Author: Appsolutelymilano

Top 10 Periods to visit Milan

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Art and culture in Milan

Check out what big events take place during which seasons:

Spring

Piazza alla Scala, Milan - Display for Salone del Mobile

Milano Design Week/Fuorisalone – one week in spring, usually in April, in 2026 the dates are April 20th-26th. A week with very lively cosmopolitan atmosphere and cocktail parties, where Milan is turned upside-doown in occasion of the Salone del Mobile furniture fair, In the city you get the up-and-coming designers’ bid on what the future will look like. Just before Milano Design Week, Miart and Milano Art Week take place., it is an incredible month for contemporary and modern art and design. Read more about it here.

Paople visiting Piano City Milano

Piano City Milano – 3 days during the penultimate weekend of May, In 2026 the dates are May 15th-17th. There is piano music everywhere with lots of fantastic free concerts in the city’s parks, squares and several of Milan’s beautiful courtyards. The concerts go on 24 hours a day and the city teems with life and people. Read more about it here.

Summer

The Filarmonica della Scala plays a free concerts on Piazza Duomo – the second Sunday of June with a speciel guest perfomance – this is a speciel and magical evening where thousands of Milanese of all ages fill up Piazza Duomo for a very speciel night.

Stage with performing orchestra at Estate Sforzesco

Estate Sforzesca – from the beginning of June to the end of August there is entertainment almost every night in the central courtyard of Castello Sforzesco of theater, dance or music, a wonderful way to spend the summer evenings with the locals. Bear in mind that July and August are the hottest months in Milan and when we say hot we means sweltering; temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius and they don’t go down much at night

Triennale Estate – the summer season in Triennale Milano‘s garden – there are concerts, aperitivos, DJ sets lectures and much more from from mid May to mid September .

Sales in Milan – July/August for the exact dates check our shopping guide.

Autumn

MITO September Music – a festival which every year focuses on a theme and offers performances in both Milan and Turin for 20 days in the beginning of September.

Milan Fashion Week – September, the city is hectic during this week with cat walks, cocktail parties and many other things.

JazzMi – Milano jazz festival the first two weeks of November. Some of the world’s finest jazz musicians come to Milan to play..

Winter

Artigiani in Fiera – Enormous Christmas market at Milan’s fair during the first week of December, actually the atmosphere in Milan during the month of December is wonderful with lots of ice skating rinks and Christmas markets. Read more about them here and here.

Opening Night at La Scala theater – the new season at Teatro della Scala starts with an opera on December 7th remember that if you want to experience this very speciel night, you have to book your tickets a long time in advance. Read all about getting tickets here.

Milan Fashion Week – February and September, the city is hectic during this week with cat walks, cocktail parties and many other things.

Sales in Milan – January/February for the exact dates check our shopping guide.

Your guide to La Scala

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Art and culture in Milan

You can’t say Milan without mentioning La Scala; opera, Giuseppe Verdi, ballet and the Orchestra Filarmonica della Scala. It doesn’t have to ruin you financially to get a ticket to see one of the perfomances but it requires planning to get the ticket or even get onone of the coveted gallery tickets at €12.

Here is what we cover in this post:

Tram advertising the La S'cala theatre, Milan

Here are the instructions of how to get your hands on the €12 tickets for ballet and opera evening perfomances, and perhaps you won’t get the best seats for watching the performanceat at this price, but the acoustics up under the roof in the highest gallery are amazing and it’s an incredible experience.You are going to need patience to get the tickets and there are only 140 seats available for each performance:

You have to be at the Evening Box Office in 1, Largo Ghiringhelli (find on map) at 1.00 p.m. (be there at least a couple of hours before then, if the performance is one of the popular ones or on either Friday or Saturday night!) and join the queue, the lucky first 140 (who must bring some kind of official picture ID) will be noted down on a list, every single person who wants a ticket must show up, you cannot book for other people. Then you’ll have to be back at 5.00 p.m. at the Evening Box Office and get your tickets

The list will be filled out and tickets handed out at the Evening Box Office (find on map) office at 5.00 p.m. – remember that every person interested in a ticket must be physically present at this hour.

