Article written by contributor Giulia Minguzzi
You can read this article in Italian here
If, like me, you’re living in Milan as an expat, you’ve probably had to satisfy the requests of visiting relatives and friends who want you to take them to try the famous cotoletta alla milanese. How many times have you trusted Google without really knowing if it was going to be a good choice? Whether you’ve been living in Milan for a while or are planning to visit for an event like Design Week, one thing is for sure: the cotoletta will always be a must in your meals out. In this article, I’ve gathered the best spots in Milan to enjoy a cotoletta.
But before we dive into the best restaurants in Milan for cotoletta, let’s clarify the two main types of cotoletta you’ll encounter in the city. The authentic Milanese version uses veal, specifically the rack of veal, often called a costoletta because the bone is left in. The meat isn’t pounded thin, it’s left at a couple of centimeters thick, then breaded and fried in clarified butter. The other version, called “orecchia di elefante” (elephant ear, in Milanese), is thinner and often made with pork (usually the loin) instead of veal, which is more expensive. Purists prefer the classic thick veal version, while the orecchia di elefante is more often seen on Instagram. At the end of the article, I’ll tell you my favorite and where I had it. Let’s just say I’ve tried quite a few before settling on my top pick.
As always, at the end of the article, you’ll find a handy list of restaurants where you can enjoy cotoletta in Milan, along with a few extra recommendations. Enjoy the read!
Ristorante Dammatrà
This retro-style venue located in the Navigli area serves a fantastic cotoletta in both versions: the Uregia di Elefante (extra large, pork, boneless, thin and crispy) served with a side salad or daily vegetables (€23), or the classic veal cotoletta with bone (€29.50). I’ve tried the first version several times and it’s definitely one of my favorites in the city.
The restaurant also offers a menu of traditional Milanese and Lombard dishes, including mondeghili (meatballs, €10), insalata di nervetti (veal tendons, €12), and iconic risottos like risotto alla milanese (saffron risotto, €17). Other standout dishes include ossobuco with mashed potatoes (€24) or with risotto (€30), and a fritto misto di rane (fried frog legs, €20), popular among locals but unusual for those visiting Milan. This place is a perfect choice for a family dinner or a gathering with friends.
Dammatrà
Via Elia Lombardini, 1 (M2 Romolo/Pt.a Genova)
Il Ristorantino della Carne
A small eatery in the Solari area, this place specializes in orecchia di elefante, served with a twist. You can add different toppings to your cotoletta, much like a pizza. Purists might be offended, but I say it’s delicious—especially the first time I tried one with caramelized Tropea onions (€20). The menu offers a variety of toppings, such as gorgonzola, mushrooms, or grilled vegetables, with up to 30 different variations of orecchia di elefante.
The price ranges from €19 (for the classic with rosemary potatoes) to €24/25 (for the pricier ones with porcini mushrooms). The restaurant is also known for its meat cuts, cooked on a lava stone, including horse entrecôte, Angus Fiorentina steak, and classic beef fillet.
Il Ristorantino della Carne
Via Andrea Solari, 12 (M2 Sant’Agostino
Trattoria Fa Ballà L’Oeucc
If you’re looking for a more casual, affordable spot, head to the Baggio district for Trattoria Fa Ballà L’Oeucc. It’s a neighborhood trattoria with a lot of locals, especially at lunch, where you can enjoy your meal without breaking the bank. Their motto is “Mangia e Tas” (eat and be quiet), and the menu is even written in Milanese. The cotoletta here is served in the orecchia di elefante style, with different variations beyond the classic one with potatoes (€21). Options include “Affumicata” (smoked scamorza cheese and speck, €24), “Gustosa” (with hot gorgonzola cream and walnut crumble, €23), and “Alternativa” (stracciatella cheese, caramelized onions, and a secret sauce, €24).
Trattoria Fa Ballà L’Oeucc
Via Pistoia, 19 (best reached by car; or metro M1 to Bisceglie and bus 58 to Via Val D’Intelvi)
Osteria Conchetta
For a more elevated experience to impress your guests, Osteria Conchetta is a great option. Located near the Navigli area, this elegant and refined restaurant offers both orecchia (pork) and Antica di Vitello (350g veal, requiring a 30-minute wait, €35) versions of cotoletta. It’s the ideal spot for a top-quality Milanese-style lunch, paired with excellent service and an elegant atmosphere.
