Milan is a world-famous metropolis as the capital of fashion, design and finance, but also a major hub for internationally renowned universities and a sophisticated lifestyle.
If you are planning a weekend getaway and are looking for things to do in Milan, we have prepared a guide that will allow you to experience the Milanese metropolis at its best.
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The Best Restaurants for Lunch or Dinner
Milan is a global lifestyle capital, also famous for its trendy restaurants. Here is our selection for a unique food and wine experience.
Beefbar
The Beefbar is located in the new 5* Hotel Portrait Milano, in the courtyard of one of the oldest seminaries in Europe. Designed by interior design studio Humbert & Poyet, it won the award for Best Design Bar and Restaurant inside a Hotel in Europe in 2023.
The founder of Beefbar, Riccardo Giraudi, together with Executive Chef Thierry Paludetto, offers a menu that pays homage to excellent quality meat in every aspect with refined proposals, both for lunch and dinner.
Address: Corso Venezia, 11, 20121 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390250037500
The Dome Milan
A few steps from Piazza Duomo, The Dome Milano is one of the most sought-after addresses in the city. The venue is divided into two: a restaurant on the second floor and a panoramic rooftop overlooking the Duomo on the seventh. The menu features a rich choice of meat and fish dishes, various pasta dishes and gourmet pizzas.
If you are looking for a place for Sunday brunch, the terrace of The Dome Milano is waiting to culminate your weekend in style.
Address: Via Giuseppe Mazzini, 2, 20123 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +393451507992
oTTo
One of the up-and-coming neighbourhoods worth visiting is Chinatown. Immerse yourself in its characteristic streets, especially Via Paolo Sarpi, and you will get to know a different but fascinating Milan, just like Otto. A multifaceted and creative restaurant, it has immediately become a ‘cult' in the city for lunch, an aperitif or a relaxing brunch. Bright and spacious, Otto is a concept place dedicated to well-being. Inside, there is also the OttoCoseStore space where you can buy many special objects, books and accessories. On your list of things to do in Milan, you cannot miss it.
Address: Via Paolo Sarpi, 10, 20154 Milano MI, Italia
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Biancolatte
A few minutes' walk from the Me Milan luxury hotels Il Duca, Il Principe di Savoia and the Westin Palace, Biancolatte, a place with an almost dreamlike atmosphere, awaits you. A restaurant, pastry shop and ice-cream parlour, it also boasts a delightful corner reserved for the purchase of home accessories.
Separated by a short corridor, you will find the dining room: illuminated little houses and small furnishing objects adorn a space dominated by white. An ideal location to take a break at any time of day.
Address: Via Filippo Turati, 30, 20121 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390262086177
Bar Radio Rooftop
Milanese style and internationality are best expressed at the Bar Radio Rooftop, on the top floor of the Me Milan Il Duca hotel. Essential and modern interiors lead to a terrace that can certainly be described as the restaurant's highlight.
Versatile and sophisticated, the restaurant's contemporary cuisine reflects the creative soul of its host city. A must-see in your diary.
Address: Via Marco Polo, 18, 20124 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390284220108
Dal Milanese
In the Dal Milanese restaurant there is an atmosphere reminiscent of the ‘Milano da bere' of the 1980s amidst exposed brickwork and original photographs from the period. Located on Viale Premuda, this restaurant was opened by entrepreneur Luca Guelfi in April 2021, and is also inside the Teatro degli Arcimboldi.
The menu is devoted to the best Lombard and Milanese cuisine for a gastronomic journey designed as a new exploration of the city.
Address: Viale Premuda, 16, 20129 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390276280457
Gloria Osteria
Opened in December 2023, Gloria Osteria immediately caught the eye and became one of the trendiest restaurants in the city in no time. Inside you will find an eclectic and very colourful design environment reminiscent of a 1960s club, with attention to detail by London-based Studio Kiki.
Chef Manuel, a Neapolitan by birth, has a menu in store for his guests that brings to the table the freshest ingredients of the highest quality, for a journey through Italian cuisine that ranges from north to south.
