A city renowned for its cutting-edge fashion scene and stunning Cathedral, is both fun and manageable when traveling to Milan, Italy, with food allergies. Milan offers numerous dining options for visitors, and even without dedicated top allergen-free restaurants or bakeries, there are still options for those of us with food allergies and other dietary restrictions. With some planning, you can even savor the flavors of Milan without compromising your food allergy safety.
Getting to Milan, Italy
Milan is a perfect city to begin a trip to Italy because there are plenty of direct flights from major U.S. cities. It also tends to be a cheaper Italian city to fly in and out of.
To read more on how I handle flying with food allergies go here.
Where To Stay in Milan, Italy
NH Collection Milan CityLife
Since I’ve visited Milan numerous times before, I was excited to check out an area of the city that I was not yet familiar with. Located in Milan’s CityLife district, it’s an easy metro ride, exiting at the Portello station, a brief 240 meters from the hotel. Driving or taking a ride share/taxi is also possible.
As I approached the hotel, I was struck by the grandeur of the building, which was once the Chiesa Cristo Re church. Imagine this immense white neoclassical style church hotel with prominent columns, giving off elements of Greek and Roman architecture. Since the days of it being a church, it has been fully redesigned, but with original features that make this hotel a unique place to stay.
The CityLife district is away from the bustle of the city centre. It is full of green spaces, walking paths, and plenty of shopping, but a short distance to explore favorite sites in Milan.
A few fun places to explore in the CityLife district include:
- CityLife Shopping District – A stylish shopping center with a mix of high-end and mid-range stores, plus restaurants and cafes
- Parco CityLife – A large, green public park perfect for walking, relaxing, or enjoying outdoor activities
Besides the unique hotel structure and neighborhood, I chose this hotel for a few other reasons. NH Collection hotels are known for their incredible breakfasts. As someone who has stayed and enjoyed other NH Collection properties, I knew I could expect numerous options for breakfast that would start my day off right, so I wasn’t exploring on an empty stomach.
This property also features a rooftop bar and pool with views of Milan, which is clearly a selling point. I mean who doesn’t want to enjoy an Aperol Spritz by the pool overlooking a beautiful view of Milan? I was also told that the restaurant on site would be able to accommodate my food allergies for other meals besides breakfast, and having that as an option is always reassuring for those of us with food allergies.
The Hotel Room
My husband and I were graciously greeted at the front desk and Paolo Barbè, Guest Relations Manager, showed us to our room. I walked in to the biggest greeting, with a welcome written on the mirror and sweets that my husband could enjoy.
In signature NH Collection style, the room was elegant with carpet-free floors, and there were feather-free pillows and blankets awaiting my arrival. Due to my environmental allergies, I always look for hotels without carpeting, and I love that I can rely on that here. There was also a mini fridge inside the room, which is perfect for storing allergy-friendly food and snacks.
Staying on brand for Milan, there were tons of amenities in the bathroom, from soaps to face masks, and much more. The soap dispensers could spin to read the ingredients on each bottle. Every toiletry product was labeled with ingredients so I was able to determine what was safe for my skin due to my allergies.
Meeting the Chef and Hotel Managers
I met with Chef Angelo Rorato, Executive Chef at NH Collection Milan CityLife along with Umberto Passarelli, Food & Beverage Manager and Alejandra Rondan, of Guest Relations. We sat down to discuss the protocols they have in place and ones they are working to establish for guests with food allergies.
Similar to other conversations I’ve had with hotel chefs and management, they emphasized how important it is to know ahead of time when a guest has food allergies. Early communication allows them to plan and create the safest, most enjoyable experience possible. At NH Collection Milan CityLife, most guests do email their allergies in advance, though they occasionally encounter someone who waits to mention it until their meal is already being served.
At this hotel, they offer gluten-free options and encourage guests to inform the staff of any allergies. Their menu already lists the top 14 allergens for each dish, and they’re actively working on adding the same clear labeling to all breakfast buffet items. Most of their products, like pasta and sauces, are made in-house, and the restaurant focuses on Italian and Mediterranean cuisine using fresh, local ingredients. Their “Milanese Experience” at their restaurant highlights traditional Milanese dishes, and their overall philosophy of less is more, allows the natural flavors of the ingredients to stand out. Because of this approach, Italian cuisine tends to be easier to navigate with food allergies. The chef prepares many items himself, ensuring he knows exactly what’s in each dish and can safely accommodate guests with specific needs.
It was wonderful to have this conversation and hear firsthand how thoughtfully they approach food allergies. Their commitment to improving systems, understanding guests’ needs, and creating a safe dining experience was clear throughout our discussion, and it left me feeling confident in dining there throughout my stay.
Breakfast at NH Collection
As always, I brought a copy of my chef card to breakfast each morning in case I wanted to order something directly from the kitchen instead of choosing from the buffet.
Breakfast in Italy is often simple. Usually for Italians it is a coffee and a pastry like a cornetto or brioche. However, this can be challenging with food allergies. Pastries are generally too risky due to both ingredients and cross contact, especially with common fillings like pistachio. So I typically start with an espresso and sometimes a fresh-squeezed orange juice, called spremuta, and I keep a granola bar with me just in case.
At the hotel however, the breakfast buffet had a wide range of options including cereals, yogurts, eggs, fresh fruit, and a section with gluten-free items. They’re still working on adding clear signage for the top 14 allergens at the buffet, which will be a great addition for allergic guests.
