Where to eat outdoors in Milan
Where great food and atmosphere meet for memorable lunches and dinners under the summer sky
With the arrival of summer, Milanese diners set off on the hunt for outdoor tables to escape the urban heat, even just for a few hours. Secret gardens, shaded terraces and spots overlooking the canals offer a winning balance of relaxed surroundings and excellent cooking, from classic regional recipes to modern flavours. Ideal for a date or a leisurely lunch with friends, these leafy retreats are calm city sanctuaries: here is where to eat outdoors in Milan.
La Brisa
Via Brisa, 15
In via Brisa, in the oldest quarter of Milan, sits an intimate, historic restaurant where past and present meet with effortless elegance. Family-run, it welcomes guests with well-dressed tables, subtle design details, luminous shades and a secret garden under centuries-old lime trees. The seasonal menu balances creativity and tradition, focusing on meat dishes and delicate Spanish accents.
Erba Brusca
Alzaia Naviglio Pavese, 286
Erba Brusca is Alice Delcourt’s green retreat along the Naviglio Pavese, where honest food meets nature. With a large kitchen garden and a charming terrace, it serves meat, fish and locally grown vegetables in a bucolic setting far from the city rush. A slice of urban countryside made for long, lingering meals.
MAG la Pusterla
Via Edmondo de Amicis, 22
Just around the corner from the Colonne di San Lorenzo, MAG La Pusterla is a spot with retro appeal reminiscent of old-school Milanese cafés. With signature cocktails, a tempting menu and a relaxing terrace, it sets a slow, welcoming pace that is ideal for catching your breath over a bite from the kitchen or a leisurely Sunday brunch. Either way, expect an unmistakable sense of calm that will have you forgetting the time and the bustle outside.
El Brellin
Vicolo Privato Lavandai
El Brellin is a historic restaurant overlooking the Naviglio, perfect for a candlelit dinner or a relaxed lunch with a view. Set in a building dating back to the ‘700s, amidst fireplaces and coffered ceilings, it celebrates Lombard cuisine with risotto, ossobuco and cotoletta, alongside modern dishes. But the real highlight is the charming garden on Vicolo dei Lavandai, overlooking the canal and the old wash houses once used by Milanese washerwomen; surrounded by lush greenery and warm lights, it makes for a truly atmospheric evening.
Ribot Borghetto
Via Comune Antico, 1
Ribot Borghetto is the latest venture from the Ribot family, set in the historic Borghetto di Greco, along via Comune Antico. An old Milanese tavern reimagined through the brand’s Tuscan energy, it brings together regional cooking, warm hospitality and prime cuts of meat. Tradition and modern comfort blend under lofty mature trees in a delightful shaded garden.
Circolo Canottieri Milano
Alzaia Naviglio Grande, 160
At Canottieri Milano, a historic sports club on the Navigli, relaxation finds a fresh outdoor setting. Run by Officina Milano and open to non-members, the clubhouse is the perfect place for a peaceful evening well away from urban noise. The centrepiece is the expansive open-air area, with a manicured, welcoming garden where you can tuck into an Italian and international menu, alongside excellent pizzas.
Ratanà
Via Gaetano de Castilia, 28
In the shadow of the Porta Nuova towers and the greenery of the Bosco Verticale, Ratanà is a contemporary osteria that takes traditional Lombard cooking as the foundation for generous, flavour-packed dishes. At the helm is chef Cesare Battisti, whose cooking respects seasonal produce while exploring inventive twists. In warmer months, settle into the pleasant terrace to soak up the sun and enjoy an inspiring new angle on the city skyline.
Al Garghet
Via Selvanesco, 36
Al Garghet, which translates from Milanese dialect as ‘the croaking of frogs’, is a lyrical, authentic haven that feels like deep countryside despite sitting just a few kilometres from the centre. The dialect menu written by hand, regional classics, flowered garden and terrace create a romantic, timeless setting that feels like a rural getaway steeped in traditional flavours.
Al Fresco
Via Savona, 50
In the heart of the energetic Tortona district, Al Fresco is a genuine green sanctuary where time seems to slow down. Converted from a former showroom into a rustic-chic retreat, it centres on an enchanting garden that evolves with seasonal blooms, alongside a bright glass veranda. An open kitchen serving seafood dishes, tempting desserts and a well-curated wine list completes the picture.
