10 Best Michelin Star Restaurants In Milan | 2024
The reputation for passion precedes the Italian people. Whatever Italians do, they do it with intensity, and that of course includes cuisine. In Italy’s northern metropolitan, you can bet there is an extensive list for Michelin starred restaurants in Milan.
Italian culture is quite food-centric, therefore the process of farming, preparing, and eating goes beyond just sustenance. Although Italian cuisine may appear simple, it is anything but. Most dishes start easily enough: with fresh, locally-harvested ingredients, but harvesting under the perfect conditions and preparing meals with exact detail is a painstaking process.
The Michelin star restaurants in Milan are tested on strict standards for the quality of ingredients, presentation, and flavour of the dish. Milan earned 15 Michelin stars over the years, making it even with Rome.
Eryn Gordon from Earth To Editorial is here to tell us which 10 we need to visit!
The 10 Best Michelin Star Restaurants In Milan
When traveling through Italy, you will want to sample some of the country’s best culinary examples, so we suggest checking out a Michelin-starred restaurant.
These are our top ten Michelin star restaurants in Milan:
1. Horto
Horto earned its one Michelin star for high-quality cooking along with a high emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
South Tyrolean Chef Niederkofler and Head of Culinary Strategy at Horto introduced the restaurant to what he calls the “one-hour ingredient.”
Each ingredient that finds its way into the kitchen was harvested within a one-hour distance from the restaurant. Plus, Horto is located right in the centre of Milan, which gives visitors a stunning view of the Duomo and Castello Sforzesco.
Patrons choose from either a 5-course or 7-course tasting which starts at 155 euros, or opt for a selection from the a la carte menu.
Previous visitors have raved about trout served on a bed of turnips and kale chips.
2. Frades Porto Cervo
This fabulous spot brings contemporary Sardinian flavours to the north. The term “Frades” in Sardinian dialect means brothers, a nod to the three siblings who travelled to Milan to open the restaurant’s second location.
Think of Frades Porto Cervo as a modernistic and chic delicatessen. True to Sardinia’s heritage of curing meats, you’ll sample a fine selection of ham and cheese on your table charcuterie.
Try also the varieties of fish caught in the Mediterranean, like the langoustine, rockfish, goatfish, and red tuna.
3. Verso Capitaneo
After several years of training in other Michelin-starred restaurants, the Capitaneo brothers decided to begin their own venture right in the Piazza Duomo.
Since opening, the team at Verso earned their 2nd Michelin star, proof that training and execution go hand-in-hand.
On the menu you’ll find typical Italian fare like veal and ravioli, and then come across slightly daring options like roasted pigeon.
Although it consists of only three ingredients, the butter, sage, and caviar make for a sumptuous start to the meal.
4. Cracco in Galleria
Gold-leaf-crusted poached pear, anyone? Aligned with the location in the uber-posh Vittoria Emmanuel shopping mall, Cracco simply oozes luxury.
However, Cracco is not simply a spot to dine in opulence, it is also a bistro and pastry shop all wrapped into one package. Here you can find a classic Italian style pastry shop with cakes and sweets displayed in a glass case with gold embellishments.
If you stop into Cracco for lunch or dinner, make sure to take a window seat where you’ll have a perfect view of the Ottagono Building.
5. Pellico 3
You’ll find Pellico 3 tucked inside the Park Hyatt Hotel. While the interior isn’t quite as sleek as, say, The Armani/Ristorante – there is a comfortable feel to it, similar to sinking into a living room couch. Rich wood panels behind the bar and textured wall paper give this space a sense of warmth.
Born in the nineties, Chef Guido Paternollo proves that a successful career doesn’t require decades of experience. Rather, it requires concentrated effort, drive, and extensive training like the work he’s done alongside Enrico Bartolini, Yannick Alleno, and Alain Ducasse (the head chef at Cracco).
You’ll find two different menus: a seasonal option with local ingredients, or a menu inspired by Chef Paternollo’s hometown.
6. Voce Aimo e Nadia
In true testament to the restaurant location within the Museum of the Gallerie d’Italia in Milan, Voce Aimo e Nadia (Voce, for short) serves dishes that are quite literally pieces of edible art.
The outdoor dining space in the centre courtyard allows for relaxed al fresco dining in the heart of a metropolitan city. The surrounding museum blocks out all the sounds, sirens, and cars of the outside world, transporting you to a private garden.
After lunch, check out the museum “Cafeteria,” for coffees topped with delicate milk foam art and all-natural gelato.
