Why is Milan Famous for Fish?

Many Milanese say that the best fish in all of Italy is found in Milan, and the rich food culture that embraces cuisine from all over the country and the rest of the world is certainly enviable . This includes some traditional seafood dishes from the waters of the nearby Italian lakes, and the Mediterranean, and seafood dishes.

Indeed, there are many great seafood restaurants and fish markets to include in a Milan food tour. So, I thought I would touch on some of the biggest, and best places to experience seafood in Milan, as well as some of my own secret gems for Milanese fish dishes.  

Best Fish Markets in Milan

A tour of the best fish markets in Milan starts with well-known places like Mercato Centrale Milano and Mercato Comunale Wagner. However, there are a few smaller markets throughout the city that also offer an authentic taste of Milanese seafood culture.

Mercato Centrale Milano

Photo credit: Mercato Centrale Milano

Located in the iconic Milan Central Station, Mercato Centrale Milano offers a vibrant culinary experience that’s rich in local seafood and authentic Milanese cuisine. It’s also close to Piazza Duca d’Aosta and the historical Pirelli Tower making it a convenient dining destination.

Mercato Centrale Milano’s ambiance is lively. The décor is made up of modern design elements that simultaneously honor the history of Milano while embracing contemporary food culture.

The two-story market includes local vendors offering fish from the Italian lakes and fishmongers offering fresh-caught seafood from the Mediterranean.

You can find classics like sea bass and gilt-head bream as well as specialty items like John Dory, grouper, and shellfish, including scampi, prawns, and oysters. Luxury options like red tuna, lobsters, and even international caviar.

Mercato Centrale Milano – Via Giovanni Battista Sammartini, 2, 20125 Milano MI, Italy – Open every day from 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM.

Mercato Comunale Wagner

Photo credit: Mercato Comunale Wagner

You’ll find Mercato Comunale Wagner in the bustling Piazza Wagner of Milan. It offers a traditional Italian market experience where you can get an authentic taste of classic Milanese ingredients. Including some of the area’s very best seafood.

The market is known for its fresh produce, including high-quality fish and seafood from local waters. You can find everything from prawns and squid to fresh-caught Mediterranean fish.

I think this is the place to go for swordfish and anchovies in the spring or early autumn. Many vendors have strong relationships with Mediterranean fishermen to provide the freshest catches possible.

Mercato Comunale Wagner – Piazza Riccardo Wagner, 15/A, 20145 Milano MI, Italy – Open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM. Closed on Sunday.

Traditional Fish Dishes in Milan

Milan has a rich seafood history tied to the nearby freshwater Italian lakes and the Mediterranean. This shows up in classic dishes like risotto al pesce rersico, baccalà alla Milanese, and missoltini.

Risotto al Pesce Persico

If you were to ask me what the truest taste of traditional Lombardy seafood is, my answer would be risotto al pesce perisco. The primary protein is lightly fried perch fillets, sourced from nearby lakes, that are carefully managed to maintain their bounty. Then served over a bed or risotto made with some of Lombardy’s famously rich butter.

Baccalà alla Milanese

Baccalà alla Milanese is a quintessential Milanese seafood dish featuring baccalà (salted cod) which was a centuries-old preservation method. It’s then carefully rehydrated, cooked, and flavored with a mixture of tomatoes, onions, garlic, and olive oil. Then garnished with aromatic fresh herbs. Some chefs will accent the flavor with a little white wine or milk to balance the cod’s saltiness.

Missoltini

Missoltini perfectly represents Milan’s relationship with Lake Como. It’s a traditional dish made from sun-dried lake shad, sourced by local fishermen.

After lightly rehydrating the fish, it’s usually grilled and served with polenta. The grilled flavor perfectly pairs with the earthy body of the polenta, which is sometimes enriched by local cheeses to create an ancient staple of Milanese and Lombard cuisine.

Best Restaurants for Fish Lovers in Milan

For being technically a land-locked city, Milan is festooned with great seafood restaurants and restaurants with specialty fish dishes. While it would be impossible to name them all, I think the following are the best restaurants for fish lovers in Milan.

Da Giacomo

Photo credit: Da Giacomo

Da Giacomo offers an elegant dining experience that embodies the charm of traditional Milanese trattorias and Milan’s classic seafood dishes. It’s near the historic Duomo di Milano and the upscale boutiques of the Quadrilatero della Moda. Making it a great place to enjoy elegant seafood after a walking tour.

The interior was expertly designed by the renowned architect Renzo Mongiardino, to create an ambiance reminiscent of the early 1900s. On warm days, the small outdoor dining area is the place to be.

Da Giacomo’s menu features Italian food like spaghetti with clams, seafood salads, and an assortment of raw fish options. I love that you can choose from a display of the fresh-caught fish to use for your meal. It creates a connection between you and the dish that arrives perfectly prepared on the plate.

Da Giacomo (€20-€30) – Via Pasquale Sottocorno, Via Benvenuto Cellini, 6, 20129 Milano MI, Italy – Open every day for lunch from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM with dinner service from 7:30 PM to12:00 AM.

Osteria del Treno

Photo credit: Osteria del Treno

You’ll find Osteria del Treno, conveniently close to Milan’s Stazione Centrale, and the vibrant Porta Venezia district. They are well-known to tourists and locals alike for offering a distinctive dining experience in a historic setting.

The interior design touches on the historical fact that it was originally a railway workers’ canteen. I think the ambiance is a perfect combination of rustic charm with elegant, nostalgic touches.  

Osteria del Treno’s menu celebrates Milanese and Lombard cuisine, while also updating traditions with creative twists. Many of their dishes reflect the slow food movement, and their fresh fish dishes align with the restaurant’s commitment to seasonal and responsibly sourced seafood.

While their risotto al pesce perisco is a world-class example of traditional Milanese seafood, it’s their innovative dishes like octopus carpaccio that blow me away the most. They really know how to maximize the ingredients to highlight the superior tenderness of Mediterranean octopus.

Osteria del Treno (€20-€30) – Via S. Gregorio, 46, 20124 Milano MI, Italy – Open Monday to Friday for lunch from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, with dinner from 7:30 PM to10:00 PM. Open Saturday 7:30 to 11:00 PM.

La Risacca 6

Photo credit: La Risacca 6

La Risacca 6, in Milan’s Porta Vittoria neighborhood, is celebrated for their dedication to classic Italian seafood. This starts with an intense focus on fresh ingredients sourced from the Mediterranean and the nearby Italian lakes.

The ambiance is unpretentious with décor that emanates timeless sophistication. Making it equally comfortable for a casual lunch with an old friend or a special occasion with a special someone.

The seafood menu at La Risacca 6 features a variety of meticulously prepared dishes including risotto alla pescatora, grilled whole fish, and indulgent shellfish platters. However, I think one of the understated things about this restaurant is the carefully curated wine list which pairs seamlessly with every item on the menu.

La Risacca 6 (€15-€25) – Via Marcona, 6, 20129 Milano MI, Italy – Open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch from 12:15 PM to 2:30 PM with dinner from 7:15–11 PM.

Sources:

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

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

Mercato Centrale. (n.d.). Milano. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.mercatocentrale.it/milano/

Mercato Comunale Wagner. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://mercatocomunalewagner.com/

Da Giacomo Milano. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://giacomomilano.com/it/i-luoghi/ristoranti/da-giacomo-milano

Osteria del Treno. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.osteriadeltreno.it/

Osteria La Risacca 6. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.osterialarisacca6.it/