Address: Via Tivoli, 3, 20121 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +393440739345
Check out our full guide to the best Milan restaurants!
The Best Bars to Enjoy a Drink
As with the restaurants, Milan offers a wide choice of excellent cocktail bars with an attractive look. Here you will find our selection of the best bars of the moment.
The Spirit
A venue with a magnetic appeal, typical of international gentlemen's clubs. The Spirit perfectly reflects Milan's cosmopolitan spirit. Inside, custom-made sofas in green velvet, plays of light and illuminated showcases holding rare bottles from all over the world.
The Spirit is the place to enjoy an evening in a sophisticated ambience, sipping small masterpieces of mixology.
Address: Via Piacenza, 15, 20135 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +393282482995
The Doping Bar
Located inside the luxury hotel Aethos Milano, The Doping Bar boasts a distinctly British charm and is situated in the Navigli area. With an ever-changing drink list that never misses the Negroni Mezcal, in which gin is replaced by mezcal aged in an oak barrel.
In addition, the restaurant's expert mixologists prepare tailor-made cocktails according to customers' preferences.
Address: P.za Ventiquattro Maggio, 8, 20123 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390289415901
Armani Bamboo Bar
On the 7th floor of the Armani Hotel, a place that combines elegance, design, first-class mixing skills and a beautiful view of the Milan quadrangle awaits you. The Armani/Bamboo Bar represents the idea of the sophisticated simplicity that characterises the Giorgio Armani Maison in relation to the world of food and beverage.
An exclusive location where one can enjoy the inevitable ritual of an aperitif, spend a lunch break savouring refined cuisine or sip an after-dinner cocktail.
Address: Armani Hotel Milano, Via Alessandro Manzoni, 31, 20121 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390288838703
The Botanical Club
With two locations, respectively in the Isola district and in the Tortona area, The Botanical Club presents itself as a micro distillery dedicated to gin, but its drink list is a small universe of creativity by the glass.
A 350 square metre space structured like a stage: at the centre is a large L-shaped counter, with two bar stations and one for the raw bar, reserved for raw and tartare. An elegant, yet cosy ambience that will know how to win you over.
Address:
Isola: Via Pastrengo, 11, 20159 Milano MI, Italia | LOCATION
Tortona: Via Tortona, 33, 20144 Milano MI, Italia | LOCATION
Phone: +39 02 36523846 / +39 02 4232890
Bulk Mixology Bar
The 5-star luxury hotel Viu, is home to the sophisticated and gourmet universe of Michelin-starred chef Giancarlo Morelli, behind the cooker at the hotel's eponymous restaurant and head of the Bulk Mixology Bar. Chic and modern, the Bulk has large windows, an open kitchen and bar, and a splendid terrace with a panoramic view over Milan.
Among the signature cocktails we recommend the Gian Tonic, created by Chef Morelli after a trip abroad. Alternatively, you can try the fresh Bulk Mule (one of our favourites!).
Address: Via Aristotile Fioravanti, 4, 20154 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390280010918
Scott Bar
Scott Bar is a landmark for lovers of authentic fine drinking thanks to its signature cocktails but also a place to enjoy live music performances, mainly jazz.
To make the evening perfect, the well-kept and scenic interiors that evoke an exotic atmosphere and two cosy outdoor terraces that allow you to enjoy an after-dinner drink in complete relaxation, amidst careful blends that have become the bar's must try.
Address: Viale Bianca Maria, 4, 20129 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390200244399
Moebius
A restaurant, bistro, cocktail bar and vinyl shop, Moebius boasts a location with a contemporary and minimalist design. Here you can experience the cuisine offered by two-time Michelin star chef Enrico Croatti.
The cocktail bar at Moebius offers a 3-metre-high concrete barrel, over 300 references of spirits and liqueurs and seven seats in front of what could be described as a true mixing cinema.
