2 Best Restaurants in Milan, Italy

Although this establishment in the heart of Brera calls itself nothing more than a birreria con cucina (beer cellar with kitchen), locals come here for excellent evening meals in relaxed surroundings, and the traditional dishes vary with the season. A soft current of jazz and sylvan decor soothe the ripple of conversation. Plates could include involtini di spada gratinati (swordfish rolls with breadcrumb), zuppa di arselle e fregola (couscous soup with clams), and pizza selvatica con pesto e pinoli tosta (rustic pizza with pesto and roasted pine nuts).

Simple but savory fare and a menu that varies weekly characterize this osteria run by two brothers, Paolo and Roberto. Specialties include truffle tagliolini, and stuffed pasta, such as Gorgonzola-filled ravioli with walnut sauce, or pear and parmigiano tortelli with a saffron butter sauce. The extensive, meat-rich second-course dishes are paired with creamy polenta taragna (made with cornmeal and buckwheat flour) or hand-cut fried potatoes. The dessert menu changes daily, with in-house cakes, sorbetto, and tiramisù reflecting traditional tastes and seasonal availability.