The most beautiful terraces in Milan for aperitivo

July. With rainforest-like humidity and the looming "African Heat," Milan seems an invitation to give up and escape. Few happy islands exist: some hidden gardens and terraces scattered around the city that allow you to fall in love with it again from a different perspective. Skyscrapers, historic buildings, parks, and—if you're lucky enough—the distant Alps provide a perfect backdrop for enjoying an aperitivo as you wait for the night to fall.

Here are some of the best terraces in Milan to enjoy a cocktail, dine, and take in the view: from Michelin-starred restaurants and lounge bars to some gems accessible to all.

Terraces in Milan near the Duomo

Terrazza Aperol

With DJ sets, spritz, and a view of the Madonnina, Terrazza Aperol is a classic for those who love nightlife and can’t miss the Milanese aperitivo with snacks and music. Its proximity to the Duomo makes it a truly unique spot. There's also a menu for lunch and dinner that can satisfy any palate.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Giacomo Arengario

The terrace with a Duomo view at Giacomo Arengario, located within the Museo del Novecento, is a must. This Milanese dining institution offers a unique design project in the heart of the city. Just like at the historic Giacomo Milano location, you can enjoy traditional Italian seafood dishes. Meat options are also available, with a focus on high-quality ingredients, a hallmark of this renowned name for over 65 years.

Via Guglielmo Marconi, 1

Horto

A secret garden atop the roofs overlooking the Duomo, Horto is a Michelin-starred restaurant located on the rooftop of The Medelan building. Its cuisine is based on an ethical and sustainable philosophy, aiming to highlight Lombard vegetable gardens and local ingredients sourced from producers no more than an hour away from Milan. The project is overseen by chef Norbert Niederkofler, with his protégé Alberto Toè in the kitchen.

Via S. Protaso, 5

A’ Riccione - Terrazza 12

Oysters and champagne with a city view? The famous The Brian&Barry Building in Piazza San Babila hosts the lounge bar Terrazza 12 on its rooftop, where you can enjoy aperitivo with finger food or stop by for a drink after dining on the ninth floor at the A’ Riccione seafood restaurant, led by chef Marco Fossati.

Via Durini, 28

The Roof

Just steps from the Duomo, on the tenth floor of the Hotel Cavalieri, is The Roof, one of the city's largest and most elegant terraces. It serves as both a bar and restaurant, available for lunch, afternoon snacks, aperitivo, or dinner. The cuisine is refined, and there's an extensive selection of wines and champagnes.

Via Alberico Albricci, 2/4

Mediterranea

This is the second establishment by Gianpaolo Nappi, Marcello Forti, and Andrea Pignata (the first is in City Life). The location in the heart of the Cinque Vie is enhanced by a small terrace open from breakfast to dinner, offering a varied menu focused on healthy cuisine with a nod to Italian tradition.

Via Santa Marta, 6

Terraces in Milan near Centrale

Terrazza Gallia

The Terrazza Gallia Bar & Restaurant, on the seventh floor of the Excelsior Hotel Gallia, is a must-visit for enjoying the view over Milan. The gourmet cuisine by Campanian chefs Vincenzo and Antonio Lebano, with consultancy from the Cerea brothers (three Michelin stars), is contemporary with Mediterranean inspirations. The aperitivo features a new drink list with cocktails served theatrically in teapots, combining refined ingredients with tea-inspired infusions, accompanied by delicious options like montanarine or fried anchovies.

Piazza Duca d'Aosta, 9

Radio Rooftop Bar

On the top floor of the Me Milan Il Duca hotel, you'll find one of Milan's trendiest rooftops, popular especially for its live music or DJ set evenings. The Radio Rooftop Bar features two external terraces: one overlooking Piazza della Repubblica, from where you can see the green of the Giardini di Porta Venezia, and the other facing the skyscrapers of Porta Nuova. The bar is open to all from morning until late at night, but the aperitivo is the best time to enjoy the panorama with drinks and snacks.

