What should I try in Milan?

The Top 10 Food and Drinks To Try in Milan
  1. Risotto with Saffron. Risotto alla Milanese, also known as Risotto Giallo (yellow risotto) is the quintessential Milanese dish.
  2. Elephant's Ear. ...
  3. Costoletta alla Milanese. ...
  4. Mondeghili. ...
  5. Vitello Tonnato. ...
  6. Cassoeula. ...
  7. Negroni Sbagliato. ...
  8. Campari. ...




When visiting Milan in 2026, you must prioritize the city's unique culinary and cultural staples. Gastronomically, the Risotto alla Milanese (infused with saffron) and the Cotoletta alla Milanese (a breaded veal cutlet) are the two most iconic dishes. For a snack, try a Panzerotto from the famous Luini near the Duomo. Milan is also the undisputed capital of the Aperitivo; heading to the Navigli district around 6:00 PM for a Negroni Sbagliato accompanied by a buffet of local snacks is a quintessential Milanese experience. Culturally, you should try to secure tickets for a performance at Teatro alla Scala or a viewing of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper (which requires booking months in advance). Shopping at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II or exploring the Brera district's artisan boutiques is also a must. Finally, for a modern twist, visit the Porta Nuova district to see the Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest), which showcases Milan's evolution into a green, high-tech fashion hub.

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Milan's signature dish Surrounded by rice fields, it's no wonder that Milan's most iconic dish is risotto alla Milanese. This quintessential dish consists of creamy, golden, slow-cooked rice prepared with white rice, butter, onions, beef marrow, and a healthy dose of Parmigiano cheese.

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For a Lake Como day trip from Milan, look no further. A great way to discover the timeless beauty of the Italian lakes, this experience includes a walking tour of the chic lake town of Como plus a Lake Como cruise to see snow-peaked mountains and luxury lakeside villas from the water.

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Milan is known as the most expensive city in Italy, and that's certainly true for its rental prices! According to the HousingAnywhere Rent Index, Milan is one of the most expensive cities in Europe when it comes to rental prices.

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Con #1: Milan is an expensive city. Milan is one of the pricier cities to visit in Europe and is considered the most expensive city in Italy.

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Often overlooked in favour of other cities like Rome, Florence and Venice, Milan is a cosmopolitan city which effortlessly blends history and modernity. Art and culture thrive here, and you'll find everything from grand cathedrals and world-class museums to fashion boutiques and cutting-edge design stores.

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The official currency of Italy is the euro, but the country is still somewhat of a cash-based economy. You won't always pay in cash, as there are shops and merchants in Italy that are well-equipped to accept card payments — Visa and Mastercard are more common than American Express.

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Milan is a very walkable city, but those steps quickly add up, so making use of public transport will help you get across the city faster and see more in a short period of time.

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