Business lunch in Porta Venezia for a working lunch in Milan
Our pick of addresses for a flavourful lunch break
The eclectic neighbourhood of Porta Venezia is the perfect destination for a lunch break that never feels routine. The streets of this multifaceted social district are lined with places serving both Italian and international cuisine, from time-honoured classics to contemporary dishes. Whether you are working from home or sitting at your office desk, let yourself be inspired by the flavours, aromas and colours of fresh daily cooking, with glimpses of Art Nouveau facades, the rattle of historic trams, the hum of Milanese traffic and the peaceful green of Giardini Indro Montanelli to guide you.
A tour of Italy and the world, one bite at a time: that is the promise of a business lunch in Porta Venezia. Japanese moods, culinary traditions, French charm, indulgent comfort food, Sicilian influences and refined settings; step away from your desk for the span of a meal and head to one of the spots Flawless has selected for you. A treat for the palate and a welcome boost of energy for your working lunch in Milan.
JOIA – Alta Cucina Naturale
Via Panifilo Castaldi, 18
The first and only Michelin-starred restaurant serving vegetarian cuisine in Italy, Joia is far more than a top-tier venue for a business lunch. Understated and elegant, it has earned a prominent place in Milan and across Italy thanks to the craft of Chef Pietro Leemann, whose vision is to share the principles of healthy, plant-based cooking in complete harmony with the planet and its inhabitants. Food full of taste, flavour and colour where nature is the primary source of inspiration, striking the right balance between wholesome dishes and a refined, relaxing setting for a working lunch. Specifically for the midday break, an ad hoc menu called the piatto quadro lets you choose four or five tasting portions of the restaurant’s finest creations so you can head back to the office feeling light and thoroughly satisfied.
L’Angolo di Casa
Viale Piave, 17
L’Angolo di casa is an intimate restaurant on elegant Viale Piave, moments from Porta Venezia, that makes a natural choice for your next business lunch. Inviting and warm, its simple, refined interiors are wrapped in rich red tones, while soft lighting creates a calming atmosphere. What truly wins you over is the exceptional freshness and quality of the produce, highlighted in dishes like the frittelline di gianchetti e cappesante gratinate, the fusillORO con gamberi, guanciale, pomodorino fresco e cipollotto and the pescato del giorno all’isolana. Once you taste them, it becomes easy to see why this spot quickly turns into a favourite lunch routine.
Terrazza Palestro
Via Palestro, 2
Terrazza Palestro, right in the heart of Porta Venezia, is the idyllic hanging garden everyone wishes they had in Milan. Stepping inside, you are welcomed by a classic and elegant setting that works equally well for a business lunch, a private event or an evening of fine dining. The quality of the kitchen, as well as the cocktail list the team uses to spoil guests at aperitivo hour, is a dependable constant, built around strictly seasonal ingredients. To complement the Mediterranean flavours of the menu, the restaurant offers an extensive list of labels from Italy’s premier wineries alongside a curated selection of Champagne.
Égalité
Via Melzo, 22
To the tune of Vie en Rose, take a seat at the tables of this venue with its charming French allure, picturing yourself along the banks of the Seine for a business lunch overlooking the Eiffel Tower. Égalité is a charmant spot on via Melzo that brings the tradition of French boulangeries to Milan, turning out crusty baguettes, buttery croissants and delicate pastries from the break of dawn. At lunchtime, do not miss the daily savoury selection: quiches, savoury tarts, croque madame, croque monsieur, salads, delicious filled sandwiches and classic sharing boards with local cheeses. A selection of sweet mignon pastries will win you over for a lovely finish.
God Save the Food
Via Felice Bellotti, 2
God Save The Food (GSTF to regulars) is an address with an international soul that surprises guests with a fresh, wholesome menu combining plant-based options, fusion ideas, American diner influences and top Italian produce. Lunch here is pure pleasure: hummus and guacamole whet your appetite before balanced, nourishing mains, such as meat, fish and vegetable dishes cooked in the wok to keep them light yet satisfying. Large salads, salmon, beef and quinoa bowls round out the list, all served in a bright, minimalist space that reflects the cosmopolitan spirit of the GSTF family.
Pavé
Via Felice Casati, 27
Pavé grew out of the shared vision of an enterprising young team who opened their doors at 27 Via Felice Casati, specialising in the breakfast pastries and laminated doughs that have become a Milanese institution. The step from sweet to savoury was seamless: Pavé paired its artisanal baking with simple, genuine cooking that turns into a lunchtime spread of filled sandwiches, crisp salads served with bread and croutons, light snacks and hot dishes built on seasonal ingredients. Wrap up your business lunch with a pastry from the counter: fresh tarts and shortcrust bakes with fruit and cream are just what you need to recharge for the afternoon.
LùBar
Via Palestro, 16
A wholly Sicilian gourmet experience, the lunch break at LùBar takes place in a bistro set within the courtyard of GAM, once the carriage house of Palazzo Reale. A wonderful winter garden with plants, wrought-iron seating, soft colours and a delightful terrace steeped in peace, facing the Indro Montanelli gardens. The menu designed for your business lunch showcases Sicily and its most authentic flavours in an explosion of genuine ingredients spanning garden, sea and land. The bite-sized arancini are irresistible to awaken your palate before you enjoy a pasta or main dish, an avocado toast reimagined with seasonal Sicilian produce, or hearty salads and toasted sandwiches. To drink, refreshing soft drinks strictly made in Sicily or a glass of island wine.
Crosta
Via Felice Bellotti, 13
From a traditional bakery to a lively venue where the aroma of warm, freshly baked bread blends with colourful Roman-style pizzas. Crosta is the project of Giovanni Mineo and Simone Lombardi, who set out to celebrate one of the world’s oldest trades: the craft of the baker and the art of breadmaking. Here you will always find sweet and savoury treats to tempt you, and for a satisfying business lunch, explore the variety of sourdough pizza alla pala topped with excellent Italian produce. Before you leave, pick up a loaf or artisanal baked goods to take home for later.
