Below are some of my favourites…Lateley I have been travelling frequently to Milan, and tried a few new places in the vicinities that have also very much surprised me, in an excellent way…

The Trattoria Milanese dal 1933, (Via Santa Marta, 11) very well know in the old town Milano cannot be missed if you are a fan of cotoletta milanese and if you enjoy a great pasta dish. Additionally this time of the year, they serve as desert a panettone and zabaione cream which is to die for!!

DINNER

Ristorante Solferino – pretty sophisticated trattoria, real italian cuisine, excellent quality food – Via Castelfidardo, 2

Pisacco – great food, lots of innovative combinations, THEMOSTMUST risotto!! 30ish crowd, pretty modern fun architecture – Via Solferino, 48

Cantina della Vetra – local customers, pretty sought out for dinner and not too expensive – Via Pio IV, 3

Ristorante la Briciola – gained recognition when Berlusconi started taking international models to dine. Food is good, specifically try the pasta! Whole atmosphere very charming and welcoming – Via Solferino 25

Da Giacomo – food food food mmmmmm expensive but amazing flavour, true milanese cuisine THE MOSTMUST!! – Via Pasquale Sottocorno, 6

Ristoranti Maruzzella (S. A. S.) – Pizzeria “molto in voga”, in vogue… always full of tourists, i´m imagining they must be in some kind of travel guide…but the pizza is trully great, and so is the pasta and the fish. Prepare yourself to wait outside – Piazza Guglielmo Oberdan, 3

I Malavoglia  – not very fancy but very good – Via Lecco, 4

LUNCH

Trattoria da Pino – pretty popular, central location, fatto per la mamma dishes and family staff – Via Cerva 14

Rugantino – Italian chillax close to the San Lorenzo columns and Porta Ticinese, open for both lunch & dinner – nice to sit out during warmer months, good price – Via dei Fabbri, 1

Osteria Carbonaia Mare – Great fish restaurant. Not fancy at all- Via Carducci, 38

BARS / APERITIVOS

Bar Magenta –  Tipical Milanese bar, great panini. During the week it´s packed with students and workers during lunchtime – Via Carducci, 13

Old Fashion – Palazzo dell’Arte di Milano, Viale Emilio Alemagna, 6,

Swami cafè – Perfect for an aperitivo – Viale Montenero, 12

Ceresio 7 – great views of the Milan skyline, perfect for a drink late afternoon

Terrazza Aperol – traditional drink with great views – Piazza del Duomo

CAFÉS

Best Cappuccinos – Sant’Ambroeus – Corso Giacomo Matteotti, 7 – THEMOSTMUST

Pasticceria Confetteria Cova – Historic, beautiful, expensive –  Via Montenapoleone, 8

VISIT & HANG OUT

10 Corso Como – Fun point, fashion, art, decor, store and cafe…great during the week, scene where you can see and be seen along side young milanese socialites…

Brera area, the Pinacoteca di Brera…