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We've compiled the best of the best in Milan - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
Named after the phonetic spelling of the Dutch-Italian chef's last name, this innovative, high-concept restaurant, whose quiet dining rooms are done up in gray and gold, offers a choice of interesting tasting menus and à la carte options. Boer's contemporary Italian food is beautifully presented and full of complex flavors, and the well-matched wines lean toward the natural.
Book well in advance for one of Milan’s most fashionable eateries, where the tables are lacquered red and modern artwork crowds the walls—exactly what you’d expect from the twin brothers, Dean and Dan Caten, behind the fashion label Dsquared2. The food cred matches the scene—with fresh, creative, sophisticated pastas and other dishes. When the weather’s warm, the people-watching's great; enjoy an aperitivo or Sunday brunch on the expansive terrace with a fabulous skyline view.
Celebrity chef Ritu Dalmia runs well-regarded Italian restaurants in India, so it's no surprise that her restaurant in Milan offers a mash-up of modern Indian food with Italian and international ingredients; even the decor, with shelves of pottery and terrazzo floors, is a cultural combo. Look for unexpected flavors and a mix of small plates, more substantial mains, and utterly delicious fusion desserts.
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 café at this foodie paradise at its original 1883 outpost near the Duomo features Italian specialty foods such as excellent cheeses, charcuterie, vegetables in olive oil, seafood, and sandwiches. It also reinterprets classic dishes like Russian salad and pâté, which can be washed down with a fine selection of wines by the glass or a bottle from its cellar of global labels. You'll also find Peck at City Life near San Siro and in Porta Venezia.
Modern Italian cuisine made using interesting ingredients is the draw at this restaurant with sophisticated brown-and-turquoise decor in Milan's Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The best way to experience the intricate dishes is through the seven-course tasting menu; for a less expensive option, opt for the three-course “carte blanche” lunch menu. With more than 1,000 labels on the extensive wine list and a focus on Italian producers, you’re guaranteed to find something wonderful to accompany your meal.
