Before I moved to Italy, one of the first things that came to mind was FOOD! Salami, cheese, pizza, pasta oh and all coupled nicely with some wine of course! And of course, Italy didn’t disappoint me.

When it comes to cheese and salami I would recommend a visit to a fabulous jam-packed delicatessen just off the Corso Buenos Aires shopping strip.

Being Australian, my knowledge of Italian cheese was limited to Parmesan (Parmigiano) and Mozzarella and sadly, the only mozzarella I really knew was the copied version we put on our pizzas.

Now I can safely say that I have managed to try a reasonable percentage of the many cheese and cured meats Italy has to offer, but there is always something new to discover. Grab a few servings when you’ve worked up a hunger after shopping or maybe grab a few things for a picnic and relax in the nearby Giardini Publici (Public Gardens) near Porta Venezia. Don’t worry if they don’t speak English, just point at a few things…you’ll be right! They are really friendly and like to joke around with the customers. Avoid Saturday mornings as it’s really chaotic!

MM Metro Lima is the closest stop.

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Salami & Cheese | Shopping, Snacks
Via Tadino / Via Vitruvio | Centrale/Greco
Mon 08:00 – 13:00, Tue – Sat 08:00 – 13:00 & 15:30 -19:30

In my opinion, one of the best way to discover the habits of a country is to visit a supermarket or, even better, a street food market. Walking through the stands full of fruits, vegetables, spices, it is possible to figure out what locals will eat for dinner and therefore understand a bit about their culture.

The Market of via Fauchè is one of the best street markets in Milan, where you can find many stands full of fresh fruits or vegetables. 

I love the varieties of stuff you can buy all in one place: not only fruits and vegetables but also fresh fish, cheese, flowers, clothes, bags and shoes.

The market it is situated in a residential area, so taking a walk into the market could present a nice occasion to visit an authentic part of Milan, off from touristic paths.

There are no metro stations close, but you can choose between different tram and bus lines (tram 1, bus 43, 57) and again experience the truly Milanese atmosphere. (Trams are a peculiarity of Milan and they are beautiful )

If it is summer after the walk in the market, you can have a wonderful ice-cream at Massimo del Gelato (via Castelvetro, 18). Try Chocolate Cavour (fantastic, with cherries and a hint of coffee).

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Market of Via Fauchè | Shopping | Free
Via Fauchè | Bovisa
Sat 08:00 – 15:00

Probably each single woman in Milan has got at least one pair of shoes by Mauro Leone. If you are a woman, and you love shoes (ever found a woman who disliked them ?) -this is the place you want to go.

Mauro sells mainly “last trend” shoes at affordable prices and this is probably why it is always so packed. The shop is very small, there is always music on and beautiful shoes displayed everywhere.

They do not accept credit cards, however in front of the shop there is an ATM machine, so remember to fill your wallet if you are planning to buy more then one pair (and if you are not from Milan and just visiting, I bet you will)

Remember: If you have the chance, do not go there on Saturday afternoon, the shop is very little and you will risk not finding enough space to get in.

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Mauro Leone | Shopping | Ballerinas from € 39
Corso di Porta Ticinese, 60 | Ticinese/Genova | +390289429167
Mon 15:00 – 19:30, Tue – Fri 10:00 – 19:30

I love walking. One of my favorite streets in Milan, for a nice walk is Via Vincenzo Monti. I’ll try to find at least 10 good reasons why it can be renamed as the best street in Milan for me:

*1. It is beautiful: with high trees and old beautiful buildings on the side.

*2. It is very centrally located (near cadorna station) but there is not much traffic, and this is definitely a plus considering that it is located in the very city center.

*3. There is one of my favorite patisseries  (Sugar, at number 26).

*4. There are many nice restaurants  (pizzeria da Biagio is one of my favorites at number 28 and Pane e Salame at number 26).

*5. There is a great hair stylist (Tony&Guy at number 27).

*6. There are two beautiful flowers shops and I love flowers.

*7. It is close to the Triennale Museum (monder art/design museum).

*8. It is very close to the biggest park of Milan (Parco Sempione).

*9. There are a few supermarket and biological shops.

*10. It is very close to the Malpensa Express (train shuttle to Malpensa).

For all these reasons I recommend you to reserve at least a couple of hours to wander around the street, have a nice coffee or a pizza or just enjoy window shopping.

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Via Vincenzo Monti | Bars, Coffee & tea, Shopping
Via Vincenzo Monti, 2 | Centro
24 hours daily

Even if this interior design store is really big, it has a homey feeling and that’s why so many people enjoy spending sometime here.

