Essentials of Milan Food Tour

Taste the Best of Milan’s Rich Culinary Culture
From US$543 privately
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Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
Historic City Center
Photos & Highlights
  • Discover some of Milan's historic gastronomic establishments complete with tastings of the city's best gourmet food and drink
  • Led by a local culinary expert
Select a date
Tour Description
Milan is a fantastic food city. Although it usually flies under the radar as an eating destination, the Milanese have always boasted a rich gastronomic culture that combines casual bites made from the best primary ingredients and elegantly refined establishments. On this 3-hour Essentials of Milan food tour, you will touch on a few of the city's most cherished food traditions, from espresso to Aperitivo, to tasty panini, emphasizing how Milanese cuisine differs from other Italian regions. You will walk through the historic city center with our guide, a food writer, chef, or culinary educator, who will lead you to some of their favorite places to sample the city's best savory and sweet treats.
Experts
Luna Luna
Cook and Local Guide
Myriam Myriam
Cook and Food Writer
Valeria Sophia Valeria Sophia
Historian
Elisabetta Elisabetta
Local Guide
Sara Sara
Food Writer
You will begin our Milan food tour in the heart of the historical center, go to the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and then end the tour in the Brera district. You’ll kick things off in a celebrated coffee shop, introducing the tour's themes. From here, you will continue through the city center to visit one of the city’s most renowned gastronomia (delicatessen) to indulge in a few bites of delicious local cheeses or cured meats. Afterwards, it is a few short steps to the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II where you will stop in a historic bar for an elegant aperitivo, a tradition that was born in Northern Italy. Since your appetites will have kicked in, you will head over the Brera district to enjoy a gourmet panino. While it may appear as a humble lunch, Milan has a storied sandwich bar culture. If you have any room left after that for a sweet treat, then you can grab an artisanal gelato to conclude the tour. 

  • It is your first time in Milan 
  • You want to discover the city center via food
  • You want to visit the historic establishments of Milanese cuisine

  • Coffee - experience the Milanese caffè culture
  • Traditional cured meats & cheeses - gooey Gorgonzola, creamy Cremasco, and briny Bresaola are the cornerstones of Milenese delicatassens 
  • Panino - so simple, so delicious, so Milanese
  • Campari - the classic aperitivo
  • These tastings do replace a light meal
  • We are taking you to historic local establishments. Hours may vary throughout the year. 
  • Dietary restrictions should be shared in advance in order properly modify the tour. We don’t recommend this tour for dairy allergies to avoid the possibility of cross-contamination.

Additional Trip-Planning Resources

  • For more information on planning your travels to Milan, read through our Context Stories.

Can I participate in your tour if I have food allergies? 
Yes. If you have any specific allergies/intolerances, please indicate these in the Notes section during booking. Your guide will do their best to accommodate.
 
We are vegan/vegetarian, can we still take the tour?
Yes. If you are vegan/vegetarian, please indicate this in the Notes section during booking. Your guide will do their best to accommodate. Please note that if you are vegan, you may not be able to taste something at every stop. 

Can we skip the Aperitivo part? We do not drink alcohol.
Yes, we can arrange stops that don't include alcohol.
 
Where do we meet? Where does it end?
The walk takes place within the city center and stays within a relatively concentrated area. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map.
 
What if it’s raining? 
Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your guide will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.
 
Is this tour appropriate for children? 
Even though this walk is not designed specifically for families, we can arrange stops that don't include alcohol and be children-friendly. 

We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.

Is this tour walking intensive, and/or wheelchair accessible?
This tour is accessible for clients with reduced mobility or in wheelchairs with minor adjustments in the route. 

Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here



Where You'll Start
(4.88) 13 Reviews

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

Our food tour was absolutely fantastic. Elisabetta was a marvelous tour guide. I truly feel like she helped us to experience some of the best of Milan while also making the tour feel personal.
Valeria was wonderful! She had great insights into the city, was friendly and relaxed - a perfect compliment for our food tour.
Myriam, you were a wonderful tour guide. Not only in talking about and sharing food knowledge but history of the area as well. My husband and I really enjoyed our time with you. Grazie Mille! We hope you visit Canada one day. Carol & Sandro

Discover Northern Italian Traditions on Our Milan Food Tour

Embark on a culinary journey through Milan with our Milan Food Tour: Northern Italian Traditions. This tour is an exploration of the region’s rich culinary heritage, guided by local experts who share the stories behind each dish. From artisanal cheeses to classic risotto, you'll discover how Milan's unique flavors are deeply rooted in its culture and history.

Enhance your experience by reading our blog on the best things to do in Milan. To further immerse yourself in Milanese culture, we recommend watching our lecture on Italian opera in Milan. Additionally, explore Milan's fashion-forward spirit with our audio guide on high fashion in the city.

This Milan Food Tour offers a unique opportunity to taste the true essence of Milan. Book your tour today and savor the flavors that make this city a culinary gem in Northern Italy.