Ratanà is a renowned restaurant in Milan’s Isola district, celebrated for its modern interpretations of traditional Milanese and Lombard cuisine. Led by Chef Cesare Battisti, the menu emphasizes seasonal, high-quality ingredients, offering dishes that honor regional culinary traditions while incorporating contemporary creativity. Ratanà is a renowned restaurant in Milan’s Isola district, celebrated for its modern interpretations of traditional Milanese and Lombard cuisine. Led by Chef Cesare Battisti, the menu emphasizes seasonal, high-quality ingredients, offering dishes that honor regional culinary traditions while incorporating contemporary creativity

Try Guyot celebrated for its risottos and wine selection. The menu showcases traditional Italian and Piedmontese dishes, with a particular emphasis on a variety of risottos, such as the classic Risotto alla Milanese and innovative weekly specials. The restaurant also caters to gluten-free diners, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests.

Specializing in risotto, the establishment offers an impressive selection of 23 distinct variations of this classic Italian dish, each prepared to order with a cooking time of approximately 25 minutes to ensure optimal quality. If you want to try a risotto, this is among our personal favs.

If you’re in Milan to try a “cotoletta alla milanese“, the Milanese version of the Wiener Schnitzel, this is one of the two places in the neighbourhood I would recommend.

Da Martino is a family-owned trattoria located at Via Carlo Farini 8 in Milan’s Isola district. Established in 1950 by Martino, who hailed from Tuscany, the restaurant has been managed by his son, Sergio, continuing the family’s culinary tradition.artino1950.com+5

The trattoria is renowned for its authentic Italian dishes, notably the “orecchio di elefante”—a generously sized version of the “cotoletta alla milanese”, our Schnitzel.

Specializing in Italian, seafood, and Mediterranean cuisine, the restaurant offers a menu that highlights traditional Neapolitan and Southern Italian dishes. Carmelina also offers a selection of traditional Neapolitan pizzas, including Margherita and Bufala.

Specializing in seafood, this is one of the historic seafood restaurants in Milan. Its cruditées (raw fish) are our personal favourites in Milan. It is quite expensive but one of our favourite restaurants.

Neapolitan-style pizza in an American-style environment. They offer standard Neapolitan-style pizza and pizza “a ‘rota ‘e carro“, (“cartwheel pizza”) aptly describing its notably large diameter and thin crust that extends beyond the plate’s edges. This distinctive style of Neapolitan pizza dates back to the late 1500s, with Neapolitan poet Velardiniello likening it to a cart’s wheel. Originating from Naples’ working-class neighborhoods, resourceful pizzaioli would stretch the dough extensively to create a larger pizza, allowing them to serve more slices and feed more people economically. This practice led to the association between the pizza’s size and the area’s economic status—the larger the pizza, the poorer the neighborhood. Also try the fiocco di poppella as a dessert, it is delicious.

This establishment is part of the renowned pizzerias founded by Neapolitan pizza maestro Gino Sorbillo. A good place to eat Neapolitan-style pizzas. Lately, for marketing purposes, Gino Sorbillo has also started selling pineapple pizza, to accomodate some foreigners’ tastes. For the love of God, please don’t do it! 😂 Try his other pizzas that are very good

Pizzeria Alla Fontana is a historic eatery located at Via Genova Thaon di Revel 28 in Milan’s Isola district. Established in 1972, this pizzeria has become renowned for its signature “pizza al trancio“ or, as I call it Milanese-style pizza —a thick, hearty slice with a crispy base and soft interior. The place. The restaurant’s ambiance is characterized by its rustic and unpretentious decor, creating a warm and welcoming environment.

Check if they’re doing an aperitivo. If they are (you will probably see the place being pretty busy), it would be the closest you get to a traditional aperitivo in this area. It is very abundant and the quality is quite good for an aperitivo. They also organize stand-up comedy and other shows

The “pioneer” of this neighbourhood. They opened when this was an ill-reputed neighbourhood and they remain an institution here. It’s often crowded and with a charming atmosfere. Great for drinking, you can also grab some bites there, but the selection isn’t that big.

A good selection of Venetian and Milanese food, a nice place do drink and eat something. If you are a fan of Spritz, not only will you find here Aperol Spritz and Campari Spritz, but also Select Spritz, which is the one most traditionally Venetians drink, and – so they claim – is the real Spritz.

Gorille’s interior reflects a modern, urban aesthetic, with a mix of raw materials like wood and metal, softened by lush greenery and comfortable seating. The bar’s design captures the spirit of the Isola district—trendy, artistic, and effortlessly cool. The selection of food is not that big, but all is good.

