Milan Design Week 2025 is quickly approaching, and everyone is eager to immerse themselves in the vibrant array of events that will animate the city. However, we also recognize the need for a gourmet break between one opening and the next. There are numerous pop-up restaurants hosted by leading restaurateurs and Italian design brands such as the "Hot Dog Extravaganza" by IKEA, "Caffè Populaire" by DWA Design Studio and Lambert & Fils, and "Trattoria Altra Vista" by Anotherview, or you can choose to dine at some of Milan's renowned restaurants featuring famous Italian interior designs like Odachi, Sogni or Trattoria della Ciumbia.
For example, Alcova is enhancing Milan Design Week by transforming the Borsa dell'ex Macello at Viale Molise 68 into a vibrant space where food and design intersect. "Our goal was to create a new experience during Design Week," said co-founder Joseph Grima, highlighting the importance of socializing and networking. The venue will operate from six in the evening to two in the morning, dedicated to food, music, and conversation. Alcova will temporarily rebrand to Vocla beginning April 6th. This pop-up aims to foster social interaction and creative networks, featuring a lounge bar designed by Henge and a unique culinary experience curated by Yapa. Co-founder Valentina Ciuffi emphasized the chance for people to reconnect at night among the works of both emerging and established designers. This initiative revives a forgotten space into a hub for contemporary creativity during the event.
Artisia - Barilla
Artisia is an innovative startup by Barilla that is transforming the art of pasta through the use of 3D-printing technology, art, and gastronomy. Experience exquisite finger food recipes paired with signature cocktails crafted by the renowned mixologists at Tomasi Milano cocktail bar, located at Piazza Giovine Italia 2. Don't miss the unique designs featured in the "Prendete e Mangiate" exhibition at 5VIE headquarters at Via Cesare Correnti 14.
Bar Altra Vista
At the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology (April 7-13, 10 AM - 7 PM, Via Olona 6, Map), Anotherview presents "Bar Altra Vista," a pop-up design bar featuring works by Duilio Forte, Analogia Project, Simone Fanciullacci, Matteo Di Ciommo, Benedetta Mori Ubaldini, Andrea Zambelli, and others. The walls of the venue showcase "magical" windows that offer views of some of Italy's most iconic landscapes, including those from Milan, Naples, and Polignano al Mare. Visitors can indulge in the dream of walking along the Amalfi Coast with "Memory of a Travel," an exclusive project created by Anotherview for the British luggage company Globe-Trotter.
Lavazza
In the stunning courtyard of Palazzo del Senato, Lavazza presents "Source of Pleasure," an installation by Brazilian architect and designer Juliana Lima Vasconcellos. Running from April 6 to 19, 10 am to 7 pm at Via Senato 10, this pavilion is infused with coffee-inspired tones from the very first glance. This year, Lavazza celebrates its 130th anniversary, showcasing its rich heritage and expertise.
La Marzocco
Italian coffee machine manufacturer La Marzocco has taken over a newsstand kiosk in the Brera district, merging coffee culture with the art of mixology. From April 7 to 13, from 9 AM to 7 PM, visit us at Corso Garibaldi 85. Acclaimed bartender Salvatore Calabrese invites you to experience his innovative coffee-based cocktail, the Negroni Svegliato (Awoken Negroni). Discover more about the art of mixology by flipping through the latest issue of Coqtail magazine.
Berberè - Very Simple Kitchen - noo.ma
Berberè Pizzeria has partnered with Very Simple Kitchen and noo.ma to transform its pizzeria in the heart of Porta Venezia. From April 7 to April 13, 12 PM to 11 PM, at Via Eustachi 13. The venue will become Very Simple:
Berberè Pizzeria, a dynamic pop-up that blends design, food culture, and craftsmanship. The new layout features bold lines and vibrant colors, showcasing furniture from noo.ma and the innovative Roto Plate in stainless steel. Additionally, the space will include two Very Simple outdoor kitchen modules, seamlessly connecting the indoor and outdoor areas.
Eataly
Eataly, a hub of Italian cuisine, joins Milan Design Week with an installation by Elena Salmistraro. A large drawing guides visitors through the store’s two floors, featuring vibrant graphics and anthropomorphic sculptures among plants from Fratelli Ingegnoli. This is part of INTERNI Magazine’s Cre-Action exhibition [8:30 am-11 pm, Piazza XXV Aprile).
Milan obviously features a number of leading restaurants, but we have picked a few which feature a strong Italian Interior Design element.
Sogni - Via S. Calocero 8, Milan.
Sogni is the latest from fashion entrepreneur Claudio Antonioli - a new Milan bar, born from renovating an old building near Corso Genova that once housed a kindergarten in the early 20th century. The interiors by Storage Associati are a mix of Art Deco influences, Milanese trattoria charm, and punk glam details concealed behind the historic facade. Inside, five spaces - from the lounge with its oversized sofas to the prohibition-era-inspired bar and the characterful refectory with a large communal table. Chef Gianluca Clerici's kitchen celebrates seasonality and the pure flavors of freshly sourced ingredients. Rounding out the experience, a meticulously curated soundtrack accompanies guests deep into the night.
Odachi - Piazzetta M. Bossi 2, Milan
Inside Casa Brera, a new luxury hotel a few steps from Piazza della Scala, Odachi blends Japanese influences with Milanese flair. Designed by Patricia Urquiola, the restaurant features contrasting textures and colors: dark wood floors, ochre velvets, bold black seating, and pendant lamps recalling floating lanterns. A glossy ceiling amplifies perspectives, enhancing the light filtering through pleated curtains. In the kitchen, Chef Haruo Ichikawa reinterprets Japanese tradition with Italian accents.
Trattoria del Ciumbia - Via Fiori Chiari 32, Milan
In the heart of Brera, at Via Fiori Chiari 32, Trattoria del Ciumbia - designed by Dimorestudio – celebrates Milanese tradition with a contemporary twist. Inspired by the historic haunts of Milan's 1960s artistic avant-garde, the restaurant welcomes guests through a boxy wood and glass entrance that separates the interior from the city's bustling streets. The cocktail area features a pewter bar decorated with artistic porcelain, while a central balcony connects to a second room. Mosaic floors in shades of milk, mustard yellow, and marsh green reference traditional floors of Milanese trattorias beneath a red lacquered coffered ceiling. In the kitchen, Chef Paolo Rollini honors Lombard tradition with iconic dishes like risotto, tripe and cassoeula. Downstairs, an exclusive club - with brown carpeting and blue satin curtains – is a chic setting for drinks accompanied by '70s and '80s music.
Linfa by Visionnaire - Piazza Cavour 3, Milan
An immersive bistro inspired by the mythical journey to Agarthi. This is Linfa da Visionnaire, the restaurant located in the luxury brand's showroom in Piazza Cavour 3. Blending architecture and design, the space features natural materials and textured surfaces: travertine floors, Emerald Light quartzite stairs and steel details. The menu is rooted in a responsible and inclusive gastronomic philosophy (vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free), offering a selection that ranges from sushi bars to Mediterranean dishes.
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