I’ve just spent a month in Milan and share with you first hand Milan’s best places to experience markets, coffee and aperitivos. Easy 5.5 hour flight to Milan from Dubai on Emirates or FlyDubai, different airports but same distance to the city centre.
Read on for cool, non touristy places that are genuine, well priced and local favourites.
MILAN – best places to experience aperitivo
Aperitivo is a way of life in Italy, a cool drink, some mini savoury snacks and warm conversation marking a perfect break before the Evening Shift! You must try the drink: SELECT instead of the usual Aperol spritz, and if anyone knows where I can get in Dubai please let me know. Not as sweet as Aperol, but not as bitter as Campari!
There are many new natural/organic wine places popping up in Milan all the time. Here are our top pick for Aperitivos in Milan
Vionoir – In the Navigli area by the river, away from the very touristy part. Good selection of organic wine and lovely food from a small menu. That’s cheese from all over Italy and a chilli white melon home made jelly! Who needs qunice?!
Fonderie Milanese – Very cool location off a residential street with a beautiful garden with a huge selection of food at aperitivo. Best to eat the vibes! But the garden is gorgeous.
MILAN – best places to experience street markets
There are excellent street markets every day. The fresh fruit and vegetables are bursting with goodness and nutrition and cheap as chips. The flowers are gorgeous! So have a wander, buy what you can, bargain a bit and take pictures!
We liked:
PORTO ROMANA MARKET – Friday – also good for clothes and shoes. This market is huge so give yourself time and go early.
BRERA MARKET – Monday and Thursday great for cashmere sweaters. Also known as Via San Marco Market. Brera is in North Milan and is a bit like the Marylebone of Milan! Do check out the Pinacoteca di Brera while your’re there. And a super cute very local cafe there if you love flowers and coffee is Fioraio Bianchi Caffè
VIA TABBACHI MARKET – Saturday. This is a local market near the Corsa San Gottardo area of Milan. Very popular with local residents who do their weekly shopping here. Great prices and super produce.
The best places to experience coffee
Anywhere and everywhere is the answer to that one. Avoid American looking cafes/diners where coffee will be a bit more expensive. Coffee is usually had at breakfast time ofen standing up at a counter with a sweet pastry. No authentic Milanese cafe will offer you eggs and avo on toast!
Coffee runs in the blood of the Milanese and probably most Italians. If you avoid the super high end cafes near Duomo, MOST coffees cost around 1.50 euros or thereabouts! Croissants known as cornetto or brioche cost a similar amount so that’s around AED 15 for a croissant AND a great coffee.
The Italians LOVE filled croissants for breakfast, pistachio, apricot jam and chocolate are very popular.
If you want a Plain Croissant, then ask for Brioche Vuoto which means “empty” but it’s likely it will still have a dusting of sugar over the top!
Who am I ?
I’m Monica Kapila owner and founder of DoinDubai and I create enticing stories around luxurious experiences connected to Eating, Travelling and Living in Dubai and around the world. Interested in hiring me to craft your story ?
Send me a message on my instagram if you want me explore transforming your offering into captivating content using the format that’s right for your market. Or look at my Linkedin profile and send me a dm there.
For MORE ON MILAN see our post on How to Get to Como and a Cool Place to Stay in Milan
