Shopping guide: the 6 best areas in Milan

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Shopping in Milan

The ultimate list of shops, lunch restaurants and coffee bars worth visiting.

Area 1. Brera

Differently interesting (Find on map)

In the photo you see Milan’s brand new neighbourhood Porta Nuova, you also find the famous “Bosco Verticale” (vertical forest)  behind Piazza Gae Aulenti. You should visit HighTech, a great store with home and lifestyle objects even if this once big store has become much smaller since they lost a big part of their lease. In the rest of this area you find the quaint, trendy boutiques with the up-and-coming young designers where you can find cool, unique stuff.

Collage of photos from Brera

Shops:

In Via Solferino is the world’s (perhaps) best men’s shoes shop – Iliprandi (find on map). Thursdays there’s a characteristic open air market here with fruit, vegetables and clothes.
Via Solferino is a treasure trove of amazing, original boutiques (find on map) check out the unique clothes store Goods at 2, Via Castelfidardo (find on map) the concept is exclusivity, they sell their own range of silk shirts but also have other brands from France and Spain they also have bags and shoes they have have frequent discount days and the jewellery is also unique.
Also check out the luxury fashion outlet Outlet Matia’s in 4, Piazza Carlo Mirabello (find on map) and very close by is the fashion outlet with designer clothes for children aged 0-16 Matia’s Baby at 2, Via Eugenio Balzan (find on map).
Nearby is the great workshop and shop Arzigogolo, that makes very beautiful and original necklaces, earrings and textile bags at surprisingly affordable prices, it’s in the courtyard at 4, Via Varese (find on map).
On Piazza XXV Aprile you have foodie paradise Eataly, which is housed in the converted Teatro Smeraldo. Here you can get specialties from small Italains foodproducers, it is also a fantastic place to eat or just have coffee with pastries. If you want delicacies to take home with you should also vist the Esselunga supermaket situated beneath Piazza Gae Aulenti
From here you continue down super chic Corso Como – with the shop 10 Corso Como, which also houses the art gallery Galleria Carla Sozzani and leads you into Milan’s brand new area Porta Nuova.
And a couple of steps further down, at 6 Corso Como In the courtyard, as mentioned is the life style and home decor shop HighTech

Lunch:

Here is the very original Tramè, Piazza San Sempliciano 7 (find on map), where they prepare classical Venetian sandwiches, the place is cosy and the choice is great
There is also the truly delicious sandwiches at All’Antico Vinaio, 18, Via Statuto (find on map).
We also recommend Fioraio Bianchi Caffè a florist and café at 7, Via Montebello.
Then there is Via Palermo a road with many interesting eateries (find on map)
You can get delicious to-go sandwiches and ready meals at Rossi e Grassi in 4, Via Ponte Vetero (find on map) and Via Solferino (find on map).
10 Corso Como Cozy courtyard, with good lunch.
Pizzeria di Porta Garibaldi, 6, Corso Como (find on map).
Temakinho  53, Corso Garibaldi (find on map)
Pattini, 5, Via Solferino (find on map)  although is technically “just” a bakery, they have lots of delicious dishes and pasta that you can eat either inside at the tables or outside on the comfortable benches. Of course they also have great pizza and foccaccia.
El Tombon de San Marc, regular Milanese food, 20, Via San Marco (find on map).
Café Gorille, near Piazza Gae Aulenti at 20, Via Gaetano de Castillia (find on map) a really cosy and beautiful café which is rich on atmosphere
Panini Durini, 24, Via Mercato (find on map), delicious sandwiches, cakes and coffee to go.Pandenus, 24, Via Mercato (find on map), great lunch and aperitivo, breakfast every day from 7 am.

Coffee:

Panarello, 52, Via della Moscova, great pastry!! (find on map), at the same address you also find Pattini and and 50 meters from there in the direction of Corso Como there is Radetzky (find on map).

Italian ice cream:

Grom, Piazza Gae Aulenti (find on map) good concept and excellent icecream.
Rivareno, 20, Via Mercato (find on map) – absolutely fabulous ice cream made with only fresh, natural ingredients and sweetened with cane sugar.
Vero Gelateria, 60, Corso Garibaldi (find on map) absolutely delicious Sicilian ice cream.

Area 2. Via Montenapoleone

Luxury and beauty (Find on map)

The famous fashion quadrangle Quadrilatero della moda has its name after the four streets it is enclosed by: Via Montenapoleone, via Manzoni, Via della Spiga and Corso Venezia. This area is a celebration of luxury and beauty and is genuine old Milan and it is definitely worth a visit. Many of the boutiques are entire fashion shows in themselves.

Shops:

Here you’ll find them all; Armani, D&G, Dior, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Valentino, Prada, Versace, Cavalli, Missoni, Hermès, Burberry, Kartell, Alessi, Comptoir des Cottoniers, Trussardi , Paul Smith, (the last 5 are in Via Manzoni).
Also check out the luxury fashion outlet Outlet Matia’s in 37, Corso Venezia (find on map).

