This Michelin Recommended Italian Restaurant in Milan is inside a One Michelin Key Hotel – Acanto Restaurant

Looking to try one of the best Italian restaurants in Milan? Acanto Restaurant is a gem in the city that combines classic Italian food with modern flair.

After hearing about its reputation as a Michelin Recommended restaurant located inside the prestigious Hotel Principe di Savoia, Ristorante Acanto was definitely on my must-try list.

Why? For one, it amazed me that this restaurant manages to balance being a hotspot for international travellers while remaining a beloved institution for Milanese locals.

I honestly didn’t know much about the specific chef leading the kitchen until researching that Executive Chef Matteo Gabrielli took the helm in October 2023.

As someone who dines at Michelin Guide restaurants worldwide, I got even more excited learning that he brings experience from top kitchens like the two Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London.

It is always fascinating to see how a young chef interprets traditional Lombard Italian cuisine with such a prestigious background.

About Ristorante Acanto in Milan

Ristorante Acanto is the flagship fine dining destination inside Hotel Principe di Savoia.

While this One Michelin Key Hotel has been a landmark since 1927, Acanto Restaurant has evolved over the years to become a culinary hotspot in its own right.

It originally opened to replace the hotel’s former dining room and has been welcoming guests for nearly twenty years.

The restaurant is part of the Dorchester Collection, which is known for having some of the finest luxury hotels globally.

What makes Ristorante Acanto Milan special is its ability to offer a refined gastronomical experience that feels approachable.

It is the kind of place where to eat in Milan if you want to enjoy a power business lunch or a romantic dinner while overlooking a beautiful Italian garden.

Ristorante Acanto Accolades & Awards

Acanto Restaurant has been recognized as a culinary destination, winning multiple global food and wine awards:

• Michelin Guide Italy: Recommended Restaurant (2025)
• Michelin Guide Hotels: Hotel Principe di Savoia – One Michelin Key (2025)
• Wine Spectator: Restaurant Award (2025)
• Luxe Global Awards: Best Authentic Cuisine in Southern Europe (2024)

Location and Best Places To Stay in Milan Near Acanto Restaurant

Located at Piazza della Repubblica 17 in the vibrant Repubblica district, Ristorante Acanto is situated perfectly for both sightseeing and business.

It is housed within the historic Hotel Principe di Savoia, which dominates the square with its neoclassical facade.

Acanto Restaurant has its own entrance from the outside of the hotel. You can also enter through the grand lobby of the hotel, which adds to the sense of occasion when you arrive.

The location is quite central, making it a short distance from the Porta Nuova district and the main Central Station.

For those wondering where to eat after exploring the city, it is a great spot to retreat to after visiting nearby landmarks like the Indro Montanelli Public Gardens or shopping in the fashion district.

Inside Ristorante Acanto at Hotel Principe di Savoia

The interior of Ristorante Acanto screams elegance and old-world charm but with a light and airy feel.

High ceilings and large windows define the space, allowing plenty of natural light to flood in during the day.

The dining room features Murano glass chandeliers, creating a very luxury atmosphere for fine dining in Milan. The tables are well-spaced which offers good privacy for conversation.

One of the best features is the view of the private Italian garden outside. It provides a serene backdrop that makes you forget you are in the middle of a bustling city.

Ristorante Acanto Menu and Price

Acanto Restaurant offers both an à la carte menu and a tasting menu. The kitchen focuses on great classics of Italian cuisine enhanced by Chef Gabrielli’s innovative touches.

They also have seasonal inserts, like the special porcini mushroom menu available during my visit in October, which features dishes ranging from €30 to €50 like Pochè egg with sautè Porcini and parmesan fondue and Milanese style Porcini mushrooms.

The tasting menu is a journey through the chef’s vision and typically requires the whole table to participate. It’s available for both lunch (until 1:45 PM) and dinner (until 9:45 PM) and includes complimentary water and coffee.

Tasting Menu at Acanto Restaurant

I opted for the Tasting Menu with Wine Pairing during my lunch visit on September 30, 2025. It is my preferred way to try a variety of dishes and understand the chef’s gastronomy.

On top of this, we actually asked to add a dish from the special seasonal porcini menu because it was porcini season in Italy and we couldn’t resist.

The meal started strong with a fresh Bread Selection and two amuse bouches, including a fantastic focaccia. It was a great way to wake up the palate before the main courses began at this Michelin Recommended restaurant.

Appetizers

The first course was a selection of Tomatoes and Burrata Cheese. This dish was a plate of three bites, and it so creative because the burrata cheese was actually inside the one shaped like a tomato.

It was paired with a 2023 Elvio Cogno ‘Anas-Cetta’ Langhe Nascetta di Novello. This rare Piedmontese white grape has a savory, semi-aromatic profile with crisp acidity that cuts through the creaminess of the burrata while matching the acidity of the tomatoes.