The list will be filled out and tickets handed out at the Evening Box Office (find on map) office at 12.00 p.m. – remember that every person interested in a ticket must be physically present at this hour.

Normal admissions range from €18-2,000 depending on the performance you are interested in and where you want to sit, you can get more information about this here. It is a good idea to buy your tickets online in advance in case you already know you want to go, reservations and online purchase can be made here.

Another possibility, for the more impulsive opera lover, who likes to live life dangerously, is to go to the central box office in Galleria del Sagrato, Piazza Del Duomo, Metro Station Duomo (open all days from 12 p.m.to 6 p.m.) and ask whether there are any tickets that have not been picked up for that evening’s performance. (find on map) but you should know that the most popular performances are sold out months ahead.

Regular tickets and how to book them

It probably doesn’t come as a big surpirse that ticets for performances sell out fast, box office sales generally open 1-3 months in advance, so as soon as you know when you are coming to Milan we recommend you register on La Scala’s homepage here, find the performance you would like to see here, and if you let your mouse hover over the photo of the picture, the date for the opening of the box office for that particular performance. The system doesn’t let you buy an unlimited number of tickets, see the rules here. There is a 20% pre-sale fee on online purchases which you can see here under the heading “How to buy”.

La Scal theatre, audience watching a performance

La Prima Diffusa – Opening Night for Everyone

The opening night of the new opera season at Teatro alla Scala is on December 7th, the day of the city of Milan’s patron saint Sant’Ambrogio and on this occasion there are free public screenings of the opera and other concerts and performances in many locations around the city in the week up to opening night, check out our weekly calendar around December 1st every year for more information here.

Casa Verdi

Giuseppe Verdi built Casa Verdi as a home for retired musicians and he and his wife are themselvs buried in the crypt. The crypt can be visited every day at.8.30 a.m.-6 p.m., and it also possible for groups to visit Casa Verdi itself and its wonderful art collection but you need to book the tour in advance. The visit itself is free but it is custom to leave €3-5 as a a thank you. Casa Verdi is located on 29, Piazza Buonarotti (find on map).

Museo Teatrale alla Scala

Figurine of 19th century woman from La Scala theatre museum

The museum of the Scala Theatre, a must-see for all lovers of opera, ballet and classiscal music – here you can see Instruments, costumes, busts and countless curiosities, and there are special themed exhibitions regularly – check out our calendar to see if there is anything on now here.
–> 1, Largo Ghiringelli. Piazza Scala (find on map)

Roman ruins in Milan

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Art and culture in Milan

A brief history of Milan

You may not associate Milan with the Roman Empire, but the city, which was originally a Celtic settlement, was conquered by the Roman consul Calvus in 222 BC and he went on to conquer the entire region. In 286 AD Romam Emperor Diocletian decided to divide the Roma Empire into two; the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire and made Mediolanum (the Latin name for the city) the capital of the Western Empire. Dioceltian chose to reside in Nicodemia, the capital of the Eastern Empire (in today’s Turkey) and left Mediolanum to his colleague emperor Maximian, whom we have to thank for the monuments whose ruins you can visit today. Below is a list of the most important:

The imperial Roman Palace in Via Brisa (find on map)

This was Emperor Maximian’s palace but it was actually so vast that it constituted an entrie district; it was around 80,000 square metres and was built when Mediolanum was made capital.

The Mediolanum Foro Romano (find on map)

The main square of Medoilanum in Roman times is located below today’s Pinacoteca Ambrosiana and the San Sepolcro church, it was built by emperor Augustus between the second and thrid century and was 160 metres by 55 metres, the entrance to the forum is at the corner of Via dell’Ambrosiana and Piazza Pio XI.

The San Lorenzo columns (find on map)

16 (well actually there are 17) eight and a half metre tall marble columns with Corinthian capitals from the 3rd centúry AD. They have been named after the church they are located in front of La basilica di San Lorenzo.

Colonne di San Lorenzo by night, Milan

Basilica di San Lorenzo (find on map)

Although it is used aa a Christian church today, it was originally a pagan temple from the 2nd century AD, the chapel of the church dates back to 400 AD. It is one of the best preserved Roman monuments in Milan.

