Article written by contributor Giulia Minguzzi
You can read this in Italian here
A long-standing hotspot for Milan’s nightlife, the Porta Romana area (aka Bocconi area) is one of the liveliest neighborhoods in the city. It offers an overwhelming number of options for enjoying a great aperitivo with friends. Over the years, I’ve discovered several spots here, ranging from the most refined to the most casual, where you can stop by for a drink and enjoy some tasty bites with your friends. In this article, I’ll share the places that have become my go-to spots over the years, where I know I can end my day with a quality aperitivo and recharge for the week ahead.
As always, at the end of the article, you’ll find a handy list to screenshot so you don’t miss any of them!
Fiordiponti Bakery: Aperitivo with Ligurian Focaccia
As a true Ligurian, I’m always on the lookout for a good focaccia that lives up to the one I’m used to, and I must say Fiordiponti didn’t disappoint me. Not only because of the quality, but also because this focacceria offers a reasonably priced aperitivo with focaccia and other small bites. For only €12, you can enjoy a platter with various types of focaccia, mini pizzas, grilled vegetables, cold rice, and meatballs… and you can even ask for a refill without paying extra! Despite the fixed price, the cocktail menu is extensive, offering a wide variety of drinks, from the classics to more unusual choices. I recommend booking in advance if you’re in a large group due to the small size of the place.
Fiordiponti Bakery
Viale Montenero,5 (Metro M3 Porta Romana)
Giodocet: The Salento Aperitivo
If you want to catch up with your colleagues after work or relax with your university mates after exams, there’s a small Salento spot near Bocconi University that offers a traditional aperitivo with a platter of Puglian products at a very competitive price. For only €12, you can enjoy an excellent drink and a mix of capocollo, pancetta, burratine, scamorza, tarallini… If you’re still hungry, you can opt for a more substantial platter with zeppoline, panzerotti, pucce, and focaccia barese (€14). The warmth and friendliness of the owners will make you feel like you’re in Puglia for a few hours, and you’ll likely return even for breakfast to enjoy treats like pasticciotti or Altamura bread with Nutella.
Giodocet
Viale Bligny, 24 (Tram 9)
Tapa: A Taste of Spain in Porta Romana
What could be better than an aperitivo with tapas and sangria? Located just a short walk from the Porta Romana metro station, Tapa is the perfect spot for a Spanish aperitivo in a cozy and informal setting. They serve delicious tapas like patatas bravas, torta de queso, and prawns in aioli sauce, and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., you get 4 tapas included in the price of your drink (or sangria, where I recommend the 1-liter jug for €16). If you’re still hungry, you can stay for dinner and order a respectable paella (meat, seafood, or squid ink, €16/€17 per person). Since the place is quite popular, I recommend booking in advance.
Tapa
Via Burlamacchi, 7 (M3 Porta Romana)
Mom Cafè: Mini Pizzas and Good Vibes
Who doesn’t know Mom and its iconic mini pizzas? A landmark of Porta Romana nightlife, Mom is a favorite hangout for young people who want to have fun during aperitivo time and especially after dinner, with a good dose of music and well-made cocktails. On Fridays and Saturdays, it’s packed with young professionals, university students, and Erasmus students, all there to meet new people and soak up the Milanese nightlife spirit. The aperitivo? Mini pizzas, focaccia, and a few other bites until 9 p.m. But trust me when I say it’s amazing, especially since you can have unlimited amounts! This place is also known for its great value drinks, with classic cocktails ranging from €7 to €10, and food is included in the drink price.
MomCafè
Viale Montenero, 51
Madison: The Industrial Chic Aperitivo
For a more refined aperitivo close to Bocconi University, there’s Madison, a lounge bar with an industrial chic design that offers a happy hour from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. starting from €10/12, depending on your drink choice. The aperitivo includes a platter with focaccias, cold cuts, and appetizers like mini burgers, crudités, roasted potatoes, nuggets, edamame, and dragon clouds. The drink menu is extensive, with cocktails offering unique combinations and flavors, alongside classic options. The modern design and small but well-kept outdoor seating area make it one of the trendiest places in the area for aperitivo, post-dinner, or even a Sunday brunch. On weekends, Madison gets lively with a mix of commercial music, sometimes even DJ sets, making it a popular spot for young people who start their night there before heading to a nightclub. As with other spots, booking is recommended to secure a good table.
Madison
Viale Sabotino, 12
Where to Have Aperitivo Near Porta Romana: The List
Here’s a handy recap of the best spots for aperitivo in Porta Romana / Bocconi that we’ve selected for you:
- Fiordiponti Bakery (Viale Montenero,5)
- Giodocet (Viale Bligny, 24)
- La Buttiga Beer Room (Viale Isonzo, 10)
- Madison (Viale Sabotino, 12)
- Mom Cafè (Viale Montenero, 51)
- Prog (Via Andrea Maffei, 12)
- Tapa (Via Burlamacchi, 7)
- Shati Bistrot (Viale Montenero 16/A)
Article written by contributor Giulia Minguzzi
And you? Do you know of any great spots for aperitivo near Porta Romana in Milan? Let me know onFacebook or Instagram!
Feeling like reading more? Here the best drinks in Navigli, where to listen live music in Milan, where to get the typical cotoletta alla milanese, where to get vegan pastries in Milan.
