Milan is undoubtedly a great place for eating out. The city boasts a myriad of amazing places to eat, ranging from traditional trattorias to Michelin-starred restaurants. Who wouldn't want to eat out in such a hotspot-packed metropolis? Well, perhaps a more pressing question to answer is whether you should eat out regularly in Milan or not. Much like practically everything else in the world, eating out in Milan comes with pros and cons. While the city does have a lot of must-try restaurants, there's no denying that most of them are expensive. These are just some points to consider before deciding on your lifestyle here.
Pros
Expect Authentic Italian and Lombardian Food
Naturally, the best thing about eating out in Milan—or any other Italian city, for that matter—is getting to indulge in authentic Italian and Lombardian cuisine. While you may have enjoyed Italian food in fast food or one-off restaurants in other parts of the world, Milan has traditional trattorias, pizzerias, and more that truly make Italian food. It's not that they simply prepare their dishes; they go so far as to craft each part themselves! Each ingredient is as organic as the next, and the pasta is handmade from dough! You won't find such authenticity and freshness anywhere else in the world!
Expect Michelin-Starred Restaurants
If you can afford to, what's stopping you from eating out in
Milan's best Michelin-starred restaurants? The city boasts several of them, enough for Milan to be relatively known as another food capital. Ristorante Berton on Via Mike Bongiorno is one, where chef Andrea Breton whips up high-quality European cuisine every lunch and dinner. You might also spot Cracco inside the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade. It's a fabulous cafe that specializes in local Lombardian cuisine. Whether it's one or the other or everything in between, getting to dine in any of these hotspots is one advantage you can enjoy when you eat out in Milan.
Expect to Meet New People
Those who have
moved to Milan will tell you that every time you eat out, you gain a new friend. Well, perhaps not every single time, but there's still a good chance that you'll meet new people now and then. Most Milanese eat out, and since they’re Italians, they're usually confident enough to go up to strangers that pique their fancy. Even if you're an introvert yourself and you tend to just eat quietly at your table, someone might still approach you, greet you, and possibly enjoy a chat. This is a great way to make friends in the city!
Expect to Learn More About Milan's Culture
When you eat out, you also get to view Milan in its purest form. It's easy to get lost in the glamour of the Italian fashion capital and the grandeur of its historic landmarks and monuments. But they're just one side of this very fascinating metropolis. If you want to discover the true, local spirit of the city, going out to eat in traditional trattorias or small-time diners is the way to go. Not only do many types of people congregate in these hotspots, but they also let out the locals' inner Italians. They're very passionate about their food, after all!
Cons
It's Too Expensive
You probably don't need anyone to tell you that eating out in Milan will be extremely expensive. It's not just a little pricey that will put a slight dent in your bank account. Choosing to eat out every single day will drain your bank account if you don't earn enough to fit the lifestyle.
Milan's living costs are already generally high, even if you cook for yourself at home. What more if you go to the nearby trattorias for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? A meal in an inexpensive restaurant will already cost about €10.00 to €30.00 each in an inexpensive restaurant! What more if you go to a pricier place?
It's Mostly Italian Food
As mentioned previously, one of the best parts of eating out in Milan is getting to indulge in the most authentic Italian dishes ever made. That is, if you don't mind having to eat them again and again! What if you're craving Lebanese food? Or Filipino cuisine? While foreign restaurants have popped up in various
neighborhoods in Milan over the years, they're still far and few between. Understandably, Italian still dominates Milan's culinary scene, so it's still a bit of a challenge to eat other cuisines in the city. Italian food is undoubtedly great, but it can get old at times, right?
It's Not Always Easy to Get a Table
Eating out in Milan regularly means you can fairly afford to dine in some of the city's best restaurants, right? Milan boasts many upscale eateries, and these same hotspots tend to get very crowded. Some are even so popular that you'll need to book a table months in advance! That's not exactly tempting, isn't it? There may still be plenty of great hotspots that you can check out for lunch and dinner, but if you prefer the best of the best, you'll need to have a lot of patience.
It's Not Always a Welcoming Atmosphere
Paris isn't the only glamorous city that tends to be snooty. Milan is often just as bad! Overall, Italians are fun and welcoming people, but they're more so in the south. Here in Northern Italy, people are stiffer, stricter, more rigid, and yes, unfortunately, snootier too. You might want to spend your hard-earned cash in some of Milan's best restaurants. That's all well and good but not all such hotspots will greet you with a smile. They're exclusive and elegant places to eat, for sure, but they can also be uncomfortable if this isn't your usual scene.
As hard as it is to admit, constantly eating out in Milan is more complex than many realize. Figure out if you fit such a lifestyle by understanding its pros and cons. This will also make it easier for you to have a fun stay in Milan!
