Milan is a cosmopolitan city that effortlessly blends tradition and innovation, a duality that is reflected in its fine dining establishments. From cutting-edge reinterpretations of Italian classics to boundary-pushing menus that celebrate sustainability and creativity, these restaurants in Milan are a testament to the city’s reputation as a global gastronomic destination.
Looking for a different food experiences? You might also love: The best contemporary restaurants in Milan & The Best Ethnic Restaurants in Milan
1
Moebius Sperimentale
Entering Moebius, you immediately notice the 3-meter-high bottle cupboard behind the bar, featuring over 300 varieties of liquors and spirits. But Meobius isn’t just a cool cocktail and tapas bar; there’s a new life injected of innovative and experiential cuisine on the first floor, at Moebius Sperimentale. You eat inside the kitchen, literally – and watch the Chef’s while they prepare your tasting menu. Only five seats, so it’s worth booking well in advance. The Chef, Enrico Croatti, experiments with three menus: sea, land and an 8 course meal that blends the two. The philosophy behind each menu is the conscious and mindful selection of the ingredients, whether it’s seafood, vegetables or livestock. What we loved? the Michelin starred experience was unique, toasted bread, kombucha to start and a real friendly, intimate setting.
2
Horto
Norbert Niederkofler, three Michelin stars in San Cassiano in the Dolomites, opened a restaurant in the historic centre of Milan. The idea is based on the Horti Conclusi, the gardens of the monasteries where aromatic and medicinal plants were grown in the Middle Ages. Together with a team of chefs with a distinguished curriculum, he proposes an ethical, relaxed cuisine, respectful of the time and of the territory that changes with the seasons. Furthermore, the ingredients are located within a one-hour radius of the city. You can enjoy breakfast and aperitifs on the terrace as well as fine dining inside the aesthetic dining-room for lunch and dinner. WEBSITE
3
Vesta
A sleek reinterpretation of the classic Milanese bar-bistrot, Vesta is the brainchild of architect Stefano Belingardi Clusoni, who has infused the space with minimalist sophistication and a touch of brutalist inspiration. The interiors play with contrasts of raw and refined materials—cool concrete surfaces softened by rich wood paneling and leather banquettes. At Vesta, fish prevails with a crudo bar, oysters, carpaccios and caviar to star on the menu. As for mains, dishes are reinterpreted with a contemporary flair such as spaghetti, vongole and bottarga or ravioli cacio e pepe with bergamot. This is the right place for an evening with family or friends but also for a job dinner.
4
Langosteria Bistrot
Definitely the best fish restaurant in town. The reason is that the owner, Enrico Bonocore, is also a partner in a counter at the fish market: the first choice is always reserved for the cuisine of this restaurant in via Savona, in the heart of the Milanese design district. Three formats: the gourmet restaurant, the bistro and the kitchen. A dish to try is the Catalan-style blue lobster, a classic among the many exceptional dishes. WEBSITE
5
Ristorante Torre
Located on the top floors of the tower of Fondazione Prada, Ristorante Torre is an exceptional place to experience high-end cuisine in a refined environment. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows surround the interiors, complete with parquet flooring, walnut wood paneling, and hemp-covered walls enriched with artwork. The Chef, Lorenzo Lunghi, is focused on the principles of ethical cooking and ingredient care. Producers are meticulously selected from the Italian gastronomic landscape and every kitchen by-product is repurposed in some way. In addition to the à la carte menu, the gastronomic offering also includes a seven-course tasting menu that frequently changes to reflect the micro-seasons of Northern Italy and the seasonality of the fish. WEBSITE
6
Ristorante Berton
Andrea Berton, with one Michelin star for his restaurant, was also awarded the prize of The Best Pasta on the Menu in 2022, It comes to no surprise as the concept behind his refined cuisine, is to bring to light those flavours and ingredients one wouldn’t usually consider. For example, Berton has curated a tasting menu in which broth is the protagonist, and of course it’s not just any broth. From mantris shrimp broth to beetroot broth, to ending the meal with chocolate broth. A unique culinary experience to enter with an open mind. WEBSITE