The building is placed in an old yard next to Garibaldi train station and it used to be an ink factory in the late XIX when it was built. Big windows, high ceiling, open space, concrete floor: the structure is still industrial. Different spaces on many levels are connected by some steps or unexpected corners, like a big labyrinth of design.

Each product sold in this store comes from a refined choice and wants to represent innovation and creativity in design. You can find clothes, perfumery, stationery, but also pieces of furniture, kitchen and bathroom accessories and a lot of ideas for your gifts.

Every time I come here I can’t help fantasizing about my dream apartment and the style it would have. Since I must wait some time for it, I am glad there’s a place where I can at least gather some cute ideas!

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High Tech | Shopping
P.zza 25 Aprile 12 | Brera/Porta Nuova | +39026241101
Mon 13:30 – 19:30, Tue – Sun 10:30 – 19:30

This store opened at the beginning of 2010. When they were renovating the space I was always looking through the windows trying to guess what they were working on. I noticed an old and classical structure painted with bright colours and I couldn’t get what the project was about.

I found out this place used to be a cloister, back in the days. It’s been totally renovated, in the respect of the old structure, and now it’s a huge clothing clothes store, for men and women. They sell different brands, in a range between street and new hippy style. Prices are average and the quality is good.

It’s fun just having a look around, to appreciate the intricate architecture and the design project: there are some kitsch details like old columns painted in gold, arty furniture such as sofas composed with old and worn fabrics and curious objects (a fence made by fake rifles full of flowers). Peace and love.

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Scout | Shopping
Corso di Porta Ticinese 12 | Ticinese/Genova | +390287088048
Mon 15:30 – 19:30, Tue – Fri 09:30 – 19:30, Sun 15:00 – 19:00

This is a cute little shop where you can find handmade clothes, shoes and bags. They change collections very often and each piece feels like unique. The quality of the material is high and refined while the price is very affordable. The outfit are simple but the fabrics and the textiles are really special.

You can jump in and just have a look or try on different pieces and ask an advice to the sales women, who are always very friendly and helpful.

Small things is located in a busy shopping street of Brera, the art galleries neighbourhood. In this area you can find high end expensive shops next to old boutiques.

In Small things I once found the most beautiful pair of shoes I have ever seen: a simple brown décolleté with a thick and high heel painted like a seventies wallpaper. Too bad, there wasn’t my size! But that’s the price you have to pay for handmade stuff.

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Small things | Shopping | dress € 70.00
Via Ponte Vetero 15 | Brera/Porta Nuova
Tue – Sat 10:00 – 19:30, Sat – Sun 13:00 – 19:30

Are you addicted to high heels like Carrie Bradshaw, the main character of Sex and the city? If your answer is yes, I would recommend you to visit this shop.

I don’t wear high heels every day but I bought the few pairs I have in this shop, because the quality is really high and the choice is large. Unfortunately prices are not small either, but I must say these shoes are really comfortable and last a long time. You can choose among different refined brands, styles and “heights”. They have from thin and embarrassing high heels to thicker and smaller ones until flat and sober shoes. From extravagant models and colours to more classical shapes.

There are two Guja shops, one is more central, next to red line Cairoli stop, and the other one in the shopping street Corso Vercelli 23 (red line Pagano stop).

Going back to Carrie Bradshaw, in one episode she just said that “the fact is, sometimes it’s hard to walk in a single woman’s shoes. That’s why we need really special ones now and then to make the walk a little more fun”.

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Guja | Shopping
Via San Giovanni sul Muro 13 | Centro | +3902874344
Mon 15:30 – 19:30, Tue – Sat 10:00 – 19:30

The English word for Panpepato is gingerbread.

“Style is the dress for thoughts” is Martina and Giulia’s payoff for their 4 years old shop.

In front of Parco Solari, a quiet garden in the centre of Milano, this is a really special place for handmade fashion with a Parisian touch.

In Panpepato you can buy clothes for women and kids designed and produced by the owners: haute couture between art and craftsmanship. Clothes have an original and always different variety of shapes, fashionable but never obvious. The shop also is a place for other craftsmen’s creations, like jewellery, bags, accessories, belts.

I have a couple of dresses I bought here and every time I wear them someone tells me: “That’s so cute! Where did you buy it?”. This is why Panpepato’s clients come back for more and are always satisfied.

If you buy something you’re welcome to send a picture of you to their nice blog: http://www.panpepato.blogspot.com/.

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Panpepato | Shopping | Dress from € 70.00
via Solari 2/A | Ticinese/Genova | +390243910243
Mon 15:00 – 19:30, Tue – Sat 10:00 – 14:00 & 15:00 – 19:30