5 Delicious Al Fresco Restaurants in Milan to Try

U barba - Photo Credit - Thea

The humid summer weather has well and truly arrived in Milan, and after months of on and off lockdowns, you can feel a change in the air. The Milanese are happy to be outside amongst friends, finally enjoying social aperitivi, and long, lazy meals (not made at home). Don’t get me wrong – you know I love cooking! But well – we all know what these past 18 months have involved, and it’s nice to be out and about once again. With Milan set to enter the ‘white zone’ on June 14, I thought I’d celebrate by sharing some of my favorite Milanese restaurants and pasticcerie where you can dine al fresco.  

A’Riccione Terrazza 12 - Photo credit (their website)

5 DELICIOUS AL FRESCO RESTAURANTS IN MILAN

A’Riccione Terrazza 12

If you’re craving a touch of the Italian seaside while in Milan – obviously made better by outdoor dining – you can’t go past the A’Riccione Terrazza 12. A’Riccione has been offering some of Milan’s best seafood since 1955. Despite their long history, they’re not afraid to adapt to contemporary challenges. And so, in 2021, they opened A’Riccione Terazza 12, a rooftop restaurant with their signature seafood dishes and a breathtaking location.

The brothers at the helm of A’Riccione, Dante & Giuseppe, said, “the traditional fried dish at the old restaurant was called ‘Nuvole’ (cloud) due to its lightness, and we have brought it back to its place of origin, the sky.”

U barba - Photo Credit - Thea

U Barba

U Barba is my home away from home (or at least, hubby’s home!) with its coastal Ligurian offerings. The authentic dishes range from basil pesto to farinata (imagine something like a truly delicious chickpea pancake) and so much more. And luckily, U Barba boasts a beautiful al fresco dining area. The rustic, homely décor combined with the coastal food means that, if you close your eyes, you might even be able to imagine for a moment that you are actually by the sea. 

Osteria del Binari - Photo credit (their website)

Osteria del Binari

Osteria del Binari is tucked away behind the Porta Genova train station, and while it might not look like much, it’s home to one of the largest restaurant gardens in Milan. Of course, that meant I had to include it on this list of Great Al Fresco Restaurants in Milan! The Osteria offers traditional Milanese fare, think risotto, and cotoletta, as well as a heady dose of old-fashioned charm.

Pasticceria Cova - Image by Rhianna May

Pasticceria Cova

Located in the fashionable district of Montenapoleone, Pasticceria Cova is one of Milan’s historic pastry shops. Cova has always been a favorite of mine, but it was acquired by a global luxury brand that made some much-appreciated updates (while still respecting the pasticceria’s rich history). One of those updates is a summer garden, perfect for lazy breakfasts or an afternoon aperitivo.

Panificio Davide Longoni

If you’re missing out on all the extra time that we had to make bread, then Panificio Davide Longoni could be your answer. Here you’ll find a high-quality selection of bread made with ancient-grain flours, as well as tasty savory morsels for lunch or a light aperitivo. This small bakery also has a delightful garden where you can snag a table and make the most of the Milanese summer.

Would you like to discover more Great Al Fresco Restaurants in Milan? Or just where to eat, drink and sleep in this beautiful city? Check out my local’s guide, Discover Milan.  

Have you got some suggestions for great Al Fresco Restaurants in Milan? I’d love to hear from you! Share in the comments below!