Don Lisander
the garden terrace a few steps from La Scala
Popular bar and restaurant known for its lively atmosphere and extensive cocktail menu. Be aware that the bar is often crowded. During warmer months, you can enjoy your food and drinks on the outdoor terrace.
In Brera, Milan. Easy to fold into a morning or a longer afternoon; there's usually something else worth a stop within a few minutes' walk.
Don Lisander is a historic restaurant on Via Manzoni in Milan's Centro Storico, steps from the Duomo and La Scala. It serves classic Milanese cuisine (osso buco, risotto alla milanese, daily risotto) with a recently modernized approach to food and interiors, and is known for its quaint garden patio. Reviews are mixed — food and Italian wine list draw praise, but some diners flag inconsistent service and high cover charges. The curator's framing as a lively cocktail-forward bar is corroborated by its busy bar/aperitivo scene, with the outdoor terrace being the standout warm-weather feature.