Ratana

Located in a lovely standalone building in the Isola neighborhood near Porta Garibaldi, Ratana is surrounded by a small park and feels miles away from the bustle of the historic center. It's also a Milan classic that should not be missed by foodies. The setting is contemporary with black tables and modern art adorning the otherwise plain walls, but the cooking is anything but basic. Chef Cesare Battisti is a big proponent of the Slow Food movement, and his innovative interpretation of Milan/Lombardy–style cooking has a huge following.

The menu is well-focused with just a handful of options for each course, but be sure to do as the locals and start with an order of mondeghili (meatballs) and homemade grissini (bread sticks) for the table. If you want to observe the Italian family in action, come for a (lengthy) weekend lunch, but truly, Ratana is a special place for lunch or dinner. If you don't have time for either, consider coming between 6:30pm and 8:30pm for the rubitt, Milan's version of an apéritif, when you can sample a number of Chef Battisti's small plates with a crisp glass of wine or beautifully prepared cocktail.