its stylish cafes like Cova and Marchesi offering elegant coffee breaks as well as sophisticated bars serving elevated aperitivos. Both represent the frenetic pace of Milanese life as well as their ability to ease into a casual, elegant experience.

Bar Luce

Bar Luce is nestled in Milan’s Fondazione Prada, where they offer a stunning visual experience that integrates art, design, and culinary delights. It’s originally the brainchild of filmmaker Wes Anderson, who strove to capture the vintage charm of 1950s-60s Italian cinema.

The vintage ambiance emanates from the retro decor featuring pastel Formica furniture, vintage pinball machines, and a jukebox. It’s like stepping back in time to enjoy a coffee or light meal.

Bar Luce’s menu is full of classic Italian espresso, brioche, and light sandwiches, perfect for a coffee break or a simple meal. Their iconic Faema coffee machine takes the vintage Italian café vibe to the next level.

Bar Luce (€€€) – L.go Isarco, 2, 20139 Milano MI, Italy – Open Monday to Wednesday from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM.

Dolce & Gabbana Bar Martini

Photo credit: Dolce & Gabbana Bar Martini

The Dolce & Gabbana Bar Martini is the embodiment of high fashion and refined hospitality in Milan. It’s located on Corso Venezia as a must-visit bar for anyone who appreciates design, ambiance, and exceptional service.

The interior décor is the epitome of glamour, with glossy black surfaces, sleek lines, and dramatic lighting that highlights the room’s striking design elements. Especially the vibrant red dragon motif which I find to be simultaneously intriguing and intimidating. There’s also an outdoor seating area, which I think is the perfect place to decompress after a fast-paced day exploring Milan.

DG’s menu is rooted in Mediterranean and Sicilian cuisine, featuring a variety of dishes with international flair. Their signature cocktail is the eponymous Dolce & Gabbana Martini, which is vibrantly dry and uses vodka flavored with orange, and strawberry.

Dolce & Gabbana Bar Martini (€€€) – Corso Venezia, 15, 20121 Milano MI, Italy – Open every day from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

Foodie Experiences During Milan Fashion Week

Fashion Week in Milan offers an exciting mix of haute couture and gourmet experiences, that any fashion-forward foodie is sure to love. This includes special events hosted by Armani Ristorante, Ceresio7, and Martini Dolce & Gabbana Bar and an exclusive dining experience. However, I think the following are the secret gems of Milan Fashion Week.

Bice is a classic Milanese restaurant that celebrates fashion week, without quite so much frenetic fanfare. It has an Italian chic ambiance that matches the vibe of fashion week, while also offering a menu rich with classic Milanese dishes.  

Segheria di Tanja Solci offers a unique dining experience with seasonal menus in an industrial-chic setting. They typically collaborate with specific designers during Fashion Week​ to offer diners an elevated on-theme dining experience.

Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone offers a refined aperitivo experience, in an elegant ambiance. They also offer elevated cocktail experiences and special events during Fashion Week, which often include fashionable presentations with meet-and-greet opportunities.

Tips for Dining Like a Milanese Fashion Insider

Dining like a Milanese fashion insider starts with dressing stylishly, and in ways that will either stand out from or perfectly match the décor of the restaurant. Especially if you’re planning your visit to coincide with fashion week.

Reservations and timing are also critical for enjoying the Milanese relationship between fashion and cuisine. The ideal time to enjoy aperitivo in Milan is typically between 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. This blends perfectly into the fine-dining experiences offered by fashion-forward restaurants which start heating up around 8:00 PM.

Sources:

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

Eating Europe. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/guides/best-food-in-italy/

Torre Ristorante. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://torreristorante.com/it

Ceresio 7. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.ceresio7.com/en/

Armani Ristorante. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://locations.armani.com/en/restaurants-cafes-and-clubs/italy/armani-ristorante

Fondazione Prada. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.fondazioneprada.org/barluce-en/?lang=en

Dolce & Gabbana. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.dolcegabbana.com/en-pt/

Bice Milano. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.bicemilano.it/

Segheria Milano. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://segheriamilano.tumblr.com/

Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.ilsalumaiodimontenapoleone.it/