The Restaurant In Milan, Italy, Stanley Tucci Recommends For Amazing Food And People

The gleaming industrial city of Milan stands apart from the rest of Italy. The second most populous city in the country after Rome, it is also the country's most prosperous, with a distinctly northern European vibe and endless shopping opportunities for luxury clothing and other goods. This begs the question: Amid all that consumption and hustle and bustle, do the Milanese have time to make truly great food? According to Italian-American actor Stanley Tucci, host of the show "Searching for Italy," the answer would be a resounding "yes." 

Tucci visited one wonderful eatery in Milan, the Trattoria della Gloria, introducing its friendly chef Tommaso and their glorious crew in a video Tucci posted on his Instagram page. When describing his experience, he says "amazing" so many times, one loses count: "Amazing food. Amazing," he exclaims to Tommaso while gesticulating wildly. Many who've dined at Trattoria della Gloria echo Tucci's sentiments. "Way off the tourist trodden streets behind Navigli Canal, this charmer delivered simple but very well prepared food," noted Tripadvisor reviewer alfredofreddie. Another Tripadvisor reviewer, Deb, highlighted the restaurant's warm ambiance: "Restaurant staff were very friendly and there was a great atmosphere," she said, adding, "would highly recommend for traditional food." 

The restaurant serves simple, regional specialties prepared with local meats and cheeses, including hearty veal dishes like osso buco (slow-cooked veal shanks in a zesty sauce) and cotoletta alla Milanese (veal cutlet coated in bread crumbs and fried in butter), which diners have raved about. Tripadvisor user Gandolfa labeled her review "best cotoletta alla Milanese ever!" The menu also features less meat-centric foods like divine pastas and pizzas, bright yellow risotto Milanese (creamy Italian rice cooked with saffron), comforting minestrone (vegetable soup), and artichoke-based dishes. Visitors won't be disappointed with the wine list either, and can top off their meal with an exquisite dessert paired with a local amaro (a bittersweet after-dinner drink made with brandy and herbs). 

Trattoria della Gloria is located a little off the beaten path, southwest of the city center in the Navigli neighborhood, near Bocconi University. Be sure to book your table at the trattoria a few days in advance, as it's a favorite among the friendly locals. Curious about some of Stanley Tucci's other favorite restaurants in Italy? Check out our article on this "cichetti heaven" eatery in Venice. In Tuscany, Tucci recommends this mouthwatering restaurant in Florence.