Back to office? Back to school? Perhaps it would be more accurate to say "Back to Milan". This week, while summer still shines bright in the South, Milan's streets and homes are filling up again, and the city, silent until just a few weeks ago, is resonating once more with the movement and life flowing through it. But now that the people of Milan — natives and adopted residents alike — are back, it means the time has come to make an effort to liven up the most important days of the week: the weekend. While the city is still gripped by a heat that no longer quite feels like summer, and while the most cynical and the most dreamy among us long for October's misty days, we'll still need to get moving and leave the house during the precious few free days that Milan's frantic pace allows us.
Here, then, are 5 things to do in Milan this weekend.
To Eat – Misale
Misale is a small restaurant-bistrot located in the Porta Romana area of Milan, born from the project of Campanian chef Alessio Di Sarno, who set out to transform his passion for cooking into a simple, welcoming and convivial space. The kitchen offers dishes rooted in Italian regional tradition, reinterpreted with a contemporary sensibility and made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Among the standout specialities are the celebrated bread and ragù, fresh pasta and several sharing dishes, which make the experience informal yet carefully considered. The intimate setting contributes to a warm, familiar atmosphere.
Via Alfonso Lamarmora, 38
To Chill - Orsonero Coffee
If you want to escape the sun during the afternoon hours, Orsonero Coffee is a specialty coffee shop in the Lima area that offers what is perhaps the best cold brew coffee in the city. The space is very modern and pared-back, with a rich selection of coffees from around the world and a menu of sweets and baked goods that pair perfectly with all of them. More than just a simple café, it is a point of reference for anyone wishing to explore the world of specialty coffee, in an atmosphere that is informal yet very carefully curated.
Via Giuseppe Broggi, 15
To Discover - Kiefer. Le Alchimiste @Palazzo Reale
For the exhibition Le Alchimiste, Anselm Kiefer has told the story of numerous women alchemists throughout history. For this occasion, Kiefer has created 38 large canvases, conceived specifically for the Sala delle Cariatidi and characterised by an intense, textural style of painting in which materials such as ash, sand, metals, rust, sulphur and silver are employed. Through these images — often enigmatic and almost spectral — the artist restores identity to women who remained in the shadows for centuries, among them Caterina Sforza, Isabella of Aragon, Sophie Brahe and Cleopatra, demonstrating how feminine knowledge, despite being frequently obstructed and undervalued, contributed to the construction of scientific thought.
To Shop – Rigadritto
Nobody likes to be reminded that they have to go back to school or buy a new work diary. And yet, if the stationery shop is charming enough, the pain of returning feels a little lighter. Rigadritto is in Brera, and stepping inside feels like walking into one of those toy shops from our childhood. Founded in 2006, the stationery shop brings together objects from all over the world, selected through careful research and a particular eye for what is original, curious and a little out of the ordinary. Among pens, notebooks, postcards, toys, vintage objects and gift ideas, every corner hides a small surprise — making it nearly impossible to walk in without stopping to browse.
Via Brera 6
To Party – Charlotte de Witte @ Ex-Macello
This Saturday, Charlotte De Witte is (literally) reopening the dance floor in Milan after the summer break. The Belgian DJ and producer, a true techno guru, will once again captivate audiences with her industrial soundscapes and hypnotic rhythms. In Milan, her return to the Ex-Macello carries a particular significance, as the season kicks off but the venue's magnificent industrial ruins could close at any moment. Best not to miss the chance to experience them and to inaugurate Milan's new season of dancing.
Viale Molise 62
