A business breakfast – Hotel Viu Milan
A business breakfast – Hotel Viu Milan
Newly opened hotel in the Paolo Sarpi area, with a rooftop perfect for leisurely breakfasts on the terrace on the eighth floor, where you can admire Milan from the glass walls. Also worth trying is Chef Giampaolo Morelli’s Bulk restaurant inside the hotel or a fabulous cocktail by the pool. Nearby, it’s worth checking for events or exhibitions at the Fabbrica del vapore. I like it because the pool makes you dream you’re not in Milan.
An hour alone in a beautiful place – Hotel Scala Terrace
From September, this rooftop garden on the roofs of Brera will reopen: You can sip a juice or a cappuccino while working immersed in the scents and plants of this peaceful hanging garden. And just a few steps away, the solemn tranquility of the halls of the Pinacoteca di Brera or the shade of the trees of the Botanical Garden will make a day alone perfect. I like it because it’s an urban garden in the middle of the city.
A formal lunch with a client – Via Palestro Terrace
With a beautiful view of Montanelli Park, I love having lunch in this quiet and refined space, perhaps later accompanying collectors between Pac and Gam on Via Palestro. I like it because it overlooks the most beautiful park in Milan, with Montanelli’s statue greeting you at the entrance. Upon arrival, don’t forget to order a fresh Fox Mule that will rejuvenate you with a mix of spices and citrus on the hottest days in town.
A trendy aperitivo – Terrazza Aperol
For an aperitivo in the center of the city, the orange spaces dedicated to Spritz are the answer: a terrace overlooking Piazza Duomo that offers a menu of declinations of one of the most popular national aperitifs, the Spritz. Take time to visit the exhibitions at the Fondazione Prada Osservatorio, a space dedicated to contemporary photography inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. I like it because it’s the perfect post-office meeting place for people working in downtown Milan offices.
A relaxed lunch – Radiorooftop
Ideal place for a quick lunch with a client or colleague, with the skyscrapers of Porta Nuova as a backdrop. Perfect for those who then have to rush to Central Station for an out-of-town meeting or those who return to Milan and want to sip a good cocktail while imagining themselves on a New York terrace. Nearby, the Museo della Permanente holds exciting modern and contemporary art exhibitions. I like it because it shows you the newest Milan.
A great place for informal meetings – Terrazza Triennale
Discreet ambiance, a view of Milan’s Central Park (Parco Sempione), good food, and silence. A restaurant above a museum, great for discussing art and the market while accompanying lunch with a visit to the Triennale exhibitions. The Triennale exhibition calendar is always varied and exciting; surely, something will interest you. In summer, check out the cinema programming in the garden. I like it because it is the most eclectic space in Milan regarding the arts.
A dinner to intrigue – Giacomo Arengario
With its terrace overlooking the Royal Palace and Duomo, it is an iconic restaurant suitable for wowing foreign customers, who cannot fail to appreciate the Deco details, classic tone and elegant service, classic, timeless Italian style. The loggia that houses some of its spaces overlooks Piazza Duomo. If you frequent it by day, unmissable stops include the Palazzo Reale and the Museo del Novecento. I like it because it is Milan at its best.
The ultimate trendy spot – Terrace 12
In downtown Milan, this terrace overlooks the busy San Babila, on the top floor of the Brian&Barry skyscraper. Perfect for an aperitif (there is often an unexpected breeze on the terrace), in the evening, it organizes musical evenings with an international, soft house and r&b slant. For those still hungry, try chef Matteo Torretta’s Asola restaurant downstairs. On your way out, check the Carriero Foundation’s exhibition calendar. I like it because it’s the perfect retreat for a break on a hectic day of downtown shopping.
A gourmet dinner – Torre Prada
One of Milan’s contemporary art scene hotspots, designed by Rem Koolhaas in 2018, Torre is the perfect arrival point after an international art climb! The Prada Foundation is a fixed stop in the city’s art search: a visit to the Collection and the Haunted House (check the opening hours). The calendar of exhibitions is very varied, characterized by a continuous dialogue between eras and arts. I like it because it’s Milan, but it feels like Berlin.
The place to be and be seen – Ceresio 7
One of Milan’s most fantastic places to dine or have a drink at the end of the night. It is perfect for those who want to talk about art during Milan’s jet set while sampling their original Spritz (Redux) version. If it’s not too hot, browse the beautiful tombs of Milan’s Monumental Cemetery, a short walk away. I like it because: it has re-evaluated an uninteresting area of the city and has become an obligatory stop in Milan’s drinking scene.
Elena Zaccarelli
A graduate of modern literature specializing in art history from the University of Bologna, Elena has been working for ten years in the Italian office of Christie’s, where she is currently a specialist in modern and contemporary art. An expert in 20th-century Italian art, she is responsible for providing appraisals and collecting works of art, traveling between Christie’s various locations, and following international auctions. She thanks her drinking companions on the terrace, Natalia, Martina, and Vittorio.
