Bar Picchio is a down to earth, unpretentious tobacco bar in one of my favorite districts in Milan.
Porta Venezia is well known for being a fancy area as well as the home of a few gay-friendly bars and ethnic restaurants, but it's also a place where, every now and then, it just feels right to take it down a notch. And Picchio nails it, especially if you have zero demands and just want to go for a basic aperitivo in a neighborly bar.
Forget the hype: Picchio is low-priced, but not cheap, if you know what I mean. It's the kind of tobacco bar that reminds you of the 80s, when life in Milan was definitely less pretentious. Everybody pretty much knows everybody around here, so you'll happen to overhear the stories that took place in front of the pool table or behind the counter, where by the way you can spot a thousand ID pictures of the regulars. Picchio offers a pretty decent home-cooked lunch, but it is particularly from 19:00 on that loads of students and residents drop in and have a spritz or a bottled beer and chat on the sidewalk outside.
If Picchio had a motto, it would definitely be “just relax”. Much to the residents' delight, neighborhood bars are having their comeback in Milan, especially since the pandemic started: Bar Picchio is one of the main characters in this story and that's not too shabby at all.
Find your way with 185 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Frizzi & Lazzi" is one of my old-time favorite beer gardens in Milan. It's an unassuming, easy-going place that has become a point of reference since '82.
by
"Ofelé" in Milan is a bistrot bakery that makes some of the best (Sunday) brunches around. It's simply one of my favorite pancake spots in town...
by
"Terrazza 12 Bar" is reminiscent of Tokyo, in that sometimes you have to look up to find the gems. So in Milan - it's on the top floor of Bryan & Barry...
by
"Living Liqueurs & Delights": one of my favorite aperitivo spots in Milan and its first real vodka bar. It has a beautiful bar ambiance & a nice lounge...
by
"Wasabi Bar" is one of the greatest bars in Milan. Why? Because it's great! It's actually tiny, but don't be misled: the drink selection & design are...
by
"Via Solferino" is a central Milan street, yet far away from the crowds. I go there to just look around the shop and I'm sure I can always find I...
by
"DOU" was the first (Asian) restauarant I bumped into in Milan, and it remains one of my favorites in the city. What I like is the selection of cuisines...
by
"Scalo Farini" in Milan is a bar recommended to me by an Isola local as the best aperitivo in town. I can say that I haven't tried any better than this.
by
"Camporino in Galleria" in Milan is where the drink Campari was born. Every time I grab a drink at the bar, I feel as if I stepped into the old city...
by
"San Cristoforo Church" is one of Milan's corners that can really take you back through time. Protip: take a walk along Naviglio Grande in the evening...
by
"Al Fresco" is my Milan cafe/restaurant I'd never visited because it was just next door to my place! Let me tell you, that was a mistake, if only for...
by
185 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 185 Insider Tips