Milan’s menu is a mouthful.
Yes, it’s Italy’s fashion capital and the city is nothing short of a shop-‘til-you-drop session of retail therapy. But the biggest faux pas you can make is scoping out the shops then bailing to Lake Como before seeing all of Milan’s best fits.
Milano Centrale railway is the start of this off-runway experience: getting from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) to Milano Centrale is effortless and affordable thanks to the Malpensa Express train leaving right from the terminal.
Once in the city, you’re a catwalk away from both tasty Milan street food and classic Lombardy dishes. Make room for seconds and thirds: here’s our foodie guide to Milan, Italy.
Risotto alla Milanese. Image Credit: Getty Images, ribeirorocha
Food for thought: what you should know about food in Milan, Italy
What food is Milan known for?
Milan is in Italy’s Lombardy region and this region knows a thing or two about rice. You’ll find risotto on the menu at nearly every Italian restaurant in Milan. Risotto alla Milanese is a classic dish Milan is known for.
What food is Milan famous for?
Aside from risotto alla Milanese, ossobuco and cotoletta alla Milanese are two foods Milan is famous for. Think of cotoletta alla Milanese like Milan’s version of a German schnitzel: a breaded veal cutlet fried to perfection. Ossobuco is veal as well, but braised until the meat is so tender it slides right off the bone.
What is the typical Italian breakfast?
Don’t expect an Italian breakfast to have the same hearty spread as your classic American plate. The typical Italian breakfast is sweet and simple: coffee and baked goods. You might see a few slices of cheese or prosciutto sweating it out on the buffet table, but generally, you’ll always have croissants, cornetti, and biscotti in one hand and a cappuccino or espresso in the other.
🚆Trainline tip: A cappuccino or a caffè latte are the breakfast coffees in Italy, and if you want to blend in, your post-morning java will be straight coffee with no milk.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Tommasot.
What is an aperitivo?
An aperitivo in Milan is an experience. A ritual. A tradition. It’s both a pre-meal drink and a time in the evening when you can relax and mingle with others. Aperitivo is the Milanese version of happy hour and a must-do when you’re visiting Milan.
Is Milan a foodie city?
Milan is a foodie city in the sense that diners have a wide variety of cuisine to choose from. You can find classic Italian dishes showcasing the Lombardy region as well as international fare for just about any budget. And while Milan isn’t the first Italian city you’d send a foodie to, the food scene is no less exciting thanks to elevated Michelin-starred restaurants and loads of under-the-radar street eats.
What is Milan-style in food?
Milanese-style is a Milan-style in food that’s best showcased with the cotoletta alla Milanese: a piece of thin meat dredged in a mix of egg, flour, and breadcrumbs then fried. Other local favorites like risotto alla Milanese and minestrone Milanese are prepared in a way completely different from the Milanese meat style, but they’re still ‘Milan-style’ in spirit and ingredients.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Skynesher.
Where do the Kardashians eat in Milan?
Haven’t kept up with the Kardashians recently? Kendall Jenner name drops Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo, Bar Luce, and Bianco Latte as her must-visits during Milan Fashion Week. Meanwhile, Kim Kardashian ate at Ristorante Da Giacomo where she learned what tortellini was and ate penne noodles by sliding the pasta onto the prongs of her fork. We cannot confirm whether or not this anti-piercing pasta trend has caught on in other Milanese restaurants.
What are the best Michelin-starred restaurants in Milan?
There are 18 Milan restaurants featuring Michelin Stars, but only one earned three: Enrico Bartolini al Mudec. The eponymous chef has more Michelin Stars around Italy than any other, so his risotto is probably the most reliable you’ll find in these parts. Plus, the restaurant is inside the Mudec Museum of Culture so it’s basically an interactive exhibit.
Also check out these Michelin two-star restaurants in Milan: Seta by Antonio Guida and Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia.
How to find the best gelato in Milan, Italy
Gelato is Italian for ice cream, but it’s not the same ice cream that you’re getting out of the soft serve machine. The best gelato in Milan, Italy, or anywhere else in the world is the authentic dessert. Those big mounds of brightly colored ice creams you see aren’t the real deal. Instead, genuine Italian gelato is naturally colored (thanks to its natural ingredients) and a denser scoop than the cloud-like copycats.
Ready to try the best Italian food in Milan? Download the Trainline app, book your ticket from MXP Airport to Milano Centrale station and take your taste buds on a mouthwatering Milanese vacation. And don't forget to check out the best day trips by train from Milan, if you're looking to treat your palette to even more mouth-watering regional delicacies.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Kateryna Kovarzh. Image Location: Milan, Italy.