Lunch:

GB Bar, 2, Via Agnello (find on map)
Another exclusive and very cosy restaurant in this area is Il Salumaio di Via Montenapoleone at 10, Via Santo Spirito (find on map) – this is also a great place to have a coffee break.
Princi Bakery, Corso Venezia 21 (find on map) in principle this is a bakery but they prepare delicious lunch dishes: pasta, risotto and salads. Go early (before 12.30) because the place is normally packed!!
Panini Durini, 26, Via Durini (find on map), small place but they make absolutely delicious sandwiches, soups, salads AND they’ve got incredible coffee (also to go) and cakes.

Coffee:

Do you want the historic coffee experience? try out the charming Pastry shop Cova, 8, Via Montenapoleone with its own courtyard or
Pastry shop Marchesi (find on map) one of Milan’s oldest pastry shops has opened a new shop here in 9, Via Montenapoleone.

Area 3. Via Torino/Porta Ticinese/Porta Genova

The alternative High street (Find on map)

Old Milan, Via San Maurizio behind Via Torino

Shops:

From Piazza Duomo you turn down Via Torino with lots of sports shops and street wear.
Around the corner are via San Maurilio and Via Santa Marta with little boutiques. (find on map), and Via Giacomo Mora (find on map) where there are vintage shops and Cavalli e Nastri  one of Milan’s oldest vintage boutiques. In this street you also find Groupies Vintage.
Corso di Porta Ticinese – streetwear (great for teenagers), alternative design, vintage boutiques, this is a place where the Milanese themselves go browsing.
Via Cesare Correnti an exciting part of the Milanese Design bigs Cinque Vie, with various shops e.g. Joost. (find on map) great design for both him and her. Suede ar 21, Via Cesare Correnti (find on map). This tour ends in Viale Papiniano,where there is a great open air market on Tuesdays 7.30 am-2 pm.and Saturdays 7.30 am-6 pm.

Lunch:

Visit foodie temple Peck, (find on map)  Milan’s no. 1 delicatessen and get an amazing lunch.
All’antico vinaio the most delicous Florentine sandwiches you can imagine at 12, via Lupetta (find on map)
Panino Giusto, 8, Via Francesco Cherubini  – quality sandwiches. (Find on map)
Delicious Southern Italian street food at Slow Sud, 4, Via delle Asole (find on map)
In Via Giacomo Mora (find on map) there are also a couple of cosy places for lunch.
For tasty vegetarian food check out La Vecchia Latteria, 6, Via dell’Unione (find on map).

Coffee:

B Café, 20, Via Santa Maurilio (find on map).
Caffè della Pusterla, 22, Via Edmondo de Amicis  – great atmosphere (find on map).
Pastry shop Marchesi (find on map) one of Milan’s oldest pastry shops located in 11/a, Via Santa Maria alla Porta .

Italian ice cream:

Grom, 4, Largo Carobbio  (find on map) good concept and excellent ice cream.
Vero Gelateria, 51b, Corso di Porta Ticinese (find on map) absolutely delicious Sicilian ice cream.

Area 4. Duomo

The High street in Italian – (Find on map)

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, facade with paintings

Shops:

The regular High Street shops i.e. Brian & Barry – department store with a very chic rooftop bar (open until 7.30 pm) Boggi (great outfits for him), Diesel,  Max & Co, Max Mara, Liu Jo, Sephora, Intimissimi, Calzedonia, Yamamay,  Kiko,La Rinascente – department store, Urban Outfitters, Guess, Swatch, Footlocker, Benetton,  H&M, COS, … & Other Stories and Zara.
#roundTheCorner the outlet  Intrend Diffusione Tessile (if you’re into Max Mara ,Max & Co), very cheap compared with their official shops, it is in Largo Corsia dei Servi) (find on map) and don’t miss out on luxury outlet Matia’s Fashion outlet at 10, Via San Pietro all’Orto (find on map).
The beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele with shops Prada, Borsellini, Gucci, Louis Vuitton

Lunch:

Luini –  note that it is closed in August – (they make Panzerotti – a kind of mini calzone either fried or baked, there’s normally a very long queue, but it’s very well organized and fast and more importantly; it’s worth the wait, you can eat it picnic style on Piazza San Fedele (right behind – (find on map) where you can enjoy coffee afterwards in the very hip Lavazza Store.
Mercato del Duomo (food market, Old Wild West, bistrot and restaurant with an incredible view over Piazza Duomo).
If you want to see and be seen there are lots of outdoor places on Corso Vittorio Emanuele itself, but note Italians don’t go here, they are typical tourist traps.
Also worth mentioning is Fratelli La Bufala, 8, Galleria San Carlo  (find on map). On the same square you have Gino Sorbillo Neapolitan pizza in Milan.
Inside the Museo del Novecento right at Piazza Duomo you find the exclusive Giacomo Arengario with a view on the Duomo and the city.
All’Antico Vinaio the most delicous Florentine sandwiches you can imagine at 12, via Lupetta (find on map)
On the top floor of department store La Rinascente there are several restaurants, a food market and the most amazing view over Piazza del Duomo.
Ai Chiostri Milano, 48, Via San Barnaba (find on map), this beautiful place is housed in a former convent, located just behind Milan’s court house, from the 1400s offers everything from breakfast, lunch, aperitivo and after dinner drinks.

