The Best Spots for Aperitivo in Milan

A must-visit cocktail bistro in MilanCarico has been open for a few years now, and this must-visit experimental cocktail bistro has been steadily acquiring a great reputation among locals and city visitors alike, for its libations and ever-changing small plates menu. It’s informal and fun, the large tables are the perfect place to enjoy an aperitif, or a moment with a good drink after dinner. The establishment also recently opened an experiential intimate tasting room for special occasions.

One of the oldest and most influential bars of Milan. Space of preserved history and traditions of Milanese Aperitivo with its typical drinks on the ground floor and an homage to international tendencies - on the 1st floor.To try: Campari Seltz - worth a visit to Milan, Campari Orange and Milano Torino cocktails.If you feel hungry make sure to order pancot - a twist on traditional plates of Lombardy presented in a bready manner studied by chef Davide Oldani.

Ceresio 7 is already a legend of Milanese glamorous life, always associated with well-being and cheerful atmosphere.Coming here you have 2 options: you can sip a cocktail in a bar or dine in a chic designer restaurant.Make the double choice: cuisine of Elio Sironi is trendy, healthy and very light and in the same time very delightful and tasty, and cocktails by Guglielmo Miriello are just fantastic. Try them both.

A single product restaurant, completely dedicated to pasta opened by Mathias Perdomo and Simon Press late 2020. The third spot opened by creative chef Mathias Perdomo and his strong partner Simon Press, at the end of 2020 completely dedicated to pasta and its declinations throughout Italy.Pasta is approached as an ingredient not only as a course within a menu. The techniques, the handwork of making every single cappelletto or raviolo, the different seasoning according to the market, and the study of every single Italian region is incredible. Young Arianna Consiglio, a Sicilian soul and still not even in her 30s is doing a great job combining rich taste, elegance in the final results and a good variety of hyper local and innovative recipes. Arianna has a true passion for Exit Pastificio, devoted to the process of educating people in eating pasta in a different and not standardized way. Unmissable plin with sugo arrosto, fusilloni and tarte tatin.The combination of three or five dishes offers a wide spectrum of the menu and for this tasting approach, the bar suggests a possible cocktail pairing with low abv recipes, fermented drinks and Italian and international spirits.

The essence of an Italian wine bar.Located a few kilometers from the city center, in the middle of Chinatown, Cantina Isola is a true gem. Founded in 1896 by Giovanni Isola it boasts a massive selection of interesting wines – both expensive & cheap, Italian & French, traditional and natural. Great vibe, friendly service - even mixing poems with wines on Tuesday evenings. Must be one of my favourite wine bars in the whole of Italy. Great Chinese street food places next door as a bonus.

New opening! A nice journey between Nordic techniques, Asian flavors and Italian products in a 5-step tasting menu. A young yet experienced brigade that practices innovative techniques aiming to ferment, preserve and transform the ingredients in a no-waste and sustainable perspective. Friendly and super kind service.

A gourmet grocery shop and a great place to stop by for a drink and something small to nibble on.Terroir is a gourmet grocery shop, but it doubles up as a great place to stop by for a drink and something small (mostly sweet) to nibble on. They serve freshly pressed juices, specialty coffee and real matcha, and pour natural wines you can also buy. Owner Gabriele Ornati sources the best Italy has to offer, thanks to an extended family of beloved artisans of food. Chocolate, coffee and tea, rice, flour, pasta, sweets, cheese, wine, produce, jars of pickled and fermented greens - the super niche selection will knock your socks off. Gabriele's attention to detail is borderline obsessive, his sense for ethical sourcing uncompromising: this really is the ideal stop for those who seek absolute flavor and like to make responsible choices for their home pantry. There is something to be said also about the store's interiors, thanks to the essential, elegant display curated by Gabriele’s wife, who is Japanese. A place like this is a magnet for a very specific community of like-minded people: you go to Terroir to shop but also to run into your friends and do some solid networking. If you’re in the mood for a more substantial bite after shopping at Terroir head to Onest cafe, a few blocks away. Owned by Lorenza Licciardello and Lea Pedrinella, this is a feelgood space, with a generous veranda and an intimate courtyard. They carry exceptional specialty coffee, thanks to Lorenzo Sordini, one of Italy’s best baristas, and the kind of smart menu where you can find banging selections of charcuterie and raw milk cheese, as well as a delicious take on pasta con le sarde or the perfect red lentil dahl. It’s great also for brunch, and they make their own bread and viennoiserie. It's my favorite cafe, together with Nowhere Cafe, which is in the historic center of the city, and has a fun Aussie vibe.

A wine bar (wines with excellent value for money, natural and not, Italian and foreign ones) with a kitchen serving cold cuts and cheeses, meat tartare and small plates to share; convivial environment and there are also some outdoor tables in the courtyard

Natural wines and interesting dishes on a quiet stretch of the NavigliGianluca Ladu was among the first to work with natural wine in Milan: he started out with a first, smaller version of Vinoir, on a quiet stretch of the Navigli, and over the years he expanded; he's changed a few chefs in the kitchen, but what hasn't changed is how well his very personal selection of wines pairs with the dishes. At Vinoir it's not about small plates of trite culinary cliches, it's real food, cooked well, closer to the offer you'd expect from a good bistro. They might not have the cool logo or the cool merch, but they know how to please customers with grown-up taste. If you sit outside at the right time of the day you may also catch the boats from the two rowing clubs of Milan as they zip by on the water. Now that's cool. (If you can't find a table at Vinoir and want to stay in the area, my next pick is Enoteca Naturale, which occupies a wing of Emergency's headquarters and part of its garden, in front of one of Milan's most beautiful churches, Sant'Eustorgio. Younger, hip vibe, if you like that kind of scene, with a knowledgeable staff that knows how to keep the party going).

Contemporary bistrot revisiting Milanese cuisine, in Navigli.Contemporary bistrot, revisiting Milanese cuisine, with a clear influence of French cooking techniques. Located close to the Navigli canals.