As the sun dips behind the Unicredit Tower and turns Brera’s Neoclassical facades amber, you’ll find that what Italy’s most business-oriented city does best is aperitivo (the catchphrase Milano da bere was well-earned). While classic Campari will always have its throne (it was invented here, after all), a new wave of wine-forward enotecas is shifting the focus toward the glass.
Whether you’re looking for a crisp Campanian white from Feudi di San Gregorio in a designer garden or a funky orange wine in a former auto-body shop, these are the 13 Milanese spots where wine is the protagonist.
Barotto (Vincenzo Monti) – Just off Parco Sempione, this wine bar fills up nightly with a young crowd gathering for a post-work glass of Feudi di San Gregorio Fiano or a rich Piedmontese red. Inside is warmly lit and boisterous, though if you arrive while the sun is still out, opt for a seat outside. Arrive hungry: they’re famous for “il panotto” (a sort of plus-size sandwich made with pizza dough and served in six slices) and their salads, which are build-your-own from a paper menu; both are served from lunch through dinner.
Bicchierino Bar (Giambellino) – Bicchierino has the spirit of a neighborhood enoteca in a space that feels like a chic butcher shop, with white tiled walls and shiny aluminium counters. The decor is minimalist; the wine list is anything but. Be sure to check their Instagram for latest events and specials.
Fioraio Bianchi Caffè (Brera) – Founded 40 years ago by Raimondo Bianchi, this Brera landmark has evolved into a bistro that remains a functioning flower shop, so you can sip your glass of wine amid the heady scent of fresh blooms. The decor—distressed walls, vintage wood, and zinc accents—evokes a Parisian atelier rather than a typical Milanese bar. Their menu of refined, seasonal small plates makes a strong case for staying through dinner.
N’ombra de Vin (Brera) – Located in the 16th-century refectory of the Augustinian monks of San Marco, this is arguably Milan’s most storied wine cellar, and you’ll find locals spilling out from under the burgundy awning onto the street on any given night. The thousands of bottles lining their vaulted subterranean cavern speak for themselves, and their wine list is encyclopedic. In a nod to Venice, the shop’s name and spirit celebrate the “ombra”, a small glass of wine (one-tenth of a liter), named for the habit of drinking in the cool “shadow” of St. Mark’s belltower.
10 Corso Como (Porta Nuova) – Carla Sozzani’s world-famous concept store is more than a shopping destination. The café, tucked away in an ivy-draped courtyard, is one of the city’s most fashionable aperitivo spots. Surrounded by art and greenery, the wine selection, including Feudi di San Gregorio’s summery Campanian whites, is as curated as the photography books and perfumes upstairs. It’s the perfect celebration of two things Milan does best.
Bar Luce (Fondazione Prada) – Designed by film director Wes Anderson, the fittingly cinematic Bar Luce is a candy-colored dream of 1950s Milan. While the Formica tables and Steve Zissou pinball machines are the draw, the aperitivo is surprisingly classic. The wine list is simple and effective, featuring crisp Italian whites and reliable reds that pair perfectly with a panino or sweet treat from the counter.
Dexter Sound and Bites (Isola) – Dexter is a music-forward wine bar with a warm, living room vibe, where the soundtrack is as carefully selected as the bottles. The list of labels is designed to be enjoyed alongside creative, small “soundbites” like radicchio with miso, walnuts, pomegranate, and gorgonzola or a tostada with ahi tuna, chipotle mayo, avocado, and leeks. It’s the kind of place where you come for a quick glass and end up staying for three LPs.
Bar Paradiso (Porta Romana) – This spot—a hybrid between a contemporary osteria and a neighborhood bar, with a retro ’60s flair—has quickly become a place to be for the city’s wine lovers. The focus here is on conviviality and simple, high-quality food—think crescia from Urbino, artisanal charcuterie, and the freshest seafood. The wine list is wide, highlighting hidden gems from small producers that reflect the owner’s deep oenological curiosity.
Bar Nico (Acquabella) – A former auto shop turned natural wine bar, Bar Nico—named for the owner’s gorgeous Afghan Hound, Nico—feels like it could have just opened in Brooklyn, though you’ll only have to take the metro to the Acquabella neighborhood. The wine is strictly natural and biodynamic, and the bar’s down-to-earth vibe (it’s fittingly dog-friendly) makes it an easygoing weekly staple.
LùBarino (Brera) – The smaller, “younger” sibling of the famous LùBar in the Villa Reale, LùBarino brings Sicilian warmth to Piazza del Carmine. The tiny kiosk bar has just four tables and an aesthetic that’s both botanical and Mediterranean. The wine list focuses on Sicilian grapes—Grillo, Catarratto, and Nerello Mascalese—served alongside world-class arancini, plus toast and simple smoothies. On a sunny spring evening, there’s nowhere better to be.
Mesté (Ticinese) – “Vini e Fornelli” (Wines and Stoves) is the subtitle here, and it perfectly summarizes the mission that Marco, in the kitchen, and Daniele, who studied oenology and mans the dining room, celebrate through their ingredient-driven dishes and wines. Mesté, meaning “trade”, has a wine list of what the owners call “good wines”; beyond natural and organic, their ever-changing collection of labels “embrace the whole palate.” It’s great for a quick aperitivo, but you won’t want to miss their top-tier food menu of regional Italian dishes like tajarin con porcini and candele alla genovese.
Motelombroso (Navigli) – Set in a former 19th-century canal-side tollhouse that sports a pink facade, Motelombroso is devoted to food, wine, and ozio (leisure). Owners Matteo and Alessandra have created a lush oasis, filling the garden with Japanese black bamboo and using large mirrors to visually bring the greenery inside. Their often-changing food menu is a draw, but the real highlight is Matteo’s curated wine room, focused entirely on small artisans and sustainable, natural labels.
BONUS
Casa Cipriani Milano (Palazzo Bernasconi) – For those seeking the glamour of the “Old Milan” era, the private member’s club Cipriani at Palazzo Bernasconi is the ultimate destination, though the bar and dining room is reserved for members, their guests, and other clients who book a room or a wellness treatment. The service is white-jacketed (and there’s a dress code), and while the famous Bellini is a rightfully legendary cocktail, the wine list covers a span of Italy’s prestigious labels, including Feudi di San Gregorio’s Aglianico, Greco, and Fiano. Food menus nod to Cipriani’s original location in Venice, with cicchetti and other Lagoon-inspired dishes.
