10 spots to drink natural wine in Milan
Milan is full of wine bars pairing natural labels with seasonal bites from small producers
Assuming everyone should simply drink what they enjoy most, the debate around so-called ‘natural’ wine remains lively and divisive, and we certainly have no intention of settling it here. One thing is certain: the Milanese love natural wine, and more and more spots (almost always packed out) are choosing low-intervention bottles. Often, this ethical, artisanal philosophy extends to the food on offer too. Here are some of the best wine bars in Milan for natural pours.
Tipografia Alimentare
Via Dolomiti, 1
Along the scenic Naviglio della Martesana, this is an essential gathering spot for anyone who loves natural wines and good food. The highlight is a broad selection of Italian and European labels, alongside craft beers and house-made soft drinks. The food pairs seamlessly with the drinks, fresh and inventive, with a menu shaped by seasonal market produce and fresh breads baked daily in the Forno Nascosto. All this in a welcoming vintage setting filled with books, plants and crowded wine shelves, making you feel right at home for aperitivo, lunch or dinner.
Osteria alla Concorrenza
Via Melzo, 12
In one of Milan’s most vibrant dining pockets, Osteria alla Concorrenza channels the spirit of old-school taverns with an authentic, unpretentious atmosphere, shaped by timber, marble and classic cementine tiles. Backed by award-winning chef Diego Rossi, hospitality entrepreneur Josef Khattabi and host Enricomaria Porta, it has become an (always bustling) fixture on Via Melzo. Much of the credit goes to its remarkable cellar, boasting over 1,000 non-conventional labels from vintners who respect both the vineyard and the fruit with minimal intervention. This thoughtful approach carries over to the food, matching the bottles with curated cured meats, cheeses and traditional dishes: trippa, braised meats, offal, sheep tartare, horse steak and cod liver are staples, alongside seasonal vegetable plates.
Enoteca Naturale
Via Santa Croce, 19/a
Set in a charming courtyard overlooking the Basilica di Sant’Eustorgio, inside Casa Emergency, this wine bar features a spacious garden with wooden benches and tables that draws crowds as soon as the weather warms up. As the name suggests, artisanal and natural labels abound: more than 4,000 different bottles have rotated through its racks so far. The food is just as appealing: alongside sharing platters and sandwiches, there is a concise, well-crafted menu. They also host occasional foodroulette nights, with guest chefs taking over the kitchen, and wineroulette tastings led by winemakers themselves. Best of all, a share of proceeds supports Emergency: drinking well while doing good.
Associazione Salumi e Vini Naturali
Corso Garibaldi, 41
Just around the corner from Brera, this cosy, warm spot with exposed brick and bottle-lined walls hides its best feature: a secluded internal courtyard. Set among the historic remnants of a building hit during the Second World War, the weathered space is softened by lush greenery. The cellar counts more than 600 labels, many by the glass, with a generous nod to orange and skin-contact wines. As the name suggests, glasses are paired with charcuterie and cheese boards made with quality ingredients, crisp focaccia, and a handful of warm first and second courses.
Temp
Via Pasquale Sottocorno, 17
‘Temp’ stands for time: the time needed to craft good wine ethically, and the time needed to properly enjoy it. All this, paradoxically, right on one of the city’s streets most densely packed with food and drink options: Via Sottocorno. Quite a challenge, then: seeking out small, ethical producers and showcasing them in an urban setting, bringing to the table—in both food and wine—produce born of hard work and passion, respectful of the environment and production rhythms. There is no fixed wine list here: the selection changes constantly, focusing mainly on bottles from France and Italy. Owner Emanuele Romanelli comes from the province of Mantua, and brings a touch of his home region to the food menu: alongside excellent sharing boards, specialities include insalata di gallina, tonno di coniglio and a delicious sbrisolona.
Onest
Via Gerolamo Turroni, 2
A play on the English ‘nest’ and the Italian ‘onesto’ (honest), the philosophy here is clear: an easy-going setting designed for slow living, paired with honest, flavourful food and wine grounded in sustainability and seasonality. The cellar features plenty of Slow Food Presidia items and bottles from winemakers large and small: the broad selection focuses primarily on artisanal and natural wines from Italy and France, with solid by-the-glass options. Alongside them is a tight, thoughtful menu balancing local seasonal produce with international accents. With distressed walls in cheerful shades, mismatched chairs, leafy plants, a bright veranda and a quiet courtyard garden, the space itself is one of the main draws.
Surlì
Via Losanna, 29
In the Cenisio neighbourhood, Surlì (named after the wine term ‘sur lie’) is a pleasant space with large picture windows, colourful furniture, outdoor seating and an expansive counter. A curated cellar of niche natural wines, poured with enthusiasm by sommelier Lorenzo, meets dishes prepared by chef Vittorio, mostly cold plates spanning regional classics and Asian touches. Relaxed and unpretentious, located in a quiet residential corner just beyond the nightlife hubs, it is ideal for unwinding over aperitivo, dinner or a nightcap.
Bicchierino
Via Giambellino, 39
In Giambellino, this neighbourhood newcomer won over locals immediately thanks to its friendly atmosphere and effortless, minimalist aesthetic with distressed plaster, fresh flowers and soft lighting. The real draw, though, is the broad list of natural and low-intervention wines, sourced mainly from Italy, France and Slovenia. For food, Bicchierino sticks to the classic wine bar setup: there is no full kitchen, but rather an array of small plates made for sharing, built on fresh seasonal produce; choices run from baked feta in filo pastry and smooth hummus to Sicilian involtini di cavallo and panini packed with regional ingredients.
Non
Via Orti, 4
NON stands for ‘Non la solita vineria’ (‘Not your usual wine shop’), and opened on Via Orti, another bustling culinary street in Porta Romana. Step inside and your eyes are drawn to the white walls, framed by backlit metal racks displaying hundreds of bottles. The stars of the show are 90% natural wines, many from France, with almost every bottle available by the glass. The food follows the same ingredient-first ethos: with no hot kitchen, you will find platters of cured meats and cheeses, carpaccio, preserved delicacies, gourmet toasties made with bread from Davide Longoni, and artisanal bar snacks.
FLOR. | BORN TO BE WINe
Via Vigevano, 6
On lively Via Vigevano, moments from the Naviglio Grande, this intimate wine bar with outdoor tables is part of an ambitious online wine project, pouring artisanal and natural wines from Italy, France, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic. The accompanying food follows a tapas format, made with ingredients from small regional producers and carefully vetted supply chains. It makes for an ideal aperitivo: cured meats and cheeses from the Oltrepò Pavese, warm focaccia and loaded crostoni.
