LùBar
From Sicily to Milan's Villa Reale: an elegant bistro for lovers of slow street food
On a cold, gloomy winter day, it is a well-known fact that true Milanesi look for a warm, welcoming spot to thaw their hands and enjoy some quiet alongside comforting food.
On a sweltering summer day, it is just as well-known that they seek out a cool, comfortable sanctuary away from the city’s oppressive heat, with the same craving for peace and good food. For all this and more, there is LùBar—a refuge for weary locals and visitors alike who want to stop by and experience a genuine blend of flavour and refinement.
Located at Via Palestro 16, this garden restaurant occupies an enviable setting in Milan, between Montenapoleone and Porta Venezia. You might naturally expect a space steeped in elegance from the very first step, but finding yourself inside an actual museum is a pleasant surprise: LùBar sits inside Villa Reale in Palestro, which alongside the 19th-century works of the GAM (Galleria d’Arte Moderna), opens its doors to this charming bistro.
LùBar is a distinctive project whose name offers a clue to its origin: LùBar comes from Sicilian dialect, meaning simply ‘the bar’, but also nods to ‘the Lu bar’, referencing the three siblings behind the project—Lucrezia, Lucilla and Ludovico Bonaccorsi. In 2013, they launched the concept in Sicily, bringing it to Milan in 2014. Their aim was clear: elevate Sicilian street food with Milanese elegance and polish. Without question, they succeeded.
The venue is ideal for a hearty breakfast, a light lunch or a candlelit dinner. Stepping into the setting—surrounded by lush greenery, marble columns and a lively flamingo statue by the entrance guiding you to your table—feels like entering an enchanting, exotic orangerie. Yet it retains a warm conviviality that invites you to settle in and explore the menu, even if choosing proves difficult: sour cherry tart or cannolo filled with ricotta mousse? Avocado toast or arancino with prawns and pistachios? Aubergine polpette or pasta with bottarga? These are just a few of the dishes ready to win you over.
Take your time: you will not want to leave this peaceful green haven in a hurry.
Opening hours
| Monday | 09:00–23:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 08:00–00:00 |
| Wednesday | 08:00–00:00 |
| Thursday | 08:00–00:00 |
| Friday | 08:00–00:00 |
| Saturday | 08:00–00:00 |
| Sunday | 08:00–23:00 |
- Outdoor tables
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Table service
- Credit and debit cards
- Outdoor smoking area
- Street parking
- Café
- Cocktail bar
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