Osteria Conchetta
Via Conchetta, 8 (M2 Romolo, Tram 3)
Consorzio Stoppani
If you’re looking for a twist on the classic cotoletta, head to Consorzio Stoppani near Porta Venezia. Here, the cotoletta is called “L’Imbruttita” and features a unique breading with pistachios and orange zest, served with a delightful mustard sauce (€20). The restaurant offers a fun, folklore-inspired atmosphere, and I highly recommend trying the Tagliolino al Nero (black pasta with yellow cherry tomato cream, anchovies, and olive taggiasche, €12).
Consorzio Stoppani
Via Antonio Stoppani, 15 (M1 Porta Venezia)
Trattoria Amici Miei
If you’ve been wondering where to eat cotoletta with friends without spending too much, I have the answer: Amici Miei is a casual trattoria with checkered tablecloths where you can enjoy the cotoletta alla milanese in the “orecchia di elefante” style, overflowing from the plate, all at an affordable price (€21). The atmosphere here is friendly, and it’s located in a university area (Bocconi, Naba, Iulm), so it’s common to see students enjoying group lunches or dinners, or celebrating their graduation with friends and family. The restaurant also offers special menus for ceremonies, with appetizers, first and second courses, and unlimited wine (€40/45/50 depending on the package). I wouldn’t recommend it for an intimate dinner for two, but rather for a get-together with colleagues or former university classmates. I’ve already mentioned the second location of this restaurant, Atto II, in my article about the best restaurants in the Conchetta area—check it out (linked above).
Trattoria Amici Miei
Viale Bligny, 36 (Tram 9)
Atto II – Via Brioschi, 41 (Tram 15, Tram 3)
Trattoria Burla Giò
Since we’re on the subject of trattorias with checkered tablecloths, we can’t forget a hidden gem in the heart of central Milan, just a few steps from the Duomo, and surprisingly affordable considering the location: Trattoria Burla Giò is your go-to place if you want to eat a cotoletta in central Milan without spending too much and maybe try other traditional Milanese dishes before taking a stroll through the city’s central streets. At Burla Giò, they don’t take reservations for lunch on the weekends, but you’ll queue and wait to be seated (across several floors). I visited on a Sunday with my parents—we arrived right at peak time, at 1:30 pm, and waited less than half an hour.
From the outside, you can read about their fixed-price lunch menu, which is very reasonable considering it’s less than 10 minutes on foot from the Duomo: first + second + side dish for €25, just the first for €14, or just the second + side dish for €19 (drinks not included). Of course, you can’t miss the cotoletta, and I have to say the portion is generous (it’s not the classic giant “orecchia di elefante,” but definitely enough to fill you up until dinner if you only have that and a side dish). The breading is perfect, with salt crystals on top, and the cotoletta comes with roasted potatoes. All of this at a modest price, right in the city center. What are you waiting for to bring your relatives here?
Trattoria Burla Giò
Via S. Giovanni Sul Muro, 16 (M1 Cairoli)
Trattoria Madonnina
This historic trattoria in the Corso San Gottardo area is well-known by many Milanese, and it definitely deserves a spot in the list of places to eat cotoletta. Recently, Trattoria Madonnina changed ownership, but the atmosphere and the authenticity of the place haven’t changed.
The same can be said for the dishes. Here, you can enjoy a delicious Cotoletta “Madonnina” (€16), smaller than the huge ones we usually see on Instagram, but not any less tasty—actually, it’s even better. They also offer a veal version, served with roasted potatoes or a side of salad and tomatoes (€26). The vintage decor and ‘60s-style table service will definitely impress those who love old-fashioned restaurants, preserved from time but still guaranteed to deliver quality, competing with modern, contemporary spots. If you’re lucky, you might even witness a couple of elderly gentlemen who start playing the accordion and trombone to entertain the entire restaurant! I’ve already written about this well-known trattoria in my article about affordable restaurants in Milan (linked above), where you’ll find plenty of ideas for low-cost family lunches and gatherings with friends.
Trattoria Madonnina
Via Gentilino, 6 (Tram 3)
Premiata Trattoria Arlati dal 1936
Near Bicocca, not everyone knows about this historic, elegant, family-run trattoria that’s been around since 1936. It’s an eclectic restaurant with antique furnishings and vintage memorabilia, perfect for celebrating an anniversary or a special occasion. The prices are in line with the service, which is meticulous, and the charming location, but still not overly expensive; the portions are generous and aligned with traditional Milanese cuisine. Here, the cotoletta is pounded and served on the bone for only €21, despite the sophistication of the venue. Other great classics include Risotto al salto (€14) or the iconic Ossobuco with risotto (€27), but they also feature seasonal regional specialties on the menu from time to time. I’d recommend this spot for a romantic dinner or a special date.
