7 Best Restaurants in Milan, Italy

Celebrity chef Ritu Dalmia runs well-regarded Italian restaurants in India, so it's no surprise that her first restaurant in Italy offers a mash-up of modern Indian food with Italian and international ingredients; even the decor, with shelves of pottery and terrazzo floors, is a cultural combo. Look for unexpected flavors and a mix of small plates, more substantial mains, and utterly delicious fusion desserts.

This wood-paneled taverna near the stock exchange, within a house from the 14th century, was transformed into a contemporary restaurant and cocktail bar; it's the perfect spot to enjoy a mix of both traditional and more innovative fare. Pastas such as carbonara and robust secondi like roasted leg of lamb are available at dinner. For lunch, check the chalkboard for the dishes of the day including La Michetta, a Milanese sandwich filled with cold cuts and cheese on a fluffy roll. A reservation is a good idea.

Although this establishment in the heart of Brera calls itself nothing more than a birreria con cucina (beer cellar with kitchen), locals come here for excellent evening meals in relaxed surroundings, and the traditional dishes vary with the season. A soft current of jazz and sylvan decor soothe the ripple of conversation. Plates could include involtini di spada gratinati (swordfish rolls with breadcrumb), zuppa di arselle e fregola (couscous soup with clams), and pizza selvatica con pesto e pinoli tosta (rustic pizza with pesto and roasted pine nuts).

In its two small dining rooms, this family-owned lunch spot serves an impressive amount of vegetarian cuisine. Nestled on a small street just steps away from the Duomo, it offers an array of freshly prepared seasonal selections from a daily-changing menu; try the misto forno (mixed plate), which offers a taste of several different small dishes.

This neighborhood restaurant is hidden behind Via Montenapoleone and thus handy to the restaurant-scarce Quadrilatero. What the menu lacks in originality it makes up for with reliable consistency in dishes like pizza and cotoletta. Clients include families from this well-heeled area, professionals, football players, and television stars. Like any Italian restaurant, it's not child-friendly in an American sense—no high chairs or children's menu—but children will find food they like.

The café at this foodie paradise near the Duomo features Italian specialty foods such as excellent cheeses, charcuterie, vegetables in olive oil, seafood, and sandwiches. It also reinterprets classic dishes like Russian salad and pâté, which can be washed down with a fine selection of wines by the glass or a bottle from its cellar of global labels.

The seventh floor of this famous Italian department store is a gourmet food market surrounded by several small restaurants that can be a good option for lunch, an aperitivo overlooking the Duomo, or dinner after a long day of shopping. There are several places to eat, including the popular mozzarella bar Obicà, God Save the Food for juices and healthy bowls, and the sophisticated Maio restaurant. A terrace overlooking the Duomo is shared by three locations. You'd best get here early—it's popular, and there are often lines at mealtimes.