The Museum of Archeology (find on map)

The museum holds many beautiful examples of Roman attifacts, pottery, mosaics etc. On the museum grounds you can visit the uncovered site of a Roman residence from between the 1st and 3rd Century, it features some beautiful examples of Roman mosaics and pottery and an octagonal Roman watchtower from the outer walls.

The entrance to Milan's archeological museum in Coros Magenta

The mosaics of 2, Via Morigi (find on map)

Here you can see an astounding example of a Roman floor in one of the oldest preserved domus (residence) from Mediolanum, it is from the 2nd century BC

The Roman Theatre (find on map)

The remains of this 2000 year old Amphitheatre covers and area of about 450 square metres, you have to book your visit to this extraordinary ruin by either writing an email to  teatroromano@mi.camcom.it or call +390285154378 or +390285154593 during office hours

Il circo – the Roman Circus in via Circo (find on map)

The circus was built between the third and fourth century and was originally 470 metres by 85 metres and was used mainly for horse racing, it originally spanned an area between Corso Magenta where the archeological museum is located and Via Circo, so it is only the last part of it you can see here today.

The ruins of Milan's Roman circus in Via Circo

The Roman Amphitheatre in Via de Amicis (find on map)

This is where the fights between gladiators, wild animals and even elaborate naval battles took place for the entertainment of an audience of up to 20,000 people, the theatre was built between the second and third century.

The Herculean thermal baths in Largo Corsia dei Servi (find on map)

The ruins of he Herculean thermal baths were built on the orders of Emperor Maximian

Great open air markets in Milan

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Shopping in Milan

Milan’s open air markets don’t only sell fresh produce but also offers good bargains in shoes and clothes, there are several every day except on Sundays. There’s life, commotion, genuine Italian atmosphere and competitive prices. We have chosen the most central ones for you.

A stand at a Milan open air market

Monday

Brera, Via San Marco (find on map), 7.30 am-2 pm.

Via Kramer (find on map), 7.30 am-2

Tuesday

Viale Papiniano (find on map), 7.30 am-2 pm

Via Fauchè (find on map) 8 am-1 pm great for shoes and clothes

Wednesday

Via Borsi (find on map), 7.30 am-2 pm.

Thursday

Brera, Via San Marco (find on map), 7.30 am-2 pm

Via Cesariano (find on map), 7.30 am-2 pm

Friday

Via Crema/Via Piacenza (find on map), 7.30 am-2 pm

Via Pagano (find on map), 7.30 am-2 pm

Saturday

Bastioni di Porta Nuova (find on map), 7.30 am-2 pm

Viale Papiniano (find on map), 7.30 am-6 pm

Via Fauchè (find on map) 8 am-6 pm great for shoes and clothes

The wines you have to drink in Milan

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Eating and drinking in Milan

Lombardy has five DOCG (di origine controllata garantita – guaranteed and controlled origin) wines:

A fantastic place for tasting wine in Milan is the historical winebar and -shop Cantine Isola located in Milan’s Chinatown at 30, Via Paolo Sarpi (find on map)

Blue grapes on the vine

Franciacorta spumante, classical method

As the first Lombard DOCG wine we have chosen the very sophisticated white (or maybe even rosé) sparkling wine, a DOCG spumante. classical method – also known as the Champenoise Method that is produced in Franciacorta (Lombardy, province of Brescia).

There are numerous quality wine producers, just to mention some of the most important. Visit the offical Franciacorta website ones: Barone Pizzini, Bellavista, Berlucchi, Ca’ del Bosco, Contadi Castaldi, Il Mosnel, Monte Rossa.

“Sparkling wine is a versatile wine that can be drunk with most typical Lombard dishes e.g. risotto with saffron and ossobuco, cold cuts and, obviously, seafood but it is actually also outstanding with pizza.” says sommelier Luisa Benetti.

Some suggestions for those of you, who want to buy wine to take home.

