Munching Your Way Through Milan
With over 160,000 restaurants and snack bars, the Italians made it easy for you to eat your way though this beautiful country. The only thing you should worry about is to make sure not to fill up on dry heavy bread served prior to the main dish. Servings are large, prices modest, and ingredients fresh, all making the dining experience even more pleasant with so many choices on the menu.
Obicà Mozzarella Bar
With locations throughout Milan, Florence, Rome, and Palermo, Obicà is a place you could visit at any point in your journey. Open Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 12am and Sunday from 9:30am to 12am.
Menu Highlights: Mouthwatering handmade mozzarella, tomato and basil that looked as if it came right from the garden, foccacia with floral rosemary
Atmosphere: Overlooking Duomo cathedral, with inside and outside seating. On the fourth floor, off food court. Very busy!
Image Credit: Lauren Madrigal
Luini Calzone
Located in the heart of Milan, open Mondays from 10am-3pm, Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-8pm.
Menu Highlights: Known for their famous calzone featuring fluffy dough with just a hint of warm mozzarella and fresh tomatoes makes it easy to eat more then one, they also have sweet treats.
Atmosphere: Walk up counter. Be prepared to order from the overwhelming choices. Security outside the doors to keep fans in line.
Image Credit: Lauren Madrigal
Ricette Tricolori
Located next to the Basilica di Saint Eustorgio, open from 7am-midnight every day.
Menu Highlights: Wood fired oven pizzas with the thinnest of crust and a buttery flavor, light layer of tomato sauce and sea salt sprinkled over bubbly melted mozzarella. It was so good I took one to go!
Atmosphere: Mixture of cafe, dessert bar and restaurant. Very open airy and bright. Staff is reserved.
Image Credit: Lauren Madrigal
Al Cantinone
In central Milan, close to the Duomo and the Pizza Marino. Open 7 days a week from 10am-3pm and again from 7pm-11pm.
Menu Highlights: Toast brushed with garlic topped with olive oil drizzled on top of mozzarella, spaghetti mixed with fresh tomato sauce and mozzarella. Keep in mind, one dish can easily be split between two people and you'll both still be in a food coma.
Atmosphere: Split for service with bar and snacks on one side full restaurant on the other. Staff very friendly.
Image Credit: Lauren Madrigal
Cova Montenapoleone
If you have a big sweet tooth, stop by Cova for a dessert near the Palazzo Morando. Open Sunday 9am-7pm, Monday-Saturday from 7:45am-8:30pm.
Menu Highlights: The chocolate cake accompanied by three scoops of gelato is to die for! So good, you will lick the plate clean.
Atmosphere: A cozy place that welcomes you in to enjoy a coffee and dessert! Staff were fast and welcoming.
Image Credit: Lauren Madrigal
Savini Gelato
The perfect place to take a break and pick up a scoop of gelato, right outside the Duomo cathedral. Open from 7am-11pm every day.
Menu Highlights: So many flavors to choose from, you can't help but get more than one scoop.
Atmosphere: Walk up counter outside, easy and fast.
Image Credit: Lauren Madrigal
And a bonus restaurant from Italy: Al Vaporetto
The restaurant is in the heart of Venice near the Rio Terà della Mandorla, next to the Fortuny Museum. Open Monday-Saturday, 11am-10pm.
Menu Highlights: Paper thin layers of handmade pasta with Bolognese sauce between and topped with Parmesan cheese. Traditional Spaghetti with tomato sauce topped with basil. A simple dish filled with flavors of oregano and a touch of parmesan.
Atmosphere: As soon as you walk in you feel welcomed and can smell that good things are happening in the kitchen. Red checkered table cloth with 90's music in the air. The staff are friendly but seemed disappointed the plate wasn't empty/licked clean. We went back for more the following day and ate for 2 1/2 hours.
Image Credit: Lauren Madrigal
