Buttressed by the walls of San Marco Basilica, this historic wine cellar in Brera is a place where people go to see and be seen. N’Ombra de Vin was opened by Giacomo Cora, who transformed what used to be the refectory of the Friars of the Agostine order in the 16th century into one of Milan’s best wine shops. Today the grand cellar—with its vaulted ceiling, sturdy columns, stone floors, and wooden wine cabinets—is run by Giacomo’s son Cristiano. He expanded the wine shop’s offerings to include a bar, gourmet bistro, wine tasting events, and parties with DJs and live music, injecting a bit of youthful energy into N’Ombra de Vin upper-class pedigree while still cultivating an excellent wine collection.
Time Out tip: Nearby, at Via Solferino, 27, there is a plaque recognizing that this is where Giacomo Puccini composed La Boheme and Tosca.