To say that
Milan is the Italian fashion capital is an understatement. Not only do the country's biggest fashion houses and most famous luxury labels operate here, but the city itself is a fashionable metropolis. The locals love dressing up, there are countless shopping hotspots around, and Milan Fashion Week is always the busiest time of the year. The designer brands have even gone beyond selling clothes and accessories here. They've also opened their own chic restaurants that are worth checking out. The Armani Hotel Milano, for example, boasts a high-class
ristorante on its 7th floor. Luisa Beccaria's LùBar, on the other hand, serves sumptuous Sicilian cuisine. What more could you ask for?
Armani Restaurants
No other Italian fashion designer has taken over the restaurant (and hospitality) game than Giorgio Armani. Known for his eponymous retail empire, the
maestro succeeded in establishing a variety of restaurants throughout the different
neighborhoods of Milan. Not to mention the rest of the world too. The in-house restaurant of his namesake hotel, Armani Hotel Milano on Via Alessandro Manzoni, for example, has become known as a go-to hotspot for the jet-set crowd luxuriating in the Italian fashion capital. There's also Nobu Milano inside the Armani Hotel on Via Gastone Pisoni, a chic Japanese restaurant enthused with the designer's signature European elegance.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Bar Luce
Everything in Fondazione Parada on Largo Isarco is founded and headed by the highly beloved Italian brand, Prada. Naturally, this includes Bar Luce, a colorful Wes Anderson-designed café. This chic hotspot combines the film director's signature whimsy with the designer label's famous quirkiness. The result? A delightful escape filled with sweets, sandwiches, and great coffee. It's the kind of Instagram-worthy spot that social media influencers will shoot content in for their viral profiles. But beyond the picturesque setting, the café still serves some delectable treats worth indulging in!
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Ceresio 7
Dean and Dan Caten of DSquared2 opened Ceresio 7 to offer the ultimate hangout for the elites in Milan. When you
move to Milan yourself, it won't take you long to get exhausted with the city's hustle and bustle. Ceresio 7, which consists of a chic restaurant, a cool bar, and a rooftop pool to boot, serves as a great escape from it all. All located in the historic Enel Building on Via Ceresio, which just so happens to be the brand's headquarters, the restaurant alone is already worth your while. This mid-century modern space serves up some serious grub, including Puttanesca-style spaghetti and ginger & red pepper-seasoned scallops, among many others.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
LùBar
Luisa Beccaria, a designer known for her elegantly feminine designs, offers classic romance and excellent cuisine in LùBar. Located on Via Palestro, this green-filled space is reminiscent of the old-world cafes you'd read about in classic novels or see in period films. Such a romantic place makes for a perfect date spot, especially since the food here is as high-quality as Beccaria's high-fashion dresses. Indulge in LùBar's sumptuous seafood, for example, which includes lemon-zested oysters, among many others. You can't go wrong with their sweets too. These cakes and pastries are perfect for a coffee break.
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Miss Sixty Cafè
Miss Sixty is an Italian denim brand that has a decidedly feminine identity. Naturally, this identity is also enthused with the label's eponymous cafe, the Miss Sixty Cafè near Piazza Duomo. Its location in the city center alone already makes it worth your while. Imagine drinking coffee in between bites of dessert as you gaze upon the iconic Duomo di Milano nearby. If you're lucky enough to
rent a Milan apartment in the area, you can enjoy a lazy afternoon here on the weekends! As for what to order, you can't go wrong with Tartare di Salmone and Tiramisu Rosa, among many others.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Pasticceria Marchesi
Still up for sweets? You can never go wrong with the historic Pasticceria Marchesi, which has various locations throughout the Italian capital. The Marchesi first opened this now-legendary pastry shop in 1824, so the fact that the shop has not only stayed open over the years but has even expanded to open other shops in other parts of the city, further proves their culinary excellence. Today, the Prada Group officially runs the Pasticceria Marchesi label but the Marchesi Family retains their power over day-to-day operations. You can still taste their heavenly touch in the leavened cakes, vanilla biscuits, and of course, rich chocolates.
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The Stage & Octavius
The denim brand Reply may not be well-known, especially against the high fashion behemoths that operate in Milan, but locals definitely know about The Stage & Octavius. It's a chic bar inside the Porta Nuova Food District, one of the best foodie hotspots in the Italian fashion capital. But what separates this bar from all the others in the city? Firstly, the vibe is pure Classic Hollywood Glamour all the way. You'd sooner think this was an
Old Hollywood haunt in LA the moment you step inside. Fulfill your best movie star fantasies by wearing your best designer clothes (perhaps including Reply jeans) and ordering a cocktail like Rita Hayworth or Humphrey Bogart.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
From Armani to Prada to Luisa Beccaria to even Miss Sixty, some of the biggest brands have opened the chicest designer restaurants in Milan. Discover the true taste of luxury in these lush, chic hotspots where haute cuisine reigns supreme!
