Cucina Franca
A Milanese gem redefining Italian dining with innovative, often vegetarian dishes and a unique open-kitchen experience.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Cucina Franca
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A Milanese gem redefining Italian dining with innovative, often vegetarian dishes and a unique open-kitchen experience.
"An explosion of flavors and a truly unique culinary experience that will leave you wanting more."
Terrace for Intimacy
Opt for the terrace for a romantic ambiance or request warmer lighting indoors.
Be Open to Experimentation
The tasting menu offers unconventional, beautifully presented dishes with unique flavors.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Modern Italian
Price
Mid-range
Address
Via Friuli, 78, 20135 Milano MI, Italy
Website
cucinafranca.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Innovative Tasting Menu
Experience a culinary journey with a tasting menu featuring creative, vibrant dishes, often vegetarian-inspired.
Open Kitchen Experience
Dine at the chef's counter for an up-close view of culinary artistry and food preparation.
Intimate & Cozy Ambiance
Enjoy a snug dining area with a cozy vibe, enhanced by music and thoughtful decor.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Terrace for Intimacy
Opt for the terrace for a romantic ambiance or request warmer lighting indoors.
Be Open to Experimentation
The tasting menu offers unconventional, beautifully presented dishes with unique flavors.
Wine Selection Assistance
Ask about wine pairings; they may offer samples to help you find the perfect match.
Reservations Recommended
Booking is essential, especially for weekend dining, due to the intimate size.
Tips
from all over the internet
Terrace for Intimacy
Opt for the terrace for a romantic ambiance or request warmer lighting indoors.
Be Open to Experimentation
The tasting menu offers unconventional, beautifully presented dishes with unique flavors.
Wine Selection Assistance
Ask about wine pairings; they may offer samples to help you find the perfect match.
Reservations Recommended
Booking is essential, especially for weekend dining, due to the intimate size.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Cucina Franca is celebrated for its exceptionally creative and fresh cuisine, particularly its innovative tasting menu that often features surprising vegetarian options. Diners rave about the unique flavor combinations, beautiful presentation, and the intimate, cozy atmosphere. Service is consistently praised for being friendly, prepared, and attentive without pretension.
"We had an amazing time at Cucina Franca. Staff is extremely nice and helpful and explained us everything about its changing menu. The food curation is awesome (mostly vegetarian), the attention to detail and the flavor of it all. We ate by the bar and that was great because you face directly to the kitchen and it is fun to see them cook. The terrace with nice lighting looked super nice for dinner; on the inside I would recommend to change the lighting to a warmer vibe. Also wine was great, they let us try several oranges until we founded the one that suited us best. 100% recommend"
Ana Ehlis
"I’ve been staying in Milan for a month now and this is the best meal I’ve had. I thoroughly enjoyed my solo dinner date. I requested the tasting menu and told the waiter that I did not eat beef or pork. I had no idea the menu was mainly vegetarian and seafood! He just brought out beautiful plates of food until I was ready for dessert. The tasting menu is intended for 2 so I just didn’t have all 6 courses. Everything was delicious. The swordfish was the standout dish. So many flavors-just exquisite. The service was also excellent. Make sure to get a reservation, especially for the weekend."
Tanya Maloney
"Loved our meal at Cucina Franca - we asked them for a vegetarian tasting menu, which they were able to do and it was fab! Each dish was a surprise and the flavours were very unique (I didn’t love the asparagus one personally, all others were top). Top service by the team and excellent wines. The decor inside is vibey (especially the bathroom) albeit a bit small, outside is a bit more standard. Well priced for the quantity of food we got. Would recommend for a non-typical meal in Milan!"
Nandini Mazumdar
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The menu is inspired by international and South American tastes, with a strong focus on creative, often vegetarian, dishes and innovative flavor combinations.
Yes, if you're seated at the chef's counter, you can witness the kitchen action and food preparation up close.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend dining, as the restaurant has a very small capacity.
Yes, the menu is largely vegetarian-inspired, and they can often accommodate a vegetarian tasting menu upon request.
The restaurant offers a cozy and intimate vibe, with music and thoughtful decor creating a warm atmosphere, especially on the terrace.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
Best Restaurants in Milan For Stylish Dining (Updated 2025)
A fairly new addition to Milan’s restaurant scene (opened in the summer of 2024), Cucina Franca has fast become a favourite among Milanese serious about their meals. Why we love it: The menu is short, focused and loosely inspired by international cuisines without leaning into fusion clichés. The aesthetic is simple but classy, with mismatched plates, wooden tables and eclectic furnishings.
12 best restaurants in Milan for a tasty trip to the capital
Chefs Facundo Castellani and Gianluca Santamato’s Cucina Franca is not your typical Italian joint. Instead, it falls more within the “new-wave” Italian realm typical of several newish establishments. The team executes everything on a smaller level, starting with the cozy shoebox of a dining room that seats just 20 between the ground floor, the chef’s counter flanking the open kitchen, and a loft.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit