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Where to eat in Milan?

I will be in Milan for a three day pre-tour stay. I was there last year and loved the city, but never found a meal that I really enjoyed. I'm looking for a great pizza one night and just a great (okay, very good) meal on the other days. Any thoughts/suggestions?

Posted by
225 posts

Thank you for your suggestions. I will be staying near the Duomo.

Posted by
6265 posts

Thanks, Laura. We, too, will be in Milan this summer, post-VI tour. We're always glad to get recommendations from folks who share our travel philosophy.

Posted by
13803 posts

I enjoyed Ristorante Hosteria Borromei which is not too far from the Duomo. We had lunch there and it was delicious. It had been pouring rain and we were in our wet tourist clothes but it did not apppear that our service differed from what seemed to be tables of local business folks having lunch. I was persuaded by the server to finish my meal with green apple sorbetto with just a touch of Calvados. Oh, my. Word.

Posted by
225 posts

Thanks Kaeleku,
You're so funny. That was my reaction too (only in Milan, though). That's why I'm asking. I'll keep searching and hopefully someone will have some great recommendations near the Duomo.

Jane,
If it's post tour you won't be hungry! I did the Villages of Italy last year and the food was amazing and lots of it!! I walked 30,000 steps a day and still gained 8 lbs in 2 weeks. There were people on our tour who gained over 15 in two weeks. So I wouldn't worry about finding things to eat in Milan. There is a gelato shop on Spadari that makes limone e basilico (lime and basil) gelato - amazing!!

Lori

Posted by
3938 posts

If you find yourself between the Santa Maria Della Grazie church and the Museum of Science and Technology (Leonardo models) try this restaurant. Here is a decription I PM'd to a forum member a few years ago.

After our Last Supper viewing we wandered around and found a wonderful, reasonably priced, locals only but very welcoming, restaurant called Ristorante Bebel on Via San Vittori 1/2 block east of the Museum of Science and Technology. The menu featured many seasonal choices and the staff visited with all of the locals who filled up the place starting at about 8 PM. We were seated at 7:30. This was some of the best and most authentic food we had during the several weeks we spent in Milan.

Posted by
225 posts

Oh Mona, that's perfect! I will be at the church for a concert one night. Thank you so much!!

Posted by
286 posts

I recommend Osteria del Gnocco Fritto, in Navigli, it's specialized in gnocco fritto (different thing than gnocchi), which is like a type of bread, very unique, great cheeses and salumi. They also have great pasta.

Posted by
6265 posts

I'm really appreciating this post. Thanks, bilezmom. I've heard that the food on the VI tour is exceptionally good, but I still want some good places in Milan.

We're going to be staying close to the Parco Sempione, not too far from the Sforzesco Castle. So I'm taking notes!

And I must say that we've never had a bad meal in Italy. We did have one in Florence that was mediocre, or indifferent, but we knew what we were getting into. Hot, tired, hungry, tired, and in a place where the only eating establishment was the kind Rick always warns us against; colorful laminated menus, microwaved entrées... But we were very hungry, and we ate there anyway. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't good.

In general, we love the food in Italy. That's one reason we're so eager to return: the wonderful food and inexpensive wine. Ahh, Italia!

Posted by
1792 posts

While in London I enjoy the food at Princi, it's a Milan based small chain.

http://www.princi.com

The last time I was in Milan I had dinner in the canal district. I don't remember the name of the restaurant but you can walk around and see where the locals are dining.

Posted by
138 posts

When we stayed in Milan at the Hotel Gran Duca di York we asked the person at the desk where he would go for some good pizza with his family and he told us La Fettunta which is on Via Santa Marta 19, a family run restaurant and pizzeria whose crowd is mostly locals from the neighborhood. We liked it so much we made a reservation the next night. All 4 of us loved it as we had gone to a Rick recommended place down the street the night before and felt they were putting the foreigners in one room while the locals were going into another. Plus the food wasn't very good for the price. We also when to a place in the Galleria which was pretty bad, I say stay away from most places near there.
La Fettunta was very much a family place, low key, with people who enjoyed their work. Our one friend who doesn't eat much ordered a pizza and couldn't finish it, the waiter asked her if she didn't like it and she said no she loved it. The next night when she didn't finish her pasta, he smiled and said I know you loved it but too much!

Posted by
225 posts

Dear Rocket,
I love Princi, too. I always make it a point to stop there for breakfast or a treat. Yummmmm. They have bread sticks packed with green olives. My mouth is watering just thinking about them ;)

Posted by
225 posts

Thank you Barbara!
I will put it at the top of my list for my first night.... just in case I want to go back again ;) .

Posted by
6265 posts

That does it; I'm bookmarking this page. Thanks from me, too, Barbara

Posted by
225 posts

Wow Claudia,
I never thought of that, nor did I even realize that something like that exists. I appreciate the link. I'm planning on going through the whole blog tonight.

So, would I just google "food blog Milan" to find more?

thanks again!

Lori