The Tastiest Milan Foods Loved By Locals
Travel and dine like a local with these Milan food recommendations. No tourist traps or gimmicks, just hidden gems and local favorites to fuel your journey.
As a non-local, especially if you’re visiting from outside the country, it can be hard to navigate the dining scene successfully. Like many popular tourist cities, there are overpriced options that will under-deliver on flavor and presentation everywhere. Typically, if you’re near a point of interest, like a famous church, museum or other structure, you’ll want to get as far away as possible to avoid the scams.
While you may be visiting a fashion capital, you’re still guaranteed some incredible Milan food on your trip. Broadly, Italy is famous for pasta, cannolis, gelato and wine, but what is Milan famous for for food? In Northern Italy, classic dishes stray away from pasta and lean more towards polenta and risotto, rice-based foods.
That said, you might insist upon pasta while in Italy and no one could blame you. What is the famous pasta dish in Milan? With a bit of research, you’ll likely find that risotto alla Milanese is considered the best, though it’s technically made of rice, flavored with plenty of broth, butter, saffron and onion.
Once you fall in love, you’ll want to make it yourself and CNN has Stanley Tucci’s recipe to guide you. In a city that’s all about fashion, you can still find Milan food places that pedal dishes from all over Italy and the world to tantalize your tastebuds.
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Traditional Milan Foods
1. Cotoletta alla Milanese
Germany has schnitzel, France has the Parisian cutlet and Northern Italy has the cotoletta alla Milanese. This traditional Milan food is simple in terms of ingredients but delivers incredible flavor. A thick veal cutlet is coated with breadcrumbs and fried until crispy in butter, then served with a sprinkle of flaky salt and a lemon wedge. Whispers of this dish date back to 1148, so you know it’s worth trying.
2. Mondeghili
This Milan food started as a dish for “povera cucina” or the poor kitchen but today is found as an aperitif or appetizer in many upscale restaurants. The Milanese meatball is made with minced meat, vegetables, spices and grains, then mixed with egg and milk-soaked bread to bind it all together before it is fried to golden perfection.
This dish is the perfect thing to try at cooking classes near you. Learn from a Milanese chef how the dish is supposed to be made and add some extra enrichment to your vacation with the experience.
3. Cassoeula
The winters get much colder in the north of Italy, leaving locals to seek out comforting Milan foods to nourish and warm them. Cassoeula is comfort in a dish, a pork and vegetable stew that uses head-to-tail. It’s typically served with a side of polenta and traditionally eaten on January 17, the feast day of Saint Anthony.
4. Ossobucco
This delectable Milan food has made its way around the world to menus everywhere, but it’s best enjoyed where it originated. Wine-braised veal shanks cook slowly to make the meat ultra-tender. It’s usually served over a bed of polenta with a garnish of gremolà made from garlic, anchovies, parsley and lemon zest.
5. Panettone
While not technically a whole dish on its own, this classic Milan food is a holiday staple and a wonderful sweet treat. A hybrid of bread and cake, panettone is loaded with sweet bits of dried fruit in every bite. It’s worth splurging at a local bakery for a fresh one to bring home as a gift or souvenir.
6. Minestrone Milanese
You’ve probably gotten the picture by now that winters in Milano can be cold and harsh, so this leaves many locals seeking warmth and comfort with their Milan food. Minestrone is not technically just a Milanese dish – it can be found in various forms throughout Italy – but the Milanese version is unique.
Made with rice instead of pasta, as is typical in the North, it combines tons of veggies like cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, beets, celery and spinach in a noteworthy homemade broth for a nourishing bite. Whatever is in season can be added and it’s served hot in the winter but cold in the summer.
7. Gorgonzola
This is a staple ingredient in Milan food, originating from a small town in greater Milan (called Gorgonzola). The area was a longstanding center for cheese production, particularly soft cheeses. Gorgonzola is wonderful on salads, meat or as a post-meal treat. It comes in two main varietals: dolce, a sweeter, creamier version and piccante, a spicier, more pungent bite.
