Italy

3 Actually Good Restaurants Near Milan Centrale (2026)

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The facade of Milano Centrale station in Milan, Italy

Last updated August 2026

The three best places to eat near Milano Centrale between trains are Osteria Italiana (six minutes’ walk, classic Italian, opens at 11:00), Berberè Pizzeria Centrale (eight minutes’ walk, sourdough pizza, opens at noon) and Bistrot Milano Centrale, a small food hall you can reach without leaving the station. Here is how to choose between them on a tight connection.

The authors standing together on a street in Milan on a sunny afternoon

Us in Milano.

We have been in this exaction situation more times than you can count. This list steers you away from the touristy restaurant strip right outside of Milano Centrale, the restaurants with laminated menus in 15 difference languages, and avoids the international fast food chains serving exactly what you would eat at home in the train station.

I would note, however, if you have more time and are just eating near Milano Centrale, there are better restaurants. They just aren’t ideal for a meal between trains!

Quick Comparison

  Walk from Centrale Opens Price Best for
Osteria Italiana 6 min 11:00 €€ An early lunch, a first trip to Italy, a long menu of the classics
Berberè Pizzeria Centrale 8 min 12:00 €€ Sourdough pizza and a room full of Milanese students, if you have 2 hours
Bistrot Milano Centrale Inside the station 6:00 €–€€ Under an hour, an early train, or when you cannot face moving your bags

Under 1 hour between trains → Bistrot Milano Centrale, inside the station.

2 hours or more, and it is after noon → Berberè Pizzeria Centrale.

2 hours or more, arriving before noon, or you want a proper sit-down meal → Osteria Italiana.

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Senigallia Travel Guide: The Adriatic Coast Destination Americans Haven’t Found Yet

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Senigallia, Marche.

Italy has always had a special place in our hearts, and whenever we visit, we seek out the authentic, under-the-radar destinations that many travelers overlook. We love discovering towns where Italian is still the language you hear on the streets (perfect for practicing my Italian!), where tourism feels secondary to daily life, and where local culture shines through. Earlier this year, we found exactly that in Senigallia during our first—though certainly not our last—trip to Italy’s Marche region. If you’re searching for an authentic Italian experience or planning a visit to Le Marche, read on to discover why this charming coastal town captured our hearts.

Senigallia, Italia.

Senigallia, Italia.

SENIGALLIA, LE MARCHE

Senigallia is a small city on the Adriatic Sea in Le Marche, one of Italy’s 20 regions. Located just east of Umbria, one of our all-time favorite Italian regions, it shares many of the qualities we love most about central Italy – rolling countryside, far fewer American tourists than the country’s more famous destinations, and incredible food and wine. But Le Marche offers something that landlocked Umbria cannot; a stunning stretch of Adriatic coastline lined with long, sandy beaches, a rarity in much of Italy and Europe.

Senigallia on a map.

Senigallia on a map.

Situated roughly midway between Ancona, Le Marche’s capital, and Pesaro, Senigallia is beloved by Italians for its beautiful beaches and is regarded, at least amongst those in the know, as one of Italy’s top food destinations. After attending our friends’ wedding in Tuscany, we headed here for a few days of great meals and seaside relaxation, and Senigallia exceeded our expectations.

An old Senigallia advert.

An old Senigallia advert.

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La Lopa Matera Review: An Unforgettable Cave Restaurant in the Sassi

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Orecchiette.

I returned to Matera for the second time last October, just prior to visiting my friend’s family hometown of Irsina. We had some not-so-wonderful meals our first time in Matera, so this time I prioritized great food (and succeeded!). La Lopa, a cave restaurant only a few steps from our hotel, receives good reviews and serves local Lucan dishes. I called a few days in advance and, very luckily, reserved a table for 8 without issue. Little did I know, we would have our own private room and some of the best food of the entire trip! Continue reading →

3.5 Days in Rome: The Ultimate Food & Sightseeing Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

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Colosseum, Roma.

If you have been following recent posts, our family trip to Italy began and ended in Rome, with one day on the front end and 2.5 days on the back end. This left us just 3.5 total days to to experience one of the most historic and delicious cities in the world. Knowing our audience, we prioritized the Rome’s tourist highlights and eating the best food possible.

Rome at sunset.

Rome at sunset.

Now, is that enough time in Rome? Absolutely not. But if you’re planning a 1–2 week Italy itinerary and hopping around Italy, this is realistically the amount of time many travelers dedicate to Rome. The good news? With the right plan, 3.5 days is enough to see Rome’s iconic highlights, wander its charming streets, soak in centuries of history, and — perhaps most importantly — eat some absolutely unforgettable food.

Centro Storcio, Roma.

Centro Storcio, Roma.

This article breaks down exactly how we spent our time in Rome, what’s worth prioritizing, and how to experience the city without feeling completely overwhelmed.

The Colosseum.

The Colosseum.

DAY 1: LANDING IN ROME, ROOFTOP DINING, TREVI FOUNTAIN, A FOOD TOUR THROUGH TRASTEVERE, AND SANT’IGNAZIO CHURCH

We excitedly arrived in Rome on a Saturday morning. Immigration was delightfully quick and all our luggage arrived. A pre-booked car had us at our hotel by noon. This trip, unlike other Rome trips, we spent our first night in the Piazza Barberini area, at Hotel Rome Mate Collection Filippo and the Aleph Rome. Both hotels were excellent and highly recommended. We selected these hotels knowing they would be great for a restful first night (i.e., strong air conditioning and American mattresses, IYKYK).

The very beautiful Hotel

The very beautiful Hotel Room Mate Collection.

After dropping our luggage, most of the group walked to Rinascente, which is an upscale Roman department store (kind of like Printemps or Galleries Lafayette in Paris). We [sadly] did not shop and instead made our way to the rooftop restaurant for lunch and Roman views. The weather was perfect. We started the trip strong with a delicious focaccia pizza topped with prosciutto and figs.

Fig foccacia.

Fig & Prosciutto Foccacia at Rinascente.

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How to Order Focaccia in Italy: La Focacceria 5 Lire in Matera

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My personal favorite - the Eggplant Parmesan.

I typically don’t write about grab-and-go type restaurants, but I cannot stop thinking about La Focacceria Italiana 5 Lire Matera in Matera, Italy. The friends that I visited it with also loved it, so here is my post on how you can visit and properly order from La Focacceria Italiana 5 Lire Matera (or, honestly, most focacce in Italy).

5 Lire Matera.

5 Lire Foccaceria Italiana Matera.

La Focacceria 5 Lire Matera, or simply “5 Lire” around town, is a very casual “focacceria” in Matera. It is located on Via Domenico Ridola above the Sassi. It is named for the former currency of Italy, the “lira”, which changed to the euro in 2002.

Via , just outside of 5 Lire.

Via Via Domenico Ridola, just outside of 5 Lire.

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