€€€€ (over €100)

Franciacorta Rosé Riserva Cuvée Annamaria Clementi  (pinot nero) – Ca’ del Bosco

Franciacorta Vittorio Moretti 2004 Limited Edition Teatro alla Scala  (chardonnay – pinot nero) – Bellavista

€€€ (€40-100)

Franciacorta Cabochon Brut (chardonnay – pinot nero) – Monte Rossa

Franciacorta Pas Dosé  Riserva Bagnadore (chardonnay – pinot nero) – Barone Pizzini

€€ (€20-40)

Franciacorta Satèn (chardonnay) –  Il Mosnel

Franciacorta Alma Cuvée Brut (pinot nero – chardonnay – pinot bianco) – Bellavista

Franciacorta Pas Dosé Cellarius (chardonnay – pinot nero) – Berlucchi

€ (€10-20)

Franciacorta Rosé (chardonnay – pinot nero) – Contadi Castaldi

Franciacorta Official Sparkling Wine Sponsor at EXPO

Sforzato di Valtellina

Our next wine is a red wine and if you like a robust and intensely scented red wine with a deep red glow  you need to try out the Sforzato di Valtellina (or Sfursàt as it’s called in the local dialect in the province of Sondrio). This wine comes from the mountains where the so-called heroic viticulture has produced a very interesting DOCG, A wine produced of Nebbiolo grapes, that have first been let to wither , which may sound a little negative, but which results in a very robust wine, locally it is called Chiavennasca.

“Lo Sfursàt is a robust and elegant win, which is aged in wooden barrels. It goes well with strong tasting meat dishes or aged cheese. But you can just as easily enjoy a glass after dinner” says Luisa..

Some of the best known producers are: Assoviuno, Bettini, Caven, Fay, Mamete Prevostini, Nera, Nino Negri, Plozza, Rainoldi, Triacca.

Some suggestions for those of you, who want to buy wine to take home.

€€€ (€40-50)

 Nino Negri Sforzato di Valtellina – Sfursat 5 stelle 2011

Bettini – Sfursat di Valtellina 2011

€€ (€25-40)

Fay – Sforzato di Valtellina, Ronco del Picchio 2010

Assoviuno – Sforzato di Valtellina, San Bello 2008

Rainoldi – Sfursat di Valtellina  2010

Triacca – Sforzato di Valtellina, San Domenico 2010

Oltrpò Pavese, classical method

flutes with spumante

Our third DOCG wine comes from the area south of Milan in the hills in the province of Pavia and is another sparkling wine this time . Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG (Champenoise Method). 

The main vine variety used is pinot nero which was brought here from France in the second half of the 19th century.

Our expert sommelier Luisa Benetti says:”This bubbly wine is suitable for vegetarian and vegan dishes e.g. risotto with strawberries or a more traditional pasta e fagioli (pasta with beans). But it’s perfect for an aperitivo with appetizers as well.”

Some producers: Anteo,  Cà di Frara, Castello di Cigognola, Conte Vistarino, Giorgi, Montagna , Picchi, Podere San Giorgio, Tenuta il Bosco,
Torrevilla, Travaglino, Vigne Olcru

Some suggestions for those of you who want to buy some of this wonderful wine

€€ (€30)

Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico Brut Rosé Victoria 2008 (pinot nero) – Vigne Olcru

€ (€18-21)

Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico Pinot nero Pas Dosé ‘more rosé 2011 (pinot nero) – Castello di Cigognola

Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico Cruasé (pinot nero) – Anteo

Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico Pinot nero Conte Vistarino 1865  – 2008 (pinot nero e chardonnay) – Conte Vistarino

Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico Pinot nero brut nature 2010 (pinot nero) – Picchi

For more information visit this website.

Valtellina Superiore DOCG

For the fourth DOCG wine we return to the mountains in the province of Sondrio where we find a close relative to the Sforzato, an important red wine, the Valtellina Superiore DOCG.

It comes from the same vine variety the Nebbiolo, locally called Chiavennasca, from the same valley and the same heroic viticulture as the Sforzato and the Valtellina Superiore is also aged in barrels But an important difference is that the grapes aren’t left to wither.

If the label says ‘Riserva’ it means that it has been aged for at least three years..

