Outdoor venues in Milan: the most popular summer locations for lunches, aperitifs or dinners 

As the end of summer approaches, spending time outdoors becomes a necessity to prepare for the arrival of the cold season. Fortunately, Milan offers a wide variety of outdoor venues that know how to welcome those in the city who are looking for a peaceful corner in which to enjoy the last days of summer and enjoy a good meal or have a drink with friends. Courtyards, terraces, green spaces: there is something for everyone. Here then is a selection of places not to be missed.

Summer spots in downtown Milan: Clotilde Brera and Lùbar, between elegance and art

In the heart of the elegant Brera district, right in the historic center of the city, is Clotilde Brera, a refined bistrot that, from a splendid terrace, offers an evocative view of Piazza San Marco. A magnificent view enhanced by the variety of plants arranged all around the tables, which give the whole an intimate and delicate atmosphere. A distinctive note of the venue’s aperitifs is the food pairing between sophisticated cocktails and dishes served in the form of tasty tapas: tasting paths designed to enhance the nuances of drinks and food, between recalls and contrasts of flavors. The culinary proposal is entrusted to chef Domenico Della Salandra, who brings to the table, alongside the classics of Milanese cuisine, more contemporary dishes assembled with a marked dose of creativity.

And if we talk about outdoor venues in downtown Milan, how can we not mention Lùbar, a restaurant and café located on Via Palestro, between Montenapoleone and Porta Venezia, which enchants with its regal beauty. In fact, the restaurant was born inside Villa Reale, which also houses the Gallery of Modern Art (GAM): with its large windows, 18th-century courtyard and garden, it is a true oasis of peace and art suspended in time. The name LùBar, which in Sicilian dialect means “the bar,” is also to be understood as “the bar of the Lu”: behind this innovative concept is the passion and creativity of three siblings, Lucrezia, Lucilla and Ludovico of the Bonaccorsi family, a noble lineage of Sicilian origin. It is precisely the references to Sicilian tradition that are a characteristic element of the culinary offerings, combined with more modern inspirations. Lùbar’s service is active all day long: for breakfast, a snack, lunch, an aperitif or a candlelight dinner.

Un posto a Milano and GuD Bagni Misteriosi: good food and cocktails in the open air

To feel a little bit in the country while remaining in one of the most vital areas of the city, Porta Romana, the place not to miss is Un posto a Milano, located in Cascina Cuccagna, a renovated farmhouse that houses a restaurant, bar and guesthouse. A place with many souls (restaurant, delicatessen, florist, vegetable garden and farmers’ market), with a focus on the nowaste and kilometer zero philosophy that appeals to all generations of visitors. The restaurant operates all day long, offering a menu at lunch that varies according to fresh ingredients and at dinner and on weekends an a la carte menu curated by Chef Nicola Cavallaro. The bar is the ideal place for rich breakfasts, quick lunches and aperitifs based on genuine, artisanal ingredients, with selected drinks and cocktails.

Also in the vicinity of the Porta Romana metro stop, on Via Carlo Botta, GuD Bagni Misteriosi is a corner of relaxation and fun waiting to be discovered. An ancient complex of scenic pools redeveloped thanks to the efforts of the Pier Lombardo Foundation, the same as the Franco Parenti Theater, and public and private investment. In the intimate atmosphere of an open space bordered by a long blue wall, the pools offer during the day an opportunity for a refreshing dip, solarium and entertainment for the little ones, while in the evening they become a meeting place where you can enjoy an aperitif on the terrace adjacent to the pools and attend shows organized by the theater. Sunday aperitifs by the pool are also not to be missed.

The VIU Terrace: gourmet cuisine, sophisticated cocktails and views of the Milan skyline at Hotel VIU Milan

Outdoor aperitifs, on the terrace and by the pool, are also the exclusive formula at Hotel VIU Milan. For guests of the Hotel but also for those who are in town for vacation or business, the wonderful VIU Terrace, located on the eighth floor of the structure, with a breathtaking 360-degree view of Milan, offers every day, from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., the opportunity to enjoy delicious drinks and dishes prepared by the Bulk Mixology food bar of the award-winning chef Giancarlo Morelli on the edge of the spectacular VIU Pool. Not only that. For those staying at the Hotel, the Terrace is a special place to spend every moment of the day: breakfast, lunch, a moment of relaxation before or after a meeting or an evening enlivened by the music of fantastic DJ sets and the priceless view of the Milanese night.