The San Siro is a truly iconic football stadium, and a visit to watch either AC Milan or Inter, cross-town rivals who both call the San Siro home, is on many football lovers’ bucket lists. If you’re lucky enough to be traveling to the San Siro to watch AC Milan, we’ve got one part of your trip planning covered: where to eat around the stadium.
The Best Breakfast Spots Near the San Siro
If you’re looking to start the day right, you’ll need a hearty breakfast before watching AC Milan at the San Siro. Many people in Italy opt for a lighter breakfast, and you’ll come across plenty of cafes that offer coffee and light food options, usually sweet pastries or fruit. While that may be the traditional choice, you’ll find pretty much any type of breakfast you’re looking for in Milan. Here are some top options for breakfast near the San Siro.
Viva Pancaffe
Viva Pancaffe is a small cafe that does great coffee. Located around a 20-minute walk from the San Siro stadium, it’s the perfect sport to grab that first coffee of the day and a pastry to get you going. If you just want a light, traditional, Italian breakfast like a Milan local, somewhere like this is perfect. They’re also open later in the day, and have a huge selection of delicious, handmade pizzas.
Citylife Caffe
Another option that’s also 20 minutes away from the San Siro is Citylife Caffe. This is a larger spot with some outdoor tables where you can sit and take in the morning. It’s got a great coffee menu, as well as pastries, fresh fruit, salads, and much more. Everything is fresh and delicious, and the bustling atmosphere will certainly get you in the mood for gameday.
Vecchio Caffè Della Cotica
Vecchio Caffè Della Cotica is a pizza restaurant that doubles as a great breakfast cafe. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the San Siro, and has a great outdoor garden-style area to sit with a coffee. Enjoy a pastry for breakfast, or if it’s brunch time, their pizza shouldn’t be slept on – they have both whole round pizzas and slices available.
Where to Get Lunch Before an AC Milan Match at the San Siro
Traditionally, lunch is the biggest meal of the day in Italy, and you’ll find no shortage of great lunch options around the San Siro before watching AC Milan. Most Italian lunches consist of several courses, and this is when most people eat their “starchy” meal of the day, but you can find just about any lunch you want, from a light salad to a creamy carbonara.
Flavours
Another great option before you head to the San Siro for an AC Milan game is Flavours. Flavours is a small, popular bistro that’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are a few tables inside if you’re looking for a sit-down lunch, but there are also plenty of options, including hot and cold sandwiches, if you’re looking to grab something to eat on the go. The menu also features croissants and other breakfast pastries, focaccias, and pizza.
Kappou NINOMIYA
If you’re a fan of Japanese food, Kappou Ninomiya is a great option. They’re open daily for lunch (closed Mondays) and specialize in omosubi rice balls, but the menu features plenty of other options including tempura and lots of sashimi options. There’s a large dining area, and everything is beautifully presented. Plus, for the quality of the food, the price is very reasonable. It’s a great choice for a nice lunch before heading to the San Siro to see AC Milan play.
Shabby Grill
Shabby Grill is about a 20-minute walk from the San Siro, and is open daily for lunch from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm. The menu features typical steakhouse dishes, with a big selection of meats and cuts to choose from. The menu isn’t the cheapest, but if you’re looking for a more upscale lunch option, this is a great choice. There’s also a great selection of wines to pair with your dish.
Best Budget-Friendly Food Options Near the San Siro
We get it – you don’t always have extra cash to splash on dining options near the San Siro before you watch AC Milan. If your tickets to the game, flights, and accommodation have pretty much sucked up your whole budget, never fear! Here are some restaurants near the San Siro ideal for anyone traveling for sports on a budget.
GastronoMI Citylife
A 20-minute walk from the San Siro stadium is a deli that conveniently offers pre-game food options near San Siro, as well as snacks you can take into the stadium. GastronoMI Citylife features typical deli options, including salads and sandwiches, as well as a great selection of fresh pastas. There are plenty of gluten-free and vegan options, and prices are extremely reasonable. You can’t beat the fresh ingredients used here!
