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.
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.
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
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
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.
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!
Carminio, 3, Via del Carmine (find on map) Phone +390272022992. Known for the menu which changes from day to day depending on the best fresh ingredients of the moment. €€/€€€
Temakinho which boasts three of the hottest restaurants in Milan right now. One is in 53, Corso Garibaldi (find on map). Phone +390272016158 €/€€
El Tombon de San Marc, a wonderful restaurant with traditional Lombard cuisine, you need to book a tbale here for both lunch and dinner 20, Via San Marco (find on map), Phone +39026599507. €/€€
EXIT Milano, 2, Piazza Erculea (find on map) Phone :+390235999080 elegant, delicious gourmet food and lovely place, food is served all day until midnight €€/€€€
Piz, 34, Via Torino (find on map) Phone +390286453482. Milan’s best Neapolitan Pizza, the menu only features 3 kinds of pizzas but they are absolutely worth the wait. Be prepared for a line but it moves quickly €
Il Brutto Anatrocolo, 3, Via Evangelista Torricelli (find on map), great food, excellent prices – you cannot book a table on Friday and Saturday nights, so you have to be there at leat 45 minutes in advance and queue-.€
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. €€€
Il Caffè della Pusterla, 22, Via Edmondo de Amicis (find on map) Phone+390283633659. A typical Milanese place, where you can get anything from breakfast to dinner. Fantastic atmosphere. €/€€