7
Seta Restaurant, Mandarin ORiental
Antonio Guida’s restaurant is always a very trendy address. Located in the internal courtyard of the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Milan, it is a formal and prestigious setting with dishes by Fornasetti. The chef offers a menu with Mediterranean flavours, with influences from southern Italy from which he comes, but in his dishes also memories of French classicism and a certain tendency to opulence and sweet succulence, which fascinates. But on the menu there are) but also exotic and oriental digressions. A special mention for the desserts of the restaurant’s pastry chef, Marco Pinna. WEBSITE
8
ANDREA APREA
The chef, who had won two Michelin stars at the Park Hyatt, opened his restaurant on the top floor of a nineteenth-century building that houses the Luigi Rovati Foundation, an extraordinary art museum. The three tasting journey on the menu explore different flavours, with an ode to the chef’s Neapolitan origins. On the menu of the Bistrot you will find focaccia, salads and sandwiches as well as dishes such as Milanese risotto and pasta with tomato sauce. WEBSITE
9
Enrico Bartolini
The man of records: this is the definition that we read most often of Enrico Bartolini, because no one like him has collected so many starred restaurants in different parts of Italy. But this on the third floor of the MUDEC Milano is the flagship, the restaurant that has thrilled Milan by bringing the three stars back to the city. Classic-contemporary is the definition that the chef reserves for his cuisine, an affirmation that is reflected in his two tasting menus: “Best of” with historical dishes and “Mudec Experience”, all accompanied by a wine selection that includes more than 7000 labels. WEBSITE
10
Al Baretto san marco
A historic favorite among Milanese locals, Al Baretto has found a new, even more prestigious home on Via della Spiga. This sophisticated spot boasts the charm of an English club, complete with tartan carpets and a serene outdoor garden. The menu is a tribute to Milanese identity, featuring classics like risotto and the iconic cotoletta alla Milanese (breaded veal cutlet). For those seeking lighter options, dishes such as artichoke salad with Parmesan provide a refined alternative. WEBSITE
11
BOEUCC
In a quiet square a stone’s throw from the Teatro alla Scala, and in front of the house of the 19th century writer Alessandro Manzoni, Boeucc is a restaurant of the past (it has been in business since 1696), with waiters in tuxedos and white gloves. The cuisine is regional, executed in an exemplary way: nerve salad, sautéed rice, fried brains, sweetbreads and courgette flowers. But then the menu is very varied, and you can also order fish or vegetarian dishes.
12
GIACOMO MILANO
Giacomo Bulleri, of Tuscan origins, opened his first restaurant in the centre of Milan back in the 90’s and today counts not only five restaurants (3 in Milan, one in Pietrasanta Tuscany and one on Lake Como in a collaboration with the Grand Hotel Tremezzo) but also an additional Caffè, Pasticceria, Rosticceria, Gastronomia and Tabbaccheria. Each setting has a very different feel, from the wood paneling and embossed wallpaper design of Da Giacomo to the more nautical approach in Giacomo Al Lago to the unique experience in dining with a view of the Duomo at Giacomo Arengario. As far as the menu concerns, expect a combination of Italian cuisine in a contemporary guise and as for desert, the Bomba di Giacomo is a guilty pleasure everyone must try at least once (at least).
13
Abba
In Milan’s Certosa District, Abba emerges from the transformation of a former brush factory into a refined dining space by Italian architect Giulio Marchesi. With large windows and a palette of natural tones—earth, sand, and wood—the restaurant embodies elegance, simplicity, and harmony with nature. By night, it becomes an intimate and romantic retreat, offering a sensory dining experience. At the heart of Abba is chef Fabio Abbattista, whose philosophy blends Pugliese traditions, global influences, and haute cuisine techniques. His menu adapts not just to the seasons but evolves daily, guided by the optimal ripeness of ingredients. Vegetables take center stage, while ethically sourced meat and seafood complete the experience. WEBSITE
