Ahead of Milan design week, Dezeen has asked some of the city's most exciting designers and tastemakers to share their recommendations for the best places to eat, drink and soak up culture across the Italian city.

Their favourite haunts range from a slew of traditional restaurants to Milan's main court of justice and a vintage furniture retailer that sits "dangerously close" to the famous Bar Basso.

For our full city guide, pick up the second edition of Dezeen Dispatch – a dedicated magazine we've produced for Milan design week 2026 – in participating locations across the city.

Bars & aperitivo spots

Bene Bene, picked by architect and designer Maddalena Casadei 

"A bar run by three creative friends. The name says it all: everything they serve is done really, really well. The music selection also deserves a big thumbs up."

Bar Paradiso, picked by NM3 co-founders Francesco Zorzi and Nicolò Ornaghi

"Best wine bar with the finest selection of wines."

Bar Pieno, picked by 6AM co-founders Edoardo Pandolfo and Francesco Palù

"You won't find it on Google Maps because it doesn't exist yet, but we are going to open it temporarily for our design week show. Each evening, chefs from across Italy will serve their take on the classic panini and spritz."

Pasticceria Cucchi, picked by David/Nicolas co-founders David Raffoul and Nicolas Moussallem, and NM3 co-founders Francesco Zorzi and Nicolò Ornaghi

"This is our absolute favourite place in Milan. We appreciate the artisanal pastries and especially the terrace. Our favourite dish is the 'cucchi omelette'." – Raffoul and Moussallem

"Best canapes and martinis here." – Zorzi and Ornaghi

Bar Basso, picked by Alcova co-founder Valentina Ciuffi

"We have to recognise this historical place and the crucial role it had – and has – in making Fuorisalone what it is, creating the ideal meeting point for the night for many designers."

Lido Liquor Bar, picked by architect and designer Maddalena Casadei 

"Sabina, the owner, knows how to transform a place and its offerings while keeping it authentic. It's a small and very pleasant rooftop spot, especially when the weather is good. The atmosphere and quality of the food and drinks are great, as is the selection of vinyl. Very kind staff."

Restaurants

Nuova Arena, picked by Formafantasma co-founders Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin

"A classic Tuscan restaurant with high-quality products and family-style dining."

Trattoria del Nuovo Macello, picked by NM3 co-founders Francesco Zorzi and Nicolò Ornaghi

"The chef [Giovanni Traversone] is the protégé of Gualtiero Marchesi, Italy's first-ever three-Michelin-starred chef. The risotto is traditionally very similar to Marchesi's and the cotoletta is the best in town."

Bistrot della Pesa, picked by design consultant and gallerist Joy Herro

"The best traditional food – casseula, which is supposed to be a 'poor' dish made with leftover cuts of meat, the best risotto, amazing stewed cabbage and the best zabaione and zuppa inglese."

Antica Trattoria della Pesa, picked by David/Nicolas co-founders David Raffoul and Nicolas Moussallem

"Every element of the decor is carefully considered. We particularly appreciate the silver cutlery, the flowers on the table and the breadsticks served in silver holders. Our favourite dish is the risotto alla milanese with ossobuco."

Al Matarel, picked by Formafantasma co-founders Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin

"Incredible food, with 'la signora' still serving at the table. Like eating at home."

Torre de Pisa, picked by Dimore Studio co-founders Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran

"A historic Tuscan trattoria in Milan's Brera district, known for its simple, traditional Tuscan dishes and warm, rustic atmosphere."

A Santa Lucia, picked by Tutto Bene co-founders Oskar Kohnen and Felizia Berchtold

"An old-school Milanese restaurant run by the sweetest team, serving simple, classic Italian food. It has real charm, beautiful interiors and a wonderfully timeless atmosphere – we even spent New Year's Eve here."

Cafes and pasticcerias

Panificio Davide Longoni, picked by NM3 co-founders Francesco Zorzi and Nicolò Ornaghi

"The breakfast here is excellent and the focaccia is a must-try."