Coffee:

Try out the delicious coffee with whipped cream at San Carlo al Corso, on Piazza San Carlo (find on map) or sip it at the exclusive Gucci Café halfway in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele (find on map) where you also find Prada’s in-store coffeshop/pastry shop Marchesi on the first floor with an amazing view of the Galleria. Hidden behind the scaffolding In Piazza San Babila for the new metro line is a real gem Pascucci at 22, Corso Europa (find on map). They import their own blend of organic South American coffee, you can also get lunch here.
Then there is the Flagship Store Lavazza , the slow coffee center in Piazza San Fedele (find on map).

Area 5. Corso Buenos Aires

Teenage Paradise (Find on map)

Shops:

H&M, Zara, Conbipel, Benetton, Pepe Jeans,  Kiko (affordable makeup), Guess kids, Vergelio sko, Bata shoes,  Levi’s, Antony Morato, Geox , Elena Miro, Freddy, Furla, Intimissimi Lingeri, Liu-Jo, Camicissima (shirts for him & her), Celio (for him), Havaianas, Tezenis Lingeri, bassetti (home innovation), Du Pareil Au Meme (kids’ clothes) OVS (Italian low-cost clothing) have opened their so far biggest store in 21, Corso Buenos Aires
The first shop in the Japanese chain Muji, to have opened in Milan.  
2, Via Lecco (find on map) you’ll find Lisa Corti  who sells colourfull tablecloths, bedspreads, plaids, ceramics and clothes
Viale Tunisia  Carpe diem store. OVS (Italian low-cost clothes) have opened their, to date, biggest store at 21 Corso Buenos Aires 21.

Lunch:

MINT Garden café, 2, Viale Vittorio Veneto (find on map) Delicious lunch and brunch restaurant.
Pizzeria Spontini, 4, Via Gaspare Spontini (find on map)
Paninoteca Ciaraldi, Galleria Corso Buenos Aires (find on map)
Also check out the delicious sandwiches at All’Antico Vinaio on Piazza Luigi di Savoia (find on map) by Stazione Centrale
Panino Giusto, 3, Via Malpighi – quality sandwiches (find on map)
Pavé, 27, Via Felice Casati (find on map) – great lunch and good coffee.

Coffee:

You probably need a break from the crowds on Corso Buenos Aires, so drop into the park Indro Montanelli Public Gardens and have coffee at Bar Bianco (find on map); or visit Panarello, who are famous for their cakes (find on map)

Italian ice cream:

Grom, 13, Corso Buenos Aires (find on map) or 6, Piazza Argentina (find on map) good concept and excellent ice cream.
Pavé Ice cream, 21, Via Cesare Battisti (find on map), fantasc artisinal ice cream.

Area 6. Corso Vercelli

The elegant avenue  (Find on map)

Sunset in Corso Vercelli, Milan

This area is actually a shopping-route. Start at Via Marghera – via Belfiore – Corso Vercelli – Corso Magenta with a detour to Via Vincenzo Monti and a cultural break at “The Last Supper” (you have to book tickets phone number +390292800360) another must-see is art gallery/design store Spazio Rossana Orlandi at 14/16, Via Matteo Bandello (find on map) which is just a little out of the way but so worth visiing.

Shops:

Via Marghera – here you find several shoe shops and varied clothes shops, outlets. OVS clothes shop H&M style.
Around the corner in Via Belfiore (find on map) fantastic hardware store, Lo Sfizio clothes.
in Corso Vercelli you find department store Coin with medium prices, Boggi (stylish outfits for him), Max & Co, Gallo  if you’re into quality and stripes, Furla handbags and wallets, Intimissimi, Sephora makeup, ZARA Home, Zadiq & Voltaire plus Swarovski, Songes, Subdued and there is luxury outlet Matia’s Fashon outlet at 40, Corso Vercelli (find on map)

Lunch:

Pizzeria da Gino,9, Corso Vercelli (find on map) Standing lunch with good pizza and ready meals.
Then there is Fratelli La Bufala, 13, Via Cima Rosa (find on map)
Panino Giusto, 8, Via Cherubini (find on map) quality sandwiches.
Rosticceria Galli, 8, Corso Vercelli a deli and restaurant for foodies with delicious ready-to-go meals (find on map)
Fru Eat on Piazzale Baracca (find on map) – healthy lunch based on fruit and vegetables.
Panino Giusto, 15, Via Buonarroti (find on map), delicious sandwiches, cakes and coffee to go.

Coffee:

Biffi pastry shop: Have coffee or an aperitivo original Milan style or sip it in the small coffee shop at 87, Corso Magenta (find on map) , where you drink coffee while enjoying the smell of freshly ground coffee beans, and you can buy some for your espresso machine at home.
Panarello, 10 Via Belfiore 10 (find on map) – great cakes.

Italian ice cream

Grom, 1a, Via Alberto da Giussano (find on map) Good concept and excellent ice cream.
Fru Eat on Piazzale Baracca (find on map) also sells delicious artisinal ice cream.