Via Marco Polo, 18

Terraces in Milan immersed in greenery

Terrazza Triennale

Cocktail bar and restaurant surrounded by greenery, with the Castello Sforzesco just a stone's throw away, and a menu created by Michelin-starred Tommaso Arrigoni featuring the great classics of Italian and Milanese cuisine. Terrazza Triennale is located on the top floor of the Palazzo dell'Arte, within Parco Sempione, and is ideal for concluding a visit to the Triennale museum or a park walk in style.

Terrazza Palestro

Terrazza Palestro is a sure bet: the restaurant is located on the fourth floor of the Centro Svizzero di Milano, directly overlooking the Giardini Indro Montanelli. The menu honours Italian tradition, reinterpreted in a modern key through the use of high-quality land and sea ingredients. The terrace's lounge area is dedicated to aperitivo, served between 6:30 and 9 PM with finger food pairings.

Via Palestro, 2

Al Garghet

For a taste of authentic old Milan, head away from the centre: nestled in the greenery of the Gratosoglio district is Al Garghet, named after the croaking of frogs that can still be heard while dining in the restaurant's garden. In addition to this green space, there is also a terrace for admiring the city on one side and the countryside on the other while enjoying iconic Lombard dishes like risotto alla milanese, orecchia d'elefante, or mondeghili.

Via Selvanesco, 36

Terraces in Milan in the Brera Area

Casa Baglioni

A new space in the heart of Brera with city views, a menu by chef Claudio Sadler, and elegant furnishings by Paola Lenti. The rooftop on the seventh floor of the hotel is open from 6 PM for aperitivo: signature cocktails, such as the Mi-To (combining Milan and Turin through a mix of vermouth, bitters, and saffron ice), are accompanied by Sadler's culinary creations. His iconic risotto alla milanese to-go is not to be missed.

Via dei Giardini, 21

Clotilde Brera

Among Milan's most distinctive panoramic restaurants is Clotilde Brera, with its terrace overlooking Piazza San Marco. Elegant and retro, like the surrounding neighbourhood, it offers a cuisine dedicated to Italian tradition under the creative direction of chef Domenico Della Salandra. The menu is updated periodically to follow the seasons and guarantees some signature dishes like risotto alla milanese, veal cutlet, or tripe. There’s also space for cocktails, perfect for aperitivo or paired with the chef’s menu.

Piazza San Marco, 6

Other must-see Terraces

Ceresio 7

Considered one of the most exclusive terraces, it sits atop the historic Enel building, the headquarters of the Dsquared2 group. The Ceresio 7 Restaurant offers a view of Milan's skyline, two pools, and an outdoor area to enjoy drinks from the American bar or chef Elio Sironi's menu, based on rediscovering the great classics of Italian cuisine.

Via Ceresio, 7

Ristorante Torre

Designed by Rem Koolhaas in 2018, the Ristorante Torre is located on the sixth floor of the Fondazione Prada and offers a unique panoramic view of Milan. The striking bottle display and artworks integrated into the decor enrich the restaurant's atmosphere. Chef Lorenzo Lunghi’s cuisine is elegant and contemporary, based on fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Via Lorenzini 14

The VIU Terrace

On the eighth floor of the Hotel VIU Milan, in the Monumentale area, there’s another spot for aperitivo with a view. Until 6 PM, the rooftop with a pool is reserved for hotel guests, but from 6:30 to 11:30 PM, it is open to the public, who can enjoy the cocktail bar. Here, you can wait for the sunset with a drink accompanied by creative dishes by chef Giancarlo Morelli (at the ground floor, you can dine at his gourmet restaurant).

Via Aristotile Fioravanti, 6

Base Milano

Base is a former train factory that has been repurposed and now hosts exhibitions, talks, and workshops in a rich event calendar. A multifunctional centre and symbol of the Tortona district, it also inaugurated a terrace a few years ago, open from 6 PM until late at night for aperitivo or drinks in a laid-back environment.

Via Ambrogio Bergognone da Fossano, 34