5 must-try places to Eat in Milan from the Shop Small 2026 Guide Featured in "Milan Itineraries: 30 Businesses Reshaping the City", the new guide by American Express

Whether you're a Milan local or simply visiting, the city offers countless options for breakfast, a quick lunch, an afternoon treat or evening drinks. To help visitors navigate its ever-evolving food scene, "Milan Itineraries: 30 Businesses Reshaping the City" has arrived—the new guide by American Express, created in collaboration with the Young Entrepreneurs Group of Confcommercio Milano Lodi Monza Brianza and curated by nss edicola. Produced as part of the Shop Small® initiative, the guide is available free of charge in Italian and English, accompanied by an illustrated map featuring walking and cycling routes that highlight the independent businesses helping reshape some of Milan's most vibrant neighborhoods.

Here are 5 must-try places to eat in Milan from the Shop Small 2026 Guide.

PAN Bakery and Kitchen

PAN Bakery and Kitchen has transformed Milan's breakfast culture and contemporary bakery scene in just a few years. Founded in 2023 by Yoji Tokuyoshi and Alice Yamada, it arrived before matcha, specialty coffee and Japanese pastries became mainstream trends, quickly building a loyal following and becoming one of the city's most photographed cafés. Originally conceived as a spin-off of Bentoteca following the success of Katsusanderia, PAN blends Japanese, French and Italian influences in a sleek contemporary space. Its organic LILU matcha, imported directly from Japan, together with its meticulous approach to bread, viennoiserie and pastries, has shaped a distinctive identity that continues to evolve with the opening of its third Milan location.

RITO

RITO opened in Milan in 2026, founded by Pierpaolo Bianchi and Marcello Mastrogiacomo. Drawing on their experience in the fashion and luxury industries, they created a warm, minimalist café where breakfast and brunch become part of an everyday ritual. The project's strength lies in its consistency: an internationally inspired space designed to grow without losing its authenticity, cultivating a loyal community through carefully crafted food and drinks and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

LùBar

LùBar is one of Milan's greatest restaurant success stories. Launched in 2013 as a street food concept operating from a vintage Ape Car, the project created by siblings Lucilla, Lucrezia and Ludovico Bonaccorsi has since found its permanent home inside the magnificent Villa Reale, within the Gallery of Modern Art, transforming the historic space into an elegant urban oasis filled with lush greenery, marble details and soaring glass windows. Here, Sicilian culinary traditions meet Milanese sophistication in a menu that celebrates the flavors of the Mediterranean. Over the years, the project has expanded with the opening of LùBarino in Brera and Officine LùBar at Monumentale, dedicated respectively to casual dining and artisan bread and pastry production, further strengthening a brand that continues to evolve while staying deeply connected to its community.

Palestro

Oslo Made in Heaven

With its long-standing openness to cultural influences, Milan has also become home to international ventures such as Oslo Made in Heaven, the family-run business founded by Yasmine and Julie Audi, known for its handcrafted cakes and artisanal gelato inspired by flavors from around the world. Since opening its doors, Oslo has earned a reputation for the quality of its ingredients and an original concept that seamlessly blends tradition with contemporary creativity. Launching a business in a country far from home was no small challenge, yet the two founders have successfully turned Oslo into a beloved destination for anyone looking to enjoy a unique sweet escape.

Historic Center

Rita Cocktails

When Rita Cocktails first opened its doors in 2002, the Navigli district had yet to become the nightlife hotspot it is today. Founded by Edoardo Nono, the venue quickly established itself as a pioneering neighborhood cocktail bar, helping shape Milan's modern cocktail culture and becoming a favorite among locals, bartenders and visitors alike. More than twenty years later, Rita still proudly defines itself as an "international neighborhood bar." The arrival of Chiara Buzzi, first as general manager and later as partner, has helped the business evolve while preserving its welcoming atmosphere and unwavering commitment to exceptional cocktails, cementing its reputation as one of the icons of the Milanese aperitivo.

Navigli