Vegan & Vegetarian Milan: Best Plant-Based Restaurants and Where to Eat
Vegan and Vegetarian Eating in Milan: Better Than You Think
Italian food has a reputation for being meat and cheese heavy. Milan, as a cosmopolitan city, has moved well beyond that. There are dedicated vegan restaurants, vegetarian-friendly menus everywhere, and markets full of fresh produce.
This guide covers where to eat plant-based in Milan, from Michelin-starred to cheap and fast.
Joia — Italy's First Michelin-Star Vegan Restaurant
What it is: High-end vegetarian (mostly vegan) restaurant, first in Italy to earn a Michelin star (1996). Chef Pietro Leemann has been here since 1989.
The food: Creative Italian-influenced plant-based cuisine. Tasting menus only for dinner.
Price:
- Lunch: €35–55 (lighter menu)
- Dinner tasting menu: €85–130
- Wine pairing: Additional €45–75
Reservation: Essential — book weeks in advance for dinner.
Address: Via Panfilo Castaldi 18 Hours: Lunch Tuesday–Friday, Dinner Tuesday–Saturday
Worth it? Yes, if you want to celebrate or mark a special occasion. The creativity is genuine and the quality is exceptional. Not for every meal, but an experience.
Universo Vegano
What it is: Milan's best-known dedicated vegan restaurant. Casual, central, reliable.
The food: Italian classics made vegan — pasta, risotto, seitan mains, desserts.
- Seitan milanese (vegan version of the classic Milan cutlet): €12
- Pasta dishes: €9–13
- Desserts: €5–7
Address: Multiple locations — Via Meda 3 (main location) Hours: Lunch and dinner daily
Why go: Reliable, affordable, central. Good for groups where not everyone is vegan — the Italian classics are recognizable.
Flower Burger
What it is: Italian vegan burger chain, started in Milan. Colorful burgers with plant-based patties.
The food: Burgers with beet-colored buns, colorful sauces, plant-based patties.
- Burgers: €10–14
- Fries: €4
- Shakes: €6
Locations: Multiple in Milan (check flowerburger.it)
Why go: Fast, good, Instagram-worthy. Better than expected quality for a chain. Good for lunch.
Mantra Raw Vegan
What it is: Raw vegan restaurant. Cold-pressed juices, raw dishes, health focus.
The food: Raw lasagna, spiralized vegetables, raw cheesecakes, smoothie bowls.
- Main dishes: €12–18
- Juices: €6–9
- Desserts: €8
Address: Via Poerio 6 Why go: If you're doing a health reset or want specifically raw food.
Vegetarian-Friendly Regular Restaurants
Most Milan restaurants now have vegetarian options. Some have good vegan options with modification.
What to order that's naturally vegan/vegetarian at regular restaurants:
Pasta:
- Pasta al pomodoro (tomato sauce) — usually vegan
- Pasta e ceci (pasta with chickpeas) — usually vegan
- Pasta ai funghi (mushroom) — usually vegan (check for butter)
- Risotto ai funghi — check if made with butter (often is, ask for olive oil)
Appetizers:
- Bruschetta — bread, tomato, olive oil — vegan
- Caprese (tomato + mozzarella) — vegetarian only
- Antipasto di verdure (grilled vegetables) — usually vegan
Pizzerias:
- Pizza margherita without cheese (marinara) — vegan
- Any pizza can be made without cheese — ask "senza formaggio"
Markets for Self-Catering:
If you're cooking or want to stock up:
Mercato di Via Papiniano (Wednesday + Saturday)
- Fresh fruit and vegetables, seasonal, local
- Cheaper than supermarkets
- Arrive early (before 9 AM) for best selection
Mercato Isola (Tuesday + Friday)
- Neighborhood market, residential area (Isola district)
- Less touristy, very local
Eataly Milano Smeraldo:
- Large Italian food emporium
- Extensive produce, pasta, Italian specialties
- More expensive but quality is high
- Address: Piazza XXV Aprile 10
Aperitivo — Vegan Options
Aperitivo food (the free snacks with drinks) is often not vegan — most include cheese and cured meats.
How to navigate:
- Ask what the aperitivo includes before sitting down
- Some bars offer separate vegan-friendly snack plates for the same price
- Navigli area has some bars that label vegan options
Vegan aperitivo spots:
- Zazà Ramen (not a bar but does vegan) near Navigli — vegan ramen and Asian options
- Officina 12 (Navigli) — some vegan snack options with aperitivo
Supermarkets with Good Vegan Sections
Esselunga: Best supermarket chain in Milan. Good plant-based section (oat milk, tofu, seitan, tempeh).
NaturaSì: Organic supermarket, all products have no meat, extensive vegan selection. Multiple locations.
Pam Local / Carrefour Express: City center locations, limited but improving plant-based options.
Practical Italian Phrases
- "Sono vegano/a" = I am vegan
- "Senza carne, senza pesce, senza latticini, senza uova" = Without meat, fish, dairy, eggs
- "C'è qualcosa di vegano?" = Is there something vegan?
- "Questo contiene...?" = Does this contain...?
Explore Vegan Milan with Trevurs
Download Trevurs and explore Milan's food markets and neighborhoods with audio guides. Understand why the Isola neighborhood became a hub for alternative and organic food culture, why the Navigli area attracts a young, progressive crowd, and how Italian food culture is evolving without losing its identity.