The most Instagrammable spots in Milan
Colourful, unusual, filled with plants and flowers, vintage or ultra-modern, with striking views or picture-perfect dishes: our guide to the most Instagrammable spots in Milan
Something is defined as Instagrammable when it is “worth posting on Instagram”—and, we would add, almost certain to bring in a flurry of likes and comments. We have put together a guide to the most Instagrammable spots in Milan. Yet, likes aside, this well-worn buzzword is simply an excuse to talk about bars and restaurants distinguished by carefully curated, eye-catching or delightfully unusual interiors, whether you want to snap them or simply soak up the atmosphere in a lovely setting. And if at the same time you can savour sushi worthy of Japanese masters or an impeccably mixed cocktail, all the better.
Casa el Carnicero
Viale Bianca Maria, 8
CASA EL CARNICERO is the new concept from Gruppo El Carnicero, located on Viale Bianca Maria, just steps from piazza V Giornate. Housed inside a townhouse from the early 1900s (‘900), in full Liberty style, it spans four floors, each distinct but all boasting high Instagram appeal, from the cellar with its private dining table—to dine surrounded by fine vintages and exposed brick vaults—to the terrace, open in spring and summer. The hallmark of the entire decor is an elegant yet casual aesthetic, contemporary yet drawing on vintage touches: artfully peeling walls, floors reminiscent of traditional cement tiles, Liberty-style details, antique mirrors, designer chandeliers, velvet sofas, neon lights and black-and-white art photography. The menu stands out from the brand’s other venues (two more in the city and one in Ibiza), catering both to meat lovers and to those looking for a fresher, Mediterranean touch.
Sogni
Via S. Calocero, 8
The name of this restaurant could not be more fitting: Sogni is an enchanting spot, wrapped in a magical, truly dreamlike atmosphere. Founded by retail entrepreneur Claudio Antonioli, it reflects his aesthetic taste and passion for research across fashion and design. Set inside an early 20th-century building in Porta Genova, meticulously restored to revive its romantic allure, Sogni spans 500 square metres across several rooms: a lobby, a bar with an impressive zinc-and-wood counter, the “refettorio” dining room with a display plate rack and a communal table, the “veranda” winter garden overflowing with plants, and the “gallery”, a corridor transformed from a passageway into an intimate retreat. Italian seafood cooking and an enticing cocktail list complete the experience, earning Sogni a rightful place among the most Instagrammable spots in Milan.
Officina Milano
Via Giovenale, 7
Tucked inside a courtyard at Via Giovenale 7, in a quiet corner of Milan close to the Navigli and Porta Ticinese, the atmospheric setting of Officina Milano preserves a bygone charm, with vintage furniture, leather sofas, oversized mirrors, wall lettering and clear nods to the owners’ passion for motorbikes. A seamless match between the art of mixology and timeless elegance, this one-of-a-kind destination is ideal for enjoying signature cocktails from sunset to late evening, or for treating yourself to a delicious Sunday brunch, all defined by an eye for detail that lends Officina a magnetic pull.
LùBar
Via Palestro, 16
A prestigious, almost regal setting, located in the courtyard of the former Villa Reale, home today to Milan’s GAM (Galleria d’Arte Moderna). Lùbar is a delightful bar and restaurant open from breakfast to late night, where every element is studied in detail: surrounded by lush greenery, vintage sideboards, marble pillars, expansive wrought-iron windows and classical statues, you feel as though you have stepped into an 18th-century orangerie. Beyond the main hall, once a carriage porch, there are two terraces, front and back. Here, practically everything calls to be photographed: from the staff uniforms in rustic-chic harmony with the room to the plates and teacups, alongside beautifully plated dishes rooted in Sicilian tradition.