Address: Via Alfredo Cappellini, 25, 20124 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390236643680
The Best Boutiques for Shopping in Milan
The famous fashion quadrilateral, but also Brera, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and Corso Como, have contributed to making Milan a favourite destination for luxury shopping. Here is a selection of top boutiques and concept stores.
Antonia
In the elegant Brera district you will find the unmissable Antonia, a clothing and accessories shop of the best Italian and international brands.
An area of 600 square metres, redesigned by architect Vincenzo de Cotiis in which to live an experience that transcends luxury shopping between art, tradition and innovation. Confirming the boutique's great success, another shop was opened in Via Sant'Andrea, as well as a store in China, in Wuhan, and one in Macao.
Address: Via Cusani, 5, 20121 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390292961900
10 Corso Como
Founded in 1991 by one of the undisputed ladies of Italian fashion, Carla Sozzani, younger sister of Franca, the historical director of Vogue Italia, 10 Corso Como is the most avant-garde, creative and iconic concept store in Milan. Multi-brand boutiques for both women and men where the most famous and sought-after clothing brands can be purchased.
Dominated by the colour white that highlights each product, 10 Corso Como is also a book store, a restaurant-bar, a gallery and a very exclusive boutique hotel with only three rooms.
Address: Corso Como, 10, 20154 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390229002674
Tea Rose
Just opposite the Emporio Armani Restaurant and Café, a few steps from Via Manzoni and Via Montenapoleone, you will find the beautiful boutique Tea Rose, specialising in women's clothing, fragrances and designer objects. A special place, often a source of inspiration for stylists, designers and event organisers.
If you are looking for a precious garment, a niche essence, a unique piece of furniture or a unique flower arrangement, this is where you should go.
Address: Via Croce Rossa, 2, 20121 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390286998767
Pennisi Jewellers
The Pennisi Jewellers is distinguished by its exclusive offer of antique jewellery. Located next to the Grand Hotel et de Milan on Corso Manzoni, it is an emblem of sophisticated Milanese taste. The Pennisi family has always concentrated its research on original period pieces, with a particular interest in French 19th century jewellery and the great names of Art Deco jewellery.
Today, Emanuele Ferreccio Pennisi and Gabriele Pennisi are also curators of the Jewellery Museum in Vicenza, the only Italian museum entirely dedicated to jewellery.
Address: Via Alessandro Manzoni, 29, 20121 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +3902862232
Mazzolari
Created by Augusto Mazzolari in 1966, the Mazzolari perfumery has succeeded over the years in establishing itself as Milan's most authoritative name in luxury beauty.
There are a total of six Mazzolari shops, all located on key streets in the city, including the splendid store in Corso Monforte. Amongst make-up products, haute perfumery gems, and items reserved for men's and women's skincare, the Mazzolari perfumery is an unmissable stop on your way.
Address: Corso Monforte, 2, 20122 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390276000063
Elisa Ossino Studio
Another address not to be missed is Elisa Ossino Studio, which employs a team of creative architects and designers, managed by Ossino herself, who are able to give new shape and substance to residential or retail interiors but also to places dedicated to art.
Elisa Ossino Studio, thanks to an eclectic approach, inspired by different realities such as art, architecture and theatre, knows how to bring a personal style capable of representing every need in order to propose a final result of the highest level.
Address: Via Plutarco, 11, 20145 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390276017022
Antonio Lupi
Furnishing your home with taste, elegance and that touch of design for a result that will amaze is possible at Antonio Lupi's showroom in the centre of Milan, specialised in living & bath furnishings. Masterpieces of design await you, brought to life thanks to precious materials such as marble, crystals and precious stones.
A new showroom displaying the never ostentatious elegance and style of Antonio Lupi's creations for living rooms and bathroom furniture was unveiled in February 2024 and is just waiting to be visited.
Address: Via di Porta Tenaglia, 20121 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390250041602
Bredaquaranta
A space entirely dedicated to the most prestigious brands in the furnishing sector, located in the elegant Brera district. The Bredaquaranta showroom is aimed at a demanding public who wish to furnish their homes with products from the most exclusive brands such as Knoll, Cassina, Poltrona Frau and Lalique, to name but a few.
