The capital of world fashion – Milan – the most beautiful city in Italy. One of the facets of its unique charm is the amazing national cuisine.
Where in the city center can you taste delicious pasta, pizza and panzerotti, drink excellent Italian wine, and have a cheap and quick meal? We open interesting places on the gastronomic map of Milan.
Best budget eateries and restaurants
Il Politico – a diner in the city center, right by the Sforza castle, a local specialty – big sandwiches for 5 €;Macelleria Equina Pellegrini – a popular cafe at the butcher’s shop (no seating, only tables on the street) with fantastically delicious steak and tartare, average bill for two with wine – 22 €;Spontini – a chain of inexpensive pizzerias in Milan, a large slice of pizza costs 5-6 €;Oro bianco – here you can try real mozzarella, as well as refresh yourself with panini and crostoni (6.50-7 €);Pasta fresca da giovanni – a godsend for those who want to eat Italian pasta (made here by hand) and at the same time save on lunch. 2 pastes – 10 €, working hours – from 12 to 15 hours;Viva – a restaurant with inexpensive and tasty food and drinks (pizza – on average 4.70 €, beer – 3.5 €, coffee – 1 €);7’s Gio Farini – a cafeteria with a view of the Duomo di Milano, coffee costs 1-3 €, pastries and sandwiches – 1-7 €;Pasta d’Autore – a pleasant restaurant specializing in pasta (huge portion – 12 €);
Luini – an inexpensive snack bar in the center of Milan, its specialty is Italian panzerotti pasties for 2-3 €;Piadineria Artigianale Pascoli – a cafe in the Piazza Argentina area, a good place to eat piadina inexpensively (4.50-7 €);Al pizzetta – pizzeria with original small pizzas (about 15 cm in diameter), their price – 4 €;Zibo cuochi itineranti – the cafe is famous for its delicious ravioli for 9 €;Pizza AM – a small pizzeria 20 minutes walk from the Duomo, you can eat pizza here for 8 €.
Inexpensive cafes and restaurants in Milan
Panini durini
For 5-7 € you can refresh yourself with panini with Parma ham, bresaola, salami, mortadella. And for connoisseurs of caffè italiano, a large selection of coffee drinks (on average € 1-2), pastries and desserts (€ 2-4) will be a pleasant surprise.
via della Moscova 40/7
Panini Durini menu
Mon-Fri 7: 00-20: 00, Sat-Sun 8: 00-20: 00
paninidurini.it
La Caveja Piadineria
The menu consists almost entirely of traditional flatbreads – piadin – with a variety of fillings: meat, fish, vegetable and even sweet, with nutella. Piadins cost from 5 €. Also, La Caveja Piadineria makes good alcoholic cocktails: Spritz Aperol (with Prosecco), Negroni (based on Campari liqueur) and others.
Via Flavio Baracchini, 1
La Caveja Piadineria cafe menu
Mon-Fri 10: 00-18: 00, Sat 11: 00-18: 00
la-caveja.it
Luna rossa
At Luna Rossa, you can eat real pasta – it is prepared according to 30 different recipes, ranging from the classic Al Pesto and Alla Carbonara to Al ragù di anatra (pasta with duck stew). The pizza in the restaurant is also excellent – it’s not for nothing that the Milanese themselves willingly run here to dine.
Another nice bonus is a lot of delicious Italian desserts, including the famous tiramisu and panna cotta. The cost of food is on average 6-10 €.
Via Broletto, 26
Luna Rossa menu
Daily 12: 00-15: 00, Wed-Sat 18: 30-23: 00
Pizzeria Piccola Ischia
Inside, the Pizzeria Piccola Ischia hall is designed like a small old town square with tables. From above, from stylized decorative balconies, ordinary Milanese “glance” curiously at the guests of the restaurant.
The attractiveness of the pizzeria also contributes to the quite budgetary prices for food in Milan – calzoni and panini cost in the range of 4-10 €. Italian alcoholic drinks are represented by wines, liqueurs (including limoncello) and beer.
