The summer holidays are here which means finding good restaurants in Milan is challenging–most close-up shops for some or most of (if not the entire) month for le vacanze. In fact, I don’t offer my food tours of Milan in mid-August because most of the stops are closed for the month. That being said, in recent years, more restaurants have started to stay open for the entire month – several just close on Ferragosto (August 15th, the feast of the Assumption, a national holiday), perhaps a day or two before and/or after. Indeed, it’s tricky for travelers not to fall into tourist traps, so I rounded up some Milan restaurants open in August where you’re guaranteed to eat well if you’re in town. I also included some that while they might close for a bit in August, they’re open for most of the month.
In addition, several Chinese restaurants in Milan stay open for the month of August, and this list here features some of my faves. I’ll be updating this list ongoingly over the next few days as I learn of more openings. And, since it’s summer after all, you can check out some of my favorite gelato shops in Milan here. I’ll be updating with August hours ongoingly.
Al Mercato Steak and Burgers
All three outposts (Porta Venezia, Porta Nuova, and Porta Ticinese) are open the whole month for dinner only, closing on the 14th and 15. website
Berberè
All five Milan locations of the Aloe brothers’ exceptional pizzeria (Isola, Repubblica, Navigli, Colonne, and Porta Romana) are open as scheduled. website
Bulgari Hotel
The hotel has one of the best cocktail programs in town along with a menu overseen by three-star chef Niko Romito. It’s open for the month, so drop in – or better yet, make a reservation. Weather permitting, sit in the garden. website
Bulk Mixology Bar
Chef Giancarlo Morelli’s inventive cocktail bar is open nightly for the month of August. Pair your drink with one of the chef’s creative bites. website
Charlie Brown
Don’t let the name of the Peanuts character fool you – this restaurant has nothing to do with the good old American comic character. The beloved Pugliese restaurant is open for lunch and dinner for the whole month, closing only on August 17 and 18. website
Crosta
Simone Lombardi and Giovanni Mineo’s splendid pizzeria, bakery, bottega, bar, and cafe is closed from August 11 – 18. website
Eataly Smeraldo
Open for breakfast, lunch, and aperitivo all month long except the 15th. website
Eggs
The eponymous shelled vessels abound on the menu, but it’s not just breakfasty items on the menu: there are nine different versions of carbonara along with other antipasti, primi, and secondi, along with plenty of meat-free options. It’s open until August 13, reopening on the 26th. website
Emporio Armani Ristorante & Caffè
This historic center mainstay will be open most of the month, closing only on Sunday and from the 14th to the 20th. website
Erba Brusca
This excellent restaurant lies southwest of the city center along the Naviglio Pavese–the dishes showcase produce harvested in the on-site garden, with a special menu on offer for Ferragosto. It’s closed on the 16th, 17th, and 18th. website
Giolina
Danilo Brunetti’s charming Porta Venezia pizzeria is open for most of August, closing only from the 14th and 15th. website
Il Mannarino
All three Milan outposts (Navigli, Repubblica, and Risorgimento) of this macelleria con cucina (butcher shop with kitchen) will be open for the month. website
L’Alchimia
Giuseppe Postorino, Alberto Tastinato, and Valerio Trentani’s Michelin-starred restaurant is open all month long but closed on Sundays as normal. website
Marchesi 1824
The Galleria and Montenapoloene outposts of this beloved, 200-year-old pastry shop, are open for the whole month. If you’re looking to sit, there will be a wait, especially at the Galleria, so it’s best to book in advance. But if you’re happy standing at the bar, you can just walk in. It’s a lovely spot for an aperitivo, featuring a selection of original cocktails in addition to the classics. website
Marghe
Both locations of this splendid joint will be open for the month of August, closing only on the 15th and 16th. Via Cadore 26; Via Plinio 6 website
MU Dimsum
This dim sum and tea house makes for one of the most memorable meals in Milan. It’s open for August, closing only from the 14th to the 20th. website
Onest
This nifty breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot with everything in between (including spuntino and aperitivo) is open for most of the month, closing only from the 11th to the 20th. website
Osteria Brunello
Despite its Tuscan name, this lovely eatery on Corso Garibaldi has one of the finest Milanese veal cutlets in town. It’s open all month. website
Panino Giusto
One of the most beloved spots to grab a sandwich since its 1979 opening, Panino Giusto now has several locations around town. All will be open for the month of August except for the Santa Giulia and Cherubini outposts. website
Pavé
Both locations of this epic bakery, breakfast spot, lunch joint, and aperitivo haunt will be open all month with shortened hours, closing only on Tuesdays and for a brief sojourn August 12-18. website
The Portrait Milano
The hotel’s Beefbar and 10_11 restaurants are open all month. website
Ratanà
Chef Cesare Battisti’s contemporary Milanese gem is closed from August 9th – 19th. website
Razdora
Matteo Monti’s cozy six-table bottega and trattoria is open with modified hours: lunch and dinner on Monday and Thursday and lunch only on Friday. It will be closed on weekends as usual. Reservations recommended. website
Rita’s Tiki Room
The tiki spinoff of the beloved mainstay Rita&Cocktails is open all August long. Enjoy Frozen drinks, classic tikis and other cocktails crafted from the more than 350 labels of rums and spirits. There’s also a selection of good eats that’s great for sharing. website
Sant’Ambroeus
This beloved classic is open all day long as normal for the month of August. Drop in for a meal, snack, or one of their summer cocktails. website
Temakinho
All five locations of this Brazilian sushi joint (Porta Romana, Cadorna, Navigli, Duomo, and Corso Garibaldi) are open for all of August. website
Un Posto a Milano
Chef Nicola Cavallaro’s farm-to-table fare at Cascina Cuccagna, an 18th-century farmhouse in the Porta Romana quarter, is available all August long. website
Veranda
This restaurant specializing in the cuisine of Ukraine, Russia, and Georgia will be open. website
Voce – Aimo e Nadia
The cafe section of this restaurant at the Gallerie dell’Arte, skirting Piazza della Scala, will be open. It’s the perfect spot in the center to drop in for a quick bite or gelato — there’s a Gusto 17 cart offering a selection of flavors as well as a display case with colorful frozen delights. website
