Milan’s Mercato Centrale: 14 must-visit spots in your oasis at the train station

If you love gourmet street food with an international flair, Bottega Ibérica is the place for you. On the ground floor, you’ll find quick, colorful tapas to share, while the first floor features a true Spanish bistro where you can sit back and relax. Grilled octopus, patatas bravas, creative crostini: every dish is Instagram-ready. The vibe is casual yet refined, perfect for an evening with friends or a long, leisurely aperitif.

One of the most photographed spots in the entire Market.

The wine bar run by Alessandra Straccamore and Matteo Mazza —the driving force behind the Motelombroso project, already a well-established name on the Milanese scene—is the go-to spot for anyone looking for a glass of wine with character. With around 400 selections of natural, biodynamic, and artisanal wines, glasses starting at €7, a menu that changes weekly, and charcuterie boards designed to complement every sip.

If the aperitif is almost a cultural ritual for you, this shop speaks your language.

There’s something mesmerizing about watching someone roll out pasta dough by hand. At Famiglia Michelis, fresh artisanal pasta becomes almost a spectacle: an open counter, the scent of flour, shapes that change with the season. A plate of tagliatelle with ragù or tortelli with butter and sage here isn’t “simple”: it’s an act of gastronomic love.

Perfect for those seeking quality Italian comfort food—no frills but plenty of substance. The kind of place that keeps you coming back every week.

Cutting boards that look like paintings, “loaded” sandwiches too big to hold in one hand, spectacularly cooked meats visible from the counter—and on the first floor, even a spectacular rotisserie that makes your head spin (literally). Dennys G. Rodriguez’s shop is pure artisanal food porn.

High-quality cured meats, creative pairings, and an obsessive attention to detail make it a must-visit for those who refuse to compromise on food.

For those who love taking care of themselves without sacrificing flavor, Il Brunch e il Sano by Alan Braccio—opening in fall 2025—is a revelation. Colorful bowls, fresh ingredients, balanced combinations of protein, vegetables, and good carbs: this spot perfectly captures Milan’s healthy food trend.

Ideal for weekend brunch, a light lunch break, or for remote workers looking for a place to grab a healthy and delicious meal.

You can’t talk about Mercato Centrale without mentioning Agie Zhou’s Ravioleria Sarpi, one of the iconic shops since opening and beloved by the younger crowd. Agie—a Bocconi graduate with an MBA from Madrid—founded Ravioleria Sarpi in 2015, turning it into a Milanese institution of fusion cuisine, with a second location opening in De Angeli in 2024. His artisanal Chinese ravioli, steamed, pan-fried, or served in broth, are delicious, affordable, and irresistible.

If you haven’t tried them yet, you’re missing out on one of the city’s must-try treats.

Davide Longoni is one of the most respected names in the world of Italian artisanal baking, and his shop at the Market opens every morning at 6:30 a.m.—a valuable detail for those at the station early in the morning. Warm flaky pastries, baked cakes, sandwiches filled with Japanese shokupan, pan-baked pizza starting at 10:00 a.m., and an in-house bakery visible directly from the counter. Every product tells a story of research into flours and natural leavening.

The kind of shop that forever elevates the concept of “breakfast at the station”

The shop’s name pays homage to the excellence of Italian rice, interpreted in a creative and contemporary way. Milanese risotto with organic saffron, bone marrow, and 30-month-aged Parmigiano, but also surprising dishes like “Risamisù” —a rice version of tiramisu—and “Risotto incavolato, ” for those who love to be amazed at the table. Visually elegant, fragrant, and comforting. Because comfort food, when done this well, needs no filters.

Directly inspired by Naples’ Ottaviano neighborhood, Sabato Sessa’s shop is entirely dedicated to artisanal Neapolitan sfogliatella. Frolle and ricce, freshly baked, with traditional fillings and creative variations: every bite is a journey through Southern Italy. It’s the kind of place that draws a line, and that line is already a story worth telling.

Among the most photographed and tagged desserts in the entire Market—and deservedly so. Trying it at least once is almost a moral obligation.

For those who love a hoppy aperitif, the Birreria di Baffo Moretti is a must-visit. What makes it truly special? Birra Moretti Baffo d’Oro is brewed exclusively for the Mercato Centrale, unpasteurized, at the brewery in Comun Nuovo just a few kilometers from Milan, and stored in two dedicated tanks: fresh, lively, and unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere.

A detail to share with friends while you’re sipping it.

Joe Bastianich brings his Smashburger concept to the ground floor of the Market: burgers pressed flat on a sizzling griddle, made with 100% Black Angus beef, crispy edges, and toppings ranging from classic to fried chicken, all the way to bourbon whiskey bacon. The result is a succulent, mouthwatering, and incredibly photogenic burger. One of the trendiest concepts right now in the world of gourmet fast food, with an already massive social media presence.

If you still don’t know what a smashburger is, this is the perfect opportunity to find out.

Yes, Joe Bastianich has two shops at Mercato Centrale—and the one on the first floor is a whole different story. Joe’s American BBQ is the more gourmet, evening-oriented concept: American barbecue featuring select cuts, slow-cooked meats, homemade sauces, and a New York roadhouse vibe transported to the heart of Milan. Ideal for dinners with friends, for those who love meat in all its forms, and for those looking for something heartier and more convivial.

Prices start at €15 and up, with quality to match.

One of the most interesting new additions to the Market in fall 2025 is Riccardo “Tocci” Nannì’s shop, dedicated to the authentic cuisine of the Castelli Romani. Amatriciana, cacio e pepe, porchetta di Ariccia: traditional dishes from Lazio prepared with authentic ingredients and uncompromising recipes.

A shop to keep an eye on and, why not, to try if you find yourself at Stazione Centrale.

We’ll end on a high note with the Mercato Centrale cocktail bar by Flavio Angiolillo —the Milanese bartender behind iconic spots like MAG Navigli, 1930 Cocktail Bar, and Backdoor 43, and founder of the Farmily Spirits group. An absolute guarantee of quality and creativity.

Open from 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM, 364 days a year: carefully crafted cocktails, select ingredients, and a striking visual identity that transforms a stop at the station into a true trendy bar experience. One of the most shared spots in the entire Market—and deservedly so.

Mercato Centrale Milano isn’t just about food: it’s an urban cultural hub. The Spazio Fare hosts presentations, meetings, workshops, and talks featuring leading figures from the worlds of culture, food, and design. The radio station curated by Alessio Bertallot —a legendary DJ and tastemaker on the Milanese scene—creates a curated musical backdrop that transforms your visit into a complete sensory experience. Theme nights, special events, and live music: this is why the Mercato Centrale Milano is perceived as a vibrant place, not just a simple food court.