Next came the Pink Prawn Tartare with marinated strawberries, basil gazpacho, and Timut pepper. It was very fresh and refreshing, especially with the basil gazpacho brightening up the dish.

It was paired with Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio Ramato Friuli. “Ramato” refers to a skin-contact style, giving the wine a copper hue and more structure.

Its slight tannins and red fruit notes complemented the sweetness of the prawn and strawberries perfectly.

Primi Courses: Pasta and Risotto

We added the Tagliolini ai Funghi Porcini from the special menu, which came recommended by the server including which position during the tasting menu to serve it.

The pasta was perfectly cooked, and the dish really made the porcini shine, showcasing the best of Italian food. It was paired with 2023 Morella Mezzanotte Salento IGT.

This Primitivo-based red is full-bodied with notes of dark berries and earth. The earthy profile bridged beautifully with the intense umami flavour of the porcini mushrooms.

Following the pasta was a Brown Butter Risotto with sweet and sour lemon, scampi tartare, and scampi reduction. I loved the scampi reduction as it gave the risotto so much depth, and the tartare was sweet. I honestly could have eaten a whole plate of this.

It was paired with the same Elvio Cogno ‘Anas-Cetta’ as the first course. The wine’s citrus notes mirrored the lemon in the dish, while its savory finish stood up to the richness of the brown butter.

Secondi Courses: Fish and Meat

The fish course was a Sea Bass with roasted tomato pesto, buttered potatoes, and mussel cream. The sea bass was fresh, flakey, and silky, but the mussel cream was a true revelation.

The pairing was Ceraudo ‘Grayasusi’ Etichetta Argento Rosato. Made from the Gaglioppo grape, this structured rosé offers red fruit flavours and a saline finish.

It was robust enough to handle the rich mussel cream without overpowering the delicate fish.

For the meat course, we had the Beef Fillet with fondant celeriac, chicken gizzards, green apple, and Calvados sauce. The beef was perfectly cooked and tender. I found the components were less cohesive for me personally, though good separately.

The wine was an Alture – Susumaniello IGT Valle d’Itria. This native Puglian red grape has deep colour and spiced fruit profile. The wine’s tannins cut through the beef’s richness, while its spicy notes harmonized with the complex Calvados sauce.

Desserts

We started the sweet finish with a nice cold pre-dessert that was a great play on textures: cold, crispy, and creamy. This was followed by an Almond Sable with cherry compote which had lovely flavours.

The finale was a Chocolate Cigar. We were presented with a big box, and once opened, you think they are cigars but they are chocolates shaped like them.

You get to pick between dark or white chocolate. I picked the Dark Chocolate. It was a fun, playful end to the meal and totally my kind of cigar.

Ristorante Acanto Service

The service at Acanto Restaurant Milan was professional and prompt. I loved that they accommodated our request to add a course from the porcini menu without any hesitation.

Dishes were cleared quickly, and water was refilled whenever the glass was getting low. The attention to detail reminded me of the impeccable service I’ve experienced at Alo Restaurant in Toronto.

The wine pairing was curated by Head Sommelier Mara Vicelli and focused on Italian wines. While the wine pairing selection was excellent, I feel it would’ve been even better with a storytelling component when the wines were served to explain why they were paired for each specific dish.

How To Make Reservations at Acanto Restaurant

You can make reservations easily through the SevenRooms platform here, or by calling the restaurant directly: +39 02 62301.

With the size of the restaurant, it is generally easier to book a table here or do a walk-in, compared to some of the smaller Michelin-starred spots in Milan, but I still recommend booking in advance, especially for dinner or their Sunday Lunch.

About Chef Matteo Gabrielli

Leading the kitchen brigade since October 2023 is the young Chef Matteo Gabrielli. Hailing from Varese, Matteo’s cooking is underpinned by Lombard traditions but infused with his own inspired creativity.

He brings an innovative twist to classic dishes at Ristorante Acanto, highlighting the best of Italian cuisine.

Before taking the lead at Acanto Restaurant, Chef Gabrielli honed his skills in major culinary capitals. He worked at the Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane and the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London.

His experience at these high-level establishments clearly influences the precision and elegance of his plating.

Final Thoughts on Ristorante Acanto

I highly recommend Ristorante Acanto for anyone looking for a refined yet relaxing dining experience. It is one of the best restaurants in Milan to enjoy high-quality Italian food prepared with modern techniques.

The setting inside the Hotel Principe di Savoia is stunning, and the tasting menu offers great value for the quality of food and service.

Whether you are staying at the hotel or just visiting Italy for a few days, a meal here is a wonderful way to experience the Milan’s hospitality and definitely one of the best places to eat in the Repubblica area.