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Porta Ticinese is a former city gate of Milan created in the 16th century. Today, the term ‘Porta Ticinese’ is used to refer to both the gate itself and to the area surrounding it. Explore the 10 best restaurants in the area with our list.

Wine bottles at Valentino

Al Pont de Ferr

Restaurant, Italian

Al Pont de Ferr is a classic Italian restaurant reinvented. The head chef, Vittorio Fusari, who was born and raised in the Franciacorta vineyards, creates imaginative compositions with a local Milanese touch. This innovative style of cooking and the high-class presentation of dishes has not only earned Al Pont de Ferr a Michelin star but also an impeccable reputation among Milan’s locals. Al Pont de Ferr invites its guests to enjoy a high-class dining experience in the traditional ambiance of a classic Italian tavern.

Osteria Dell'Operetta

Restaurant

Osteria Dell’Operetta is renowned for its fantastic traditional Milanese cuisine, which makes it the ideal place to go and explore Italy‘s local culture and culinary traditions. The restaurant’s specialties include an impressive cottoletta (a breaded veal cutlet), a delicious saffron risotto and ossobuco(a stew with veal shanks). Osteria Dell’Operetta is equally popular with both locals and tourists, so it is a great place to bring first-time visitors to the city. Cotoletta alla milanese | © cyclonebill/Flickr

Trattoria Toscana

Bistro, Italian

Trattoria Toscana, amid the historic houses of Porta Ticinese, is one of the trendiest places to be at the moment. The restaurant’s beautiful hidden garden in the back is a true oasis in the center of Milan and provides a welcome change to the busy Corso di Porta Ticinese. Trattoria Toscana offers a great variety of fresh fish courses. These include the salmone alla griglia (grilled salmon with parsley) or spiendini di calamari gratinati(squid gratin skewers), which come especially recommended. A fine selection of Tuscan, Lombard and Sicilian wines complement every delicious dish and make for a successful evening at Trattoria Toscana. Carpaccio Di Salmone | © David Ramalho/Flickr

Ristorante Rugantino

Ristorante Rugantino can be found in a great historic location, only a few steps away from Circo Romano, the remains of an ancient open-air venue that was used for public events during the Roman Empire, and Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore, one of Milan’s oldest churches. Rugantino offers a delicious range of classic Italian pizzas, traditionally made in a wood-burning stove, which gives them an interesting taste. A variety of pasta, meat and fish dishes, as well as the famous saltimbocca alla Romana (marinated veal with prosciutto and herbs) make for a diverse and tasty menu. Basilica di San Lorenzo Maggiore | © Allan Parsons/Flickr

Viola

Bar, Gastropub, Wine Bar, Pub Grub

Tiramisu
© Karen Noeh/Flickr
Viola is a wine bar in the heart of Milan that promotes the importance of harmony between food and the wine it accompanies. Viola wants to create awareness for the variety of Italian culinary culture and gastronomic heritage through the use of regional products and its varied menu. From great pasta and risotto to carpaccio and even burgers, this menu is as diverse as it gets. In addition to this, delicious homemade desserts, such as tartén di mele, tiramisú dello chef and other treats are prepared fresh every day.

El Gaucho

Restaurant, Argentina, Steakhouse, BBQ

Grill
Courtesy of El Gaucho
El Gaucho is a specialty restaurant that primarily serves Argentinian and South American cuisine accompanied by a fine selection of high-quality wines from various Argentinian regions, such as Mendoza or Patagonia. The restaurant’s menu is varied. However, it is especially known for its great steaks and other grilled meat specialties that are complemented with a range of spicy, homemade sauces and salad. El Gaucho is the perfect place for everyone who likes their meat fresh from the grill with a hearty wine in a relaxed and authentic Argentinian atmosphere in the middle of Milan.

La Padallaccia

Restaurant, Pizzeria, Italian, Seafood

Pizza oven
© Franklin Heijnen/Flickr
La Padallaccia is a traditional Italian pizza restaurant in the heart of Milan’s Porta Ticinese area. Its massive pizzas are made in a classic wood-burning pizza oven and served in a rustic interior that was designed in the authentic style of a Lombard tavern. La Padallaccia is the ideal place to go for everyone who wants to get their money’s worth. Here, enjoy a huge and tasty pizza with a hearty glass of red wine.

Tano Passami L'olio

Restaurant, Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean

Dessert
Courtesy of Tano Passami L'olio
The Tano Passami L’olio restaurant is the very definition of fine dining. It serves inventive Mediterranean-style cuisine complemented with high-class personal creations by the head chef. These include caramelised oysters in their silver shells with white bean cream, mozzarella and silver pearls or goat cheese glazed in sugar, orange and caldiff scented with balsamic vinegar and truffle. Tano Passami L’olio swears on the importance of extra virgin oil when it comes to a healthy lifestyle as well as outstanding taste, which is why it exclusively uses those high-quality oils in its kitchen.

El Brellin

Restaurant, Italian

El Brellin successfully combines typical Milanese specialties with personal variations of classic recipes from the Lombardy region. It does this while keeping in mind the preferences of its increasingly international clientele. The restaurant’s five dining rooms, which are spread out over two floors, and a charming back garden for the summer season create the authentic flair of a high-class Italian tavern. El Brellin’s menu ranges from tasty hors d’oeuvres, like the inventive salmon tartare with guacamole and gazpacho (cold soup made from raw vegetables) to traditional lasagne and classic Milanese risotto with saffron. This culinary diversity is complemented with an exquisite list of wines from the Lombardy region. There is also a selection of champagnes and whiskeys. Lasagne | © Steve Johnson/Flickr

Shiva

Restaurant, Indian

Shiva serves extraordinary Indian cuisine in an authentic interior. Not only is half of the restaurant’s furniture directly imported from India, but its interior has been designed with an incredible attention to detail. Shiva combines the great diversity of Indian cuisine that is as manifold as its people and full of contrasts like the country itself. Tandoori classics, such as royal tandoori and fish variations, are as much a part of the varied menu as the wide range of vegetarian dishes, like vegetarian kofta or vegetable korma. Shiva guarantees an authentic dining Indian dining experience in one of Italy’s culinary hotspots.

About the author

With an academic background in intercultural communication and modern languages, Sophia has always been fascinated by the uniqueness of cultures worldwide. She is particularly interested in cultural history and has a passion for classic and contemporary literature, art and photography. Sophia loves to travel and meet people with different cultural backgrounds to get a broader view of the world and become a true cosmopolitan.

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