In the heart of Milan where the aroma of freshly ground coffee fills the air, there’s another scent that lingers — one of warm spices, toasted cumin and slow-cooked lentils. Carried along the centuries-old spice route connecting India and Italy, these flavors arrive not as visitors, but as old friends.
With approximately 162,000 Indians calling Italy home — and one third of that group located in Lombardy, according to a 2023 report by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies — Milan, ever-hungry for international influences and culinary discoveries, is the perfect stage for this encounter. Most of Italy’s Indian residents trace their roots to Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal and the southern states. Across buzzing eateries and fragrant spice shops (think in Porta Venezia), Indian cooks and community members in Italy speak a culinary language that s recognize, built on both complexity and comfort.
For both cultures, food is never just food — it’s serious business. Recipes are passed through the generations like heirlooms, every dish tells a story, and meals are meant to be shared (relished by hand and surrounded by chatter, mostly about food). From rich gravies of the north to fiery spice blends of the south, the offerings at Indian restaurants in Milan provide something to diners that feels both refreshingly different and strangely familiar. Deeply simmered curry echoes the depth of ragù, emphasis on fresh seasonal ingredients and layered spices mirrors attention to quality and balanced flavors, and the centrality of bread — earthy roti or pillowy naan, perfectly charred — finds kinship with piadina and focaccia. Diwali celebrations (the Hindu Festival of Lights) may be drawing to a close today, but all year round, these restaurants remain windows into migration, heritage and cultural exchange.
June Collective
Via Varesina 162 /
Founded in 2023 by Indian chef Mythila Shilke, whose journey spans the world’s finest kitchens, and her Latvian creative partner Ilze Sire, this contemporary café-bistro in the Certosa district celebrates seasonality, sustainability and simplicity, all with a global lens (witness the serene Scandinavian-inspired space) and an Indian heartbeat. Spices and flavors from Mythila’s South Indian roots appear throughout the menu — from tomato-based gojju sauce lending warmth to vegetables to a house-made sambar powder adding depth to a reimagined shakshuka to delicate notes of garam masala, saffron and cardamom in both savory and sweet dishes. These Indian ingredients are not dominant, but thoughtfully placed, offering nuance and soul in every dish.
Cittamani
Piazza Carlo Mirabello 5 /
Cittamani — in Milan’s elegant Brera district — offers a modern expression of Indian cuisine. Taking its name from a Buddhist philosophy symbolizing wisdom and method, this intimate restaurant opened in 2017 under the hand of acclaimed Indian chef and restaurateur Ritu Dalmia. The menu draws from India’s diverse culinary landscape, layering seasonal ingredients sourced from both the subcontinent and Italy. Dishes span regions and styles — from a spin on street-food classics (think celeriac chaat or beetroot and goat cheese kebabs) to smoky tandoori specialties, slow-simmered gravies and artfully composed thalis. Spices are used with restraint and clarity, and in each bite, it feels like Dalmia — who once served cuisine in India — is bringing her culinary journey full circle. The space is warm and refined, just like the menu.
Rangoli
Via Solferino 36 /
A stronghold of the local scene, and named for an iconic art form seen during Diwali, Rangoli has been serving North Indian cuisine to the Milanese since 1997. Founded by Mohan Singh Chauhan, this hospitality-first, family-run restaurant offers a vibrant journey through India’s culinary landscape, from crisp street-style starters like samosas and onion bhajis to expertly-grilled tandoori dishes, fragrant biryanis and slow-cooked curries (like dal makhani) to creamy pista kulfi for dessert. Each dish is prepared with freshly ground spices and the kind of balance only seasoned hands can bring. Like the intricate Indian art it’s named after, Rangoli is layered and expressive, with hand-crafted décor and an inviting atmosphere. Whether you stop in for a comforting thali at lunch or a leisurely indulgent dinner, every meal is generous and rooted in tradition.
Dawat
Corso Sempione 88 /
Located in Corso Sempione, Dawat — aptly meaning “invitation” — serves bright North Indian cuisine with hints of Tibetan and Burmese influence. Active in the neighborhood’s lively t’s a family-style spot transforms from a lively lunch locale into a relaxed, intimate evening retreat. The menu is eclectic and inclusive, with hearty tandoori options, rich curries (think palak paneer or palak matar) and thoughtful dishes for vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free diners. Decor mixes Indian exuberance with simplicity in two warm dining rooms and a bar, balancing energy and refinement. Whether you're seeking bold, healthy flavors or a welcoming place to unwind, Dawat offers both with style and sincerity.
Saravanaa Bhavan
Via Flavio Baracchini 9 /
Saravanaa Bhavan brings the soulful depth of South Indian vegetarian cuisine to the heart of Milan. Founded in Chennai in 1981 by Mr. P. Rajagopal, this globally loved, family-run restaurant now has over 100 outlets worldwide. The Milan outpost continues its legacy with paper-thin golden dosas, fluffy idlis, aromatic sambars and nourishing thalis, all made fresh daily — from fermented batters to hand-ground spices and house-made chutneys. The menu balances tradition with variety serving comforting North Indian favourites like paneer butter masala and tangy Indo-Chinese classics like gobi manchurian. Fragrant Madras filter coffee served in true South Indian style and mango lassi complete the experience. Each dish is a reminder of home for the Indian community of Milan, and a gateway to India for curious and visitor palates. At Saravanaa Bhavan, food is more than nourishment — it’s heritage on a plate, lovingly preserved and shared.
