8 affordable restaurants to eat in Milan

Traveling to Milan, the fashion capital of Italy, can be a thrilling experience, especially when you know where to indulge your taste buds without breaking the bank. If you’re looking to savor the rich culinary delights of this vibrant city while keeping your budget intact, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best restaurants to eat well and affordably in Milan, featuring a variety of options from traditional Italian dishes to trendy eateries.

Where to eat in Milan: recommended restaurants

Milan is a gastronomic paradise, offering everything from its signature dishes like cotoletta and risotto allo zafferano to delightful street food, vegetarian options, and bustling aperitivo spots. Are you ready to explore the best places to eat in Milan?

* While we strive to keep our recommendations updated, please let us know if any of these spots have closed or if prices change—your feedback helps us provide the best information!

1. Trattoria Sabbioneda

If you’re eager to dive into traditional Milanese cuisine, Trattoria Sabbioneda is a must-visit. Specializing in local dishes, this restaurant serves a wide range of Italian classics, all crafted with high-quality ingredients. Expect to pay around 8-11€ for starters like pasta and soups, and 10-15€ for mains featuring meats and fish.

It’s often bustling with locals, so it’s wise to make a reservation in advance to secure your spot.

2. Pizzeria Da Zero

For pizza lovers, Pizzeria Da Zero is often hailed as the best pizza in Milan. The secret lies in their use of authentic ingredients from Campania, the birthplace of pizza, and a generous splash of passion. Prices are reasonable, with margherita pizzas starting at 8€ and specialty pizzas ranging from 11-15€.

Alternative: During our last visit, we stumbled upon a pizzeria with a long queue—Pizzeria AM. We decided to check it out the next day, and it did not disappoint! It’s among the best pizzas we’ve ever had, and they welcome you with a glass of prosecco and a slice of pizza to start the experience on a high note.

Don’t forget to explore all the excursions and tours in Spanish available in Milan. Additionally, you can’t miss the free walking tour of Milan.

3. Polleria Milano 2.0

This casual spot is perfect for a quick yet delicious meal. Polleria Milano 2.0 specializes in mouthwatering chicken dishes that will leave you craving more. A half chicken will only set you back 5€, and they also offer various sandwiches and skewers for those looking for a quick bite.

4. Pomet

Pomet is a colorful and lively eatery, known for its friendly staff and unique pizzas. If you’re a fan of truffles, don’t miss the Pomet tartufato, which features a delightful combination of mashed potatoes, mozzarella, and truffle oil. Expect to pay around 10€ for this mouthwatering pizza.

5. Spritz Navigli

Every visit to Milan wouldn’t be complete without experiencing an authentic aperitivo. Spritz Navigli offers a fantastic deal: for just 14€, enjoy a drink and a buffet of pasta, pizza, risotto, sandwiches, and sweet options (including nutella pizza!).

While there are numerous drinks to choose from, we highly recommend trying the Aperol Spritz if you haven’t already. During our last visit, I made the mistake of ordering a coconut and mint spritz—it was a definite miss! However, the passion fruit spritz looked amazing! Arrive early, as it gets crowded quickly, and note that it opens at 18:00. You’ll find many nearby bars offering aperitivo, but for us, Spritz Navigli is the winner!

6. Flower Burger

For a unique twist on burgers, head to Flower Burger, where you can indulge in colorful vegetarian and vegan burgers. Their signature Flower Burger features a black charcoal bun, seitan patty, fresh veggies, vegan cheese, and pepper sauce, priced between 7-11€. With several locations across the city, it’s a delightful stop for a tasty meal.

7. Le Cotolette

Although it’s a bit pricier than the previous options, Le Cotolette is worth a visit to sample Milan’s delicacies. One dish that every visitor should try is the “cotoletta alla milanese,” a breaded pork chop that’s simply exquisite. Here, you can choose from 15 different styles, with the basic version costing 15€ and more elaborate versions ranging from 16-18€. They may be on the expensive side, but the portions are generous!

Tip: For an additional 2€, you can pair your cotoletta with the classic local dish, risotto allo zafferano (saffron risotto). The tirolese version, featuring speck and brie, is to die for. The portions are sizable, so sharing a cotoletta with another dish is a great idea—especially if the risotto is a daily special!

8. Panzerotti Luini

Renowned for serving the most famous panzerotti in the city, Panzerotti Luini offers a delightful snacking experience. Not familiar with panzerotti? They are essentially stuffed pastries, typically filled with tomato and mozzarella. Luini is perfect for a quick snack or light meal.

Don’t be fooled: these little treats are deceptively filling; one is enough for a light snack, but if you’re hungry, order two! Their menu is extensive, and we tried the classic tomato and mozzarella as well as a zucchini and mozzarella version. Total cost: 6€.

9. The best breakfast spots, bakeries, and cafes in Milan

One of the greatest joys of traveling in Italy is savoring breakfast outside. Milan boasts numerous bars and cafes where you can fare colazione like royalty. Here are some of our favorites:

• Adjacent to the Prada Foundation, you’ll find Bar Luce, a charming spot that combines vintage aesthetics with modern flair—after all, you’re in the world’s fashion capital!
• Other notable cafes include Orso Nero and Otto (famous for one of the best brunches in Milan). And, of course, you must indulge in the delights of Italian pastries. Pasticceria Pavé is perfect for a classic breakfast of cappuccino and cornetto (croissant), while Premiata Cremeria Rossi serves exquisite Sicilian specialties like granitas and cannoli.
• If you’re looking for a unique coffee experience, visit the Starbucks in Piazza Cordusio, the first in Italy! It’s worth a visit, not just for the coffee but for the stunning building housing it; it’s said to be the most beautiful Starbucks in the world.

We’ve even included a little map to help you easily locate the recommended restaurants in Milan mentioned in this post.

These are our top recommendations for restaurants where you can eat well and affordably in Milan. If you have other suggestions, feel free to share them in the comments! 😊

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