As a tourist Milan can be a little overwhelming with the immense options of restaurants. Being an international city Milan has an incredible food scene where you can get food from almost any part of the world. While it attracts many foreigners it also draws people in from all over Italy, including some of the best pizzolos, bakers, and gelato makers. In this guide, I will share my favorite spots for the Italian classics in Milan.
The Most Classic Cappuchino’s in Milan
Marchesi 1824
Marchesi 1824 is one of the most iconic and chicest cafes in Milan. They have a few locations across the city, but for an unforgettable experience, I recommend going to the one in the Galleria. The service here is impeccable and there is nothing like starting your morning off in Italy like being served a cappuccino by someone wearing a suit. They also have a variety of elegant pastries, candies, and seasonal goods such as panettone that are too good to pass up.
Caffe Cucchi
Caffe Cucchi is one of my go-to places to grab a coffee and croissant coffee with friends on the weekend. The design and elegance of the cafe are straight from a vintage French film. I recommend sitting in their covered outdoor area as it is spacious and they have outdoor heaters throughout the colder months. The only downside to Caffe Cucchi is their cappuccinos are quite pricey when receiving table service.
Where to get the Best Pizza in Milan
While Milan might not be known for pizza, that doesn’t stop it from having some incredible pizzerias. I have spent the past few months trying out countless pizzerias to try and find the best pizza in Milan. I have gone to all different types from gourmet to glovo-dominated places.
Fortunately no matter the location the price of a simple pizza in Milan doesn’t change too much. Expect to pay anywhere from €7-12 for a margarita pizza. These pizzerias all will have great pizzas but the main difference will be the ambiance and the availability of specialty toppings.
The Best Casual Pizza Places in Milan
Marghe
Marghe is one of my favorite pizza places in Milan. If you are staying on the east side of Milan this will be your spot. They have two locations and the pizza is always incredible. They use really good ingredients and offer great basic pizzas and fun seasonal pizzas. I highly recommend getting their ‘nudja pizza. This is the perfect place to go with friends as you can get a table and sit outside and enjoy your pizza.
Asaje
Asaje has 3 locations across Milan, I visited the location on Viale di Porta Vercellina. This is the most casual spot on the list but their pizza is still of one the best and It is clear that they pay attention to the quality of their ingredients.
The Best Mid-Price Pizza in Milan
Walking into Materia was such a treat. We were able to walk in with no reservation and be greeted by the smile of the pizzolo. However, on weekends it gets very busy so I would recommend making a reservation beforehand. The pizza was great and throughout our meal, we got to see the pizzolo smiling and singing. The amount of joy they had for their job was inspiring and reflected in the taste of the pizza.
High-end pizza Experience in Milan
Roberto Conti has taken an interesting approach to a pizzeria by combining Sushi and Pizza. While this sounds like a strange combination he has made it work with a menu of tartars and gourmet pizza. While at this pizzeria the mix of menu items is also reflected in the ambiance. The service is formal, but the restaurant has a slightly more laid-back feel. The quality of ingredients is incredible, the dough was perfectly thin in the middle and thick and chewy on the outside. The meal started off with the chef’s version of a liquid pizza. It was refreshing and made of incredible ingredients which foreshadowed the rest of this meal. We got a white pizza and a spicy pizza and while the spicy pizza was great, the white pizza’s flavor and balance really stood out. For dessert, we had ice cream and tiramisu. The ice cream was a luxurious take on the classic soft serve. If you don’t have an issue sending 10 euros on a soft serve I would definitely splurge on this (if not you can get something just as good at a local gelateria).
Best Gelato in Milan
My first month living in Milan, my mission was simple: to find the best gelato in the city. As an unashamed gelato addict, it is often hard to think about going a day without gelato. Another thing that I have learned is that not all gelato will satisfy my gelato needs. Milan is home to many incredible artisanal gelaterias and classic spots. In this guide, I will go through my favorites for every need.
When looking for gelato in any city in Italy I could not recommend checking out Gambero Rosso. They make food guides across Italy and rate gelaterias on a three-cone basis. If you see a Gambero Rosso sign outside of a gelateria, then it is guaranteed to be good.
While some days I might be craving the Crema della Brigata from Ciacco, others I just want some basic stracciatella. This is a guide for all of your gelato cravings when visiting Milan.
The Best Experimental Gelato: Ciacco
Best Flavors: Tiramisu, Pistachio, Stractichella, Crema della Bretagna, Zabajone, Principe Beurge
Ciacco is a great place to go if you are looking for unique flavors that you will not find anywhere else. It is a true artisan gelato, and the flavors change based on the season and what they have available. The crema della bretagna is a luxurious cream that tastes like browned salty butter, it is a must if you like butter. One of my other favorite things from Ciacco is their affogato with panna and their cafe especial (pistachio) with Panna. Both of these make a delicious mid-day pick-me-up. If you go during peak gelato hours you can sometimes find a line out the door but trust me it is worth it. Or go during less popular hours such as earlier in the day or later in the afternoon.
Best Elevated Gelato in Milan: Gusto 17
Best Flavors: Melograno, Salted Pistachio (but probably not together)
Gusto 17 isn’t afraid to get a little experimental also, however where they really shine is in the classic and fruit flavors. Like any good gelateria, they rotate through fruit flavors (Gelato and sorbet) based on what is available in the season. My favorite location is on Via Luigi Cagnola 10. It is located right by the park so you can get your gelato and eat it there. I have been to all of their locations in Milan and really think you get the most enjoyable experience at this one. If you are living in Milan I also recommend checking out their rewards program as it is super cool and so different from any program I have seen before.
Best Classic Gelato: Fatto con Amore
Best Flavors: Biscotto, Stracciatella
I remember on the day that I moved to Milan I walked by this gelateria and saw people making gelato in the window. I immediately saved the place and came back once they opened. It is still one of my favorite classic places to get gelato, it is always tasty and the people there are so friendly. It gives you the authentic feel of a gelateria. They also have places to sit outside which is great if you are going with a small group and want to enjoy your gelato seated. Gelato Fatto con Amore is located right next to a school so during lunch or when classes get out it can get a little busy.
I hope that you have fun exploring all of the gelato that Milan has to offer. For more Milan guides look here 🙂
