The best restaurants in Milan for 2025

What is it? A fairly new addition to Milan’s restaurant scene (opened in the summer of 2024), Cucina Franca has fast become a favourite among Milanese serious about their meals.

Why we love it: The menu is short, focused and loosely inspired by international cuisines without leaning into fusion clichés. The aesthetic is simple but classy, with mismatched plates, wooden tables and eclectic furnishings. This is the kind of spot you go to for a casual dinner with friends that stretches into the night, or a laidback Sunday lunch where one bottle of natural wine turns into two, and even three. Dishes, designed for sharing, are mostly plant-based. Booking is essential. 

Time Out tip: To get the full Cucina Franca experience, opt for their six-course tasting menu (€40 euros per head without drinks). Come hungry. 

Address: Via Friuli, 78, 20135 Milano MI, Italy

Expect to pay: €20-30 per head without drinks 

Opening hours: Tues-Thurs 7.30-11pm, Saturday-Sunday 12.30-2pm and 7.30-11pm, closed Mondays

What is it? Erba Brusca is a rural-chic retreat alongside the Naviglio Pavese canal.

Why we love it: Erba is an informal spot, with a short and sweet menu featuring ingredients from the adjoining vegetable garden, tuning diners in with the land. It’s particularly popular on weekends when the Milanese escape to the countryside and the mountains that ring the city. Although the menu by Chef Alice Delcourt changes regularly, a reliably delicious mainstay is the pasta with clams, truffles and wild sorrel (erba brusca). Pair it with a glass of natural wine from the expertly curated list.

Time Out tip: Erba Brusca is a little far from the centre, so keep that in mind when booking. Opt for lunch and walk back along the Naviglio Pavese (a canal) for a nice afternoon stroll. 

Address: Alzaia Naviglio Pavese 286, 20142 Milan, Italy

Opening hours: Wednesday-Sunday 12.30-2.30pm, 8-11pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Expect to pay: €30 per head without drinks,  €40-50 if you opt for the tasting menu 

What is it? A modern Milanese trattoria headed up by one of the most popular chefs in town, Diego Rossi.

Why we love it: At this humble spot, Rossi has set out to honour offal, creating unfussy renditions of tripe, kidneys, liver, heart, lung and sweetbreads; the menu changes daily depending on what’s at the market. The chef also caters to less-adventurous diners and vegetarians with more standard dishes. In addition to the bold interiors and flavours, what makes Trippa so special is a warm atmosphere cultivated by Rossi’s business partner and front-of-house expert, Pietro Caroli.

Time Out tip: You can only reserve a table at Trippa via their website – available dates are released every first day of the month at noon for the following month (so on May 1 you can book for June for instance). Plan accordingly. 

Address: Via Giorgio Vasari 1, 20135 Milan, Italy

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 7.15-11.30pm, closed on Sundays

Expect to pay: €20-40 per head without drinks (depending on how many dishes you order for yourself!)

What is it? Part bistro, part contemporary osteria in the vibrant neighbourhood of Nolo

Why we love it: Silvano Vini & Cibi al Banco is a must if you’re after straightforward (but excellent) dishes, natural wines, and prices that are below the city average. There’s no stove or induction top in the kitchen here, just a massive oven, an airy and bright space with a charming ‘old Milan’ vibe. For the food, it’s Olivier salad, roast meats, oven-baked vegetables, lasagna, and aubergine parmigiana, but also Fassona tartare from top-quality Piedmontese beef, selected charcuterie platters, and what’s possibly the best toasted sandwich in Milan. 

Time Out tip: Silvano is open for dinner only from Wednesday to Friday, and from midday to midnight at the weekend. Book ahead – and order the toastie. 

Address: Piazza Morbegno 2, 20125 Milan, Italy

Opening hours: Wednesday-Friday 6pm-midnight, Saturday-Sunday 12.30-3.30pm, 6pm-midnight. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

Expect to pay: €20-30 per head without drinks 

What is it? A relaxed neighbourhood spot in Milan’s crocetta district, serving up over-the-counter snacks or a sit-down dinner, with shabby-chic interiors like your cool grandma’s house. 

Why we love it: Milan has seen a wave of traditional-meets-contemporary delis popping up recently – gastronomie, as they’re called in Italian, that focus on quality ingredients, classic dishes reimagined for today and a more informal approach to eating. Creda is one such place. Think hefty counter staples like nonna-style meatballs and mozzarella-oozing parmigiana – or stop for lunch or dinner to enjoy the well-executed offerings of southern chefs Crescenzo Morlando and Dario Pisani, who share a past in Michelin-starred kitchens and a passion for bringing honest food back to the table. We recommend the spaghettone with garlic, oil, chili, and peperone crusco (crispy dried sweet pepper). 

Time Out tip: In the warmer months, ask to sit in the delightful outdoor area at the front. 

Address: Via Orti, 12, 20122 Milan, Italy

Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday 11am-4pm. Closed Mondays

Expect to pay: €20-30 per head without drinks 

What is it? Vasiliki Kantina & Gastronomia is a sleek, impeccably curated Greek deli and wine bar boasting some 150 labels from the Greek regions alongside a menu of Greek staples. 

