10 Best restaurants not to be missed in Milan in 2023

This cozy-chic restaurant in the Ticinese district appeals for the metropolitan and contemporary character of its furnishings and wins you over with a rich culinary offering that pays homage to the gastronomic tradition of Abruzzo. The relaxed and convivial atmosphere is diluted in a highly scenic setting. As you enter, you can't help but notice the play of colours, materials and proportions that draw Penelope a casa, from the chequered floor to the crystal chandeliers, the mirrored walls and the spectacular aqua-green bar counter full of sparkling glasses and spice jars. After the ritual selfie while sipping a flûte crowned by a cloud of candy floss, browse through the menus: the covers are all reminiscent of registers, ledgers and accounting books. Appreciated details of style. 

Ristorante Rossini, a warm and welcoming spot named after the famous composer, is located in Via dei Piatti, a central yet quiet area perfect for an informal lunch or dinner with friends. A well-settled musical selection accompanies toasts and courses that find a winning point in the quality of the ingredients. The staff is attentive and friendly (a detail not to be taken for granted), and the menu features comfort food served with an elegant touch. Dishes include steeped-in-tradition classics such as risotto with osso buco and cotoletta alla milanese (Milanese cutlet). If you're in the mood for something a little fancier, there's also a good selection of pizzas. P.S. Don't miss the homemade desserts. 

It has been a symbol of Milanese gastronomy for over sixty years. A mustachioed profile design the logo of the historic mini-empire of Milanese cuisine dreamt up by Giacomo Bulleri. The core of this gluttonous realm si Via Sottocorno, which hosts a restaurant, pastry shop, rotisserie, bistro and Tabaccheria (a small "boutique of taste" with exclusive gastronomic products and a wide selection of cigars). The Museo del Novecento also houses the Arengario restaurant, while the Caffè is located inside Palazzo Reale. Each place has a unique style and a strong personal touch, from the sophisticated charm of the bistrot to the little villa with garden and pergola that welcomes customers to the rotisserie. A must-stop to sample the city's most authentic taste and spirit.

Try to resist the temptation to photograph everything, from the furnishings to the mise an place, of this surprising eco-chic restaurant where sustainability is the distinctive signature. The concept of Linfa, a super Instagrammable place in Via Bergognone, is only partially announced by local seasonal food choices. From the exclusive use of electricity from renewable sources, to completely recyclable packaging: every detail is projected towards environmentally relevant behaviours. The culinary creations are entirely plant-based, the cocktails are contemporary and sophisticated, and the selection of alcoholic drinks is intriguing, with niche labels and a few surprising gems. A must try. 

Chef Alessandro Borghese is a familiar face to cooking show fans. In the futuristic CityLife district, his restaurant occupies the first floor of the storied Gio Ponti building in Via Belisario. Quite an unusual choice but one that places it in a decidedly international dimension. Sophisticated fittings that recall the 1920s, a dusting of cruise ship style, works of art, and design objects give the environment a strong yet comfortable texture. The atmosphere doesn't intimidate or repel customers less accustomed to luxury restaurants. With its welcoming and knowledgeable service and beautiful, stylish dishes that all palates can understand, Il lusso della semplicità (the luxury of simplicity) lives up to its name. Tuck into a cacio e pepe dish to play it safe. 

Chef Paolo Scaccabarozzi signs the menu of The Roof, a panoramic restaurant in the central Piazza Giuseppe Missori. Head up to the tenth floor of the Hotel dei Cavalieri, and you'll come out on a large terrace overlooking Milan's rooftops, one of the city's most spectacular views. A modern space where you can enjoy a drink accompanied by delicate finger food at sunset or appreciate an al fresco meal in a unique atmosphere. With its contemporary cuisine with a traditional twist, we like The Roof because it combines the refinement of its spaces with a pleasant environment to enjoy from lunchtime until late at night.

Verdi's opera is the leitmotif of Nabucco, one of the most interesting spots to stop off for a cocktail or a quality dinner in Brera district. The refined and lively atmosphere recalls the spirit of the neighbourhood, vibrant and bohemian. Nabucco has recently seen a fresh update, but the references to the opera shows of La Scala theatre are still part of the modern, well-thought-out style. On the menu, you will find iconic flavours, such as risotto, vitello tonnato and tripe, and more imaginative and original forays. Fish dishes are proposed according to the fresh catch of the Milan Fish Market. Ideal for a stylish after-theatre meal or drink. 

Carlo Cracco is the acclaimed chef at the helm of this ambitious Michelin-starred restaurant within the luxurious setting of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. A light and elegant retro allure mark the all-around culinary venue that welcomes guests from breakfast to after-theatre drinks. The design by Studio Peregalli blends perfectly into the gallery's architecture and is a tribute to the Milanese style. The Café on the ground floor features hand-painted walls, mosaics and a large 19th-century Parisian bar counter. Art Deco-inspired touches enhance the restaurant space, with its striking windows overlooking the Galleria and sophisticated details. There is also a private lounge for special events on the second floor. The wine cellar on the basement preserves over ten thousand bottles, a rich and curated collection sorted out for sale and tasting.

As you can read on Risoelatte website, "the time seems to have stopped". Walking through the door at number 6 Via Manfredo Camperio, a few minutes away from the Dal Verme theatre, you'll have confirmation of this. Risoelatte is a faithful reproduction of a 1960s Milanese flat. The outstanding attention to detail makes it more than just a themed restaurant. Mint-coloured walls, vintage prints and exceptional furnishings: there's a Zoppas fridge right at the entrance, the legendary jukebox, plates, glasses and cups from grandma's cupboard. The toilet, too, with a bathtub, bathing cap, hair rollers, shaving foam and razors, brings you back to the 60s! The cuisine focuses on familiar dishes and in-season ingredients, from the iconic Michette to the rice and milk from which the restaurant takes its name. A time machine. 

Milan's culinary scene is an ever-changing work in progress, a food landscape constantly evolving to meet and amaze a vibrant and increasingly cosmopolitan audience. Yet, even in such a dynamic scenario, the tradition continues to be a vital and timeless point of reference. Osteria Conchetta is a typical Milanese restaurant, sober, intimate and informal. It is located in the Navigli area and is a good choice for those who want to try for the first time (or rediscover) classic preparations: risotto, braised meat, tartare, mondeghili, cassoeula, ossobuco. The menu is much about the wine as it is the food.