Soulgreen

Soulgreen is looking to shake things up in Milan. This restaurant in the heart of the Brera/Garibaldi district does things a little differently to what we’ve seen before in Milan. Why? We’re not sure exactly, but we do know that your Instagram game will be vastly improved by a visit!

Once the site of a former bank, Soulgreen’s walls and ceilings have retained the raw look typical of the industrial style. Its brickwork and beams are exposed and overgrown with beautiful greenery. Where there might have once been tellers’ stalls there are now luxurious velvet-upholstered banquettes and tables finished with brass and glazed tile details.

It all feels very retro and shabby chic until you look at the menu, which is actually contained on a tablet computer. You browse and order directly from the screen, even though there are still plenty of friendly and helpful staff on the floor to help you decipher the menu. The staff are so sweet and competent in fact, it makes you wonder why they didn’t just go for a paper menu in the first place… Anyway, it’s a talking point.

The menu is as on-trend and health-focused as you would expect from a place that has iPads for menus. The dishes stand out in the Milanese culinary scene for their freshness and authenticity and combine typical Mediterranean ingredients with Middle Eastern ones in recipes with surprising flavor. Offering ‘Soul Juices’ with names like ‘Incredible Dextox Red’ and ‘Total Orange’, they’ve got everyone covered from seasoned alcoholic night-owls to gym junkies. Liquids come served in adorable mason jars with edible (or at least I hope they were edible) flowers on top. The flowers do little for the taste of the drink, but they will work wonders for improving the number of followers you currently have on Instagram.

Food-wise, Soulgreen offers ‘Soul Bowls’, ‘Soul Wraps’ and ‘Soul Salads’ as well as other assorted ‘Soul Snacks’. Our pick is the ‘Soul Bowl’. The Soul Bowls on offer showcase a number of different cuisines including Thai, Lebanese, Mexican, Indian and, more vaguely, “Asian”. They all provide a healthy base carbohydrate such as quinoa or brown rice, combined with interesting and exciting combinations fresh vegetables. And yes, edible (?) flowers are also included in the Soul Bowl – because, why not. On the protein side, fish is preferred over meat, and only from sustainable fisheries.

If you’re looking for a great et(n)ic place with a luscious and exciting interior, or somewhere interesting to impress clients on your next business lunch. Not to mention the aperitif, which will leave you speechless thanks to the exclusive “Anytime Green” drink list, created in collaboration with Farmily Group. If you haven’t posted anything on social media for a while, do give #Soulgreenitalia a try!