The best bistros and brasseries Milan

Timetable

Any time of the day is a good time to indulge at the bar or café. The Milanese like to have breakfast at the counter between 7 and 9 a.m., but also to stop mid-morning for an espresso. The same applies after lunch, with long queues to swallow their coffees before returning to work. In the evening, the aperitivi ballet starts at around 6.30pm and goes on until 9pm.

Budget & Tips

A coffee at the counter costs between €1.20 and €1.50, a cappuccino (or cappuccio, as the Milanese often call it!) between €1.30 and €2. Prices rise quickly if you decide to sit down. Count between €4 and €7 for a squeezed orange, and €1 or €1.50 for a small bottle of water. An aperitivo will cost you between €7 and €15, always accompanied by plenty of appetizers. Some places offer real buffets for the price of a cocktail, and many make it their dinner. For a good two-flavored ice cream, expect to pay between €3 and €4.50.

What's very local

Although Milan is in dispute with Turin and Genoa as the originator of theaperitivo, it is certainly Milan that has given it its letters of nobility. Whether you're a student, just out of the office or after a shopping spree, you'll find yourself enjoying a drink and the goodies that go with it from 7pm onwards. No matter what your age, you'll always be dressed to the nines! We order the timeless spritz and mojito, but the locals also like to sip small flutes of prosecco, the Italian sparkling wine that rivals champagne.

As soon as the fine weather arrives, the ice-cream parlors are in full swing, both for afternoon tea and after dinner, offering a choice of cono (cone) or coppetta (cup) in a variety of flavors. Please note: you can add panna (whipped cream) to your ice cream for an extra charge.

Kids

All the cafés offer brioches and pizzettes, which the little ones love to munch on for breakfast or a snack. And among the city's many ice cream parlors, children will have fun finding their favorite flavor.

Smokers

Bars and cafés in Milan are non-smoking.