As any metropolis, Milan has many faces and can be many things at once. I don’t love all of them nor I could write about them all.

We should only write about what we know well and in depth and what we feel strongly about, whichever force, bad or good, the feeling is driven by.

Polyhedric, multifaceted, ever changing. Milan the fashion and design capital. Milan the financial centre of Italy. The hub of the country industry. The Milan of publishing and media. The Milan of the latest trends, il Salone del Mobile and Fashion Week, the Milan always projected into the future.

Milan is all these things and much more. Surprisingly, but maybe not so much, it often doesn’t come up high in the list of the Italian città d’arte. Time has sedimented its name for so many other things that maybe that part gets forgotten?. And for no good reason, I assure you. Or maybe there is another reason to that as well. I actually think there is ,and it’s actually a pretty obvious one.

Milan is a discreet lady who doesn’t boast about its beauty and richness. Forgive me the personification but, in Italian, cities, like any other noun, have genders and Milan in my ears is an upper class lady who is pretty confident about her means and prospects and really doesn’t need to impress. Yet impress she does, just for the effortless way she carries herself around, for her endless ability of attracting talented and skilful people, to inspire and motivate them to dare fearlessly, achieve more and dream farther.

This is my Milan. Gentry neighbourhoods of imposing town houses and impressive buildings. Solid marble and thick doors showcasing impressive handles and doorknobs, doorbells and name tags of illustrious and well established professionals and long time residents alike. Chic cafes and tea houses where cappuccinos and pastries are works of art and a lunch a quick but elegant affair. Boutiques’ vetrinas sparkling magic and unparalleled taste yet keeping the tone quiet because, if in Milan the city is busting with life, the style of her residents is always sober and elegant, the colours muted, the accessories minimal yet defining.

Inspiration is everywhere, every shop owner is an artist of their craft, every hairdresser a reserved confident and a skilled personal stylist, every bartender a charming wizard of aromatic drinks, brewed in seconds and presented in hot steaming cups at a crowded counter, with a magnetic smile and a “per lei” just to add that personal touch.

This Milan is perfect for a stroll or a bike ride. It requires dedication in discovering its many secrets and finding so much beauty in the details of the metal gates and fences, the hidden courtyards, the building decorations and the hanging balconies, the mosaic floors and the frescoed galleries.

And when you are tired of gently falling in love with this city, just stop by one of the many cafes for a mandatory aperitivo and then take a seat in one of its many amazing restaurants to enjoy any type of cuisine you might fancy for the day. A word of advice though, avoid the latest, trendiest places you read about in some online publication. They aren’t part of the heart of the city but just of her superficial side. Book a table at one of the many historic places Milan has to offer (you will find a short list of some of my favourites below) . Those where they still employ professional waiters and the decorations are classic Italian, where they present you a printed menu instead of an iPad and play soft music that allows for pleasant conversation. Those where food and service are on the menu instead of the latest interior decor extravaganza. Fall in love with the simplicity and beauty of Italian food and wine. Don’t forget to check out some special bakeries, delicatessen shops and gelaterie as well… La dolce vita might not be so Milanese and we can leave the prerogative to Romans but we have our own good dose of savoir vivre too.

Milan is my home town and a place of great connection for me. I could write about it for hours and spend months photographing it without feeling I have captured its multifaceted soul. We’ll leave it at this for now. Hopefully more will come soon. Particularly if you enjoyed this photo tour and the recommendations and tips to visit the authentic and timeless side of this city and are up for more. Can’t wait to know. Leave me a comment below.

ADDRESSES AFTER THE PHOTO JOURNAL

You might be also interested in a day out of Milan, visiting one of the most beautiful lakes surrounding the city. If so, check this day out on lake Como here.

PASTICCERIE

(PASTRY SHOPS, TEA HOUSE AND CAFES)

Bastianello, via Borgogna - www.bastianello.com

Sant’Ambroeus, Corso Matteotti 7 - www.santambroeusmilano.com

Pasticceria Cova, Via Montenapoleone 8 - www.pasticceriacova.com

Marchesi, Via Montenapoleone 9 - www.pasticceriamarchesi.com

Marchesi, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II - www.pasticceriamarchesi.com

Gattullo, Piazzale di Porta Ludovica 2 - www.gattullo.it

Knam, Via Augusto Anfossi 10 - www.eknam.com

Taveggia, via Uberto Visconti di Modrone 2 - www.duomo.townhousehotels.com

Biffi, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele 2 - www.biffipasticceria.it

Biffi, Corso Magenta 87 - www.biffipasticceria.it

RESTAURANTS

ITALIAN CUISINE

Ristorante da Angelo, Viale Umbria 62 (Tuscan Cuisine) - Tel +39 02 5518 4668

La Taverna degli Amici, via Spartaco 4 (Traditional Italian Cuisine) - www.latavernadegliamici.it

Aimo e Nadia, via Privata Raimondo Montecuccoli, 6 (Italian contemporary cuisine) - www.aimoenadia.com

Cracco’s, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II (fine dining - Milanese dishes contemporary reinterpreted) - www.ristortantecracco.it

Sadler, via Ascanio Sforza 77 - www.ristorantesadler.it

Trattoria Masuelli San Marco (Traditional Milanese Cuisine) - www.masuellitrattoria.com

