Lombard, Modern Italian€€€€centro-storico
Giacomo Arengario in Milan sits atop the Museo del Novecento with a wraparound terrace looking at the Duomo. Kitchen leans lombard, modern italian.
Signature: Risotto alla milanese, Cotoletta alla milanese, Spaghetti alla chitarra
Order: Risotto alla milanese and cotoletta with the Duomo view; the spaghetti alla chitarra with prawns is the altern
Tip: Bookings open a month ahead; ask for the terrace. The aperitivo sitting at 18:30 is the cheaper way to use the view.
Lombard, Classical Italian€€€€centro-storico
Savini in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele has cooked classical Lombard and Italian cuisine since 1867, the historic dining room of opera-going Milan.
Signature: Risotto alla milanese, Cotoletta alla milanese, Tortelli di zucca
Order: The risotto alla milanese, cotoletta alla milanese and the tortelli di zucca from Mantua.
Tip: Bookings open a month ahead. The post-Scala dinner sitting at 22:30 is when the opera crowd arrives.
Lombard Trattoria€€€isola
Antica Trattoria della Pesa in Milan's Porta Garibaldi has cooked the Lombard farmstead canon since 1880, set in the old grain-weighing house.
Signature: Risotto alla milanese, Ossobuco, Cassoeula
Order: The risotto alla milanese, the ossobuco and the cassoeula in winter.
Tip: Bookings open one week ahead by phone. The dining room has the original 1880 wood-panel interior; ask for a table by the window.
Japanese€€€€isola
Iyo in Milan's Sempione district was the first Japanese restaurant in Italy to hold a Michelin star (2015). Located in Isola. Priced at €€€€.
Signature: Omakase sashimi, Black cod miso, Kaiseki tasting
Order: The kaiseki tasting set or the omakase sashimi at the counter; the black cod with miso is the signature desser
Tip: Bookings open one month ahead. The Iyo Aalto sister room in Porta Nuova holds the second star; book that for sushi.
Modern Italian€€€€isola
Ceresio 7 in Milan's Sarpi district is the rooftop restaurant atop the Dsquared2 headquarters, with two pools and a 360-view terrace. Located in Isola.
Signature: Tagliolini al limone, Vitello tonnato, Crudo di pesce
Order: The tagliolini al limone, the vitello tonnato and a glass of Franciacorta at the bar before sitting down.
Tip: Bookings open three weeks ahead; ask for the pool-side terrace. The aperitivo at the bar starts 18:30 with city skyline views.
Modern Italian€€€centro-storico
Innocenti Evasioni / Terrazza Triennale in Milan is Tommaso Arrigoni's rooftop dining room atop the Triennale Milano in Parco Sempione, the relocated 2026.
Signature: Tortelli of caciotta, Pigeon breast, Tasting menu
Order: The tortelli of caciotta cheese, the pigeon breast and the seasonal tasting set.
Tip: Bookings open two weeks ahead. The rooftop tables in summer are the destination; book at least a fortnight in advance.