Il Montalcino

My oh my! Located in Milan’s Navigli district and right on the river, you will find Il Montalcino. It has even been around since 1979! Their restaurant buzzes with locals and you’ll find the dining rooms and patio completely packed every night. All of their dishes are made fresh with the highest quality ingredients and focusing on regional cuisine and seasonal produce.

Let’s get in to the food because that is really what we are here for! We ordered an array of dishes, and I wasn’t even able to fit all of the pictures in here so I chose my favs to highlight! To start, we grabbed the Tuna & Avocado Tartar, Caprese Burrata Salad, Mixed Cured Meats, and Pecorino Cheese. All of the starters were so fresh and flavorful. The Burrata was so creamy with sweet tomatoes – that was probably my favorite – but I am a sucker for a caprese, especially a high quality one. The tartar surprised me though – the tuna was rich and buttery and it had a hint of lime for a vibrant tangy flavor. And of course the pecorino and sliced cured meats was outrageously delicious. Nothing like prosciutto that is sliced right before you eat it – it melts in your mouth like butter. For entrees we tried the Maccheroncini Pasta, Potato Gnocchi, and Prosciutto & Burrata Pizza. The Maccheroncini Pasta comes with freshly, handmade pasta with sausage, sharp cheese, and saffron breadcrumbs. WOAH! The pasta was so chewy and al dente and those breadcrumbs added such a unique flavor. The gnocchi was served in a little cast iron skillet and piping hot with pecorino and black truffles. The gnocchi was so light and fluffy! And lastly, the pizza – this wasn’t a typically neapolitan pizza you’ll usually find; this feature a super crispy crust with fresh herbs and garlic on top and finished with thinly sliced prosciutto and a whole bulb of burrata. I loved how simple it was and it really let the flavors shine since it didn’t have a heavy sauce.

This vibrant, cozy restaurant that has been open for decades is worth a stop on your trip to Milan! It is the perfect dinner spot to enjoy incredible dishes and wine and then take a stroll down the river. Make sure to make a reservation though so you don’t miss out. Take a peak at their menu here.