Luisa Benetti, our sommelier and wine expert recommends the following five Cru: Grumello – Inferno – Sassella – Valgella – Maroggia.

“The Valtellina Superiore is intense and smooth and goes well with pizzoccheri alla Valtellinese or a dish of meat and porcino mushrooms.” Luisa says.

Some of the most important producers are: AR.PE.PE, Bettini, Caven, Fay, Mamete Prevostini, Nera, Nino Negri, Plozza, Rainoldi, Triacca

Here are some suggestions if you want to take some Valtellina Superiore home:

€€ (€22-35)

Valtellina Superiore La Botte Ventitre’ 2002 – Bettini

Valtellina Superiore Inferno Riserva Fiamme Antiche 2010 – AR.PE.PE.

Valtellina Superiore Sassella Riserva 2009 – Rainoldi

€ (€20)

Valtellina Superiore Sassella San Lorenzo 2011 – Mamete Prevostini

Valtellina Superiore Riserva Signorie 2007 – Nera

Valtellina Superiore Inferno Carlo Negri  2011 – Nino Negri

Moscato di Scanzo

Like any self-respecting  chef would we finish off with the dessert wine, the smallest DOCG in Italy, a real gem; the Moscato di Scanzo, a sweet red passito wine.

Scanzo is a small municipality in the province of Bergamo, its Moscato is a native Italian vine with an ancient history, the grapes are sun-dried for several weeks and the wine is aged for at least two years.

“The result,” says our wine expert, sommelier Luisa Benetti,”is a sweet wine that you can drink either with a chocolate tart or Marrons glacés – in Milan the most famous ones are from the Pasticceria Galli (find on map)”

Here are some ideas in case you want to buy some to take home:

€€€ (€35-50)

Locatelli Caffi – Moscato di Scanzo 2011

De Toma – Moscato di Scanzo 2011

Il Cipresso – Moscato di Scanzo Serafino 2010

La Brugherata – Moscato di Scanzo Doge 2011

Biava – moscato di Scanzo 2011

The best known producers are
Biava – Cascina del Francès – Cerri – De Toma – Il Cipresso – La Brugherata -Locatelli Caffi

For further information visit this website.

Orange wine

Orange wine is apparently all the rage so what is it and which Italian labels produce them?

A glass of orange wine at a wine bar in Porta Vnezia, Milan

They are the new rosé but rosé wine gets its colour from the skins of black grapes left to macerate for some time and then removed, so the wine doesn’t become red, whereas orange wines are made from white grapes and the macerating of the skins give them their spectacular colour, it is not a new process but a very old tradition indigenous to the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. They are perfect with raw fish, meat and venison. Read more here.

Here is list of the producers in Italy:

Abbazia San Giorgio
Costadilà
Draga-Miklus
Dario Prinčič
Gravner
Il Carpino
La Castellada
Paraschos
Porta del Vento
Ronco Severo
Sassotondo

The best restaurants in Milan

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Eating and drinking in Milan

Here are the best places by area, click on the area you are interested in:

If you want a gourmet experience, then try out these amazing places at reasonable prices. We have also selected the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Milan – look for VEGAN in the list.

Besides the names you can find in the Michelin guide we recommend the following places. The price levels are varied – € 20-30, €€ 30-50, €€€ >50 – but note that it isn’t necessary to spend a fortune to eat well

Our most important tip concerning good restaurants: Always book a table!

Langosteria restaurant behind Corso Vittorio Emanuel, Milan's best seafood restaurant

Brera area

Restaurant El Tombon de San Marc in Brera

Porta Nuova area

Isola area

Duomo area

Arco della Pace and Parco Sempione area

Terraza Triennale, Triennale's restaurant

Via Tortona/Via Savona area

There is an excellent restarant near this area, it requires you to take the metro from the DeAngeli station and get off at Primaticcio and then walk about 5 minutes but it really is one of Milan’s gastronomical gems and has 2 Michelin stars called IL Luogo di Aimo e Nadia at 6, Via Privata Raimondo Cuccoli (find on map) Phone +3902416886. €€€

Porta Genova area

Porta Venezia area

Porta Vittoria area

Porta Romana area

Football in Milan, Inter and Milan

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Art and culture in Milan

Milan is home to two of the best football teams in the world; AC Milan and Inter Milano. The club AC Milan – originally Milan Football and Cricket Club – is the oldest of the two by 9 years but they were originally the same club that split in two in 1908;

The founding of AC Milan

Milan Football and Cricket Club Milan was founded on December 16th 1899 by a group of English and Italian partners and the club’s first president was Alfred Ormond Edwards, one of the founding partners. In January 1900 the club was affiliated with FIF (the Italian Football Federation) and the following year they became Italian champions.

