A Foodie's Guide to Milan: 12 Delectable Dishes You Need to Try!

Milan is a food lover's paradise, and its cuisine is as rich and diverse as its fashion scene. From savory meats and cheeses to sweet treats, Milanese food is bursting with flavor and tradition. If you're looking for an adventure for your taste buds, look no further than Milan. Here are the top 12 foods you simply must try, and the best places in Milan to try them. Get ready to indulge in some of the most delicious and iconic dishes Italy has to offer!

1. Risotto alla Milanese: This dish is made by slowly cooking Arborio rice in a broth made from meat, vegetables, and saffron. The saffron gives the dish its distinct yellow color and unique flavor. It is typically served as a main course or side dish, and can be found at many traditional Milanese restaurants. One recommended restaurant to try it at is Trattoria Masuelli San Marco, located at Via Varesina, 61, 20156 Milano MI, Italy.
2. Cotoletta alla Milanese: This dish is a breaded and fried veal cutlet that is a staple of Milanese cuisine. The meat is pounded thin, breaded in egg and breadcrumbs, and then fried in butter until crispy. It is typically served with a slice of lemon and a side of potatoes or salad. One recommended restaurant to try it at is Osteria del Binari, located at Viale Pasubio, 2, 20154 Milano MI, Italy.
3. Ossobuco: This dish consists of cross-cut veal shanks that are slowly braised in a mixture of broth, white wine, vegetables, and tomato paste. The marrow from the bone in the center of the shank is often scooped out and served on top of the meat. It is typically served with a side of Risotto alla Milanese. One recommended restaurant to try it at is Antica Trattoria della Pesa, located at Viale Pasubio, 10, 20154 Milano MI, Italy.
4. Panettone: This sweet bread is a traditional Milanese Christmas dessert that is made with flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and candied fruit. It is typically served sliced and toasted with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. One recommended bakery to try it at is Pasticceria Marchesi, located at Via Montenapoleone, 9, 20121 Milano MI, Italy.
5. Bollito misto: This dish is a hearty meat and vegetable stew that is traditionally served during the winter months. It consists of various cuts of meat, such as beef, chicken, and pork, as well as a variety of vegetables, including carrots, celery, and potatoes. It is typically served with a side of mustard or horseradish sauce. One recommended restaurant to try it at is Trattoria Toscana da Bruno, located at Via Bernardino Corio, 8, 20122 Milano MI, Italy.
6. Cassoeula: This hearty stew is made with pork meat and sausages, cabbage, and other vegetables such as carrots and onions. The ingredients are cooked together for several hours to create a rich and flavorful dish that is perfect for cold winter evenings. One recommended restaurant to try it at is Trattoria del Nuovo Macello, located at Via Lombroso, 20, 20137 Milano MI, Italy.
7. Risotto al salto: This dish is a crispy and savory twist on the classic Risotto alla Milanese. Leftover risotto is formed into patties and then fried until golden brown and crispy. It is typically served as a snack or appetizer. One recommended restaurant to try it at is Da Abele, located at Via Temperanza, 5, 20121 Milano MI, Italy.
8. Ravioli di zucca: is a popular pasta dish in Milan, particularly during the fall and winter months when pumpkin is in season. The pasta is typically made with a mixture of flour and eggs and filled with a mixture of roasted pumpkin, grated Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, and sometimes amaretti cookies. The ravioli are served with a light sauce, typically made with butter and sage, which complements the sweet and savory flavors of the filling. To try ravioli di zucca in Milan, head to Trattoria Milanese, located at Via Santa Marta, 11, 20123 Milano MI, Italy.
9. Bresaola is cured beef that is air-dried and aged for several months. It is a specialty of the Lombardy region and Milan. The beef is typically thinly sliced and served as an antipasto, or appetizer, often accompanied by arugula, Parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice. Try bresaola at Trattoria Milanese, located at Via Santa Marta, 11, 20123 Milano MI, Italy.
10. Mondeghili are small meatballs that are a staple of Milanese cuisine. The meatballs are typically made with a mixture of ground beef and pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, eggs, and spices, such as nutmeg and cloves. The meatballs are fried until crispy on the outside and moist on the inside and are served with a side of mashed potatoes or polenta. To try mondeghili in Milan, head to Antica Trattoria della Pesa, located at Viale Pasubio, 10, 20154 Milano MI, Italy. This historic trattoria has been serving classic Milanese cuisine since 1880.
11. Torta Sbrisolona is a crumbly almond cake that is a traditional dessert from Mantua, a city located near Milan. The cake is made with a mixture of flour, ground almonds, sugar, butter, and egg yolks, and has a delicate and nutty flavor. The cake is typically served with a dusting of powdered sugar. To try torta sbrisolona in Milan, head to Trattoria Masuelli San Marco, located at Via San Marco, 2, 20121 Milano MI, Italy.
12. Polenta e Osei: This dessert is a unique and traditional Milanese treat that is made with polenta (cornmeal) and marzipan birds. The birds are made by shaping marzipan into small birds and then decorating them to look like real birds. The birds are made in different colors and sizes, with intricate details like feathers and beaks. The dish has its origins in the 19th century, when it was a popular dessert for special occasions and holidays. One place to try Polenta e Osei in Milan is Pasticceria Marchesi, a historic bakery that has been serving traditional Milanese pastries since 1824. Pasticceria Marchesi has several locations in Milan, including Via Santa Maria alla Porta, 11, 20123 Milano MI, Italy.