The fanciest, trendiest place in the area, a must if you want to drink (and eat) like a true Milanese. The interior of Deus is modern and sleek, with an industrial-chic vibe that complements the culinary creativity behind its menu. The restaurant has a strong emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients, and its dishes are prepared with a focus on simplicity and authenticity, while also experimenting with contemporary twists. Deus is particularly popular for its selection of pizzas, pasta, and fresh seafood, alongside a variety of meat dishes that highlight the flavors of the Mediterranean. The restaurant also offers a curated wine list, showcasing Italian and international labels that pair perfectly with the meals

The first Ramen restaurant to open in Isola, his cozy and stylish eatery brings the authentic flavors of Japanese ramen to the heart of Italy, blending traditional techniques with a touch of creative flair. The restaurant has a minimalist and rustic decor, featuring wooden furnishings and an industrial-chic vibe that reflects the trendy atmosphere of the Isola neighborhood. The open kitchen allows guests to watch the chefs expertly prepare each bowl of ramen, adding to the experience’s authenticity and charm. Casa Ramen’s menu focuses on quality and craftsmanship, offering a range of ramen options made with carefully selected ingredients. The broths are slow-cooked for hours to develop rich, deep flavors, while the noodles are freshly made, perfectly chewy, and cooked to perfection. Popular dishes include classics like Tonkotsu Ramen with a creamy pork broth, Shoyu Ramen with soy-based broth, and inventive seasonal specials. The menu also features small plates like gyoza (Japanese dumplings) and edamame, ideal for sharing.

It’s part of the renowned Akira Ramen Bar chain, known for bringing the authentic taste of Japanese ramen to Italy. The restaurant combines a modern and minimalist aesthetic with touches of Japanese-inspired decor, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.The menu at Akira focuses on Hakata-style ramen, a specialty from Fukuoka, Japan, characterized by a rich and creamy tonkotsu broth made from slow-cooked pork bones.

Iyo Omakase is a prestigious and exclusive Japanese restaurant located in Milan, renowned for offering an authentic and immersive omakase experience. The term omakase means “I leave it to you” in Japanese, symbolizing a culinary journey where diners entrust the chef to craft a personalized tasting menu, showcasing the finest seasonal ingredients and masterful techniques. The setting at Iyo Omakase is elegant and intimate, with a refined, minimalist decor that embodies Japanese aesthetics. The restaurant features a sushi counter made from hinoki wood, seating a limited number of guests to ensure a personalized and immersive experience. Watching the chefs work meticulously behind the counter is an integral part of the experience, highlighting the artistry and dedication involved in each dish. The experience at Iyo Omakase is elevated by a carefully curated sake and wine pairing, designed to enhance the flavors of each dish. The staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and passionate, guiding guests through each course with detailed explanations. Iyo Omakase is a Michelin-starred destination and one of Milan’s most exclusive culinary experiences, perfect for those seeking an unforgettable journey into Japanese gastronomy. Due to its reputation and limited seating, reservations are essential, often booked weeks or even months in advance.

A sushi restaurant, focused on dishes made with nori seaweed are a true expression of the restaurant’s fusion philosophy, blending Japanese tradition with Italian creativity. Nori, the iconic Japanese seaweed, is used to wrap and enhance flavors, providing a subtle umami taste and a satisfying texture.

If you want to go for something completely different, you can try Uzbek, which offers an authentic taste of Central Asian cuisine. Uzbek restaurant transports guests to Uzbekistan with its warm, inviting atmosphere and traditional decor, featuring intricate patterns, vibrant textiles, and rustic elements that evoke the charm of the Silk Road. The menu showcases the rich and diverse flavors of Uzbek cuisine, known for its bold spices, slow-cooked dishes, and hearty ingredients.

A classic of our neighbourhood street food. Greek Pita, Souvlaki and other classics of the Greek cuisine, it’s among the last ones to close. So if it’s late at night and you want to eat something, try Opa Opa.

Porcobrado in Isola, Milan, is a rustic and lively eatery dedicated to celebrating slow-cooked, authentic Italian street food with a focus on high-quality pork dishes. Originally from Tuscany, Porcobrado brings the flavors of the Maremma region to Milan, offering a unique culinary experience centered around succulent porchetta—a traditional Italian roast pork known for its crispy skin and tender, aromatic meat. Porcobrado has won many awards and indeed it’s a great experience!

Renowned for its high-quality ingredients and innovative flavors, Artico is a go-to destination for gelato enthusiasts seeking an authentic and memorable experience. Gelateria Artico has become a staple in the Isola district, attracting locals and tourists alike with its consistently delicious offerings. Whether you’re exploring Milan’s trendy Isola neighborhood or simply craving a sweet treat, Artico promises an unforgettable gelato experience that truly embodies Italian tradition with a modern twist. My favourite: try pistacchio salato (salty pistacchio), it’s pure pleasure.