Marchesi 1824, picked by Tutto Bene co-founders Oskar Kohnen and Felizia Berchtold

"The historic Marchesi cafe (top image) is just around the corner from us, where we usually stop for our morning coffee. There's always a buzz in the mornings, even if it sometimes includes American tourists ordering espresso martinis for breakfast."

Sidewalk Kitchens, picked by David/Nicolas co-founders David Raffoul and Nicolas Moussallem

"The perfect place to enjoy street food in Milan. We like it for its lively atmosphere, fresh ingredients, and the chance to eat outdoors while enjoying the city's street life."

Giovanni Galli, picked by Dimore Studio co-founders Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran

"Candied chestnuts, boeri, fondants, pralines – the shop windows alone are a dream."

Cultural sites

Thaddaeus Ropac at Palazzo Belgioioso, picked by Tutto Bene co-founders Oskar Kohnen and Felizia Berchtold

"The gallery recently opened a beautiful, understated outpost in Palazzo Belgioioso. We love seeing more international galleries establishing a presence in the city."

Ordet, picked by Formafantasma co-founders Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin

"Ordet shares the same experimental and underground attitude as Milan's ICA, with a great programme of art and design."

Grand Hotel et de Milan, picked by Dimore Studio co-founders Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran

"Milan's oldest hotel, which counts among its guests the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Rudolf Nureyev and of course, Giuseppe Verdi."

Villa Necchi Campiglio, picked by Dimore Studio co-founders Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran

"Our favourite house museum. Conceived by Piero Portaluppi, it features some of the most elegantly restrained interiors in the city: true refinement in the details, especially in the service areas."

Massimo de Carlo, picked by Dimore Studio co-founders Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran

"A wonderful place to see exceptional art in a truly exceptional setting. Massimo de Carlo is housed within one of Piero Portaluppi's first projects in Milan, which is the perfect setting for their works."

Cardi Gallery, picked by Dimore Studio co-founders Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran

"Specialising in post-war and contemporary art, Cardi Gallery is a quiet refuge in the city where we take time discovering striking modern artworks and connect with the atmosphere of the space."

Tribunale di Milano, picked by Dimore Studio co-founders Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran

"An incredibly beautiful example of stern Italian rationalist architecture."

Vintage dealers

Pennisi, picked by Dimore Studio co-founders Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran

"Pennisi is the ultimate in curated antique jewellery. We are in love with the small, gilded display cases in the shop windows."

Raimondo Garau, picked by Tutto Bene co-founders Oskar Kohnen and Felizia Berchtold

"A wonderful vintage dealer with a beautifully mixed selection that reflects owner Raimondo's impeccable taste. It's also the perfect excuse for a walk from our house past the Castello, through Brera, finishing with a coffee on Corso Como."

Compasso Design, picked by Tutto Bene co-founders Oskar Kohnen and Felizia Berchtold

"Daniele has an incredibly vast space filled with meticulously researched design classics. Last year, she also opened a small sister gallery called Gilda & Co, right in the city centre. It sits in dangerously close proximity to Bar Basso – definitely worth a visit."

Gelaterias

Gelateria Solferino, picked by architect and designer Maddalena Casadei 

"For me, the best gelato in town remains Gelateria Solferino. It's a family-run place where both the cream and the fruit are fantastic. The latter changes with the seasons."

Gelateria Umberto 1934, picked by Dimore Studio co-founders Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran

"A place that resists passing trends with its old-world setting and a menu of traditional flavours."

And breathe...

Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli, picked by Dimore Studio co-founders Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran

"The perfect spot to stroll or read a newspaper on sunny spring days. The park also hosts Orticola, a lovely fair for all that flowers in May."

The top photo is of Marchesi 1824.

This article was created for our Dezeen Dispatch magazine at Milan design week 2026, which is taking place from 20-26 April in locations across the Italian city.

See our Milan design week 2026 guide on Dezeen Events Guide for information about the many other exhibitions, installations and talks taking place throughout the week.

The post Milan designers share their favourite local spots and hidden gems appeared first on Dezeen.