Host city to the Salone del Mobile, the design world's premier trade show, Milan is no slacker on the world stage. The quartet of fashion, furniture, finance and food means the city's economic engine is well-oiled. Long disparaged for its drab exterior, seek out its hidden gardens and private palazzos. At weekends don't expect to find many locals about, as those with the means head to the mountains or seaside hideaways.
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01
Essentials
| 01 |
Leave casual clothes behind and pack well-pressed navy suits. |
| 02 |
Start the day by ordering a cappuccino e brioche (Milanese-speak for the classic frothy coffee and croissant). |
| 03 |
Seek out cult brand Alberto Aspesi for its smart jackets and macs. |
| 04 |
While times change, you'll still find that many boutiques and small retailers only open at 15.00 on Mondays. |
| 05 |
The most reliable taxis are hailed by phone (sorry, this is not NYC). |
| 06 |
Hire a reasonably priced limo car to get to meetings or make a quick escape to the Alps? Go with Auto Servizi Mariani. |
| 07 |
Whenever possible, use Linate airport for arrivals/departures. |
| 08 |
Sunday night dinner reservations can be a headache as it's usually the day off for restaurants. |
| 09 |
The Sunday brunch ritual (12.00-15.00) has been adopted wholeheartedly by the locals. Try the Park Hyatt or Bulgari Hotel for pancakes. |
| 10 |
Do as the locals do and plan a lake escape at the weekend. |
02
Hotels
Independent and easy
Hotel Spadari
11 Via Spadari
+ 39 02 7200 2371
spadarihotel.com
Dependable chain
Park Hyatt Milan
1 Via Tommaso Grossi
+ 39 02 8821 1234
milan.park.hyatt.com
Premium
Four Seasons
6/8 Via Gesù
+ 39 02 77088
fourseasons.com/milan
03
Dining
Fast breakfast
Pasticceria Bastianello
5 Via Borgogna
+ 39 02 7631 7065
Business breakfast
Peck Italian Bar
3 Via Cesare Cantù
+ 39 02 869 3017
Mid-morning coffee
Pasticceria Marchesi
11a Via Santa Maria alla Porta
+ 39 02 876730
pasticceria
marchesi.com
Working lunch with colleagues
Rigolo
11 Via Solferino
+ 39 02 8646 3220
Need-to-impress-clients lunch
Bulgari
7b Via Privata Fratelli Gabba
+ 39 02 805 8051
bulgarihotels.com
Lunch on your own
Obika
Via Mercato (corner of Via Fiori Chiari)
+ 39 02 8645 0568
obika.it
Evening cocktails
Bulgari
7b Via Privata Fratelli Gabba
+ 39 02 805 8051
bulgarihotels.com
Dinner on your own
Alla Collina Pistoiese
1 Via Amedei
+ 39 02 8645 1085
Dinner with colleagues
Quarta Carbonaia
22 Viale Regina Giovanna
+ 39 02 2952 5531
Private dinner
La Cantina di Manuela
3 Via Poerio
+ 39 02 7631 8892
lacantinadimanuela.it
Big dinner with partner/clients
Don Carlos
29 Via Manzoni
+ 39 02 7231 4640
ristorantedoncarlos.it
Drink after dinner
Il Foyer
Four Seasons Milan
+39 02 7708 8
Late drinks
Noy
4 Via Soresina
+ 39 02 4811 0375
(open till 02.00)
Late bite
Princi
5 Piazza XXV Aprile
+ 39 02 2906 0832
princi.it
04
Reading
Bookshop
Libreria Rizzoli
79 Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
+ 39 02 805 2277
libreriarizzoli.it
05
Thank yous
Flowers
Fumagalli
8 Corso Venezia
+ 39 02 799715
06
Shopping
Something you can't get anywhere else
Cheese and wine from Peck
9 Via Spadari
+ 39 02 802 3161
peck.it
Lost luggage - where to buy dress shirts, socks and undies
Rinascente
Piazza Duomo
+ 39 02 88521
rinascente.it
Something for the kids
Children's clothes from Pupi Solari
2 Piazza Tommaseo
+ 39 02 463325
Something for someone you love
Timepiece from Rocca Calderoni
25 Piazza Duomo
+ 39 02 805 7447
roccacalderoni.it
Something for yourself
Menswear from Host
Piazza Tommaseo
+ 39 02 436085
07
Two hour tour
| 01 |
Duomo
Piazza del Duomo
duomomilano.it |
02 |
La Triennale di Milano
6 Viale Alemagna
+ 39 02 724341
triennale.it |
03 |
Pinacoteca di Brera and Botanical Garden
28 Via Brera |
08
Limousine/car
Auto Servizi Mariani
8 Via Antonio Pollaiuolo
+ 39 02 697101
autoservizimariani.com
09
Transport
Buy a pass
A giornaliero ticket (€3) works for 24 hours from the moment it's validated. Valid on all trams, buses and metro lines within the city.
10
Fitness
Good Gym
Downtown (Piazza Diaz branch)
Piazza Diaz 6
+ 39 02 863 1181
downtownpalestre.it
Running route
Parco Sempione is ideal for early morning & evening jogs.