The founding of FC Inter Milano

In 1908 a group of partners who disagreed with the club’s policy against hiring foreign players left AC Milan and founded the Football Club Internazionale di Milano known as Inter Milano, and their first president was Giovanni Paramithiotti. The club won their first championship in 1910 and are the only Italian football team to have never been demoted to the second division, Serie B.

San Siro stadium

Milan's football stadium San Siro/Giuseppe Meazza

The legendary San Siro Stadium officially Giuseppe Meazza, (find on map) was inaugurated in 1926 by Milan and the stadium and the land belonged to the club but was bought by Milan’s municipality in 1935 and in 1947 it became home to Inter Milano as well. It is known also as La Scala del calcio – Football’s Scala theatre. The San Siro store is open daily between 10 am and 6.30 pm

You can visit the San Siro stadium every day on guided tours between 9.30 am-7 pm, for more information about times and booking here

FC Inter Milano’s old home

Before the construction of the San Siro or Meazza stadium, as it was officially renamed in 1980 after Inter player Giuseppe Meazza, Milan’s home was the Arena Civica located in the Sempione park and between 1930 and 1947 the Arena Civica was Inter’s home, before that they played at the Campo di Ripa Ticinese (find on map) between 1908 and 1912 and then in the period 1913-1930 at Campo Goldoni, which no logner exists but was located between 61, Via Goldoni and Piazza Novelli (find on map).

Inter Milan's old stadium, Arena in Parco Sempione, Milan

The history behind the names (and nicknames)

When Benito Mussolini and his fascist party took power in Italy the policy of the regime was that of italianising foreign names so Milan became Associazione Calcio Milan and Inter became Ambrosiana after the city’s patron saint Saint Ambrose, however, Ambrosiana reversed to their original name of Football Club Internazionale Milano after the end of World War II.

The colours of the clubs have led to their commonly used nicknames I Rossoneri (red-black) and I Nerazzuri (black-blue), traditionally the following of Milan is mainly working class (casciavìt – screwdrivers) and the one of Inter is bourgois (bauscia – braggarts).

Derby della Madonnina

The Milanese derby is in Italian known as il Derby della Madonnina (the derby of the little madonna) after the symbol of Milan, the golden madonna perched on the top of Milan’s cathedral il Duomo di Milano (find on map).

La Madonninia, Milan's golden Madonna perched on top of Milan's cathedral, Duomo di Milano

The Milan and Inter shops

There are of course shops with all kinds of football related merchandise ; t-hirts, shorts, footballs etc. in the relevat club’s colours the AC Milan shop is located in Galleria San Carrlo (find on map) and Inter Milan’s shop is very close by at Galleria Passarella (find on map)

Great cooking classes in Milan

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Eating and drinking in Milan

When you are abroad you want to get close to the locals … So why not do a cooking course with the Italians?

When you’ve been traveling a lot you begin to look for experiences that get you closer to the local population, because who wants to sit at the hotel and have dinner when you could be out meeting people and getting some fun anecdotes to tell.

It may take some courage, but isn’t it the courageous decisions you never regret? So if you feel like a slightly different evening in the company of Italians, try a cooking course in Italian. Nothing beats “I learned how to make this sauce from a chef in Milan” when your friends come over.

Participants in cooking class shopping at open air market

Shopping at the market and cooking at a private home

You can choose the very personal experience with a course in English at a private home, Elena opens the doors to her home in the center of Milan and on market days she takes you to the local open air food market to pick the fresh seasonal products for your cooking class.

