The Best Aperitivo Bars in Milan

By Richard Greenbury
06 Aug 2019

If someone said to you that you could indulgently feast on an all you can eat buffet if you just buy a drink, what would you say?.........

Welcome to Milan, the indigenous home of the ‘Aperitivo’ !

From around 6pm onwards, bars all over the city swamp their tables with Italian style delights luring in the hungry public.

Skip to Aperitivo list with map links

The concept is simple like I said, but there is one catch, the first drink is slightly higher in price but only by a couple of Euros. In some places a little higher, that’s if you desire fine quality and luxurious atmospheres such as; ‘Dj Majestic’ at the Sheraton Hotel which offers a reasonably small but fresh selection of hot/cold food surrounded by a lush garden, chic music and a fountain centrepiece.

Roof Top

For roof top vibes I adore ‘The Globe’ where you can stuff your face and sip delicious cocktails contained in funky glasses while watching the world go by below you. Go early or you’ll be lining up for a long time for each plate refill.
However the best rooftop ambience is ‘Terrazza 21’ which will excite the common tourist with it’s epic views facing the famous ‘Duomo’. An instagramable haven but the selection of food is basic and poor. Also a reservation is necessary.

Party Style

For party style people who want to munch food off plastic plates in nice suits and cocktail dresses while swaying along to good music I will of course tell you it’s got to be ‘Just Cavali’ and if you stay late enough the place fills up and you can party the night away.
If that’s too intense, ’Gattopardo’ is an old style gothic church turned discoteca that provides you with a fantastic aperitivo, an extravagant chandelier which spits out confetti and a live band.

Humble

For a more humble aperitivo my ultimate hot spots are in Porta Romana and Navigli.

Number one is ‘Madeira’. This cute bar has an array of top quality hot/cold plates such as creamy polenta, nachos, cheesy gnocchi and a scrumptious dessert selection to devour.
‘Maya’ and ‘Spritz’ in Navigli both feature an insane abundance of food that ever changes throughout the evening.

Spritz supplies pretty views of the canal but heavy crowds on the weekends. Maya wins in my opinion with its gigantic pasta/paella bowl with a personal serving chef at your disposal and a ginormous chocolate fountain accompanied by a selection of fruit and marshmallows to play with.

Last but not least, ‘Locanda Da Vinci’ also in Navigli. This place stands out amongst most bars for its affordable, large, decorative cocktails. These beautiful fruit-filled cocktails are photo-worthy! Not only that but they offer two large buckets of white and milk chocolate to smother over your cookies and pastries for dessert adding sweet indulgence to your aperitivo.

……..Well are you hungry yet?

Aperitivo List with Map links

DJ Majestic

Sheraton Hotel

Viale Piave, 42,

Milano

(Drinks from €13)

The Globe

Piazza Cinque Giornate, 1,

Milano

(Drinks from €12)

Terrazza 21

Piazza del Duomo, 21,

Milano

(Drinks from €15)

Just Cavali

Torre Branca, Via Luigi

Camoens,

Milano

(Drinks from €15)

Gattopardo

Via Piero della Francesca, 47,

Milano

(Drinks from €12)

Madeira

Viale Monte Nero, 3,

Milano

(Drinks from €8 weekdays, €10 weekends)

Spritz

Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 9,

Milano

(Drinks from €10)

Maya

Via Ascanio Sforza, 41,

Milano

(Drinks from €10)

Locanda Da Vinci

Alzaia Naviglio Pavese 52,

Milano

(Drinks from €10)

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Richard

Richard is the founder of Cribmed. He was born and grew up in New Zealand. In his twenties, he traveled and backpacked extensively before finally settling down in Rome, Italy in 2011.