Milan

posted in: Europe, Wanderlust | 0

From a culinary point, Milan is exciting and adventurous if you try local specialities. Milan has a variety of attractions and historical buildings and it is one of the world’s most important fashion capitals, along with Paris, New York and London. The city is exciting and diverse but also large, loud and crowded. 

Let’s have a look at the best things to do in Milan: 

  • La vigna di Leonardo (Da Vinci’s garden). While painting the Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci would retire to his small vineyard across the road. It is a magnificent Renaissance dwelling situated in front of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. It is possible to see the House of Atellani and the Vineyard of Leonardo through a tour, which last 30 minutes. The tour, enhanced by audio guide commentary and descriptive panels located along the way, takes in 7 exhibition spaces. In 1498, Ludovico Sforza, duke of Milano gave Leonardo this vineyard. Tickets cost 10 euros. 
  • Bar Luce Designed by film director Wes Anderson, Bar Luce recreates the atmosphere of Milan cafés in the 1950s and 1960s. Should you walk into the Fondazione Prada art center’s Bar Luce, you might think you wandered in a movie set. Tasty cocktails, pizzas and other small bites are served. This is a must do for movie lovers! Webseite 
  • Navigli By night, the city transforms into a lively scene of conversation, appetizers and dancing. Nightlife hub of Milan is the lively Navigli area. There are a lot of small shops, restaurants, bars and pubs in this area. Milan by night starts arount 7pm with happy hour.  
  • The Last Supper. Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper is hidden away on a wall of te refectory adjoining the Basilica di Santa Maria della Grazie. You should buy your entrance tickets in advance. 

Ice-cream shops with the best gelato, hip cafés and Italian restaurants – there is a lot to see and taste. Focaccia, risotto, pasta, ice-cream and espresso –  Milan is really a place for people who love food!

Our culinary hightlighs:

An Italian menu will always have a number of sections: Generally you begin around 7pm with an aperitivo (pre-meal drink and snack) at a bar or café. At the restaurant, you start with ‘L’antipasto’, an appetizer course that can include carpaccio, cheese, bruschetta or crostini. Il Primo, the first main course in Italy is almost always the carbohydrate-heavy one. You can get ravioli, risotto, gnocchi or soups. Il Secondo, the second main course is often meat or seafood. Side dishes are generally not included. After the second main course comes the dessert and if you’ve made it through all that, you will almost certainly need both a caffè and a digestivo. 

Un posto a Milano (for lunch)
Cucina Bar e Foreseria in Casine Cuccagna
This cute restaurant is a true insider tip. It is hidden behind a backyard in a 17th century farmhouse. It is a green oasis in the middle of the city. A lunch can quickly turn into an afternoon, whiling away in thoughts, enjoying the sun or simply having a bottle of wine with friends. The restaurant serves delicious and conscious dishes. A 3-course lunch menu costs around 25€ – glass of wine, tap water, fresh focaccia with olive oil included. You should book a table in advance.

via Cuccagna 2 angolo via Muratori
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Ammu Cannoli Espressi Siciliani (for a dessert )
You will get the best cannoli here. Cannoli is a Sicilian sweet ricotta-filled fried pastry shell.  They are often sprinkled with chocolate chips, pistachios, oranges or candied fruit. You can choose from 3 different sizes. Cannoli also means small tube.

Corso Magenta, 22 und Corso Garibaldi, 84
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Savini (a sweet treat)
In the city centre, not far from the cathedral, in the magnificent Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II,  you find some really yummy ice cream. They have a big selection of flavours, for example “Uva Fragola”, a strawberry grape (violet). The ice cream shop is part of the Savini restaurant, which exists since 1867.

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Cioccolat italiani (Lunch or afternoon)
The Cioccolat italiani is perfect for lunch or for a small snack in the afternoon with coffee, pancakes or espresso. They serve salads and sandwiches and brunch.

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Mieru Mieru (for dinner) 
This cosy fish restaurant is located in Navigli. You will get fresh sea food and the service is great. You should try the 45€ menu with several courses. If you order seafood, meals are often charged by weight rather than portion.

Via Magolfa, 14 20143 Milan
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Carlo et Camilla (dinner) 
With its unusual ambiente and stylish interior, this restaurant is located in an old factory building and the tables are shared with other guests. The setting is just amazing. The menu is limited but but tasty and incentive. You get a menu with more courses for 75€.

Segheria, Via G.Meda 24
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Have fun at your next trip to Milan.