A great deal of Italy's allure for travelers visiting from abroad lies in its multifaceted culinary tradition, of which Milan is an exemplary manifestation. From the soul-warming, earthy ossobuco ("braised veal shanks") and cassoeula ("pork and cabbage stew"), known to keep locals afloat during the coldest months of the year served alongside polenta, to the golden creaminess of the saffron-spiced risotto alla milanese, the mastered crispiness of cotoletta ("breaded veal cutlet"), and the evergreen appeal of vitello tonnato ("chilled veal with a tuna-caper dressing") — read: the centerpiece to every self-respecting 1970s-inspired dinner party, even more so if plated in a shiny silver serving dish — the Italian design capital's flair for gourmet explorations competes with its aesthetic sophistication. This isn't exclusively informed by the past, either, but eternally expands to incorporate worldly inspirations and reverse them onto the plates of the best restaurants in Milan. But where to find them? My point exactly.
Every Livingetc curated travel edit strives to straddle the continuum between experience and aesthetic, bringing you destinations that embody the finest examples of both. That's why, similarly to our recent curation of the best Milan hotels, this deep dive into the city's foodie scene isn't exclusively based on pleasures of the palate but centered around a more holistic understanding of taste. To put it bluntly, we think the best Milan restaurants are those that revive and expand the local gastronomic heritage while simultaneously channeling the style-defining artisanry of the creative metropolis. We are not the only ones who believe so.
