Gourmet August in Milan

Only a few years ago, this selection would have been impossible or at least rather meagre. For a long time, August in Milan meant deserted roads and closed shops: while today the atmosphere in town is certainly no longer that of an abandoned village in the old West, there are still many shops and restaurants that choose to close at least during the two central weeks in August, despite Expo 2015. This complicates the life of gourmet fanatics a little, so we decided to help them with these twelve safe places. You will find them open and your taste buds will be pleased.

The list is mainly in alphabetical order but we’ve also ordered the restaurants giving priority to those who will stay open for more days. Finally... There’s no need to remind you that the temporary restaurant at Identità Expoè will also be always open, is there? You can find this month’s programme here.

- Al Pont de Ferr, Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 55 (+39.02.89406277) – always open
For 25 years this elegant Osteria has been guided by Maida Mercuri, a long-time sommelier. A Michelin star arrived thanks to Matias Perdomo who a few months ago left the kitchen to Vittorio Fusari. The average price is 80€, tasting menus for 65, 75, 130€

- Bon Wei, Via Castelvetro, 16/18 (+39.02.341308) – always open
A very elegant and refined restaurant where you can mostly taste the cuisine of Beijing and Shanghai. Chef Guoqing Zang presents both classic and more innovative dishes in the menu with impeccable and often scenic presentations. The wine and Italian craft beer lists are both excellent. The average price is 50€

'O puorp adda cocere inta'llacua soja: is one of the beautiful dishes Viviana Varese serves in her Alice Ristorante, located inside Eataly Smeraldo since around one year ago

- Lievito Madre al Duomo, Largo Corsia dei Servi 11 (tel. +39.02.45375930) – always open
Gino Sorbillo is the only “big” from Naples to challenge Milan. And putting possible confrontations aside (is the main restaurant better than the Milanese branch? What a discovery!) here you can eat by the book: dough made with organic and whole-wheat flour dough and many Italian culinary excellences. The average price is 25 euros.

- Osaka, Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi, 68 (+39.02.29060678) – always open
Chef Ikeda Osamu is one of the most attentive interpreters of Japanese tradition in Milan, as confirmed by the large number of Japanese guests. Ramen is one of the house specialties. The average price is 60€

- Spazio, Piazza del Duomo c/o Mercato del Duomo (+39.02.878400) – always open
The Niko Romito Formazione restaurant opened in Milan a few weeks ago on the last floor of Mercato del Duomo. The menu, handed to the students of the school guided by the great chef, is totally Italian and focused on raw materials. The average price is 50€

- Taglio, Via Vigevano, 10 (+39.02.36534317) – always open
It is a restaurant, a bar and a shop. A modern establishment in which the cooking of Domenico Della Salandra ranges from comfort food to Eggs Benedict, the best in town, to the most classics Italian recipes. The average price is 35€

The team of the pupils from Niko Romito Fondazione at work at Spazio

- Unico, Via Achille Papa, 30 (+39.02.39261025) – always open
This restaurant is a little far away from the centre, in the town’s northern suburbs, on the twentieth floor of the WJC skyscraper. Chef Felice Lo Basso took over after Fabio Baldassarre, who had conquered a Michelin star here. The cuisine is creative and refined. The average price is 80€ (tasting menus for 80€ and 120€)

- Joia, via Panfilo Castaldi, 18 (+39.02.29522124) – closed on 15th August
With his great culture and impeccable technique, Pietro Leemann created a place of absolute taste thanks to this restaurant. No sacrifice but a strong identity, aesthetically perfect. Average price is 80€ (Downstairs there’s Joia Kitchen, with a simpler and cheaper bistro format)

- Erba Brusca, Alzaia Naviglio Pavese, 286 (+39.0287380711) – closed on 15th and 16th August
Once an old inn, today it is a restaurant with a splendid outdoor space to be enjoyed in the summer. Alice Delcourt is in the kitchen and picks a large part of the raw materials in the vegetable garden outside the veranda. The average price is 50€

Stefania Moroni, daughter of Aimo and Nadia, with the two chefs form Il Luogo: Fabio Pisani and Alessandro Negrini, right (photo by Brambilla / Serrani)

- Alice - Eataly, Piazza XXV Aprile, 19 (+39.02.49497340) – closed on 15-17th August and on 18th at lunchtime
No wonder the emblem of Viviana Varese and Sandra Ciciriello’s restaurant is a stylised fish. The raw materials carefully selected by Sandra are enhanced by the creativity of Viviana. The restaurant is also one of the most beautiful in town. Average price is 90€

- Ceresio 7, Via Ceresio, 7 (+39.02.31039221) – closed on 14-17th August
This restaurant stands out both for the excellent cuisine of chef Elio Sironi and for the elegant setting. The terrace with two swimming pools, available for the guests who want to relax during the day and for the aperitif in the evening is beautiful, especially in the summer. The average price is 80€

- ll Luogo di Aimo e Nadia, Via Montecuccoli, 6 (+39.02.416886) – closed on 13th-19th August
This is a true temple of Milanese gastronomy, and while se Aimo and Nadia Moroni handed the kitchen to Alessandro Negrini and Fabio Pisani some time ago, the quality is still sublime. The two chefs have proven to be capable of innovation and preservation at the same time, confirming every day the two deserved Michelin stars. The dining room service is impeccable thanks to Nicola Dell'Agnolo. The average price is 130€