Tripstillery
Via Valtellina, 7
Where else can you photograph a microdistillery in the heart of futuristic Milan, right among the skyscrapers of Porta Nuova? At Tripstillery, one of the latest creations from Gruppo Farmily, you will find an exceptional drinks list featuring amari and gin distilled on site alongside wine, sparkling options, cocktails and craft beers. An experimental cocktail bar that has quickly become the neighbourhood’s go-to drinking spot, it breaks the mould by housing a microdistillery where guests can create their own custom spirit. Amid the copper stills, there is also an array of drinks on tap including Fusettone, Spritz, Gin Gin Mule and Americano Hibiscus, served with sharing plates and jar-cooked specialities.
Penelope a Casa
Via Giuseppe Ripamonti, 3
Penelope a casa is a treat for the eyes, the palate and your social media feed. Located in the Ripamonti district, it centres on a thoroughly Instagrammable interior, where crystal chandeliers, mirrored ceilings, black-and-white chequered floors, velvet armchairs, fairy-lit trees and flowers everywhere create an immediate visual impression. While inspired by rustic Abruzzese culinary traditions, the dishes also lean into playful presentation, exemplified by the signature welcome glass of fizz topped with a cloud of candy floss. A whimsical world to choose whenever you fancy a celebratory evening.
Casa Matilda | Milano
Via Ascanio Sforza, 65
Set along the Naviglio Pavese, Casa Matilda aims to make guests feel at home in a cosy, warm and relaxing setting. Designed by Studio Rotella, the rooms carry international flair, blending vintage furniture, handmade Moroccan tiles, designer porcelain, eclectic wallpapers, 1970s leather sofas, bookcases, red and leopard-print chairs, and mid-century tables and credenzas. Here, from the main dining room walls patterned with cameo portraits on a green background right through to the bathrooms, everything feels designed for an Instagram shot. The menu changes each month, following the seasons and highlighting authentic flavour pairings.
Terrazza Palestro
Viale Palestro, 2
Gorgeous in summer with views overlooking Parco Indro Montanelli, and striking throughout the year thanks to creative installations, such as the festive design that turns it into an illuminated winter woodland. Terrazza Palestro, on the fourth floor of Centro Svizzero, is a refined panoramic rooftop housing a cocktail bar and an indoor dining room. It is a great setting for a business lunch, an aperitivo with friends or a romantic dinner. Like most rooftops, it shines brightest at sunset: the classic photo is essential, framing the treetops against the Milanese skyline with a distinct Central Park feel.
A’Riccione Terrazza 12
Via Durini, 28
The main attraction to photograph here is central Milan from above, especially at sunset when golden light washes over the spires of the Duomo and the rooftops of San Babila. For the curious, you can even catch a glimpse of some of the city’s most exclusive private terraces. At A’Riccione Terrazza 12, set across the 9th and 10th floors of the Brian&Barry Building, a sundowner selfie in hand is almost mandatory. If you fancy a full meal beyond the aperitivo bites, head into the panoramic restaurant led by chef Marco Fossati, celebrated for its seafood.
Backdoor43
Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 43
A tiny unmarked door, accessible only if you booked ahead and come in a group of four at most, opens into a wonderland akin to the White Rabbit’s burrow along the Naviglio Grande. Inside Backdoor 43, conceived by Gruppo Farmily and officially recognised at 4 square metres as the smallest bar in the world, you enter a room packed with curiosities. Shelves and wood panelling overflow with bottles, books, candles, newspaper cuttings, miniature hot air balloons, gold-enamelled skulls and artist mannequins, while the bartender greets you wearing the V for Vendetta mask. The cocktails are the stellar creations of Mag right next door. Plenty of material for an Instagram post, to say the least.
EL&N London
Piazza del Liberty, 4
It is the spot everyone is talking about, where people cannot wait to take one, a hundred, a thousand photos to share on social media. EL&N LONDON is the ultimate Instagram-friendly venue: playful and brightly coloured, it arrived in Milan straight from London across two key city spots: central Piazza del Liberty and ultra-modern Piazza Gae Aulenti. A true wonderland that, with a colour palette spanning every possible shade of pink, is a dream come true for Barbie fans. A riot of flowers, velvet banquettes and neon signs makes breakfast (their colourful, alternative coffee drinks are a social media hit), a light lunch or an aperitivo a journey into a dreamlike world that is anything but ordinary.
