Milan Brera: Food Walking Tour & Aperitivo with Tastings

Summary

Eat your way through Brera’s flavors, stories, and street life

You’ll stroll through Milan’s Brera district with a local guide, tasting risotto balls, silky Parma ham, cheeses, and more at six different stops. Sip a special Spritz during aperitivo while hearing stories about Milan’s history and food traditions. Expect laughter over shared plates—and maybe pick up some real Milanese phrases along the way.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the sound of footsteps on those old stone streets in Brera—sort of echoing, even though it was late morning. Our guide, Chiara, waved us over by Lanza-Brera Station with this big grin and before I knew it we were weaving past little market stalls and people chatting in that fast Milanese way. The air smelled like espresso and something buttery—I think from a bakery just opening up. I’m not sure why but I felt both hungry and a bit nervous about trying to pronounce anything right.

Chiara started telling us about how Brera used to be full of artists and poets (she pointed at a faded mural—said it’s been there since her dad was a kid). We stopped at the first food spot—a tiny place with marble counters—and tried these little risotto balls. Warm, saffrony, kind of sticky inside. She explained how rice is basically the soul of Milanese cooking. Someone asked about polenta and she just laughed—“Milanese people argue about polenta like they argue about football.” I liked that.

By the third stop (Parma ham so thin you could see light through it), I’d stopped worrying about my Italian. There was an older man behind the counter who handed me a piece with this gentle “prego” and honestly, that salty-sweet taste still pops into my head sometimes when I’m hungry back home. Later we all squeezed around a table for aperitivo—bright orange Spritzes clinking together—and Chiara taught us to say “cin cin”. Li laughed when I tried to copy her accent; probably butchered it but nobody seemed to care.

I didn’t expect to feel so relaxed wandering those streets or to learn so much about how food ties into Milan’s history—the canals, the Expo stuff, all mixed in with bites of cheese or veal Milanese. The city felt less intimidating after that afternoon. Sometimes when I smell oranges or hear Italian on the street now, I get this quick flash of Brera’s colors and laughter echoing off old walls… you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Milan's Brera food tour

• Meet guide near Lanza-Brera Station
• Walk through historic Brera district
• Learn about Milan's history and cuisine
• Discover Navigli and Porta Nuova areas
• Taste six local food samples
• Try traditional Milanese dishes and cheeses
• Enjoy Parma ham and saffron risotto

Top questions

How long does the Brera food walking tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours in total.

Where does the food tour in Milan start?

You meet your guide near Lanza-Brera Station in central Milan.

How many food stops are included on the tour?

The tour includes six different food tasting stops in Brera.

Is there an aperitivo included on this tour?

Yes, you’ll enjoy a special Spritz as part of an aperitivo during the experience.

Are vegetarian options available on this Milan food tour?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if requested at booking.

Is public transportation nearby for this tour?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to the meeting point.

Can guests under 18 join the wine or alcohol tastings?

No, guests must be at least 18 years old for wine or alcohol tastings.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting your local guide near Lanza-Brera Station before setting off for six tasting stops across Brera—sampling risotto balls, cheeses, Parma ham and more—with a special Spritz during aperitivo. All tastings are included; just let them know if you need vegetarian options or have dietary needs when booking.