Shop like a local: the must-see shops away from the tourist routes

The search for products and quality service distinguishes the choices of the Milanese both when it comes to shopping and for everyday needs. Where can you get a good coffee? Which boutiques are unmissable favorites of the people of Milan? Let's discover the most frequented shopping areas far from the tourist routes, the historic shops and the habits of the genuine Milanese:  let's shop like a local!

When it comes to shopping, genuine Milanese prefers quality products and service attentive to their needs. But where do the Milanese go shopping and what are the unmissable shops away from the tourist routes?
 
Milan has always been a city at the cutting edge and attentive to elegance, so traditionally the Milanese prefer trusted shops where attention to the customer is impeccable. A place that is the symbol of shopping in Milan which brings together the most elegant and smartest Milanese is La Rinascente, the department store in the heart of Milan with the best of fashion, beauty and design brands.
 
In the period of the economic boom, the need to wear classy but unostentatious work clothes emerged in elegant Milani: in the years straddling the Second World War,  Broggi and La Camiceria Ambrosiana two of the institutions of fashion tailored to the genuine Milanese were opened. Tailoring services in historic boutiques such as Gemelli in Corso Vercelli and Bardelli in Corso Magenta are still among the best-loved by the Milanese.
 
Speaking of lifestyle and shops far from the tourist routes where do you go shopping like a local? Lovers of vintage will find what they want in Corso di Porta Ticinese which is full of interesting craft shops like Panca's and some trendy boutiques, for example, Cavalli e Nastri and Minuit. Two very popular areas for affordable shopping for everyone are Corso Buenos Aires and Via Torino, and the novelty of recent years in terms of window shopping and not just that is the very modern Citylife district.

As for the most original design suggestions, the areas of Moscova and Brera are a must, also because there are numerous art galleries and unique furniture shops there. A must if you wish to be inspired by all that is art and design is Corso Como 10; Cargo and Design Republic are also shops not to be missed for home furnishings and objects.

Walking through the streets of the city center, you can find the real gems of Milan. The historic shops are exceptional businesses that have often been in operation for over a century: silverware and jewelers, household goods and handicraft stores, but also pharmacies, ice cream parlors and florists that testify that Milan has always been a city that puts quality and service at the service of its citizens in the first place.
 
The Corso Magenta area is a landmark for the elegance of Milanese shopping because you'll find so many historic businesses: while Ercolessi is synonymous with fountain pens and writing materials, the Drogheria Soana is a classic historic grocery shop that places the accent on customer service.
 
Rossignoli in Corso Garibaldi has been selling bicycles since 1900 and Ditta Raimondi is the most famous historic printing and typography shop. As far as reading is concerned, the Libreria Rizzoli in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is one of the historic places of Milanese culture, and the Ulrico Hoepli International Bookshop has always been distinguished by the enormous variety of books and magazines on sale.
 
To return to clothing again, the Ditta Guenzati is "the" historic workshop in Milan: founded in 1768, it is one of the favorite shops of the Milanese for both fine fabrics and the wide choice of Scottish tweeds and tartans, as well as hats, scarves, and items of clothing. Città di Londra, located a few meters from the traffic of Piazza Duomo, is a landmark for those seeking quality clothing far away from the tourist streets.

The historic shops have helped to create the cultural identity of Milan but where do the Milanese go for a sweet break? The Milanese are really spoilt for choice as far as historical pastry shops and cafés are concerned: Cucchi or Marchesi? Biffi or Cova? Especially on holidays, the pastry shops are the favorite shops for the Milanese to buy a handmade panettone and enjoy typical traditional cakes.

Even when it comes to taking a break or going for the typical Milanese aperitif there is no shortage of bars and historic businesses: the famous Bar Magenta has been serving the Milanese since 1907 and De Santis is an institution when it comes to savoring a nice sandwich. If during a walk near the Duomo you feel a little peckish, you must try a panzerotto by Luini! Some of the places best-loved places by the Milanese for aperitifs are Terrazza Martini, Bar Basso...and countless other venues.
 
The Milanese have always preferred to shop at small shops or at the market: even though large-scale distribution has changed the habits of many, the municipal markets and local shops are once again becoming  favourite with Milanese people thanks to the quality of the products offered and the excellent customer service; examples are  Salumeria Cerva, the Premiata Pescheria Spadari or the Macelleria Masseroni, not to mention the numerous greengrocers who bring fresh fruit and vegetables to the tables of the Milanese every day.
 
Along with Milan's municipal markets, the local markets held weekly in the different areas of the city are also very successful: the Via Fauché market and the market in Via San Marco are among the most famous when it comes to shopping in Milan. Genuine Milanese who want to give themselves a treat, on the contrary, will drop into Eataly to find high-quality gourmet products or will feast their eyes on the food at Peck which has always been synonymous with gourmet excellence in Milan.