It was our first time in staying in Milano. Kay had passed through Milano Centrale on the way to Lake Como 10 years ago while studying abroad in Florence. Milan is a high fashion, fast-paced metropolis. Very different from other Italian cities we have visited. It’s the city of the future, where people really care about what they are wearing, creativity is big business and work drinks are an art form.

There are many different neighborhoods – some of our favorites being Porta Nuova/ Isola and Brera. We enjoyed walking the streets and exploring this Northern Italian city, but wouldn’t make a special trip back unless we had to pass through or had work there. If you find yourself in Milano, be sure to check out these spots and you will be sure to have a lovely time !

Duomo

You can’t go to Milan without seeing the Duomo. It’s one of the most beautiful cathedrals we have seen. The Gothic style structure took 6 centuries to build. It’s the largest church in Italy and the third largest in the world. The entire building is made up of this pink-hued white marble. From afar you don’t seen the variation of colors in the veins of the marble, but once you get closer the detail is brilliant !

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Being the worlds oldest shopping mall, we had to walk through here while on our way to the Duomo. You have probably seen models or fashion bloggers post photos on Instagram while standing in this Galleria. It’s home to high-end stores like Louis Vuitton, Prada, and the list goes on. There are usually a lot of tourist here, so if you don’t like crowds like us – take a quick stroll through and snap a photo. It’s worth seeing!

Eataly

Yes, I know there is an Eataly in New York and now one in Los Angeles, but we had to go to Eataly in Italy. It’s authentic and full of locals buying their groceries for the week or eating at one of the 5 different foodhall style restaurants. Grab a glass of wine and shop around the store….yes thats allowed! We enjoyed strolling through the different levels – meats, cheese, seafood, wine, coffee, ice cream, bread – they have it all! We loved being at Eataly in Italy !! Oh and the pizza we had (first meal!) didn’t disappoint.

Signorvino

A hidden gem behind the Duomo, we dined at Signorvino one day for lunch. It’s a wine bar that offers a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the city, allowing you to immerse yourself in a journey through the Italian wine regions. Upstairs in the middle of the wine store is a restaurant. They serve simple traditional Italian food that is popular with the locals. We ordered burrata to start followed by the special, pici with boar sauce and a chicken salad. Be sure to check out Signorvino – it was one of our favorite meals in Milano.

Dry

Looking for a stylish place with great cocktails – check out Dry. A bar in front with loud trendy music and a restaurant in the back serving pizza and salads – you will have yourself a good time. We didn’t eat here, but from the amount of people walking through the door and heading to the back it was a sign the food was good. We did enjoy some cocktails in the bar portion. Great people watching! It was fun seeing models walkin like they were coming off the runway at Fashion Week. Surely this would be a place to be during that week or all year long !

Temakinho

A Japanese- Brazilian restaurant, Temakinho was a fun Friday Night dinner spot. The tropical walls and decor attracted a lively crowd. Temakinho is the first restaurant chain to obtain Friend of the Sea certification. Since we didn’t have a reservation, we sat at the bar which was fun since we got to see the sushi being made. We ordered the quinoa salad starter followed by three different rolls. The 4th roll that came out was by mistake, but i believe the sushi chefs did it on purpose! Needless to say – our experience at Temakinho was exceptional. If you are looking for something other than pasta in Milano (which is normal), check out Temakinho.

Radetzky

Looking for a place for an aperitif – Radetzky is the spot! Great outdoor seating with heaters and friendly service. We enjoyed sipping on a aperol spritz and some vino at this spot two times. The location is central between Brera and Corso Como. The aperitif is simple – chips and olives served along with your beverage. You don’t really need much more if you are headed to dinner!

Fishbar de Milan

A mix of seafood and pasta – best of both worlds ! Located in Brera, Fishbar de Milan is a cozy restaurant takes a modern spin on Italian food. Lots of Spanish influences (ceviche), American (chowder, Maine lobster roll) and even Thai (soup). It was a lovely meal that satisfied our appetite. We ordered the fish soup and the seafood pasta with some full bodied reds that the waiter recommended. It was fun to have someone select your wines for you! And to note – wine in Italy is cheaper than water (well almost!) .