Founded in 1817 and seriously old school. Yes, it's popular with tourists, but it has a neighborhood feel because of all the shopkeepers, locals, and business people stopping in for their quick espresso breaks.
Via Montenapoleone, 8
Milan, 20121
Carla Sozzani, sister of Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, has an eclectic style, and her combination bookstore, art gallery, and clothing store is a treat for all senses.
Corso Como, 10
Milan, 20154
Charmingly dilapidated, with wonderful sweets and a mixed crowd: journalists at their laptops early in the morning, grannies and grandkids in for an afternoon snack, ladies in cashmere and pearls at teatime, happy hour regulars sipping "the usual." Don't miss the croissants, the jam doughnuts, the tiny sandwiches, and the raspberry tart. Perfect at any time of the day.
Corso Genova, 1
Milan, 20123
The setting is suggestive, a faded white Art Nouveau building that used to be a train depot on the background of Porta Nuova's futuristic skyscraper jungle. Ratanà is one of the city's most beautiful restaurants, with high ceilings, industrial furniture, and a retro bar. Chef Cesare Battisti's locally-driven menu is inspired by traditional Milan and Lombardy cuisine and includes a menu of rubitt, the Milanese term for tapas.
Via Gaetano de Castillia, 28
Milan, 20124
To get here, you have to leave the city center and head south along the Naviglio Pavese canal. But what a splendid and adorable place it is: huge windows with views of the Naviglio, a clear freshwater brook around the veranda and garden, an herb garden, good music. They serve delicious, simple, and original dishes using local, seasonal produce, organic meats and sustainable fish, and natural wines.
Alzaia Naviglio Pavese, 286
Milan, 20142
The ideal place for artfully crafted classic Milanese cuisine: risotto with saffron, riso al salto, cabbage rolls, cutlets, and the hot zabaglione served in cups as it used to be. The power move is to come for Saturday lunch, when the friendly atmosphere and daylight add to the beauty. Very Milan.
Viale Pasubio, 10
Milan, 20154
Halfway between La Scala and the Castello Sforzesco, the atmosphere at this hotel is both cozy and exclusive. The historic building has been restored by Studio Brizzi+Riefenstahl, transformed into a charming residence of great aesthetic impact.
Via San Tomaso, 8
Milan, 20131
Opened in 2004 in an 18th-century palazzo, the sleek and stylish hotel is an excellent place for an aperitivo and people watching. If you can score an outdoor table, it's worth every euro. Rooms are lined in oak and filled with crisp linen. A private garden has plenty of secret nooks and crannies bordered by creeping wisteria, red beeches, and rows of laurel trees.
Via Privata Fratelli Gabba 7/b
Milan, 20121
Idarica Gazzoni, the creative genius behind wallpaper and fabric brand Arjumand, rents out a beautiful apartment (three night minimum) in one of the city's most beautiful neighborhoods. Furnishings are a mix of family heirlooms, textiles from Arjumand's collections, and carpets from Alberto Levi Gallery. Fresh bread and newspapers appear in a breakfast basket.
A lovely B&B whose name, "Road Sign Red," refers to the color of the lift connecting the floors. The three rooms are decorated with secondhand pieces. Among the common areas are a breathtaking terrace and a charming garden, where the landlords Raoul and Alberto have placed two lovely cabanas — a reading room and a micro gym.
A hostel with a homey atmosphere located between the Duomo and Navigli, where guests and local Milanese converge at the ground floor hall to have breakfast, lunch, drinks, read a book, and work on their laptops. This is a great place to meet new people.
Villa Medici, 4
Milan, 20123
Opened in 1867 and one of the oldest (and most beautiful) shopping arcades in the world, it was built during Unification, a turbulent time in Italian history. The word "mall" doesn't do it justice. It's a gorgeous building. Don't miss the Prada flagship a store. It's been in business since 1913.
Piazza Duomo
Milan, 20122
The elegant department store's top floor has restaurants, a food market, and an outdoor café with a bird's eye view of the spires of the Duomo. The main floor has an incredible selection of cosmetics and perfumes. The basement is all about design via designated Kartell section, bookshop, and café.
Piazza Duomo
Milan, 20121
A sophisticated cycling institution. In addition to selling beautiful handmade and customized bikes, they also have a bike rental service so you can ride around town like the locals do.
Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi, 71
Milan, 20121
A legendary and influential company that has produced many icons of Italian design, including the Citera pencil holder and the Formosa perpetual calendar, designed by Enzo Mari in 1960 and 1963, and the Bruno Munari-designed Cubo ashtray from 1957. Timeless beauties.
Via Antonio Canova, 34
Milan, 20145
The best ballet shoes ever, as evidenced by the fact that they're worn by La Scala dancers. In addition to professional models for ballet and pointe, the collection includes ballet shoe variations of boots, flats with interchageable right and left shoes, and T-strap heels. Styles can be ordered in satin, leather, canvas, and suede; with a higher- and lower-cut vamp; in a wide range of colors and finishes like grosgrain ribbons, bows, and toe caps.
Piazza Paolo Ferrari, 6
Milan, 20159
A love-at-first-sight place where the clothes, accessories, and objects are the product of endless research trips all over the world. The soul of the warm, cheerful shop is Uberta Zambeletti, a fashion and interior designer, stylist, and consultant for important fashion houses. A mixture of color, taste, and jest, the boutique is an absolute must.
Via Santa Marta, 14
Milan, 20123