Why we love it: We’re big fans of Vasiliki Pierrakea, owner of the fabulous Vasiliki Kouzina. So when news broke last year that she was opening another spot just across the street, we were thrilled. Offerings include tray-baked moussaka, traditional savoury pies, and a selection of artisanal dips, including taramas (fish roe dip), tzatziki, and tyrokafteri (a spicy feta and Greek yogurt spread) – all of which are also available for take-away. Oh, and as you sip your libation of choice, look up: The ceiling showcases a colourful work by Terpsichore, a contemporary artist who has reinterpreted traditional Hellenic painting to retell the myth of Persephone and Demeter. 

Time Out tip: Go for aperitivo, then head for a more substantial (and more expensive) dinner at Vasiliki Kouzina. 

Address: Via Clusone 6, 20135 Milan, Italy

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 11.30-midnight, closed on Sundays

Expect to pay: €20 per head without drinks 

What is it? A Japanese staple spot just behind the Duomo with takeaway bento boxes (sans sushi) and a full-service restaurant in the back.

Why we love it: Who would have thought that the best place to indulge in authentic Japanese home cooking would be in the centre of Milan? We recommend the richly flavoured curry, pillow-soft unagi eel donburi or any of the excellent side dishes, the stewed Hijiki and miso eggplant in particular. Yamamoto also wins points for the perfectly furnished interiors, which take a contemporary spin on the classic Japanese canteen style.

Time Out tip: Grab a few souvenir bits to take home from its small selection, including teas, bowls and snacks. 

Address: Via Amedei 5, 20123 Milan, Italy

Opening hours: 7.30-10.30pm, closed on Sundays

Expect to pay: €20-30 per head without drinks 

What is it? A real institution in the city, this old guard restaurant in Zona Risorgimento marries the simplicity of rustic Tuscan cuisine with the drama of classic Milanese interior design. 

Why we love it: For one thing, she’s a beauty (the dining room, which features  ornate wall panelling and graniglia floors, was designed by the infamous architect Renzo Mongiardino back in 1989). But then there’s the extenisve menu, which skews towards seafood, serving dishes like paccheri with swordfish and eggplant, a large selection of raw carpaccio and tartare, plus market-fresh fish, which arrives at the table whole to be served with theatrical flair. But there are plenty of vegetarian options too, with a focus on tradition and locally sourced ingredients. The Giacomo Pasticceria pastry shop is right around the corner serving up traditional Italian sweets with a modern twist in a refined setting.

Time Out tip: Giacomo Milano, a fancy pastry shop by the same group, is right around the corner and serves up traditional Italian sweets with a modern twist. Go after your meal. 

Address: Via Pasquale Sottocorno 6, 20129 Milan, Italy

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, 12.30-3pm, 7pm-midnight

Expect to pay: €50-60 per head without drinks 

What is it? A sleek-yet-friendly neighbourhood joint in Lambrate, Propaganda Alimentare markets itself as an ‘urban agriturismo’ – a place where the focus is on small producers, local ingredients and a zero-waste approach to food, which means using every single product in its entirety, both through dishes and preserves.

Why we love it: The menu, predominantly vegetarian or vegetable-based, features appetisers like home-made pickled vegetables and raw cheese boards, as well as heftier dishes such as farinata (a chickpea flour pancake typical of Tuscany) with black cabbage, roasted beetroot, and ‘dim sum’ of potatoes, celeriac and goat cheese. But there are carnivore-centred options, too, from venison in dolceforte sauce to deer tartare. The wine list shares the same philosophy as the food, with a good selection of natural and artisanal tipples by the glass or bottle.

Time Out tip: Take some time to explore the hip Lambrate neighbourhood, home to cafes, a few art galleries and a cool street art scene. 

Address: Via Accademia, 56, 20131 Milan, Italy

Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 7pm-midnight

Expect to pay: €30 per head without drinks 

What is it? Featuring a fixed five-course menu that changes weekly – with a few recurring staples – Spore is a laidback restaurant in Porta Romana that’s been quickly gaining plaudits for its innovative culinary approach.

Why we love it: The protagonists at this open-kitchen eatery are fermented ingredients (‘spore,’ as you might have guessed, means spores), from kimchi and miso to shoyu, vinegar and sourdough, all of which are made in-house and used throughout the meal (which can be adjusted for special dietary requirements notified in advance). With an eye towards Asian, Scandinavian and Italian flavours, dishes include grilled tomatoes marinated in miso, pork belly with koji, katsu sandos with pumpkin croquettes, fermented potatoes, mustard leaves and fermented sesame mayo, plus an extensive natural wine list. 

Time Out tip: Spore is only open for dinner (and closed on Mondays and Sundays). Book dinner for 7pm and spend the afternoon at Fondazione Prada, which is nearby. 

Address: Via Passo Buole, 4, 20135 Milan, Italy

Expect to pay: €60 per head without drinks 

Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 7-11pm, closed Sundays and Mondays