Top spots in Milan and Lake Como
Save for Later
Share
Top spots in Milan and Lake Como
Livio Colapinto - Zest of Italy
Many destinations have been in 🐆 fashion and then out over the years but Milan and Lake Como are constant in their splendor. This is a living guide to the very best places to eat and drink when in the area.
Everybody has their favorite of the 30-plus towns and hamlets, all linked by the scenic Antica Strada Regina. To truly understand the local saying, 🚤 ‘the lake should be seen from the lake’, meander through its least explored corners towards the only island, Comacina (where spectacular firework displays mark the feast of San Giovanni in June); or hop over to the ‘pearl of the lake’, Bellagio, on the tip of the cape where the lake splits into two legs.
My recommendations cover the entire lake Como district - the Alps ever-present, vast and dreamy, climate never too hot, never too cold - and Milan capital of fashion and design setting new trends for Italy and beyond. Tips include dishes to order, background about the place, and some personal anecdotes to give extra color to each destination!
NB: As I travel back to the region I will continue to update this list. If you purchase today, you will receive all future updates.
Updated ago
Save
Share
Chef's Picks
Milan l'è on gran Milan...
Trattoria Trippa
@livio
A real Trattoria 🥕 in Milano with a simple and slightly retro feel Trippa’s dining room has few tables, intense aromas and a gleaming kitchen where you can watch food being prepared. Service is casual, colours warm, food affordable but with a stronger-than-elsewhere-in-Milan focus on the ingredients.
Food at this democratic, produce-driven “people’s trattoria” is very seasonal as chef Diego Rossi and his partner Pietro Caroli like to present new dishes using forgotten products. The menu is stripped back with roughly three to four choice for each appetizer, first course, main and dessert. Enough to see 🐐 Diego’s skills gained after starred restaurants and haute cuisine translated to home-cooked, unfussy and uncomplicated seasonal food.
House specialities include Milanese risotto with grilled marrow, vitello tonnato and, of course, the ever-present tripe! But really the rest of the menù is filled with seasonal vegeables presented in steamed, sour, grilled, pickled, fried combinations that are unbeatable when in Milan.
Add to
Details
Trattoria del Nuovo Macello
@livio
Since 1928 - and later from 1959 in the current location - for almost one century Trattoria del Nuovo Macello has served honest food that originates in the careful selection of raw ingredients and the desire to express the essence of Italian cuisine with passion.
It all started with steaming plates of tripe and cassoeula from Nonna Maddalena’s kitchen by way of Nonno Giovanni to the tables crowded with workers from the slaughterhouse, opposite the street.
Very traditional, old-school yet stylish setting, in the heart of the Milanese culinary tradition for 4 generations, this is definitely a must-try experience, if you love meat and traditional Italian food.
Try salumi and mondeghili as well as the famous "cotoletta alla milanese" steak, in his thick version, and "risotto alla Milanese" with saffron. by the cotoletta and diaphragm.
Outstanding quality, moderate portions, and an extensive wine list are all in there.
Add to
Details
Antica Trattoria del Gallo
@livio
Since 1870, the Gerli family, started one of the longest-lived trattorias in the Lombard countryside, south-west of Milan. Initially a tavern for the carriages in transit, it then became a refreshment stop for noble hunters and wealthy families from the nearby city.
Trattoria del Gallo is a splendid example of a countryside trattoria only 20 minutes by car from the centre of Milan, where meals are served either in the attractive vintage-style dining room or, in summer, outdoors under the wisteria.
Here you can eat authentic and simple Lombardy cuisine like cotoletta and of course risotto alla Milanese: saffron risotto with bone marrow. Its wine cellar is as deep as its history with old, hard-to-find bottles as well as natural wine.
Surrounded by greenery, among fields planted with rice and corn, it is a suggestive destination for every season and the ideal place you want to visit on Sunday for a long lunch with family.
Add to
Details
Trattoria Mirta
@livio
For authentic cuisine, look no further than Mirta in the quaint area of Casoretto, owned by husband and wife team Juan Lema and Cristina Borgherin, a reference point in the Milanese restoration panorama.
Mirta is set in an original 1930’s building and former pub, located near a depot housing the famous original wooden trams that are occasionally still used as transport.
Mirta's cooking is "earthly", seasonal, inspired by traditional regional Italian recipes. Fresh and quality ingredients, coming from small and highly selected producers, in the Chef's hands, become the refined and sober dishes that develop and define the Menu of every day, with different plates, between lunch and dinner.
Expect a long queue at lunchtime, so arrive at least half an hour before the 1pm opening or make a mandatory booking for dinner.
Add to
Details
On the way to the lake...
Buy to unlock full guide
Access all the local insights and recommendations from @livio when you purchase this guide.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Livio Colapinto - Zest of Italy
Ciao,
I'm Livio, co-founder of Zest of Italy - a chef-to-chef advisory and travel company - and The Genuine Experience - original travel concepts that enlighten travelers while uplifting those who host them.
At Zest of Italy, we create bonds, travel, and opportunities for our international community of chefs and food professionals to celebrate farmers, artisans, and the diversity of food.
Born in Torino with Apulian roots to an XXL family scattered throughout the peninsula, after my engineering and economic studies, and an early career in finance, I graduated in Food Culture at the University of Gastronomic Sciences to then work with Slow Food founder Carlo Petrini.
During this time I planned and guided some renowned chefs - Michel Troisgros, Alice Waters, and Giorgio Locatelli - on R&D tours across Italy.
Since then and for over 15 years we have connected Italian food&wine artisans and chefs with food icons of international hospitality, traveling with Nancy Silverton, Michael Mina, David Nayfeld, Paul Kahan, Eli Zabar, Angela Pinkerton, Chad Colby, Craig Stoll and more.
What's included
Digital Map
Fully interactive, digital map for finding places nearby
33 places
33 hand-picked places with notes from the creator
2 photos
Beautiful, hi-res photos from the creator
DESTINATION(S) COVERED
Como, CO, Italia
Milano, MI, Italia
FOCUSES AND THEMES
Art
Luxury
Wellness
Shopping
Design
Nature
Romantic
Road Trip
Mountain
Beach
Relaxation
BEST TIME OF YEAR
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Format
Guide
Guides typically include detailed information and how-to’s about a destination as well as suggested places to try.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What is Thatch?
Thatch is an online marketplace that provides instant access to thousands of vetted local experts and premium travel guides - making it the easiest and most affordable way to take high quality trips with less stress.
For travel creators (tastemakers, travel advisors, influencers and local experts) Thatch makes it easy to curate, publish, and sell digital travel guides, itineraries and personalized planning services.
What if I’m not satisfied with my purchase?
How do I access my purchased guides?
Can I access my guide offline?
How often are guides updated?
Can I request a personalized guide or itinerary?
Can I sell my own travel guides and itineraries?
Save for Later
Share
