N’Ombra de Vin is one of the most traditional places for Milanese to go for aperitivo. Although the location is elegant and chic, the menu stays true to its rustic origins. Due to its overwhelming popularity, it is always full and can be challenging to find a little place to sit.
It’s open from 9 am until midnight, and the aperitivo starts roughly around 6:30 and goes until 9:30. Between a glass of wine and the next, waiters serve various snacks such as olives and peanuts, however if have a more substantial hunger level, ask for a tagliere with cold cuts and cheeses (not included). By the end of the aperitivo some stay for dinner, and more filling dishes are served such as risotto. Though this place is not that cheap (we are in Milan after all), but not to worry, the prices are definitely affordable.
The dress code is a bit of a mix at N’Ombra de Vin. The majority of aperitivo-goers have just left work, so you can expect office attire, while others are dressed very casually, with the usual exceptions.
Jeans, leather jacket and ballerina flats are ideal for girls (who are not part of the after work crowd), for men it’s worth putting some effort in and getting into the Milanese style- a cool jacket, button down shirt and some killer leather shoes should do the trick.
