Nestled near Milan’s historic Giardini Indro Montanelli, Casa Cipriani Milano is a private club and boutique hotel that opened in September 2022, marking the Cipriani brand's first European venture. This exclusive 15-room property brings the essence of its renowned New York counterpart to Italy, offering a unique retreat for its elite members. Guests can admire elegant suites designed by Florentine architect Michele Bönan or enjoy an evening at Socialista, a vibrant, Cuban-inspired lounge.

Nestled on the fashion-forward Corso Venezia, Lungarno Collection’s Portrait Milano is the ultimate city break destination for those who crave a blend of history and haute design. Housed within a stunningly restored 16th-century monastery, the hotel boasts 73 impeccably crafted rooms by Architect Michele Bönan, whose Garden-Facing Suites exude timeless Italian elegance.

A true Milanese morning starts at the coffee counter of Marchesi 1824. This traditional patisserie upholds tradition with stand-in ceramic espresso cups (don’t dare ask for takeaway) and apron-dressed ladies waiting there to artfully arrange your tea sandwich on a silver platter or in iconic doggy-bags of pick-me-up pastries for a dinner party alike. Now part-owned by Prada Group, a raspberry bite-size tart or sleeve of candied almonds has never been so fashionable.

Feather-weight angel cakes and ice cream are the celebratory queue at Oslo Studio’s ‘Made in Heaven’ Bakery. Founded in 1977 in Beirut, Lebanon, sisters Yasmin and Julie Audi continue a legacy of dream-worthy pastries that tactfully blend Middle Eastern and American seasonal flavors like fresh fig-jellied cakes to pistachio-halva ice cream.

Since its founding in 1993 by Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli, this nonprofit has evolved from a nonprofit platform for emerging creatives into a pillar of Milan’s contemporary art scene. House in a sprawling former industrial complex, Fondazione Prada fuses brutalist warehouse spaces with whimsical touches like West Anderson’s Bar Luce. The result? A marriage of Milan’s industrial past and its present-day status as a global fashion and design capital.

Did your Instagram feed light up with influencers lounging on pastel-green chaise longues this spring? That would be Villa Necchi Campiglio, an Art Deco gem designed by Piero Portaluppi. Away from the buzz of Salone del Mobile, you can appreciate the villa’s grandeur—think gold-leafed balustrades, marble staircases, and Milan’s first private swimming pool. For cinephiles, the villa’s star turn in House of Gucci makes a guided tour all the more tempting. A serene escape into 1930s glamour.

A cultural cornerstone since the 1920s, the Triennale di Milano is where design, architecture, and the arts converge. Every two years, the grounds of Monza’s Villa Reale transform into an international exhibition that draws collectors, curators, and industry titans alike. The postwar era cemented its influence, with figures like Lucio Fontana shaping the global perception of ‘Made in Italy.’ Today, the Triennale continues to lead with visionary exhibitions.

Founded by Tehran-born, Milan-dwelling trendsetter Nina Yashar, Nilufar Gallery bridges a reflection of the curator’s historic oriental-leaning design influences and contemporary visionaries. Inspired by the likes of longtime friend and fashion designer Miuccia Prada to emerging London-based furniture designer Martino Gamper, ‘the consistent thread is a focus on pieces that aren’t just visually stunning, but also conceptually rich and emotionally resonant.’

Take in Milan’s beating heart of design at 10 Corso Como. Born out of a working garage in the early 90s, this converted home to the latest in fashion and interiors is cited as the O.G. ‘concept store.’ With its gallery-like, immersive design that welcomes exploration and private exhibition spaces for hire, here brands from Comme de Garcons to Alessi build new narratives through exclusive collaborations and first drops. Now housing ‘3Rooms’, an ultra-boutique hotel, and 10 Corso Como Cafe.

The design-led concept store on the iconic Palazzo Cagnola hosts a cherry-picked selection of cutting-edge designers for him and her. A go-to for a last-minute fashion emergency (for the luxury-leaning fashionista), find designers from Italian-influenced The Attico to LA-made God’s True Cashmere on rotation. With a new location on Milan’s ‘Golden Triangle’ and plans for expansion in Asia, ANTONIA is one to watch.

Find your Dolce (and Gabanna) at the city’s vintage bolthole for luxury memorabilia. From haute couture to costume jewelry among the treasure trove, Cavalli e Nastri pays homage to old-school glamour. Keep up to date with the Brera-based atelier’s city-wide pop-ups via Instagram.

Da Giacomo is one of our favorites in Milan and always delivers. This 1950's 1950s-style bistro with an upscale, fresh twist is a family affair. With its burnt-butter yellow wallpaper interiors and parasol-lined, city-scaping terrace, the Giacomo family aces a blend of style and soul in ambiance and cuisine. Standout dishes at this fish-focussed institution, like the tartare di gamberi rossi and vongole, are not to be missed.

Find your best-in-class bowl of spaghetti at Pastamadre. With 12 tables and a tight seasonal menu, the wow factor comes in the simplicity of something made with love. From the mouth-watering flavor combinations of spring onion fondue and black olive tapenade to aubergine and salted ricotta finishings, this menu is the best approach to family style to not miss a taste test.

Osteria Serafina brings the bells whistles (and cheese wheel). The food is as good as the service, where truffle and cheese are sprinkled in generous quantities. Come hungry and prepared for their liberally portioned bistro classics.

A short walk from the Duomo, you will happen upon the tale of three cities at Da Bolognese. Here, the Tomaselli family bridges influences of a ‘blue collar’ upbringing between Casablanca, Rome, and Milan into timeless classics by magic hands since 1966. Fan favorites from homemade tortellini, signature boiled meatballs, and homemade tiramisu for a sweet finish - family style - are in order.

An age-old rendez-vous for the haute couture, a patio table at Cantina della Vetra has stood the test of time. With its pesto-green tablecloths and tableau-lined interiors, this is the place to not rush a four-course traditional Italian meal in-store. From the city’s top saffron risotto to unquestionable Milanese, the multi-course act is its theatre.

The Negroni Sbagliato comes thanks to a bartender’s oversight at Bar Basso. With its 1950s Hollywood charm - think original, peptide pink walls, crystal chandeliers, and marble floors — this place and its signature bubbly cocktails breathe charm. A quintessential late-night tradition during Salone del Mobile and Milan Fashion Week alike, this establishment keeps true to its own.

Michelin-starred Rovello 18 has been trancing its guests with its simple, local dishes and expert wine pairings since the 1950s. Here at the rustic, family-styled trattoria, cozy up with a top-notch lasagna and navigate the 800-bottle wine selection with in-house connoisseur Gualtiero for the recipe of a perfect evening in Milan.

Enter a connoisseur's haven at N’Ombra de Vin. Dating back to the 15th century, here locals and visitors alike return to explore the over 2500 labels in the heart of the ‘Brera’ district. Operating as a traditional bistro and wine-tasting cave, dine in or take your indulgent Italian salumi and delicacy pairing with the help of a local expert on hand.

Lubar is an all-day, everyday, on-trend café and restaurant hosting Milan Fashion Week’s finest for their first-morning espresso and late-evening negroni. While a formal dinner in the glass-house garden is welcome, its sleek ambiance is best served to impress a guest or mark the start of happy hour before a night on the town. Computers and toy poodles are invited during the ladies' lunchtime gossip.