My friend Maria has lived in Milan for 10 years, and is one of those people who always knows the best places to hang out, eat, drink, and shop. So: Maria's Top 15 Local Milan Hotspots, Right Now:
Local Hotspot #1: Gelato
At Chocolat, in the center of the city near the Cadorna train station, expect a queue outside by 10 pm most evenings between May and October. With a great atmosphere and delicious gelato of all flavors, Chocolat speciality is - what else - every imaginable flavor of chocolate gelato.
Local Hotspot #2: Hidden Garden
Have a drink in the lush garden of the luxury Bulgari Hotel, down a private street in the center of the shopping district. The garden is open to anyone who wants to sit down for a drink or a bite, and is an oasis of calm in the middle of a bustling city. Maria says they also make the best panini in town.
Local Hotspot #3: Shoes
Visit Le Solferine in Via Solferino for an amazing selection and quality of Italian shoes. One of the owners is also a designer.
Local Hotspot #4: Drinks at Sunset
In the navigli or canals district of Milan, grab a stool, order a drink, and sit along the naviglio grande at Luca e Andrea's to enjoy the sunset. Even though the barstools cannot come outside until the end of May according to local laws (even if the weather is gorgeous), it's still worth a visit for aperitivi or dinner. It's a small place, so call ahead or arrive early.
Local Hotspot #5: Boutique Shopping
Corso Vercelli has a lot of local boutiques and great selection, and many more locals than tourists. You'll find clothing for men, women, and children, athletic gear and more.
Local Hotspot #6: Restaurant
When I asked Maria about restaurants in Milan, she was less enthusiastic than I'd expected. Finally she explained that the restaurants in Milan in her opinion, are overpriced for the quality of food they serve. Sure, there are great restaurants if you don't mind the prices, but personally, she said, she'd rather cook at home. But, wait: one that is worth going to, with quality food and not overpriced, is Ristorante Da Gaspare.
Local Hotspot #7: Cocktails and More
This hasn't changed in years: Corso Como 10 is a chic and reliably fun place to sip a cocktail or have dinner with friends, or people-watch. If it's a nice night, sit outside in the garden. For the "and more", click on the link above to explore their artsy website.
Local Hotspot #8: Best Pizza
Maria says: Go to Rosso Pomodoro.
Local Hotspot #9: Aperitivo with Kids
The Italian tradition of the 6 o'clock aperitivo-with-free-food is fantastic, but can you bring the kids? Not usually. But while Rita's, near the naviglio grande, is a hotspot for many even without kids, the kids are welcome. Go for the aperitivo hour, Sunday brunch, or dinner. Definitely make a reservation. Via Angelo Fumagalli 1, tel. 02 837 2865.
Local Hotspot #10: Best Cannoli
Maria is originally from Sicily, home of the cannolo. So she was very excited when Palermo's famous Antica Focacceria San Francesco opened up recently inside the Princi bakery at Via Ponte Vetero 10. A true Sicilian bakery, the Antica Focacceria makes - among other things - a fantastic cannolo and a panino con la milza, a sort of beef sandwich.
The Princi bakery (click here for a list of Princi in Milan) is a hotspot in itself, with amazing focaccia. Princi also prides itself on being open "all the time" (which should not be taken literally, but if you're coming home from the discoteca at 5 am, it's well worth swinging by to check).
Local Hotspot #11: Department Store
If you thought that the high-end department store La Rinacente in Piazza Duomo was somewhat expensive or touristy, head to the Coin store in Piazza Cinque Giornate. It's been renovated and has a huge selection of reasonably priced quality merchandise.
Local Hotspot #12: Authentic Italian Panino
For an authentic and fresh Italian panino, visit one of Milan's six Panino Giusto locations. It's a chain, but so what. Yum.
Local Hotspot #13: Romantic Cocktail
Enjoy a cocktail at Cafè Savona: this romantic locale also has a few TVs on the wall for sports fans. Go for lunch, the aperitivo hour, or a late-evening drink.
Local Hotspot #14: New Boutique in the Quadrilatero D'Oro
You'll recognize many of the top designer names on the streets of Milan's shopping district, the Quadrilatero D'Oro. But a relative newcomer on the block has made a splash with the locals: visit the Zap store in Via Solferino for unique and trendy women's and men's fashions.
Local Hotspot #15: Trendy Eatery
Set up sushi bar style, the Obika mozzarella bar is an international chain founded by a Neapolitan that has become a hit with the Milanese. If you like mozzarella di bufala, this is your place. Here's a photo of a menu item at Obika:
More on Milan:
Photo of cocktail by thebittenword.com
Photo of naviglio by Nettaphoto
Photo of Sicilian cannoli by Volavale
Photo of lunch at Obika by matthew.hickey
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great site - i love it!
Posted by: Daisy Chakra | May 11, 2011 at 04:00 AM