RESTAURANTS

Restaurants

Da Claudio

$$$$$ | Seafood

It may be a landlocked city, but somehow Milan manages to get some of the freshest seafood in the country and Da Claudio knows how to prepare it! Affordable and stylish, this is one of Milan's finest fish eateries. Most popular is the mixed pate, consisting of raw tuna, sea bass, salmon, red snapper, sturgeon, shrimp, prawns and cod which is eating standing at the counter with a free glass of presecco (sparkling wine). Open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 10pm. Closed Sunday. Reservations not accepted.

Address: Via Ponte Vetero 16; Telephone: 02 30 56 857

Ponte Rosso

$$$$$ | Italian

With small tables dotted along the banks of a canal, this trattoria serves simple, hearty and unfussy fare. Guests can sample some Triestino cuisine by starting off with a mixed platter of cured meats called salumi friuliani, from the region famous for the most delicate prosciutto in Italy and the minestrone soup is to-die-for. Other favourites are Triestino sarde in saor (vinegar-kissed fried sardines) and for the carnivores, the manzo in salsa verde (beef in a herb sauce). Closed Sunday lunch and Wednesday dinner. Reservations recommended.

Address: Ripa di Porta Ticinese 23; Telephone: 02 837 3132

Il Verdi

$$$$$ | Italian

This trendy Milan eatery earned itself the distinction of spawning the city's first yuppie scene in the 90s. The clientele are still young but the menu is much more diverse, offering something for just about any taste. Favourites on the menu include risotto with pears topped with a drizzling of balsamic vinegar, and the crabmeat and avocado salads are fabulous. Diners will find the right wine to ccompany their meal as the wine list is just about as varied as the menu. Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Reservations accepted.

Address: Piazza Mirabello 5; Telephone: 02 659 0797

Premiata Pizzeria

$$$$$ | Pizza

One of Milan's most popular pizzeria is bustling from early dinnertime until the night owls pop by for a late-night snack. The restaurant exudes a wonderfully rustic ambience with exposed copper pipes tracing across the ceilings of rooms overflowing with laughter and long, raucous tables. The wood oven pizzas are excellent while the menu of pastas and meat dishes is equally as appetising. Open Wednesday to Monday for lunch and daily for dinner. Reservations recommended.

Address: Via Alzaia Naviglio Grande 2; Telephone: 02 8940 0648

Da Giacomo

$$$$$ | Italian

Giorgio Armani and other trendy fashionistas frequent Da Giacomo restaurant, and its elegant dining area was put together by world-famous interior designer Renzo Mongiardino. The menu features a selection of traditional Tuscan cuisine such as grilled turbot, or linguini with scampi and zucchini flowers. Open for lunch and dinner daily, reservations essential.

Address: Via Pascale Sottocorno, 6; Telephone: 02 7600 7948

Trattoria Milanese

$$$$$ | Local

Established in 1933 and located down a narrow lane in one of the oldest sections of the city, the Trattoria Milanese has a three-beamed ceiling sheltering its long, communal tables. Serving traditional local cuisine such as risotto alla Milanese, with saffron and beef marrow, and an excellent minestrone soup, this is a favourite with locals. Open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner, reservations essential.

Address: Via Santa Marta, 11; Telephone: 02 8645 1991

Cracco Peck

$$$$$ | International

Linked to the Peck Store, adorned with beautifully modern décor and with masterchef Carlo Cracco at the helm, this is a fantastic choice for a night of fine dining. Serving first class starters and mouth-watering mains, this restaurant was voted one of the world's top 50 by Restaurant Magazine. Closed Sundays.

Address: Via Victor Hugo 4; Telephone: 02 876 774

Armani/Nobu

$$$$$ | Asian

This eatery is the place to be seen! As part of a worldwide chain of exceptional restaurants, this is where trendoids can sample such famous dishes as black cod in misu sauce, as well as sushi and sashimi, while sipping on sake with gold leaf. Closed for Sunday lunch. Reservations essential.

Address: Armani World, Via Manzoni 31 (restaurant entrance at Via Pisoni 1); Telephone: 02 6231 2645

Anema e Cozze

$$$$$ | Italian

Famous for its Neapolitan pizzas topped with the freshest selection of seafood, such as clams, mackerel, mussels and sardines, Anema e Cozze is a firm favourite in this neighbourhood. It may not be Milan's most stylish restaurant, but it serves tasty affordable food and the fish infused pastas and other antipasti are also delicious. Bookings advisable.

Address: Via Palermo, 15; Telephone: 02 8646 1646

Al Pont de Ferr

$$$$$ | Italian

'Good cooking is the friend of living well and the enemy of a hurried life' is the welcoming quip you'll find as you open the menu. Known for its tranquil setting overlooking the canal with tables set out on the flagstones, Al Pont de Ferr is famous for its delicious fare. The paste e fagioli is a taste explosion with bits of sausage, and the tocchetti di coniglio (oven-roasted rabbit with potatoes), is a must. Or for those with a taste for cheese, order a tavolozza selection of excellent cheeses accompanied by a great selection of half-bottles of wine. Closed Sundays. Bookings recommended.

Address: Ripa di Porta Ticinese 55; Telephone: 02 8940 6277