If there is one place that you should enjoy aperitivo it is in Milan. The city is the birthplace of those long open buffets and exquisitely made cocktails! As the trend got bigger after it began in the 80s, it moved to various parts of Italy however, Milan continues to be one of the best places to enjoy the afternoon treat!
Aperitif is actually known as an alcoholic drink served before a meal. The whole idea is to open up your appetite and prepare you for the upcoming meal. In Milan, this whole concept became such a big hit that it is now a well-known Italian tradition all over the world.
Whether you like a big open buffet or a mixed snack plate, for sure Milanese know how to do it. For a real experience of aperitivo, make sure you visit the restaurants between 6-9 PM – because that’s the aperitivo time. Generally, you pay for one drink and you don’t pay for the snacks. The types of snacks change in every eatery – depending on their style, location, and staff. Sometimes there is an open buffet filled with heavenly smelling pizza and sometimes you receive a meat or cheese plate with your drink.
The scene for aperitivo in Milan is quite eclectic. There is a place for everyone whether you are a family, a couple or a group of friends!
If you are looking for a place for aperitivo in Milan, here are the 12 best place for aperitivo – for every kind of occasion:
1.FONDERIE MILANESI
Looking from outside, you may not realize what kind of magic this place holds. Fonderie Milanesi was and looks like an old workshop and when you enter you can still see signs of this. There are even some exposed walls with pipes. At the back though, they have a beautiful garden filled with colorful chairs and tables that are covered with romantic string lamps. The atmosphere here is hard to define however, it is a great place for an apertivo. For 10€ you can get a yummy cocktail and lose yourself on the open buffet!
Address: Via Giovenale 7
Phone: +39 02 3652 7913
2. MADEIRA
Madeira is right behind Arco di Porto Romana in Milan. It has two floors and outside seating so the place is very big compared to the usual cafes in Milan. Downstairs they serve the buffet which actually can be your dinner rather than a snack. The buffet includes pizza, focaccia, chicken, a selection of salads, fries and some dessert. You have endless choices here and it’s only 8€ including the drink. Teatro Franco Parenti – one of city’s theaters- is couple of streets away so you can visit Madeira before a show as well.
Address: Viale Monte Nero, 3
Phone:+39 02 5518 7391
3. RADETZKY
You are sure to have heard about Radetzyky if you have ever visited the city before. There is always a sophisticated crowd hanging out at Radetzky during aperitivo. It is even sometimes possible to see international models and celebrities! Well, they are here for a reason. It’s right in the corner of the busy pedestrian side of Corso Garibaldi which gets bit crowded with people coming for an aperitivo. Their snack buffet is always on the counter inside. Here in Radeztky, the buffet is not extensive but rather light snacking. Their most popular drink is without a doubt – Aperol Spritz.
Address: Corso Garibaldi 105
Phone: +39 02 657 2645
4. LA PROSCUITTERIA
Let’s say you want to decide exactly what you are going to eat in aperitivo. You want to indulge yourself more with Italian cured meat and cheese and you want to play big. La Proscuitteria -as the name suggets- is an expert of cold meat cuts like proscuitto. According to your hunger level you can choose the size of the board and type along with your drink. It’s another gem right next to canal in Navigli so perfect choice for a quick meet up as well.
Address: Ripa di Porta Ticinese 53
Phone: +39 02 4978 4925
5. BAR BASSO
Bar Basso is the place to try the famous Milanese cocktail Negroni Sbagliato, as this is the place where it was created! It was a very popular place in 90’s among designers. Here the aperitivo is more traditional as it is much simpler yet still tasty. For 10€ , you can have a drink and some small bites to nibble on. It is almost obligatory to have their signature cocktail Negroni Sbagliato which is served in its own special Colossus glass.
Address: Via Plinio 39
Phone: +39 02 2940 0580
6. UGO
In Navigli, there are countless options for an aperitivo. Ugo is one of the best options in the area. It’s a stylish, busy bar with some vintage decorations inside. You will feel like you are in one of those secret “clubs” with all details. With your cocktail you can have a generous plate of snacks. Some proscuitto, tarelli, bruschetta, green olives and buttery potato chips all put into a nice presentation. You can either relax outside with the summer breeze or watch the skillful bartenders creating cocktails in bar.
7.AMAMI
Amami is a restaurant which serves delicious thin-crust pizza in Milan. Fortunately they do offer an aperitivo! The interior design is very chic along with the black walls covered with white hand-drawn scenes of the Duomo and Milan. You can sip your wine or cocktail with a plate filled with blissful food such as prosciutto, arancini or pizzette. Service is great and you can always come back for a round of pizza as well.
Address: Via Vespucci 1
Phone: +39 02 6556 0388
8. IL SALUMAIO DI MONTENAPOLEONE
Okay, let’s take this aperitivo game a little bit higher. After all this list is about the best aperitivo in Milan, right? This place is no joke ladies and gentlemen. It is a signature salumeria of the city and has been open since 1957. It is also in one of the most fascinating architectural buildings in Milan: Bagatti Valscehhi. Their accuracy on what to serve for an aperitivo will leave marks in your memory. If you want to step out of ordinary then Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone will definitely embrace you for the best aperitivo.
Address: Via Santo Spirito 10 | Via Gesù 5
Phone: +39 02 7600 1123
9. PISACCO
Another different touch on aperitivo is in Pisacco. Pisacco is modern bistro which is now operated by Chef Andrea Soli. Inside is luminous and all structural details are well executed. Even by looking at their plates you can understand they value quality and aesthetic. The lively colors, the shape of the plates and the serving style are completely complementary to each other. They also offer fixed lunch menus – similar to an extended version of their aperitivo.
Address: Via Solferino 48
Phone: +39 02 91765472
10. PROG
It’s true that cocktails are very important in aperitivo. The hardest part is to find the best ones. Well, look no more! Prog is here to save you. The alcohol selection of Prog is like a rainbow yet with more layers and aromas. There are different shapes of glasses for each cocktail. You can smell the fresh herbs in the air while the bartender shakes up the new round of cocktails. Snacks also comes in a plate here and are chosen beforehand. Although after you start drinking here, you might forget about eating because the taste of the cocktails are out-of-this-world.
Address: via Andrea Maffei, 12
Phone: +39 333 110 8398
11. PANDENUS
Pandenus is actually a bakery – a well known one. Bakeries may not be the first place you think of when trying to search for an alcoholic drink. However, this bakery is not an ordinary bakery. Their snacks are incredible, they serve food such as pizzette, foccacia, types of bread, fancy brioches and finger sized desserts! When drinking here opt for their local wines or a sparkling wine such as Prosecco. If you have time, come for breakfast as well!
12. MAG CAFE
Old and beloved Mag Cafe is no stranger to the aperitivo scene in Milan. As a result it is very popular among locals and travelers. They have a menu designed according to the astrological signs – which you may have fun with. The snacks are served on plates but stocked when needed. They also have their own versions of classic cocktails. That’s a sign of having an experienced staff as well. It is located in the heart of aperitivos in Navigli. It’s facing the canal so you can take advantage of the view while you bite and drink.
Address: Ripa di Porta Ticinese 43