Where to drink in Milan: the best wine bars with kitchen selected by Gambero Rosso

It’s true that the proliferation of new formats and the changing habits of eating and drinking out have often made it impossible to define dining within traditional categories, especially in Milan, where change moves even faster. But it’s equally true that “wine venues” will never go out of fashion, even amidst the vast sea of ultra-modern “hybrid” places that are bistros, bakeries, wine bars, shops, and so on. We’re talking about places with a focus on wine (now also open to the horizons of non-alcoholic options), where food naturally follows, and which, both under the Madonnina and in the Capital, boast historic names as well as very young establishments (where the trend towards “artisan” wines continues and wine lists prioritise quality over quantity). Here is a selection of the best, chosen by Gambero Rosso.

The best wine bars with kitchen in Milan

Bicchierino

A small venue managed by a group of friends who have created a popular gathering spot for a diverse audience, particularly those who appreciate "artisanal" wines. The atmosphere is relaxed, featuring soft pink lighting and plant details emerging from the wooden counter. A fine selection of national labels, as well as French and Spanish wines, quality mixology, and tasty small plates to accompany. A relaxed ambiance, ideal for an evening with friends.

Bicchierino – via Giambellino, 39 – 02 91240133 – Instagram

Cantine Isola

A historic wine shop established in 1896, located in the heart of Chinatown. A true bottle shop reminiscent of the old days, crowded with people stopping by for a quick glass and some never-boring snacks, yet also beloved by connoisseurs for its atmosphere and, above all, because while opening bottles is great fun, exploring by the glass reaches truly high levels. Here, everything is opened, from the most affordable references to the most renowned ones, offering an abundance of choices. Nearly two thousand labels, ranging from great classics to unknown names, well-known companies to small producers. Awarded for the best by-the-glass offering in the "Milano – Il meglio della Lombardia 2025" guide.

Cantine Isola – via P. Sarpi, 30 – 02 3315249 – cantineisola.com

CIZ – Cantina e Cucina

The wine selection at Ciz – the real name Vincenzo Gautieri, owner and host – increases year after year. The references have surpassed 1,800 labels, and the dining team has grown to four people, all holding sommelier diplomas. After all, wine is the heart of this establishment, which continues to focus on artisanal productions, small quantities, and compelling stories to tell. Among the new gems, the growth of Bordeaux wines. Then Italy prevails, but there's also plenty of France, the lesser-known one, as well as Champagne, where vignerons outnumber the maisons. The kitchen keeps pace with the wine bar, working on a concept of calibrated but not rigid pairing. Some Lombard traditional dishes remain steadfast: saffron risotto, Milanese cutlet – among the best in the city –, ossobuco, and mondeghili, but also fresh fish and many vegetables, cheese and cured meat platters, and, in season, truffles and mushrooms that become protagonists of various preparations. The rest is completed by the atmosphere: relaxed, suitable for a loosened tie or flat shoes.

CIZ – Cantina e Cucina – v.le Premuda, 44 – 02 23189915 – cizcantinaecucina.it

CRU Isola

One of the most frequented wine spots in the Isola district, whose name clearly references the importance of terroir, the land, and the environmental and climatic characteristics that make a wine unique. The claim speaks for itself: entering here is like walking through a vineyard "without worrying about the soil under your shoes." The goal has always been to give visibility to artisans working with natural methods, mostly small Italian and European productions. On the food side, the offerings are genuine, with products from suppliers who pursue the same philosophy: cured meats and cheeses, for example, come from the Ticino Agricultural Park. Another location is in Piazza Sempione.

CRU Isola – via U. Bassi, 24 – 342 3629576 – crumilano.com

e/n Enoteca Naturale

Under the soft lights of the garden facing the Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio, Enoteca Naturale, established in 2018 within the Emergency headquarters, is more than a wine bar: it's a social project that allocates part of its proceeds to the association, supporting integration initiatives for asylum seekers. The atmosphere is welcoming and intimate; the wines here are carefully selected by founders Francesca Agnello, Guido Cerretani, and Marta Giannotti, emphasizing nature and respect for the land: macerated, refermented, and never banal. The selection changes often, with over 4,000 labels including wines, beers, spirits, and sake, accompanied by a delightful menu. The menu changes every two weeks, drawing from classic French inspirations and Asian influences, without limits.

CRU Isola – via U. Bassi, 24 – 342 3629576 – crumilano.com

Minerale

Minerale is the kind of place that seems to have always existed, created by Rodolfo Pironti, who, on the ashes of a historic bar, conceived a wine and cocktail bar with a kitchen offering never banal proposals in every aspect. The bottles result from research among small producers; the venue, spread over two levels with outdoor space, features vintage details and offers, in addition to a remarkable wine list, an inviting menu also on the vegetable side, as well as beautiful platters of cured meats and cheeses.

