Vegan and vegetarian restaurants to try in Milan
Green is the new black: unmissable vegan dining spots in the city
Healthy, sustainable and cruelty-free, Milan’s dining scene joined the green revolution some years ago, embracing plant-based diets and giving them an unmistakable local twist. Milan had much to learn from abroad in this department, but it is fair to say the city is doing remarkably well. Most spots have gradually added vegan and vegetarian dishes to their menus, while others have dedicated themselves entirely to the plant-based cause, cutting out animal products alongside anything produced through unsustainable practices.
Today we turn our attention to you: vegans, vegetarians and the desperate omnivores who find planning dinner with plant-based friends harder than pulling off a bank heist. Anyone outside the community often fails to realise just how diverse vegan food can be, and the worst thing you could possibly say is that you do not fancy a simple salad for dinner.
Flawless is here to help with a plant-powered shortlist: here are ten vegan and vegetarian restaurants to try in Milan.
JOIA
Via Panfilo Castaldi, 18
The ultimate vegetarian fine-dining destination in Milan, Joia was the first vegetarian restaurant in Europe to be awarded a Michelin star. Opened in 1989 by chef Pietro Leemann, this elegant venue offers an unmatched plant-based tasting experience in town. The pared-back dining room, decorated in contrasting shades of white, beige and black, directs all eyes onto the tables and their refined place settings, where the chef’s colourful dishes take centre stage across two seasonal tasting menus and an à la carte selection. Courses bear poetic names such as ‘Elogio alla purezza’, ‘Viaggio interiore’, ‘Sotto una coltre candida’ and ‘La forma dell’etere’—a prelude to pure indulgence without an ounce of guilt.
Cactus Milano
Via Varese, 4
‘Green, Fresh, Innovative’: three words that capture Cactus Milano, the eco-friendly restaurant and cocktail bar in Porta Garibaldi. You will find neither plastic nor mass-market industrial goods here, as Cactus builds its menu entirely on genuine, locally sourced and sustainable produce. The result? Fresh, healthy dishes, served only as long as ingredients can be sourced responsibly, yet consistently flavourful and inviting. The kitchen offers three distinct à la carte menus for brunch, lunch and dinner, all equally inclusive thanks to plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Try the velvety leek and potato soup, a fragrant Jerusalem artichoke risotto or a crisp medley of seasonal vegetables in contrasting textures.
Nori Way
Piazza Bruno Buozzi, 5
When it comes to culinary revolutions, Nori Way is unmissable: Italy’s first 100% plant-based sushi restaurant. Opened in Porta Romana by the team behind Radicetonda—Roman Touliganov, Guido Fornaro, Guido Giansoldati and Lorenzo Cannavale—this spot took the Milanese food scene by surprise with a radical concept: sushi that looks and tastes identical to the original, without harming a single fish. Tibetan-born head chef Jingme Tenzin recreates the texture and flavour of salmon, sea bass and tuna using a blend of water, tapioca and potato starch, finished with a closely guarded secret marinade. If you are doing Veganuary or simply curious, do not miss it.
Capra e Cavoli
Via Pastrengo, 18
Stepping into Capra e Cavoli feels a bit like touching a Harry Potter portkey: you could be in a Milanese dining room, a Ligurian coastal tavern, an old Glasgow pub or a room as comfortable as your own living room. One venue with many distinct moods shaped by its eclectic decor, anchored by owner Barbara Clementina Ferrario’s unwavering commitment to flavourful, refined plant-forward cooking. The menu features seafood, vegetarian and vegan dishes, plated with artistic flair that turns every order into edible art. From fresh pici pasta with vegetable ragù to chickpea farinata with lemon hummus and Taggiasca olives, or roasted aubergine with tofu cream, mint and fresh herbs, your taste buds are in for a treat.
Fairouz
Via Michelangelo Buonarroti, 16
Welcome to Lebanon! Fairouz greets guests with genuine warmth at its traditional venue on Via Michelangelo Buonarroti, offering an exclusively vegan and vegetarian menu that explores the bold flavours and aromatic spices of the Middle East. If you are new to Levantine dining, order one of the three tasting menus: a vibrant spread of bowls filled with Mediterranean classics such as chickpea hummus, baba ganoush, falafel and moutabal, served with warm flatbread. Finish with traditional Lebanese sweets—honey and coconut squares or pistachio and sesame biscuits—paired with lemon and ginger tea poured from ornamental metal teapots.
Alla Vecchia Latteria
Via dell’Unione, 6
A vegetarian osteria close to the Duomo, sheltered from the bustle of the city centre between Via Falcone and Via Torino. White wall tiles, vintage photographs, wooden stools, hand-painted plates and a modest ambience recall lunches at an Italian grandmother’s table. Alla Vecchia Latteria is one of those places you have to know is there, nestled in the hidden courtyards that preserve Milan’s most authentic character. Here, they serve straightforward, wholesome food prepared with organic, high-grade produce. Look out for cardoon parmigiana, chickpea and cauliflower patties with kale and baked borettane onions, winter caponata and sweet vegan or vegetarian treats to round off a satisfying meal.
La Colubrina
Via Felice Casati, 5
La Colubrina stands for colour and quality in the kitchen and happy smiles at the table. Here, a passion for sustainable dining meets a dedication to in-house production of foods such as plant-based cheeses, liqueurs and fresh fruit compotes. Guests experience a rediscovered respect for the land that modern supply chains so often overlook, with practices that harm both the ecosystem and our health. The team at La Colubrina rejects an industrialised food system of intensive farming, soil depletion and trend-driven consumption, betting everything on natural cooking. Homemade bread and pizza, plant burgers, hearty vegetable purées, fresh pasta and plenty of 100% vegan desserts are just a taste of what is on offer at this green Milan essential.
Flower Burger
Various addresses across Milan
With six branches across Milan, Flower Burger is the city’s favourite healthy fast food chain. Brightly coloured with a playful counterculture aesthetic, the brand serves roughly ten different plant-based burgers, tasty sides and vegan treats. The Elf Burger, Purple Cheesy, Cherry Bomb and Spicy Cecio are just a few of their creations, sporting buns as vibrant as the dining rooms. Their latest addition is the Kebroll, a vegan take on the Turkish wrap. ‘Different by nature’, Flower Burger is a laid-back spot for a quick bite with friends and the easy-going pleasure that good street food delivers.
Mandala 2.0
Via Madonna del Carmine, 13, Buscate (Mi)
For a trip outside the city, head to Buscate, a village a few kilometres north-west of Milan. Mandala 2.0 is the vegan and vegetarian osteria you might not expect beyond the city limits, open since 1991 to serve the surrounding area’s plant-based community. The project was founded to promote organic, locally sourced food, which here means not only tracking down quality produce, but also preparing everything in-house: from pasta to desserts, right through to wine sourced from an agricultural cooperative in the Colli Tortonesi. At Mandala 2.0 you immediately feel at home, served with the genuine warmth of a team that is in no rush to turn 80 covers an evening. Relaxed, informal and welcoming, this little spot is well worth the journey.
