The best restaurants with gardens near Milan

Mediolanum: ‘in the middle of the plain’ or ‘between watercourses’. That is the etymological origin of Milan, our city. We all know how pleasant (and in summer often necessary) it is to escape the centre for a few hours to find cooler air nearby. A few kilometres are all it takes to reach charming, bucolic spots made for lingering over good food. Here is our pick of the best countryside spots for a meal out, complete with gardens that are well worth the trip.

Al Garghet

Via Selvanesco, 36 

Once upon a time, where AL GARGHET now stands, there was an old osteria and dance hall where my parents used to go for bread and salami. It has long been one of the most romantic, characterful spots for traditional Milanese dining just outside the city centre. The menu is handwritten in dialect, and the warm, baroque interior is matched by the lush garden outside. Jasmine, geraniums and leafy plants surround you if you choose to dine outdoors, at stone tables or on the veranda.

4Cento

Via Campazzino, 14 

4CENTO is not easy to find without a satnav, but once you step through the entrance gates, the surprise is well worth it. The setting is striking: it sits where the guesthouse of an old convent once stood, dating back to the 1400s as the name suggests. The garden is furnished with armchairs, low cushions, woven mats, lanterns and designer floor lamps. With its relaxed, romantic atmosphere, you can dine in this fairy-tale terraced garden.

Erba Brusca

Alzaia naviglio Pavese, 286 

ERBA BRUSCA remains one of our absolute favourites whenever we want a fresh, relaxed, youthful and food-led spot. Set at the far end of the Naviglio Pavese, right next to Assago, it is a restaurant with its own kitchen garden, where the owners make you feel instantly at home. Produce comes from top-tier suppliers, the wine list is contemporary and naturally minded, and the background music is among the best in Milan. It is impossible not to fall for it.

Antica Osteria Magenes

Via Cavour, 7 – Barate di Gaggiano 

An osteria and tobacconist right beneath the clock tower in Barate, a hamlet of Gaggiano, ANTICA OSTERIA MAGENES is pure pleasure. Dario runs the kitchen while his brother Diego looks after the dining room, recommending dishes and wines. A few years ago they opened an airy veranda overlooking the courtyard garden. While tables are indoors, the atmosphere is romantic and intimate, with immaculate table settings. The menu features traditional classics (such as cotoletta alla milanese and saffron risotto) alongside more inventive creations. Whichever you choose, you cannot go wrong.

Antica Osteria la Rampina

Via Emilia, 3 – San Giuliano Milanese 

A bucolic haven on the threshold of Milan, instantly recognisable by the giant wisteria dating back to the 1300s. ANTICA OSTERIA LA RAMPINA pairs serious drinking (with 10,000 bottles in the cellar) with superb dining in a setting that is rustic, charming and refined. The Gagliardi family has run it since 1973, and the late maestro of Italian cuisine, Gualtiero Marchesi, was a regular here. Whether for a celebration, a family dinner or a meal for two, it remains an enduring favourite.

Antica Trattoria del Gallo

Via Privata Gerli, 3 – Vigano Certosino Gaggiano

Paolo Reina is the owner of this celebrated spot just outside Milan. It has long been a go-to for food lovers seeking an informal trattoria feel, impeccably executed dishes and a wine list worthy of a Michelin-starred address. ANTICA TRATTORIA DEL GALLO has a beautiful outdoor terrace shaded by Virginia creeper, where you can dine in peace away from the city noise. The trattoria belongs to the Premiate Trattorie Italiane association, historic venues cherished by generations of diners. Do not miss it.

Osteria Valtellina

Via Taverna, 34 

Owned by the Manfredi family, this restaurant has a long heritage on the Milan dining scene. Set in the middle of Parco Forlanini, it serves well-executed Lombard cooking alongside classic Valtellina recipes. Make sure to try the Sciatt (crisp buckwheat fritters filled with Casera cheese, served with salad), the rich pizzoccheri or the Zigoiner skewers. Paired with a pleasant garden shaded by a pergola, it is the kind of place that makes you want to return very soon.

Camp di Cent Pertigh

Viale Trento e Trieste, 63 – Carate Brianza

CAMP DI CENT PERTIGH captures the essence of the Lombard countryside, keeping its rural heritage and atmosphere alive within its rustic walls. Settle into the romantic candlelit garden, sink into soft cotton cushions, and unwind after a long week over generous dishes from the menu, packed with Lombard classics created by the chef and his team. Be sure to toast the warm season with a bottle from the wine list, which spans the globe.

Antica Trattoria Monlue’

Via Monluè, 75 

At the heart of this medieval hamlet – founded in 1267 around the abbey of San Lorenzo – stands ANTICA TRATTORIA MONLUE’: a reminder of old rural Milan, with its farmsteads and agricultural courtyards. The menu, overseen by Emilia Lomazzo and chef Alessio Algherini, moves with the seasons, evolving in flavours, colours and ingredients. In colder months that means risotto with ossobuco and cotoletta, while summer brings fresh fish tartare and avocado. All of it is best enjoyed in the pretty, flower-filled garden.

Canter 1920

Via Pegaso, 14

Rooted in equestrian heritage, this venue takes its name from the canter: an easy gallop known for grace and rhythm, qualities reflected across the decor, style and dining here; 1920 marks the year the San Siro racecourse opened. An elegant Art Nouveau villa, its cooking pays tribute to flavours of land and sea, making it ideal for celebrations and weddings that make the most of the leafy terrace.

Cascina Caremma

Via Cascina Caremma, 2 – Besate

For over 25 years, Cascina Caremma has been an agricultural and hospitality landmark framed by the landscape of the Valle del Ticino, bringing guests into close contact with nature. Surrounded by the area’s vibrant greenery, the restaurant inside is the ideal setting for a 360-degree culinary experience, dedicated to organic farming and respect for seasonal produce: here, each month you can enjoy a 15-course tasting menu crafted strictly with km 0 ingredients.