Your Food Guide to Milan
When I think of Italy, crispy pizzas, al dente pastas, sharp cheeses, and creamy gelatos come to mind. Here is a list of some of Milan's most authentic restaurants featuring family recipes, vibrant ambiances, and everything carbs. Buon Appetito!
1. Osteria Dell'Oca Giuliva Milano
Situated in the area of Porta Vigentina, this classic Italian restaurant has an atmosphere of enchanting serenity. The menu offers a variety of bruschettas, focaccias, spaghettis, and specialty pizzas. I ordered the spaghetti ai frutti di mare, a dish with perfectly cooked mussels and clams, topped with parsley and a hint of lemon juice. If seafood is not your plate of choice, you can opt for a Gnocchi with homemade pesto, or its wide selection of green salads accompanied with cheese, olives, carrots, and artichokes.
Restaurant Address: Viale Bligny, 29, 20136 Milano MI, Italy
2. Pizzium
This restaurant is the perfect place for a quick lunch. With various locations in Milan, you can never go wrong with pizza. I ordered the Bufalina pizza, with melted buffalo mozzarella and rich tomato sauce. If you want to go for a classic, the restaurant recommends the Napoli pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and anchovies or the Marinara pizza, a simple one with only tomato sauce, oregano, and garlic. Their menu also has a regional pizza menu section, with specialty pizzas from different regions of Italy. For example, the Puglia pizza is made with yellow datterini tomatoes, capocollo, burrata from Puglia, pitted olives and crumbled tarallo.
Pizzium promises fresh pizza dough made with molino colombo flour, and fresh local ingredients.
Restaurant Address: Various Locations
3. Gino Sorbillo
Although not native to Milan, Gino Sorbillo belongs to one of the oldest families of pizza makers in Naples. Today, it has earned a space among the best Italian gastronomic excellence. Going for something different, I ordered the mozzarella, tomato, and basil bruschetta. The bread is flavored with garlic and extra virgin olive oil and topped with peppery, balsamic glazed Roma tomatoes. For the final touch, a heavenly burrata lies on top for the perfect creamy bite.
Restaurant Address: Largo Corsia dei Servi, 11, 20122 Milano MI, Italy
4. Trattoria Amici Miei
At this trattoria, you will experience the most traditional Milanese cuisine. Trying the cotoletta alla milanesa has to be the purest culinary experience in Milan. Originating in the region of Lombardy, where Milan is, the cotoletta alla milanesa is a fried veal breaded cutlet, cooked with the bone-in, which gives it extra flavor. Most of the time, the cotoletta is served with potatoes and sliced lemon. However, if you're not a meat-eater, the restaurant also has an amazing selection of ravioli, risotto, and salad. The decor inside the restaurant is beautiful and timeless, with countless wine bottles placed across the wooden walls and old school red and white square menus and napkins.
Resaurant Address: Viale Bligny, 36, 20136 Milano MI, Italy
5. Gelateria La Romana
With gelaterias on every corner, which one do you choose? La Romana is a classic gelateria in Italy. Founded in 1947, this gelateria offers traditional flavors and follows old family recipes. I ordered caramello salato con noci pecan (salted caramel with crunchy pecans), stracciatella, and pistachio. Some other unique flavors include crunchy caramel ruby chocolate, along with peach compote, and panettone with mascarpone cream.
Restaurant Address: Viale Col di Lana, 2, 20136 Milano MI, Italy
6. Muu Mozzarella
If you didn't catch the name, everything at this restaurant has mozzarella incorporated in every dish, in one way or another. From smoked buffalo mozzarella to a burratina, Muu Mozzarella takes cheese to another level. I ordered Pesto e Mela, which is a gluten-free and vegetarian dish with buffalo mozzarella DOP morsel with pink apple and basil pesto. The apple is carved out and mixed with the cheese, creating a mini salad. I also recommend the Fiori di Zucca, which is fried zucchini flowers stuffed with buffalo ricotta cheese and pepper, and the Latte e Pepe pasta, fresh pasta spaghetti cooked with buffalo milk with pepper, lemon, and pistachio powder.
Restaurant Address: Via Raffaello Sanzio, 24, 20149 Milano MI, Italy
7. Miscusi
With three restaurants in Milan, Misusi is a restaurant that makes you feel cozy and at home. Not only is all of their pasta homemade, but it's made in a visible kitchen so guests can enjoy the beautiful art that is the creation of pasta. This restaurant values simplicity and quality, which can be seen in its menu. One of its most popular dishes is the Paccheri Tricolore, which is the dish I ordered. Made with paccheri pasta, tomatoes, burrata, pistachio cream, and chopped pistachios, this recipe is a must-try. To wash everything down, customers can order a big jar of white or red wine to share for only 12 Euros. For dessert, I enjoyed grandma's homemade tiramisu, an Italian classic.
Restaurant Address: Various Locations
It's no secret that Italy has one of the best kitchens in the world, and Milan is the perfect city to discover these new flavors and dishes.
