11 Best Restaurants in Milan, Italy

At Marghe, crafting Neapolitan-style pizza is art. Book in advance to grab a table in the rustic and lively dining room with exposed concrete walls, floral-tiled floors, and pendant lights, where pizzas are delivered quickly and piping hot. You can try the classics, margherita (San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte [mozzarella style] cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and basil) or salsiccia e friarielli (fior di latte cheese, smoked provolone cheese, sausage, and firarielli, which is similar to broccolini), or ask about their seasonal pizza. There's a second pizzeria at Via Cadore 26 in Porta Romana.

Your main problem at Pavè will be deciding what to order among rows of cakes, tarts, classic Italian brioches (with sweet fillings like cream and jam), and other pastries. When everything is this drool-worthy, your best strategy is to come with friends and share your favorites. The hip café and bakery with floor-to-ceiling windows is a favorite of locals who wait in line for a spot at weekend brunch and lunch. There's a second location, Pavè–Break, at Via della Commenda 25.

The 15 different types of daily breads along with tarts, croissants, and a decadent selection of other desserts have a French influence at this bakery with sidewalk tables and chairs and a viewing window into the bakers behind the scenes of it all. Grab an easy breakfast, lunch, or aperitif as you soak up the aroma of fresh-baked baguettes.

Whether you stop for a cappuccino and one of their gigantic brioche (similar to a croissant) filled with jam, cream, or an unconventional salted-caramel for breakfast, an afternoon break with a selection of minicakes, or to eat a quick sandwich, any craving can be satisfied at Marlà—the acronym for the first names of the two owners, Marco Battaglia and Lavinia Franco. Keep in mind that you may not have room for dinner if you stop by this sea green–and-white modern café in the afternoon.

Without traveling across the city, you can try the creations of some of the most well-known food purveyors in Milan. Follow neon signs with sketches of the type of food on offer to pick from standbys such as risotto from Sergio Barzetti and fish from Pescheria Pedol at Milan's version of the concept food hall that's also in Florence, Rome, and Turin. The two-level industrial space with contemporary decor in black, white, red, and graffiti on the ground floor of Milan's central train station is an ideal place to eat a fresh-baked pizza or grab a drink after a long day traveling. For a quieter meal, head upstairs for even more food options and larger tables that are ideal for groups.

Fun, lively, and usually with a line out the door, this no-frills pizzeria on a side street near the Duomo has just four kinds of thin crust on offer. Choose from margherita, bianca (white, with no tomato, and a seasonal vegetarian topping), marinara (with no mozzarella), and a surprise pizza of the day; all are served hot from a wood-burning oven to satisfy locals and tourists alike. Although you may need to wait, there's often a free glass of prosecco for you while you do. In the summer, sidewalk seating adds to the party vibe.

The thin-crust pizza wins raves from locals at this family-run pizzeria with several locations, the oldest near Corso Buenos Aires in the Porta Venezia area. The pizza is extra thin and large, and possibilities for toppings seem endless. A good choice for families, this dining experience will be easy on your pocketbook. Other locations are on Via San Siro 9 in Corso Vercelli and Via Chiesa Rossa 109.

The Zàini family opened its chocolate factory here in 1913, on a side street off Corso Como. Today, its black-and-white marble-tile-floored and chandelier-lit café is a stop for coffee paired with a Zàini classic like Emilia (dark chocolate named after the family's nanny) or Boero (cherry cordial); or dozens of cakes and other sweets. There's a second location at Viale Piave 17, in Porta Venezia.

Zibo used to wander Milan, serving up unconventional Italian street food but the demand for Giulio Potestà and Alessandro Cattaneo's carbonara ravioli (ravioli filled with black pepper and pecorino Romano fondue and topped with crispy guanciale [beef cheek]), primo sale (fresh Sicilian cheese) croquettes with onion jam, and pastrami sandwiches led Zibo to put down roots. On a side street off Via Caminadella, its "Base Camp" has a takeaway window (convenient for grabbing a bite between sightseeing) as a remnant of this van life. Locals pack into the dozen tables at the narrow restaurant with paper placemats and yellow and sea green accents as if in a cozy home kitchen—reservations are essential on weekends. Along with its street food standbys, seasonally-changing risotto and mains of grilled fish or satisfying grilled or roasted vegetables are paired with a small wine list. For a relaxing finish, pick from 16 digestives based on tasting notes and serving temperatures and a handful of homemade desserts such as the Zibo classic robiola Catalan cream with coffee and licorice reduction topped with almond crisp.

Open since 1907, Bar Magenta maintains its old-school charm with its vintage Campari and Moretti beer posters and its quintessential Milanese clientele. Beyond coffee at all hours, lunch (known especially for lasagna), and beer, the real attraction is its mix of old and new, working-class, trendy, and aristocratic.

This Milan institution opened its doors in 1847, before Italy's Unification, and is the official pastry shop of this traditionally wealthy neighborhood. Have a coffee or a rich hot chocolate in its paneled rooms before facing the crowds in Corso Vercelli.