It’s fashion week, and you’re rushing from one place to another so as not to miss a single runaway show. At some point, though, you realise you are starving and have no idea where to rest your body and soul, enjoying a good meal. You are in Italy, so you have one of the most complete cuisines in the world, so why not taking advantage of our regional diversity? Swide reveals the best of the best among our regional restaurants

Dongio (Calabrian cuisine, southern Italy)

A beautiful view of Scilla, Calabria

Reservation is compulsory. Probably the best quality-price trattoria in Milan, Dongio feels more like a home than a restaurant. Typical cuisine from Calabria is offered here: you must try the maccheroncini alla disperata (with spicy sausage), the polpette and all the desserts, pain-stakingly handmade.

Via bernardino corio, 3

Tel. 0039 02 5511372

Osteria Borsieri (Emiliano-Romagnolo cuisine, northern Italy)

Bologna, Emilia Romagna 

Leave you calorie hang-ups at the door and enjoy the delicious menu: Culatello di Zibello – a special high end ham - con “tigelle” di Modena, a typical bread of the region; Gran misto dell’Osteria con gnocco fritto (fried bread), selection of Emilian hams, “Squacquerone” di Castel S. Pietro (a typical fresh cheese); Pappardelle with leeks, culatello and pecorino della Val Nure sauce.

Via Borsieri 39

Tel. 0039 0260 70 800

Al Merluzzo Felice (Sicilian cuisine, southern Italy)

The beach of Taormina, Sicily  

Find the real Sicily in Milan: in this small place where you are welcomed cheerily, you will find everything perfect from Pasta alla Norma (eggplants and ricotta sauce) to spaghetti with clams and lobster sauce and swordfish roll. Leave space for the cannolo siciliano “smontato”, a version of cannolo siciliano served to you with separate ingredients. You’ll pick the cannolo structure and stuff it with whichever filling you prefer (candied fruits, ricotta, chocolate chips…).

Via Lazzaro Papi 6

Tel. 0039 02 545 47 11

El Brellin (Lombardian cuisine, northern Italy)

Milan, Lombardy

Looking for the typical Milanese cuisine? El Brellin has plenty of history and a beautiful setting to taste it in. Along the Navigli banks – next to the Vicolo delle Lavandaie, right where women would wash their clothes in 1900, you can still see the wash house -  this place offers the best saffron risotto with ossibuchi in Milan, and much more. It is a perfect romantic spot for couples.

Alzaia Naviglio Grande, 14  

Tel. 0039 02 5810 1351

Trattoria Masuelli San Marco (Piedmontese , Lombardian cuisine, northern Italy)

 Turin, Piedmont 

It’s a culinary cross-roads of cuisines of Lombardy and Piedmont, this lovely spot in Milan. Certainly one of the best dishes on the menu comes from Piedmonte, the agnolotti alla piemontese (braised meat filled ravioli) and so it is the delicious tartar from Alba (a town in Piemonte) where the quality of the meat is among the highest in Italy. Try also the pasta with beans (a classic dish from Lombardy) and the mascarpone as a dessert. Great wine list and service, this will is a culinary experience more than a simple dinner abroad.

Viale Umbria, 80  

Tel. 0039 02 5518 4138

Written by: Elisa della Barba