I’m always on the lookout for a casual, authentic trattoria in Milan that serves truly delicious food — and I found one! La Libera, on Via Palermo 21, sits in the heart of the Brera district. Housed in a building from the early 1900s, this historic spot has changed hands a few times, most recently in February 2025, but its soul remains the same: traditional Milanese and Lombard cooking in a welcoming, old-world setting.
The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious — think checkered tablecloths, vintage posters, wooden chairs, green walls, terrazzo floors, shelves of wine, and waiters in crisp white shirts with navy aprons who appear to have been here forever. There are three cozy dining rooms, seating approximately 70, plus a charming sidewalk patio that accommodates an additional 20 guests.
Menus are in Italian but fairly easy to navigate. Their specialties are veal Milanese and osso buco with saffron risotto, but everything we tried felt thoughtfully prepared. The breadbasket alone stood out, with tomato focaccia, herb bread, and a crisp multigrain selection. We started with a salad of barely cooked red shrimp with avocado, along with a seasonal dish of fresh porcini mushrooms, simply grilled with olive oil and garlic and served over crispy potatoes. For our main, we shared a rich risotto with langoustine.
The wine list is excellent — extensive but reasonably priced, ranging from local bottles to large formats, champagnes, and dessert wines. To finish, we had a silky panna cotta with fresh berry compote, plus some biscotti alongside our espresso.
What struck me most was the balance: homestyle cooking, seasonal ingredients, fair pricing, and an atmosphere full of locals rather than tourists. For anyone craving a genuine Milanese trattoria experience, La Libera is a gem I’ll happily return to.
Happy dining,
Shanea
16/10/2025