Tasty Rosticceria Indiano
Indian food might not be something you’d expect to find in Milan, but Tasty Rosticceria Indiano is a great option for anyone looking for a good meal on a budget near the San Siro. It has all the classic Indian curries you’d expect to find on the menu, and a small dining room where you can eat. It’s small but affordable, and the flavors can’t be beaten. Tasty Rosticceria Indiano is around 20 minutes from the San Siro – perfect for a pre-game meal.
Pizza Haus
If you’re looking for a quick slice of pizza before the AC Milan game at the San Siro, there’s no better option than Pizza Haus! This hole-in-the-wall pizza restaurant is about 20 minutes away from the San Siro, and a great budget-friendly option for a quick meal. The menu features huge slices of more than 20 different pizzas, and offers both dine-in and takeaway options. It can get busy on gamedays, so leave a bit of extra time for the wait.
Family-Friendly Restaurants Around the San Siro
If you’re traveling for sports with kids, you have to put a bit more planning into everything you do, including where you’re going to eat. Luckily, there are plenty of family-friendly food options around the San Siro before you see AC Milan play, including these gems.
La Palma Ristorante Pizzeria Forno a Legna
La Palma is a restaurant and pizzeria that’s great for families heading to the San Siro to see an AC Milan game. It has a separate menu for kids with things like fish fillets or chicken nuggets, but there are plenty of simple pasta dishes on the main menu that kids will also happily eat. Of course, you can also order pizza as well! La Palma offers to-go or dine-in options, is reasonably priced, and is around 30 minutes from the San Siro.
StrEat
StrEat is a burger joint with a small indoor dining restaurant and a menu that’s packed with tasty burgers and sandwiches. There’s no separate menu for kids, but there are plenty of things on the main menu that most little ones should enjoy. The food is fast, fresh, and affordable. StrEat is located around half an hour from the San Siro.
Blumarina
Blumarina is a typical Italian restaurant with plenty of great options for families visiting Milan for an AC Milan match at the San Siro. There’s a large dining area and an extensive restaurant that focuses on meat and seafood options. You’ll also find a huge range of pizzas, focaccias, salads, and more. Plus, don’t sleep on their tasty deserts! There are plenty of options for kids at Blumarina, which is around a 15-minute walk from the San Siro.
FAQs About Eateries Near the San Siro for AC Milan Matches
Still got some questions about what to eat near this iconic stadium? Here’s some more info on restaurants to visit before an AC Milan match at the San Siro.
What Are the Most Famous Restaurants Near the San Siro?
Milan’s most famous restaurants are located east of the San Siro, back towards the city center. The most famous eateries near the San Siro are probably actually the food trucks outside the stadium – this is where most fans go to grab a slice of pizza, a focaccia, or a sandwich before heading to the San Siro to see AC Milan play. You’ll find plenty of options and eat like a local there!
Is There Food Inside the San Siro?
Yes, there are a few places inside the San Siro selling food and drinks, but not a lot – Italian stadiums aren’t known for their eateries. You might find a few snacks, but the best options are outside the San Siro before an AC Milan match, either the food trucks right outside or the restaurants in the surrounding neighborhoods. It’s also worth noting that there’s no beer or other alcohol sold inside the San Siro.
Can I Bring My Own Food to the San Siro for AC Milan Games?
Yes – you can bring your own food into the San Siro for an AC Milan match, but you can’t bring any beverages, including water. You’ll find plenty of water for sale inside the stadium, but bringing your own bottle in isn’t allowed.
Do Any Restaurants Near the San Siro Have Vegetarian Options?
There are plenty of places around the San Siro where you’ll find vegetarian food. Most of the Italian restaurants in the area don’t have a specific vegetarian menu, but offer plenty of vegetarian sandwiches, pizzas, and salads. There are a couple of vegetarian-specific restaurants as well, including Mens@sana.
Fuel Up Before Watching AC Milan at the San Siro!
The San Siro doesn’t have a lot of great dining options inside, so it’s important to make sure you’ve fuelled up before the game! Don’t worry – you’ll find plenty of options around the stadium, whether you’re looking for a substantial lunch or something lighter. Buon appetito! Other than food, there are many other travel tips for AC Milan match you can experience at San Siro.