7. Il Ristorante – Niko Romito
In collaboration with Bulgari hotels, Niko Romito has restaurant locations cropping up in Dubai, Tokyo, and, of course, Milan where the chain found its early success.
The brand Bulgari was popularized in the 50s as a luxe jewellery store among Italian aristocrats.
When you buy Bulgari, you’ll see the classic “Made in Italy” stamp to signify its authenticity and quality. The philosophy behind Chef Romito’s menu encapsulates that exact meaning.
A Made in Italy menu consisting of classic recipes that were handed down by generations and used ingredients native to the land.
The Milanese Sfoglia is one the restaurant’s biggest hits: a savoury puff pastry with fresh vegetables and Parmigiano Reggiano sauce.
8. Seta by Antonio Guida
Seta is located in the Mandarin Hotel and remains one of Milan’s most coveted tables. It can take weeks to reserve a spot here, particularly during the summer months. The restaurant is split into an indoor and outdoor dining space.
However divided, the crisp floor-to-ceiling glass walls make it seem as if there is no barrier from the airy courtyard.
The restaurant emphasizes a seasonal menu and uses only ingredients that are harvested during that time of year.
If you’re heading to Seta in the spring, it is the perfect season for fish dishes, like sardines, anchovies, and spatula fish.
9. Armani/Ristorante
Enter this opulent palazzo and step into the world of Armani. Since opening in 2000, this restaurant has imbued the fashion sense of the Armani brand, including sleek, stone-like textures and metallic accents throughout the space.
Inside the same space, you can also find the Armani cafe. The coffee here is fantastic, but you’ll definitely want to try one of their lattes. The drinks are served in highly chic and earthy ceramic cups.
There is also a rotating selection of caviar and oysters on the menu, but visitors suggest starting your meal with smoked aubergines, watermelon and toasted hazelnuts.
10. Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia
Paying tribute to a family legacy of fine dining, Il Luogo is one of the chicest places in Milan (and a personal favourite of mine!). This restaurant began over sixty years ago as a family-owned trattoria in via Montecuccoli and since then became a Michelin star restaurant in Milan with one star.
The chefs at Il Luogo emphasize the territory first, which opens the door for a creative menu that changes with the seasons. The most important aspect is not continuity of what is normally on the menu, rather, it is based on what grows in the area, when the produce is ready to pick, and how to best harvest it.
There is also a nice selection of Aperitifs including bottles from the nearby Franciacorta wine region.
If you’re a fan of a refreshing Aperol Spritz, then you have the chance to expand your horizons further before dinner!
What Are The Best Foods to Try in Milan?
While many of us can name the typical dishes from Italy (often stuck within the categories of stuffed pasta, various other types of pasta, and meatballs) there are actually tons of different recipes in Italy.
Even more interesting is that each region has its own variety of common dishes attributed to the fact that Italy was a divided country until the nineteenth century. Additionally, some produce that grows easily in the north may not appear in the south. For example, Milanese people often import their citrus fruits from Sicily, but may not necessarily grow lemons or oranges in the local area.
Typical Milanese style dishes are often rich with savory herbs like sage and have many varieties of beef and veal dishes from the large cow farming industry in the north. You may also see some crossover between northern Italy and neighbouring countries like Switzerland and Austria.
Make sure to try the Cotoletta alla Milanese, a Milan-style schnitzel made of tender veal and crispy bread crumbs. Also, Risotto alla Milanese is a saffron-spiced creamy rice dish. If you visit Milan in the winter, be sure to try the world-famous Panettone, a fluffy, doughy cake that is believed to have originated in Milan during the fifteenth century.
Conclusion: Michelin Star Restaurants In Milan
So, there we have it – a complete guide to the best Michelin star restaurants in Milan. Whether you’re a seasoned food enthusiast or just starting to explore fine dining, Eryn’s guide should help you decide where to eat, what to eat, and see why these exceptional restaurants have earned their prestigious status.
With Eryn’s recommendations, you’ll feel like you have a trusted friend showing you the culinary gems of Milan. You’re not just picking a place to eat; you’re choosing an experience that promises to be memorable and delicious.
So, go ahead and indulge in the exquisite culinary delights that await you in Milan. Experience the artistry, passion, and dedication that have earned these restaurants their coveted Michelin stars.
Gustare!
At time of writing, there are currently no Coronavirus measures limiting tourists to enter Italy. This is in accordance with the information provided on gov.uk.