Eating, drinking and dancing
We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Milan.
Restaurants
Chandelier
This is the sort of place you’ll either love or hate, with red-velvet decor, chandeliers, crucifix-covered drapes and dressed-up mannequins; it’s easy to forget you’re meant to be here for the food.
Via Broggi 17
(+39 (0)2 202 404 58)
La Libera
This establishment calls itself a birreria con cucina (beer cellar with kitchen); locals come here for excellent evening meals in relaxed surroundings.
Via Palermo 21
(+39 (0)2 805 3603)
Sadler
Owner-chef Claude Sadler's restaurant is one of the most celebrated in Milan. A devotion to prime ingredients results in some unforgettable dishes, such as spaghetti with scorpion-fish sauce.
Via Conchetta, 14 (Via Troilo)
(+39 02 581 04 451)
Giulio Pane e Ojo
A buzzing, no-frills trattoria in the Porta Romana district that serves authentic Roman cuisine. Sit around small wooden tables and dine on specialities like tagliatalle with fresh courgettes, wild boar and rabbit with sage and rosemary.
Via Ludovico Muratori, 10
(+39 02 54 56 189)
Nobu
The Via Pisoni branch of a well-respected international phenomenon does Japanese-Peruvian fusion like its global siblings, in a corner of the Armani mini-mall.
Via Pisoni 1 (corner of Via Manzoni)
(+39 02 7231 8645)
Chatulle
This sparkling-white restaurant serves delicious and imaginative Italian cuisine against a minimalist backdrop.
Via Piero della Francesca, 68
(+39 02 342 008)
Gioia 69
A super-trendy Michelin-starred restaurant and black-velvet lounge bar combo frequented by TV and football stars.
Via Melchiorre Gioia, 69
(+39 338 42 05 510)
Osteria dell’Operetta
This atmospheric osteria in the canal district serves up pasta in copper cauldrons and prides itself on creating unique dishes. Specialities include home-made tortelloni in a basil cream, meat fondue and, of course, their tasty risotto.
Corso Porta Ticinese, 70
(+39 02 8940 7426)
Antica Trattoria della Pesa
The fin-de-siècle furnishings, dark-wood paneling, and old-fashioned lamps still look much as they must have when this eatery opened 100 years ago. The authentic Old Milan menu is in keeping too, offering risotto, minestrone, polenta and osso buco.
Viale Pasubio, 10
(+39 02 655 5741)
360º
This rather hip brunch stop, with help-yourself homemade salads, pasta and pudding, is also a massage parlour and design shop.
Via Tortona, 12
(+39 02 835 6706)