Al Mercante Restaurant Reviews and Press Coverage

What do the most authoritative publications say about us? Articles, features, and Al Mercante restaurant reviews tell a story spanning over a century. Our authentic cuisine, premium ingredients, and family-driven passion have attracted the attention of both national and international press. From the Financial Times to Gambero Rosso, from Il Sole 24 ORE to leading food guides — many have written about us. In 2010, we also received the prestigious “Bottega Storica di Milano” (Historic Shop of Milan) designation. On this page, we have gathered everything that has been published about our restaurant.

Al Mercante Restaurant Reviews and Press Articles

Al Mercante Restaurant Review in the Financial Times

The prestigious British financial newspaper Financial Times featured Al Mercante in its article “Power dining: the restaurants where deals are made in Milan”. This guide highlights the Milanese restaurants where the most important business deals take place. The article describes the lunchtime habits of Milan’s top executives: bankers, entrepreneurs, and fashion industry managers. In particular, it underlines how these professionals choose venues offering privacy, impeccable service, and high-quality cuisine.

→ Read the full article on the Financial Times

Al Mercante Restaurant Review on Gambero Rosso

Gambero Rosso, Italy’s leading food and wine publication, dedicated an extensive article to Al Mercante. The occasion was the restaurant’s relocation to its new premises on Via Cesare Cantù. The article traces the century-long history of the venue, from its early days in Piazza dei Mercanti at the beginning of the 20th century. It also describes the contemporary interior redesign by designer Nicola Gallizia. The piece highlights the restaurant’s deep ties to Milan’s cultural world — from La Scala to Carla Fracci. Finally, it offers a portrait of Claudio Romanini’s philosophy: the daily pursuit of the finest ingredients and a direct relationship with producers and breeders.

→ Read the full article on Gambero Rosso

Al Mercante Restaurant Featured in Il Sole 24 ORE

Italy’s most authoritative financial newspaper presented Al Mercante as the ideal destination for those seeking top-quality ingredients and a refined ambiance. The article highlights the “Bottega Storica” designation. It also describes the understated elegance of Nicola Gallizia’s interior design and details the restaurant’s network of premium suppliers — including Molino Quaglia flours, Cascina Gaggioli bresaola, Lake Trasimeno olive oil, and Giuseppe Zen cheeses.

→ Read the full article on Il Sole 24 ORE

Al Mercante Restaurant Review on FLAWLESS.life

The international lifestyle magazine FLAWLESS.life dedicated a comprehensive profile to Al Mercante, available in both English and Italian. The article traces the restaurant’s history from the early 1900s, recounts the handover to the Romanini family in the 1970s, and the “Bottega Storica” award in 2010. It also delves into the cuisine of Chef Giuseppe Puccia, built on daily experimentation.

→ Read the English profile on FLAWLESS.life → Read the Italian profile on FLAWLESS.life

Al Mercante Among the Top 10 Restaurants for Corporate Dinners

Also on FLAWLESS.life, Al Mercante was listed among the top 10 restaurants in Milan for corporate dinners. The magazine describes it as an elegant venue that embodies the historic soul of Milan — the ideal place to celebrate a company’s milestones in style.

→ Read the full article on FLAWLESS.life

Al Mercante in the FoodBlog.it Rankings

FoodBlog.it included Al Mercante in its ranking of the best restaurants in Milan. The food portal highlights the wide selection of dishes on the menu — from Milanese classics such as cotoletta, risotto, and vitello tonnato, to seafood options. It also notes the historic location, named after Piazza dei Mercanti.

→ Read the ranking on FoodBlog.it

Featured in the Michelin Green Guide

Al Mercante has been recommended in the Michelin Green Guide — the travel guide, distinct from the restaurant guide. Specifically, Al Mercante is listed as a go-to address for visitors exploring Milan’s historic city centre.

Al Mercante and the Centro Studi Grande Milano

The Centro Studi Grande Milano is a Milanese cultural institution that has chosen Al Mercante among the city’s historic venues as a meeting place for its events. This further confirms the restaurant’s role in Milan’s gastronomic and cultural heritage.

→ Learn more about Centro Studi Grande Milano

Al Mercante in the World of Design and Architecture

The Nicola Gallizia Project for Al Mercante

The studio of Milanese designer Nicola Gallizia created the interiors for the new Al Mercante in 2018. Gallizia is art director of Molteni & C. and a Wallpaper* Design Award winner. The project is featured in his official portfolio. The design concept draws inspiration from the urban setting of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana nearby. The interiors feature large windows and a play of light and shadow inspired by Caravaggio. Wooden boiserie panels and three artworks by Achille Funi complete the atmosphere.

→ Discover the project on NicolaGallizia.it

The Renzo Serafini Lighting Design for Al Mercante

Renzo Serafini specialises in designer lighting. The lighting project for Al Mercante is showcased in their portfolio, documenting the work carried out in collaboration with Nicola Gallizia for the restaurant’s interior lighting.

→ Discover the project on RenzoSerafini.it

Al Mercante Restaurant Reviews on Food Guides and Portals

Al Mercante on MilanoToday

The local news portal MilanoToday has dedicated a page to Al Mercante in its historic-centre restaurant section, describing the Lombard cuisine and the Duomo-area location.

→ Read the page on MilanoToday

Al Mercante on Le Notti di Milano

The Milanese dining portal has published a detailed profile of Al Mercante, describing it as a venue committed to ingredient quality with a daily-updated menu.

→ Read the page on Le Notti di Milano

Al Mercante on MilanoNotte.it

MilanoNotte.it has listed Al Mercante among the top restaurants in the city centre. The profile highlights the two spacious dining rooms on two floors inside the historic Casa dei Panigarola, and the best of traditional and contemporary Milanese cuisine.

→ Read the page on MilanoNotte.it

Al Mercante on Oraviaggiando

The travel and dining portal Oraviaggiando has dedicated a page to the restaurant, highlighting the hospitality across two dining rooms on two levels, the summer terrace, and the Italian and Milanese culinary tradition.

→ Read the page on Oraviaggiando

Al Mercante on Ristoranti.mi.it

Ristoranti.mi.it has listed Al Mercante among the benchmark restaurants of Milan’s historic centre, underscoring its unique location just steps from the Duomo and its view of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana.

→ Read the page on Ristoranti.mi.it

Al Mercante Restaurant Reviews on Il Mangione

The food review portal Il Mangione features a dedicated page for Al Mercante. User reviews praise the consistently high-quality ingredients, the location in the heart of Piazza dei Mercanti, and the venue’s atmosphere.

→ Read the page on Il Mangione

Al Mercante Restaurant Reviews on Opinioni.it

The portal Opinioni.it gathers detailed testimonials from Al Mercante’s guests. Users particularly appreciate the ultra-central location and the ease of reaching the restaurant by public transport, as well as the speedy service.

→ Read the reviews on Opinioni.it

Al Mercante Restaurant Reviews on Booking Platforms

Our guests share their experiences on the leading platforms every day. Here is where you can read their Al Mercante restaurant reviews — and leave your own:

The best Al Mercante restaurant reviews come directly from our guests. Every experience you share helps us improve and carry forward the tradition that has been with us since day one.

Come and discover why Al Mercante has been in the heart of Milan for over a century. Book your table →