8. Rostin Nega’a
Also called arrostino annegato (drowned roast), this Milan food is a veal cutlet containing both the filet and sirloin attached to the bone. A quick dredge in flour and a light fry with butter, pancetta and rosemary, prep the meat for a wine bath of white wine. After the wine has evaporated, more broth is added until the meat is soft and tender.
The Best Restaurants in Milan
1. Trattoria la Madonnina
The locals know that the best Milan food is found at Trattoria la Madonnina. This fuss-free restaurant is cozy yet unassuming and serves some of the best boiled and braised meats in town for a bargain.
2. Osteria Tajoli
Named after the legendary Italian singer Luciano Tajoli, this restaurant in Milano is just as legendary as its namesake. A young Luciano, who grew up just blocks away, would perform at the restaurant starting when he was just four years old. The vibe at Osteria Tajoli is casual and friendly and you just might hear his voice coming through the speakers as you enjoy a delicious and affordable Milanese meal.
3. Risoelatte
This memorable restaurant in Milano takes you back in time to the 1960s not only with decor but their dishes as well. The name translates to “rice and milk”, a nod to the usual rice and milk included at dinner back in the 60s. They elevate seasonal ingredients to incredible gastronomic heights in a colorful, joyful and laid-back environment.
4. Damm-atrà
This well-loved Milan restaurant brings a sense of warmth and casualness to the dinner table. They serve all your favorites from wine-braised veal to one of the best cotolettas in the city, perfect with a side of their patate povere or poor potatoes. The only issue you may have is that Damm-atrà exclusively serves dinner, so it can be hard to get a table at times.
5. Ratanà
Classic Milan cuisine gets a special tweak here at the hands of Chef Cesare Battisti, also known as the “ambassador of rice”, a title he earned in 2015. Of all the Milan foods, it’s hard to pick which one is best here, but the fried beef meatballs are certainly high on that list.
The Best Street Food in Milan to Try
1. Ravioleria Sarpi
It’s no mistake that these incredible Chinese dumplings are named among the best street food in Milan. If you find yourself in Chinatown, just head towards the line that snakes around the block and you’ll know you’re in the right place. These pillow-soft dumplings from Ravioleria Sarpi are an explosion of flavor, made with chicken or beef, but you can also get some incredible stuffed Chinese pancakes.
2. Toasteria Italiana
You wouldn’t expect a humble piece of toast to blow your mind, but then you dine at Toasteria Italiana. This street food in Milan brings together the highest quality ingredients in a perfectly toasted package. Pair it with a fresh juice or smoothie to refuel after shipping in the Corso Buenos Aires (a must-see Milan, Italy attraction!).
3. Morso Burger
After enough pizza, pasta and gelato, sometimes you just need a really good burger and this Milan street food hotspot delivers. The menu at Morso only consists of a few items, but they are artfully crafted and prepared to create a memorable bite.
4. Luini
This family-owned and operated business has been beloved by the people of Milan since its inception more than 60 years ago. Puglian street food is hot and ready, filled with high-quality ingredients in a variety of combinations. Truth is, the simplest panzerotti made at Luini may be the best Milan food, made with fresh mozzarella and tomato in a fried dough pocket. Everything softens and melts together for a tantalizing bite that hits the spot every time.
5. All’Antico Vinaio
This historical food vendor originated in Florence but has a location that serves up Milan food. Fluffy-filled focaccia awaits you with all the best Italian fillings. This is more than just a snack and you’ll be delighted with how much food you get for a fair price.
Apart from the stunning landscapes, ancient buildings and rich history, it’s fair to expect some incredible Milan food on your trip. A little research and maybe a reservation or two will ensure you don’t fall victim to tourist traps and mediocre dishes that will disappoint.
All of Italy is considered to be a culinary paradise and there are so many local Milan restaurants that have carried an incredible legacy for generation after generation.
For even more tasty Milan ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
