The Navigli district in Milan is the perfect place to sample the amazing Milanese aperitivo scene and is a great destination to spend the evening. The word Naviglio means canal and in Navigli the canal is surrounded by bars, restaurants, art galleries and design shops which makes a very fun and picturesque setting.
Milan's happiest hour runs from around 6 - 9pm and although the cost of your drink maybe slightly inflated (we paid 10 euros for a cocktail) you can help yourself to a complimentary buffet spread. We randomly chose a bar along the canal called Straripa and it was great! AD recently wrote a post on whether there is too much planning done these days and I must admit I like to know that the place I'm going to has good reviews but at the same time it's a nice feeling when you can just stumble upon somewhere that's equally as good as somewhere you've spent a lot of time researching. The bar we chose had lots of people sitting outside (always a good sign) and the set up looked like fun with a dj standing in the car and surrounded by heaped platters of gorgeous Italian food. (Images below via Trip Advisor)
The buffet was impressive. There were platters of vegetables like grilled courgettes and aubergines, an assortment of salads and more platters of salami and ham. There was also a hot buffet which had roast potatoes, lasagne, pasta, chicken nibbles. At one of the other bars we walked past their buffet even included a chocolate fountain!
We had such a nice time enjoying our drinks and sampling the food and the girls loved it as well. They didn't need dinner after that! I started wondering whether this was something you could put in place at UK bars? Thoughts?
After we left the bar we wandered up the canal to a restaurant called Pizzeria Tradizionale recommended by my husband's colleague who is based in Milan. The restaurant was just what we needed ... casual and good with kids! The girls managed to break a bowl as they were fighting over the fried croquettes in them but the waiters were very friendly and didn't make us feel bad. Even though I was quite full from all the aperitivo snacks I managed to polish off a lovely plate of freshly grilled sea bass. As we left the restaurant around 8:30pm all the bars and restaurants were full with people spilling out on the pavements surrounding the canal happily enjoying their drinks and snacks. Definitely a place to visit when you are in Milan! MP
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