A display structured on two floors for made-to-measure services, designed both for private customers and for designers and architects in search of novelty and inspiration.
Address: Via Fatebenefratelli, 10, 20121 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390236557430
The Best Art Galleries and Foundations
Art and culture go hand in hand with fashion, design and creativity, of which Milan has been the proud spokesman for decades. The Lombard capital offers a wide choice of foundations, art galleries and hubs for discovering new artists.
Deodato Arte
An exhibition space with two locations in Milan, in Via Santa Marta and Via Nerino, and at the same time an online art gallery, considered one of the most authoritative in the world with more than 3,000 modern and contemporary works of art.
An international reference point for Pop and Street Art, the gallery offers the works of the most famous international artists such as Andy Warhol, Bansky, Marco Lodola, Takashi Murakami, Damien Hirst, David Lachapelle, Jeff Koons and many others. Some of these renowned artists are represented here in an exclusive exhibition.
Address: Via Santa Marta, 6, 20121 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390280886294
Massimo De Carlo Gallery
The building that houses it, Casa Corbellini-Wassermann, designed in the early 1930s by Italian architect Piero Portaluppi, is in itself a work of art. Galleria Massimo De Carlo was founded in 1987 in Milan with the ambition to promote Italian artists to foreign audiences and to bring the most interesting voices of international art to Italy.
An ambition that we can define as fulfilled since the name Massimo De Carlo can be found not only in Milan, but also in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul and Beijing.
Address: Viale Lombardia, 17, 20131 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390270003987
Prada Foundation
For a company like Prada, entering the world of art was only a natural evolution. The foundation of the same name, established in 1993 at the behest of Miuccia Prada and her husband Patrizio Bertelli, had its first location in Venice in 2011, while the permanent home was opened in Milan in 2015.
The architectural complex in Milan, designed by the OMA studio led by Rem Koolhaas, is characterised by post-industrial spaces housing permanent installations and temporary exhibitions. Inside you will also find the Bar Luce, designed by American director Wes Anderson, and the spectacular Torre restaurant, on the sixth floor of the foundation.
Address: L.go Isarco, 2, 20139 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390256662611
Rossana Orlandi Gallery
A true design mecca for over 20 years, the Rossana Orlandi Gallery is almost a place of worship. A gallery with a beautiful garden, outbuildings and manor house conceived to show design as a symbol of beauty and a vehicle for social messages.
Rossana Orlandi started out as a creator of textiles for prestigious brands and in 2002 began her discovery of the world of design, which led her to open her own space in Milan's Magenta district. Her gallery hosts, in particular, emerging artists who, thanks to her infallible intuitions, manage to gain international visibility. During your visit, treat yourself to a gastronomic stop at the refined Aimo and Nadia BistRo.
Read here our interview with Rossana Orlandi.
Address: Via Matteo Bandello, 14, 20123 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +39024674471
Sozzani Foundation
In the Italian and international fashion scene, the Sozzani surname carries considerable weight. Franca Sozzani, in fact, from 1988 until the year of her death in 2016, was the director of Vogue Italia as well as an icon of style and elegance. Her older sister Carla, also a fashion journalist, is the founder of the famous Milanese concept store 10 Corso Como and the foundation of the same name.
Established in 2016, the Sozzani Foundation curates social responsibility projects, publishing books on art, photography, fashion and design. Over the years it has become a meeting place for intellectuals, artists and connoisseurs.
Address: Via Enrico Tazzoli, 3, 20154 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +393387458427
Luciana Matalon Foundation
The Luciana Matalon Foundation came to life in Milan in 2000 thanks to the artist Luciana Matalon who chose to create this elegant 500 square metre space between the Castello Sforzesco and the Duomo in Milan. The foundation is an authentic international crossroads for new ideas and new artists through exhibitions and events.
There are many moments of encounter with different cultures, such as the Japanese culture through the Cultural Association between Japan Italy ACGI, or debates with artists on the latest trends.