Premiata Trattoria Arlati dal 1936
Via Alberto Nota, 47 (M5 Bicocca)
Al Garghet
Could a restaurant known for its cotoletta be left off this list? Everyone wants to try it at least once, especially during the holiday season. Al Garghet is a restaurant just outside southern Milan, nestled in the countryside, where you’ll need a car to reach it. I previously wrote about it in a Christmas-themed review, sharing my experience during the holidays when the place is fully decorated, creating a magical and wonderful Christmas atmosphere. It’s impossible you haven’t seen their “Coteleta del Garghet” (€28, orecchia di elefante) on a post or story: it’s super Instagrammed for its size, the biggest cotoletta you’ve ever seen (and eaten) in Milan, impossible to finish, so it’s often shared by multiple people at the table. If you order in advance, you can also try the “Coteleta a la milanesa” (€32), made from veal and not pounded. This cotoletta is a must-try if you’re aiming to taste the most famous cotolettas in Milan, and even better if you manage to book in December, so you can enjoy the fantastic Christmas atmosphere that only this place can offer.
Al Garghet
Via Selvanesco, 36 (car recommended)
La Vecchia Guardia
As promised, I’ve saved the best (and most expensive) cotoletta for last: at La Vecchia Guardia, I had the best cotoletta I’ve tried so far (and unfortunately the most expensive, but it was worth it). Here, I enjoyed a delicious veal cotoletta, pounded to the orecchia di elefante style but left on the bone, served with crispy homemade potato chips and mustard-flavored mayo (€35). This is currently my favorite cotoletta in Milan, but I won’t stop trying others!
This little spot is in the University Statale area, offering a menu of traditional Lombard dishes and more. They specialize in fresh pasta, particularly handmade ravioli, and I recommend trying at least one type of their ravioli. As for the rest, don’t hesitate to order the cotoletta, which can also be ordered in an imperial version, just for two people, called the “Cotoletta della Vecchia Guardia” with artichokes, fontina DOP cheese, and chips (€60).
La Vecchia Guardia
Via della Commenda, 21 (M3 Crocetta)
Where to eat cotoletta in Milan? The definitive list
Here’s a convenient list for you to screenshot for your next cotoletta outing and share with friends:
- Al Garghet – Via Selvanesco, 36 (car recommended)
- Antica Osteria Il Ronchettino – Via Lelio Basso, 9 (car recommended)
- Antica Trattoria del Gallo – Via Privata Gerli, 3, Gaggiano (car recommended)
- Beato Te – Via Sant’Anatalone, 16 (M1 Primaticcio, Bus 64)
- Consorzio Stoppani – Via Antonio Stoppani, 15 (M1 Porta Venezia)
- Da Martino – Via Carlo Farini, 8 (M5 Monumentale, M2 Garibaldi)
- Dammatrà – Via Elia Lombardini, 1 (M2 Romolo/Pta Genova)
- Il ristorantino della carne – Via Andrea Solari, 12 (M2 Sant’Agostino)
- La Vecchia Guardia – Via della Commenda, 21 (M3 Crocetta)
- Osteria Brunello – Corso Garibaldi, 117 (M2 Garibaldi/Moscova)
- Osteria Conchetta – Via Conchetta, 8 (M2 Romolo, Tram 3)
- Premiata Trattoria Arlati dal 1936 – Via Alberto Nota, 47 (M5 Bicocca)
- Trattoria Amici Miei – Viale Bligny, 36 (Tram 9); Atto II – Via Brioschi, 41 (Tram 15, Tram 3)
- Trattoria Burla Giò – Via S. Giovanni Sul Muro, 16 (M1 Cairoli)
- Trattoria del Nuovo Macello – Via Cesare Lombroso, 20 (Tram 12, Bus 90/93)
- Trattoria Fa Ballà L’oeucc – Via Pistoia, 19 (car recommended; also reachable by M1 metro to Bisceglie, then bus 58 to Via Val D’Intelvi)
- Trattoria Madonnina – Via Gentilino, 6 (Tram 3)
- Trattoria Milanese dal 1933 – Via Santa Marta, 11 (M1 Cordusio, M3 Missori)
Article written by contributor Giulia Minguzzi
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