Eating My Way Through Milan’s Cool Canal District: A Navigli Food Tour with Eating Europe
Before this trip, I’d never been to Milan. Like most travelers, I had the classics on my radar: the Duomo, shopping in the Galleria, maybe an aperitivo or two. But what I didn’t expect was how much I’d fall for the Navigli district and how deliciously it would all unfold on a food tour that felt more like the best dinner reservation in town.
I joined the Eating Europe “Eating Milan” food tour in Navigli with two of my close friends, and from the moment we started walking along the canals, I knew this would be one of those unexpected highlights of the trip. Navigli is full of buzzy energy: think cobblestone streets lined with indie boutiques, cozy wine bars, and locals spilling out of restaurants as the evening kicks off. It’s the kind of place you might miss if you’re only sticking to the guidebook, but trust me, don’t.
The tour itself felt like a dinner party curated by a friend who knows all the local secrets, and was like a perfectly coursed out tasting menu from starters to a gelato finish.
We began with a warm, pizza-like local dish (not quite pizza, not quite focaccia—just perfect), then made our way through the neighborhood with a thoughtful lineup of tastings that told a story as much as they satisfied your appetite.
There were cured meats and cheeses, risotto alla Milanese, wine paired, and even time to browse a few adorable spots along the way. It ended, as all good Italian meals do, with gelato—rich, creamy, and just the right amount of sweet to close things out.
As a travel advisor and the publicist for Eating Europe, I know I might sound biased, but I can honestly say I’d recommend this tour to any client visiting Milan. It's the perfect introduction to a different side of the city, and especially great if you’re short on time but want to taste something authentic, fun, and off the tourist track.
If it’s your first time in Milan (like it was for me), this experience is the perfect way to immerse yourself in a neighborhood locals love, while getting a delicious overview of the city’s flavors. Add it to your itinerary or I will happily create the plan. You’ll thank me later.
If you’ve followed me or my advice, I always suggest a cooking class and/or food tour on most itineraries to break bread with the locals, learn a new recipe or dish. In a busy city, that can be the perfect hard-to-get reservation.