Minerale – via M. D’Oggiono, 5 – 327 4862839 – minerale-milano.com

Bar Paradiso

But what exactly is this place everyone is talking about, a magnet for PRs and influencers? It's a special venue, unpretentious yet far from banal. Created by Maurizio Tentella and Saro Pomario, it's recognizable only by the 1960s red curtain and the atmosphere of a neighborhood bar. The menu is a tribute to Italy: Urbino's crescia, Passamonti's cured meats, the michetta with porchetta, Cascina Lago Scuro's rose cake, crostini like the one with goat robiola, fresh peas, and fennel (pictured). For wines, a fine selection of "artisanal" labels from Italy and France, carefully chosen and narrated.

Bar Paradiso – via G. Tiraboschi, 4 – 340 4240924 – Instagram

Remedy

A true refuge from metropolitan frenzy, this wine bar opened in September 2024 is tailored for wine and spirit lovers. The beverage offering boasts over 6,000 labels from around the world and more than 2,000 spirits to taste neat. Founded by three friends, Michele Bernardi, Alessandro Michelon, and Amedeo Pagano, Remedy is a hymn to excellence, conceived as a "remedy" for body and spirit. To accompany the glasses, there are "bites," tastings of delicacies (cured meats, cheeses, oysters, etc.). The environment is refined and designer, spread over multiple levels, with a cigar room, private area, and aging cellar; the staff is courteous.

Remedy – via L. Majno, 26 – 02 38293660 – remedymilano.it

Ricerca Vini

A wine-focused venue with several decades of activity behind it, continuing to be an excellent reference point for assortment and quality of selection. On the shelves, bottles from all over the world are available for purchase or to be opened on-site, accompanied by gastronomic offerings (cured meat and cheese platters, quality preserves, pickled vegetables, crostini, and more structured dishes) in a pleasant and unpretentious atmosphere. The calendar is also full of tastings, "open" evenings, and wine appreciation courses; keep an eye on social media.

Ricerca Vini – via V. Monti, 33 – 02 460471 – ricercavini.it

Signorvino Duomo

Signorvino is a brand that now thrives even abroad: business acumen has played a significant role in its success, but it's also true that it's not a "standardized" place. Each location has its peculiarity; the breadth of the wine selection is unquestionable, the staff's preparation undeniable, and the offering continuously evolving. An efficient shop and a pleasant place for a slow or quick but meaningful break, offering excellent references from all over the world—reds, whites, sparkling wines—as well as grappas and spirits, available for home delivery through the online shop, along with product selections or traditional dishes, interesting snacks, and fresh salads for the warmer months.

Signorvino Duomo – via Pattari, 2 – 02 89092539 – signorvino.com

Tannico Wine Bar

There's no doubt that in the physical location of the most important wine e-commerce site, one drinks well, but the accompanying gastronomic offering here is also not left to chance. First, the wines: a wide and deep selection with bottles from everywhere, recommended by a prepared and competent staff, including low or no-alcohol labels. Then, the food: from arancini to meatballs with tomato coulis, from fregola with guinea fowl ragù to skirt steak with pumpkin and hazelnuts, as well as fine cured meats and cheeses. Tastings and themed evenings are often organized.

Tannico Wine Bar – via Savona, 17 – 02 09946657 – tannicowinebar.it

Vinodromo

At Vinodromo, wines "speak dialect," as a sign on the venue's wall states. Its offering focuses precisely on "artisans," from Italy, France, and the rest of Europe. The available labels are chosen through personal visits to small wineries where work is done in full respect of the vineyard's natural rhythms, without chemical additives. Craft beers, spirits, and cocktails are also available, along with selected cured meats and cheeses or actual dishes like "poor fisherman's" spaghetti, or Procida-style, or a classic michetta with mortadella. There's an Academy with courses for beginners and more. The service is knowledgeable and welcoming.

Vinodromo – via Salasco, 21 – 02 32960708 – ilvinodromo.it

Vinoir

Since 2012, this wine-focused venue has built a well-deserved reputation among its peers in Milan, a city not lacking in such addresses. It's a retail shop but also a pleasant place for tastings and themed evenings organized to promote a culture of drinking outside the mainstream. The list mainly includes labels from small artisans, faithful to traditions and terroir. The origins are varied, not only Italian. On the bistro side, active since 2017, a genuine, fresh and seasonal cuisine designed around drinking. Online shop. A convivial atmosphere, ideal for relaxed stops.

Vinoir – ripa di Porta Ticinese, 93b – 02 39811202 – vinoir.com