Smart tips for Milan Design Week from an insider.
A local's take on Milan and how to do Design Week right.
Inside Milan and Design Week
By Andre Vippolis + Elizabeth De Filippo-Jones
April is always a good time in Milan, bringing spring energy and crowds for the ever-popular and action-packed Design Week. Held annually in April, it's one of the most significant events in the global design calendar and held from April 6 to 13 this year. Milan Design Week isn't just about shiny new products — it's where the design world comes to connect. There's always a wide array of exhibitions, installations, and events across the city. The theme for 2025 is Mondi Connessi, which translates to Connected Worlds and explores the intersection of design, technology, and sustainability.
The event is anchored by Salone del Mobile, the renowned furniture fair, and Fuorisalone, a series of offsite events that energize the city with design showcases, parties, and special exhibitions. Key design districts like Brera, Tortona, Isola, and Cinque Vie host a variety of creative projects, from emerging designers to established brands, transforming Milan into a nucleus of innovation and inspiration.
Our friend and fellow food and drink enthusiast, Elizabeth De Filippo-Jones, has lived in Milan for years as a culinary experience designer, writer, curator, and tour guide. She travels Italy to eat and write (FUN!), uncovering local traditions and lesser-known corners of Northern Italy. She started her tour company, Risotto & Steel, to give guests access to more intimate, lesser-known food and design experiences, offering a deeper connection to regional culture. We figured she'd be the perfect person to give you a behind-the-scenes look at Design Week — whether you're heading there soon, thinking about it for the future, or just curious about what it's all about.
Here’s our interview with Elizabeth:
You've been in Milan for over a decade, watching it evolve beyond its reputation as just a fashion capital. How would you describe the transformation—especially in food, drink, and the creative culture?
Milan was already on the rise after hosting the 2015 World's Fair Expo. I originally came to work for the Expo, to support the USA Pavilion with the James Beard Foundation, thinking I'd stay for just eight months. But the city took me by surprise—especially its food scene—so I hustled to find exciting projects and hardly looked back. Today, since Brexit, Milan has seen a noticeable boom, with many brilliant Italian talents returning from London. The ideas are fresh to Milan and the energy is huge. It is a rapidly evolving food, drink, and creative culture.
Has the way you eat and drink in Milan changed over the years? Any shifts in the city's food and bar scene that excite you?
There are a lot of new places to eat and drink in Milan. In the past I felt compelled to go to my old favorites if not working on an article. Now, there's so much new to try. I was living in Brooklyn in the 2000s when the scene exploded out there and in many ways, it feels similar. Italians are innately design-forward and so many of the spaces are beautiful. Going in to support these young entrepreneurs is so important. Not everyone hits the nail on the head. Beyond good food it is the anima of a chef, something well priced (yes, it's still Italy after all). And then trying to figure out if a place is actually for locals or for visitors (writing guides has become tricky in this sense).
Milan Design Week is when the city's creativity explodes—not just in exhibitions but in food and drink. How would you describe the energy in restaurants and bars during this time?
This is always a challenge because restaurants are packed, eager to make the most of Design Week. In Milan, the ability to get a reservation ebbs and flows with Fashion Week, Design Week, and other major events. While the influx of creatives means Milanese are dining out more than ever, eating at home remains an important tradition—even in this fast-paced city. Service might be total merda during Design Week, but it's still the perfect time to book ahead, catch up with friends in town, and soak in the energy of the city.
What would you tell them to do if someone had just one night in Milan during Design Week and wanted a great food, drink, and vibe experience?
I recommend wandering through Brera, checking out events with friends in the Tortona district, and just soaking in the atmosphere. Then, make a late reservation at A Santa Lucia, Ronin, or Balala Hotpot. Keep in mind that the metro stops running at midnight, and taxis or Ubers can take forever, so be ready to walk or grab a bike share home if you're planning a late night.
Are there any food-related installations, collaborations, or concept restaurants happening during Design Week this year that people should know about?
Casa Cork: Rockwell Group teamed up with Corticeira Amorim for a tactile cork installation at Milan Design Week 2025, featuring interactive displays, talks, workshops, and wine tastings.
Bitossi Home “Trattoria”: Bitossi Home reimagines the traditional Italian trattoria with its distinct contemporary aesthetic inside Sugo Milano. The collaboration extends to an exhibit of ceramics inspired by traditional Italian cuisine.
Gentillini 1890 Pop-Up: A pop-up shop from biscuit brand Gentillini 1890 offers classic Italian sweetness.
La Marzocco x House of Negroni: La Marzocco branded a newsstand in collaboration with House of Negroni, an Italian mixology brand showcasing the Negroni Svegliato, an innovative cocktail born from the encounter between coffee and Negroni, created by legendary bartender Salvatore Calabrese.
Sometimes, you just need a quick but excellent meal between exhibits. What's a good casual bite to grab on the go?
During Design Week, don't shy away from grabbing a spritz at a basic bar—sometimes, that's where you'll have the best time. Ask if they have a dry Prosecco for your spritz, and if you need a snack, go for a classic warm toast—white bread with melty cheese. It's the perfect fuel when all the trendy spots are overflowing with people!
Milan is the home of the Aperitivo. Who does it best?
During Salone, I'd recommend aperitivo at Bar Basso (go early!) if you want to be part of the aperitivo-turned-afterparty scene. If you'd rather escape the crowds, head into Parco Sempione, where there are a few charming bars in a gorgeous green space in full bloom: Locanda Alla Mano or Bar Bianco. Le Coloniale has a fantastic wine selection and is conveniently located right off the new M4 metro line—plus, it's likely to be less crowded than our beloved Cantine Isola. A great spot for a more relaxed wine experience in an old-school spot.
La Latteria di San Marco is a legendary spot that both of us adore, and even busier than usual during Design Week. But it's about to go through a significant transition in ownership. What are your thoughts on this change? Do you think it can retain its magic?
The owners of Latteria are the first to ask this question, which makes me think—yes, it's possible. Every time I go, it feels like a third of the diners work around the corner at Loro Piana. It's like their cafeteria. You see the same familiar faces, all determined to keep it alive. The new chef is trained, and Maria and Arturo's sons run the front of the house to support her. If the Maggi's leave, the energy will shift. In a country where knowing the people behind a restaurant matters, Latteria stands out in Milan, where things are often more anonymous. The jury's still out—but I'm a believer.
Milan is known for fashion and design, but what would you say to someone who doesn't yet think of it as a food city?
I'd tell them to join us on a tour where fashion, design, and food collide—because in Milan, they're a power trio! Chic old-school cafés, stylish wine bar aperitivi, and runway-ready risotti.