Moscara Terra d’Otranto, Via Spartaco 37 (Puglia cuisine) - www.moscaraterradotranto.com

Su Barrile, via Pellegrino Rossi, 87 (Sardinia cuisine) - www-su-barrile.it

La Giara, Viale Monza 10 (home style Puglia cuisine) - Tel. +39 02 2614 3835

Langosteria, via Savona 10 (fish and seafood) - www.langosteria.com

Joia, Via Panfilo Castaldi 18 (vegetarian) - www.joia.it

Al Porto, Piazzale Antonio Cantore (fish and seafood) - www.alportomilano.it

JAPANESE AND SUSHI

(Milan loves Japanese food… it’s a sort of tradition these days)

Temakinho Brera, Corso Garibaldi 59 (Japanese - Brazilian sushi) - www.temakinho.com

Tamakinho Navigli, Corso di Porta Ticinese 37 (Japanese - Brazilian sushi) - www.temakinho.com

Bomaki Uramakeria, Corso Sempione 8 ( (Japanese - Brazilian sushi) - www.bomaki.it

Bomaki Uramakeria, Largo la Foppa 1 (Japanese - Brazilian sushi) - www.bomaki.it

Bomaki Uramakeria, Via Raffaello Sanzio 24 ( (Japanese - Brazilian sushi) - www.bomaki.it

Bomaki Uramakeria Citylife, piazza Tre Torri 1/L (Japanese - Brazilian sushi) - www.bomaki.it

Bomaki Uramakeria Via Bernardino Corio 8 (Japanese - Brazilian sushi) - www.bomaki.it

Nishiki, Corso Lodi 70 (Sushi Restaurant) - www.nishiki.it

Nobu, Via Gastone Pisoni 1 (the space has been designed by Armani) - www.armani.cm/restaurants/

VIETNAMESE

Vietnamonamour, Via Torquato Tiaramelli, 67 - www.vietnamonamour.com

CHINESE

Dim Sum, Via Nino Bixio 29 - www.dimsummilano.com

Ravioleria Sarpi, Via Paolo Sarei 27 - www.facebook.com/ravioleriasarpi

GELATERIE

(ICE CREAM PALAS)

Sweet Melodies, Viale Umbria 66 - Tel. +39 02 5519 4210

Gelateria Marghera, Via Marghera 33 - www.gelateriamarghera.it

Viel, Viale Abruzzi 23 - www.viel-milano.com

Chocolat Milano, Via Giovanni Boccaccio 9 - www.chocolatmilano.it

GROM, Piazza Game Aulenti 8 - www.grom.it

CHOCOLATERIES

Venchi, Via Giuseppe Mengoni 1 - www.it.venchi.com

Knam, Via Augusto Anfossi, 10 - www.eknam.com

BAKERIES, DELIS AND OTHER NOTEWORTHY FOODIES’ SPOTS

Princi - Bakery, various locations - www.princi.it

Peck - Deli, Via Spadari 9 - www-peck.it

Rossi & Grassi - Deli, Via Pontevetero 4 - www.rossiegrassi.it

BOUTIQUES, STORES AND BRANDS THAT ARE QUINTESSENTIALLY MILANESE

Just a taste because such topic deserves its own dedicated blog post… so much to say here

Tearose Boutique, Piazzetta Croce Rossa - www.tearose.it (florist and concept store)

Loro Piana, Via Montenapoleone 27 - www.it.loropiana.com (clothing brand specialising in cashmere and wool)

Fratelli Rossetti, Via Montenapoleone 1 - www.fratellirossetti.com (shoes)

Max Mara, Piazza del Liberty, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II - www.it.maxmara.com (clothing shop)

Damiani, Via Montenapoleone 10 - www.damiani.com (jewellery)

The Bridge Shop, Via Ponte Vetero 17 - www.thebridge.it (bags)

Fontana Milano 1915, Via Trebbia 26 - www.fontanamilano1915.com (bags)

Mazzolari, Corso Monforte 2 - www.mazzolari-milano.com (perfume, make up and body care)

Merci à Vous, via Borgospesso 21 - www.merciavous.it (hairdresser)

Hoepli, Via Ulrico Hoepli 5 - www.hoepli.it (bookstore)

10 Corso Como - www.10corsocomo.com (concept store)

Borsalino, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 92 - www.borsalino.com (hats)

Pollini, Via della Spiga 15 - www.pollini.com (bags, luggage and leather goods)

Gusella, Via della Spiga 31 - www.gusellamilano.it (children clothes and shoes)

Ermenegildo Zenga, www.zegna.it (Men’s Apparel)

La Perla, Via Montenapoleone 14 - www.laperla.com (lingerie)

Coin, piazza Cinque Giornate 1/A - www.coin.it (Department Store)

La Rinascente, Piazza del Duomo - www.rinascente.it (Department Store)

Fornasetti, Corso Venezia 21/A - www.fornasetti.com (Design Objects)

Cargo, Via Privata Antonio Meucci 43 - www.cargomilano.it (interior decoration and furniture)

Arabesque, Largo Augusto 10 - www.larabesque.net (clothing and more shop)