Oozing elegance and old-school charm, Brera is Milan’s stylish art and design district
A short stroll from La Scala opera house, Brera feels both bourgeois and bohemian. With its artful alleys, ancient mansions, and hidden courtyards, it seems more secret than see-and-be-seen. The neighborhood revels in galleries, concept stores, and chic bistros.
The beating heart of Brera Design District, this emblematic shopping — and drinking — destination is ideal for lapping up Brera’s arty-design feel. Browse distinctive stores for vintage ceramics or modern art before heading to Bar Jamaica for a sandwich or Milanese risotto at any time of day.
Milan’s recently revamped top art museum was made for idling over soul-stirring masterpieces by Caravaggio, Mantegna, and Raphael. Inviting benches encourage you to linger and indulge in sensory experiences such as sniffing perfumes linked to a painting. Recover your senses in the museum’s retro Caffè Fernanda, named after Brera’s heroic wartime director, who was jailed for saving many Milanese Jews.
Set beside the Basilica of San Marco, this stylish wine bar and restaurant’s magical mood comes from its monastic setting in an ancient Augustinian refectory with vaulted ceilings and timeworn flagstones. Come for the charcuterie and cheese plates along with a superb wine selection masterminded by an owner born into a wine dynasty. Cocktail hour may be the main draw, but many linger for a leisurely dinner.
This buzzing, chic, cobbled street personifies Brera’s charm, from the chatter of sidewalk cafés to the scent of boutique perfumeries like Le Labo. Galleries abound such as Robertaebasta for Art Deco and glassware. The quaint street is also a restaurant hub, with Vesta Fiori Chiari a glamorous seafood spot.
If Piazza San Marco is Brera’s most appealing square, Clotilde is one of its most charming spots. Overlooking the church, this elegant cocktail bar and bistro combines seasonal cooking with a Milanese touch. Creamy risotto is naturally on the menu – but fans also flock to the summery terrace for aperitivi in the evening.
This major new modern art museum occupies a grand 18th-century mansion, with frescoed and coffered ceilings. Modern Masters from the Futurists to Modigliani, Morandi, and De Chirico are on show with works by Picasso and Bonnard. Online booking is essential, with optional combined tickets with the Pinacoteca.