Via Giovanni Battista Morgagni, 7
Pizzeria Piccola Ischia menu
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 12: 00-14: 30, Thu-Tue 19: 00-23: 30
piccolaischia.com
POMET by Pasquale Pometto
And even if the pizza from the Pasquale master is a little more expensive than in simple eateries around the city (its price here is from 10 to 13 €), but you will just lick your fingers! The service is incredibly impressive: good-natured, hospitable and cheerful. Already at the entrance you will be greeted with a glass of sparkling Prosecco and slices of pizza to sample and quickly escorted to a free table – if there is one, of course. The restaurant is extremely popular and there are queues even on the street.
Angolo Via torino Via Valpetrosa, 1
Pizzeria menu POMET by Pasquale Pometto
Tue-Sat 12: 00-15: 00, Tue-Sun 19: 00-23: 15
facebook.com/pometmilan
Just a few dozen meters from POMET, there is another inexpensive Pasquale Pometto – Piz.
San tomaso
The main things to try at San Tomaso are pasta, wine and desserts. Tagliatelle with shrimp and zucchini, trophy with pesto sauce, spaghetti with octopus – you can enjoy them for only 8 €. A glass of local wine will be a pleasant addition to your meal, and for dessert, be sure to try tiramisu – it is deliciously prepared here.
Via S. Tomaso, 5
San Tomaso Restaurant Menu
Mon-Fri 12: 00-15: 00 and 19: 00-22: 00, Sat 12: 00-15: 00
Salsamenteria di Parma
The local menu seems to be created to get acquainted with the national cuisine of the country. There are also famous Italian cheeses: parmigiano, pecorino, mozzarella, gorgonzola – and several types of classic corn polenta, and, of course, amazing lasagna. But the “highlight of the program” is still meat snacks and dishes: prosciutto, pancetta, mortadella, salsiccia, stewed pork cheeks, beef stracotto, carpaccio, trippa. The cost of food is in the range of 9-15 €. The portions are large.
The restaurant has an interesting tradition – to serve wine in bowls. But if it seems too extravagant to you, ask for glasses or glasses – your request will be immediately fulfilled.
Via Ponte Vetero, 11
Via S. Pietro All’Orto, 9
Salsamenteria di Parma menu
Daily 12: 00-23: 00
Daily 11: 00-23: 00
salsamenteriadiparma.com
La Prosciutteria Milano Brera
The choice of food – for every taste: inexpensive panini, salads, cheeses, hams, sausages, several types of prosciutto. A glass of wine costs from 5 €. For two to drink alcohol, you can order a huge wooden board with a variety of snacks (15-20 €). In all respects, a great place to enjoy excellent wine and delicious meat and cheese delicacies.
Corso Garibaldi, 55
La Prosciutteria Milano Brera menu
Daily 11: 00-01: 00
laprosciutteria.com/milano
Another prosciutria of the chain – La Prosciutteria Milano Navigli – is located at Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 53.
Osteria Al 29
Inside, the osteria is decorated in a cozy home style. The walls are decorated with photographs of the famous Italian actor Toto (Antonio Vincenzo Stefano Clemente).
The menu includes not only the timeless Italian classics: pizza, pasta or ringtones. For lovers of juicy meat, they will be happy to cook grilled pork chop or salsiccha, while fans of seafood dishes can taste squid, shrimp and lobster.
Corso Magenta, 29
Osteria Al 29 menu
Mon-Sat 12: 00-14: 45 and 19: 00-23: 00
Antica Trattoria dei Magnani Al Cantinone
Partially rebuilt in the 20th century, the building still retains the old trattoria. During the daytime (from 12.00 to 15.30) it works like a bistro, all meals cost up to 8.50 €. Special daily offer – side dish, first and second courses can be ordered for only 9 €.
And in the evening (from 18.00 to 21.00) a pleasant surprise awaits guests again. Those looking to save on food will love the Milanese tradition of aperitifs. Alcohol orders over € 10 are accompanied by an unlimited buffet of a variety of snacks. A great opportunity to drink delicious cocktails and a hearty, inexpensive snack.
Via Agnello, 19
Menu Antica Trattoria dei Magnani Al Cantinone
Daily 07: 00-15: 00 and 19: 00-23: 00
alcantinone.it