One morning I ordered eggs from the kitchen that were made to order, along with fresh fruit. On another day, I switched things up with corn flakes and milk, some rice crackers, yogurt, fruit and always an espresso.
With preparation and communication, breakfast here was easy to navigate and a great way to start the day.
Dinner at the hotel
I wanted to enjoy a traditional Milanese meal and Tailors Restaurant at the hotel was the perfect place to do that. Their menu uses the allergen number system for the top 14 allergens, which I always find helpful as a starting point. I use it to narrow down what might be safe for my allergies, and then I follow up with my chef card and a few questions.
I was thrilled to learn that I could safely have most of the “Milanese Experience” menu. This included Risotto alla Milanese con ossobuco scomposto and Costoletta alla Milanese, both classic dishes that Chef Angelo was able to prepare safely for me.
Being able to safely enjoy these traditional dishes was such a memorable part of my stay. They’re not dishes I could easily try at most restaurants in the city, so having a chef who understood my allergies and could prepare them safely made the experience even more meaningful, and it allowed me to enjoy Milanese cuisine in a way I rarely get to when traveling in Milan.
The Hotel Amenity I Enjoyed
As someone who lived in Italy for years, I’ve always loved aperitivo, which is the pre-dinner ritual of enjoying a drink and relaxing with friends. The snacks that typically accompany it aren’t usually safe for my food allergies, but I still love the experience and enjoy the company before dinner.
At this hotel, the rooftop pool and bar was the ideal place for aperitivo. We arrived just in time to watch the sun begin to set while sipping Aperol Spritzes. It was peaceful, the atmosphere was lovely, and the view from the rooftop was truly stunning.
The staff were also incredibly kind and helpful throughout my stay. They took the time to talk through my food allergies, and the chef even came out to answer a few questions before dinner. Overall, every interaction felt welcoming and thoughtful.
Where Else To Eat in Milan, Italy
Milan has plenty of restaurant options if you know what to look for and have some ideas of safe food dishes in mind. Most restaurants are willing to help find something safe or make a dish safely to accommodate food allergies as long as they have a large enough kitchen.
An area of Milan where this can be problematic is in Navigli, the canal district, where it is lovely to visit in the evening, but is crowded with many small restaurants and equally tiny kitchens. One of the restaurants listed below is in this neighborhood and was able to safely accommodate my allergies. Make sure to bring a translated chef card in Italian wherever you decide to dine out.
Here are the best restaurants I ate recently in Milan:
- Tailors at NH Collection Milano CityLife – The food was delicious and they were great with food allergies.
- Osteria Al Coniglio Bianco – Great meal! Delicious risotto and they were careful with food allergies.
- Amabile – Located near the NH Collection Milano CityLife, I was able to get a caprese salad but other dishes did not work for my food allergies.
Other restaurants that were recommended but I did not have a chance to try were:
- Rinascente – Milano department store Restaurant/Cafe with view of Duomo
- Contraste – Make sure to book online and email them in advance about allergies
- Ristorante Alla Cadrega – Trattoria with pizza and traditional food
- Don salbatore – Located near NH Collection Milano CityLife
*I have not been to these restaurants so I can not attest for how they were with handling my food allergies. Make sure to always contact restaurants ahead to see if they can safely accommodate.
Grocery Stores in Milan, Italy:
These are the most common grocery stores that you will find. My personal favorite is Coop, but there are plenty of options at any of these stores.
What To See & Do in Milan, Italy
Milan is full of things to see and do, from iconic tourist spots to hidden gems. Here are some of my favorites, along with a few popular must-sees.
Since I’d already visited many of the classic tourist stops in Milan, this time I focused on the places I hadn’t yet explored. One of the joys of re-visiting a city is discovering new corners while enjoying the familiarity of the old.
When I was younger and new to solo travel, I felt the need to see everything. Over time, I realized it’s better to get a taste of a place and plan to return than to rush through everything. Trying to cram too much in only makes the experience exhausting. I once traveled with teaching colleagues in Spain, and they convinced us to visit three museums in a single day. That’s way too much. Trust me, you’ll enjoy and retain far more if you slow down. Wander outside, explore without an agenda, and soak in the city around you.
Popular Tourist Stops:
- Leonardo’s Last Supper (1495–97) – the famous painting
- Milan Cathedral (Duomo) – a Gothic masterpiece that took 400 years to complete; don’t miss the city view from the rooftop
- Pinacoteca Ambrosiana – library and art gallery
- Castello Sforzesco – 15th-century castle housing Michelangelo’s final work
- Sant’Ambrogio – one of Milan’s oldest churches, founded in 379
- Navigli – the canal district, especially lovely in the evening
- La Scala Opera House – historic venue to catch an opera
- San Siro Stadium – home to AC Milan and Inter Milan
- Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – stunning glass-domed shopping arcade
For Families with Kids:
- Parco Lambro – Milan’s largest park
Day Trips from Milan
Since the public transportation system in Italy is so well established, there are many interesting places to visit that can easily be accessed by train. Below are a few fun day trip ideas.
- Lake Como – Stunning lakeside towns, beautiful villas, and scenic boat rides
- Bergamo – Charming medieval streets and historic architecture in the Città Alta (Upper Town)
- Mantua – Renaissance city known for its palaces, art, and tranquil lakes.
Thank you to NH Collection Milano CityLife for hosting me during my visit to Milan. As always, my thoughts and opinions shared here are entirely my own.