Address: Foro Buonaparte, 67, 20121 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +3902878781
Nilufar Gallery
Walking down Via della Spiga, your attention will certainly be drawn to Nilufar Gallery, founded in 1979 by the Iranian gallery owner and curator, Italian by adoption, Nina Yashar. An infallible eye and an innate ability to anticipate and dictate trends in the design world of yesterday and today have made Nina one of the most authoritative voices in the sector.
The undisputed protagonist of each Milan Design Week, Nilufar Gallery surprises visitors each time with a selection of extraordinary (often vintage) furnishings.
Address: Via della Spiga, 32, 20121 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +3902780193
Pirelli HangarBicocca
Art that is open and accessible to all: this is the mission of Pirelli HangarBicocca, a non-profit foundation dedicated to the production and promotion of contemporary art, desired and supported by Pirelli and established in 2004.
Confirming that this museum reality aspires to an inclusive and democratic culture, every exhibition is totally free of charge and can be visited by anyone who wishes to. A place for experimentation, research and dissemination in which art is the cue for reflection on the most topical issues of today's society, interpreted by outstanding artists such as Chiara Camoni, Nan Golding, Tarek Atoui, Nari Ward and Yukinori Yanagi.
Address: Via Chiese, 2, 20126 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390266111573
The Best Bars for the Aperitivo
In Milan, the aperitivo is a real ritual that cannot be missing from your agenda. For this reason we have selected the best bars of the moment.
Bar Basso
Among the most iconic bars in Milan, there is definitely Bar Basso. It was here that in 1972, due to a mixing error by barman Mirko Stocchetto, the famous Negroni Sbagliato was born, which quickly became one of the most popular drinks.
With its retro atmosphere, the bar has always been a meeting place for artists, musicians and intellectuals. Even today it retains a timeless charm that makes it one of the city's landmarks.
Address: Via Plinio, 39, 20133 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390229400580
Ceresio 7
The brainchild of twins Dean and Dan Caten, owners of the DSquared2 brand, Ceresio 7 boasts a majestic rooftop dominated by two swimming pools open to the public during the summer and a breathtaking view.
Here you'll find refined, first-class cuisine and a line of signature cocktails, aimed at an audience that always demands the best.
Address: Via Ceresio, 7, 20154 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390231039221
Camparino in Galleria
A place that epitomises the class of the city centre at its best is Camparino in Galleria. If you are strolling along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, stop at this exclusive venue for a drink, right in front of the famous Madonnina.
Camparino in Galleria is in fact located inside the beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and has been keeping the Milanese company since 1915. A timeless elegance makes this central venue a destination that is unaffected by the passing of the seasons.
Address: P.za del Duomo, 21, 20121 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390286464435
The Bar at Ralph Lauren
After the many acclaims received in New York, Chicago, Paris and Chengdu in China, The Bar at Ralph Lauren has now also arrived in Milan, in the splendid Via della Spiga.
Paying homage to the finest American cuisine, the bar's menu features Ralph Lauren's favourite dishes in person, accompanied by exclusive wines and cocktails, served in an environment of great elegance.
Address: Via della Spiga, 5, 20121 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390230569060
Dolce & Gabbana Martini Bar
The creativity of Dolce & Gabbana and the craftsmanship of the Martini company have created a venue that reflects the baroque soul of the famous fashion brand dominated by an intense red that dresses the velvet armchairs and brocade walls.
The venue is almost hidden as it is located inside a courtyard, which adds to its charm. Ideal for indulging in an aperitif or enjoying an excellent pizza.
Address: Corso Venezia, 15, 20121 Milano MI, Italia
Phone: +390276011154
Things to Do in Milan: The Bottom Line
If you're wondering what to do in the city to take advantage of the lesser-known spots, we hope our guide helped you to find where to go. Don't forget to book a room in one of the best hotels in Milan and taste some of the exclusive restaurants!
Last Updated on October 11, 2024 by Editorial Team
