Bentoteca by Yoji Tokuyoshi in Milan holds one Michelin star, the former Osteria Francescana sous chef's modern Italian-Japanese fusion kitchen since 2015.
Must order: The bentoteca tasting set; the cuttlefish risotto and the kake-soba with parmesan are signature plates.
Tip: Bookings open three weeks ahead. The 14-seat counter is the spot to ask for; lunch tasting at 90 euros is the editor's pick.
Address: Via San Calocero 3, 20123 Milano
Joia in Milan's Porta Venezia is Pietro Leemann's Michelin-starred vegetarian and vegan dining room since 1989, the first plant-based kitchen in Italy to hold a star
Order: The Joia tasting set; the spelt risotto with vegetables and the wild herb plate are signatures.
Tip: Bookings open three weeks ahead. The vegan tasting set runs alongside the vegetarian one; book the chef's counter for the open kitchen.
VOCE Aimo e Nadia in Milan's Piazza della Scala is the cafe-and-bistro little sister of Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia, opened 2018 inside Gallerie d'Italia.
Order: The risotto with marrow and the cotoletta; the cafe runs simple seasonal Italian plates daily.
Tip: Bookings open two weeks ahead. The cafe section runs all-day; the bistro service starts at 12:30. The 18:30 aperitivo is the editor's pick.
Il Ristorante Niko Romito in Milan's Bulgari Hotel is Niko Romito's one-Michelin-star outpost of the three-star Reale in Castel di Sangro. Italian classics reimagine
Order: The Niko Romito tasting set; the absoluto chicken with potatoes is the signature.
Tip: Bookings open three weeks ahead. The Bulgari terrace garden is the destination in summer; book the 19:30 sitting for cocktails first.
Cracco in Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is Carlo Cracco's flagship dining room, holding one Michelin star in 2026. The four-level building runs from cafe at
Order: The Cracco tasting set, the saffron risotto with bone marrow and the cuttlefish black ink risotto.
Tip: Bookings open one month ahead on the website. The Galleria Cafe Cracco runs an accessible aperitivo from 12:00; book the upstairs dining for the tasting.
Seta in the Mandarin Oriental Milan is Antonio Guida's two-Michelin-star kitchen, opened 2015. The seasonal tasting menus, with Apulian fish and Lombard meats side b
Order: The Memorie tasting set with the linguine with sea urchin; the spaghettoni with red prawns is the signature pr
Tip: Bookings open six weeks ahead. The courtyard garden in summer is the destination for lunch; book the inside dining room for the full Memorie set.
Enrico Bartolini al Mudec in Milan's Tortona district is Italy's youngest three-Michelin-star chef's flagship dining room atop the Museo delle Culture.
Order: The Contemporary Classics tasting at 350 euros; the red prawn carbonara is the signature primo.
Tip: Bookings open eight weeks ahead; the chef's table at the open kitchen books fastest. Lunch tasting at 280 euros is the cheaper entry point.