Aurora holds both morning and evening classes with a professional chef and she lves by the yellow metro line 4 stops from Duomo. If you can’t make it to her courses (or for some reason don’t feel like participating) you can still come and have dinner with the paticipants.

Both Clara and Aurora put emphasis on the fact that their courses aren’t just about cooking but also about socializing.

You can also try Casa Pastrocchi where Niccolò and Francesca give you a unique introduction to Italian food and wine. They offer an 3 1/2 hour cooking experience that starts with a classical aperitivo and includes wine tasting – they are certified sommeliers – check out on their website (English) here.

Cooking school at Teatro7

Another possibilty is the cooking school Teatro7 (Find on map) where they teach in Italian but you can be certain that they will try anything with a combination of gestures and English to make you understand. And if Italians have bad English skills their gesturing is formidable.

Cooking class at Teatro7, Isola, Milan

You are guaranteed to have an entertaining evening and you will learn to make some great food. At Teatro7 you get the course including dinner from €75 to €150. Check out our Right now in Milan (in the menu) for courses.

Important instructions for booking a course online as the course calendar only exists in Italian: first click on the red Guarda il Menu button next to your course, on the next page click on “prenota il corso” at the top of the page (book) and then the rest of the instructions are in English, if you don’t receive a confirmation via email within 24 hours, send an email to iscrizioni@teatro7.com – you won’t be able to attend if you don’t have the email. The course calendar is here.

Regional cuisine in Milan

On By AppsolutelymilanoIn Eating and drinking in Milan

Every region and city in Italy has its own specialities and culinary traditions. In the north of Italy people generally use more butter and rice compared to the south of the country. We also have a post about the local wine here.

Here are the dishes and specialities:

Risotto alla milanese con Osso Buco

Risotto alla milanese with osso buco

Who doesn’t love risotto? Italy is Europe largest producer of rice and it is grown mainly in the flat and marshy Po valley aka the rice bowl of Italy and the Milanese love rice as much as they love pasta, the Risotto alla Milanese is a delicious creamy dish with saffron, which gives it its characteristic yellow colour, it can be eaten on its own but is often accompanied by marrow bone or as it is called in Italian Osso Buco – literally bone with a hole.

Minestrone alla milanese

Minestrone – or vegetable soup – in itself is not a typical Italian dish, it is served all over the country but the Milanes twist is that is prepared with rice in stead of pasta

Cassoeula

This is a pork and cabbage stew that is mainly eaten during the cold months of the year and can be hard to find at other times – you also probably would not want to eat it during summer heat. It is often served with polenta – see the next item on the list

Polenta

Polenta is a kind of cornmeal porridge and it can be served with a variety of things; cassoeula (se above), cheese – e.g. gorgonzola, which is a Milanese cheese, and cream. Polenta is so typically Northern Italian that people form the south often use the derogatory term “Polentone” when speaking of their northern compatriots.

Trippa alla milanese – Busecca

Busecca is tripe, or cow’s stomach, in Milanese dialect and it has long been a staple in the socalled peasant cuisine, it is prepared with beans, vegetables and broth and is a well-loved dish here in the north.

Cotoletta alla milanese

The cotoletta alla milanese is a breaded veal cutlet fried in butter, if it is very big it is featured on the menu as orecchio d’elefante – elephant ear – there are many local arguments over whether it should be boneless or have a bone, be very flat – more akin to a schnitzel – or higher and juicy,.

Mondeghili

Milanese meatballs that are made with leftover meat from e.g. making broth, usually beef mixed with liver mortadelle, grated cheese and bread, sausage and eggs just like other polpette, the big difference is that the meat for Mondeghili is pre-cooked.

Michetta

Typical Milanese bread roll michetta

The michetta is the typical white bread roll from Northern Italy, the rolls are puffed and therefore nearly hollow and often used for panini – sandwiches – Michetta rolls must be eaten fresh and only last for one day.

Panettone

Display of Panettone boxes with retro design

The panettone is the popular traditional Milanese Christmas cake, it is a tall, round and naturally leavened cake with candied citrus and raisins, it is a welcome gift when you are invited to people’s homes and supermarkets and pastry shops are brimming over with them from November to December.