For many Milanese, breakfast is a sweet, sacred, precise ritual. They order the classic combo "brioche e cappuccino". Brioche has a different meaning in France; in Italy it means what is more commonly known as a "croissant". But that's enough semantic detail so early in the morning! There is a wide choice of establishments offering excellent "colazioni" (breakfasts). My top tip is that you drop in to the Gattullo café-bakery. This bar is typical of the 70s and serves superb croissants (not from frozen, as is unfortunately becoming more and more widespread in Milan), fine cakes, and delicious pastries and   cappuccinos. If you pass by on a weekday, you'll experience the electric atmosphere of Milanese mornings: a coffee at the counter and an immediate rush to work!

Not far from the Navigli (the artificial canals of Milan) and from the metro stop Porta Genova, a jewel of central Italian cuisine awaits. I'm not sure if it's strictly speaking Milanese, but trust me...you certainly won't be disappointed. This is the Striatelle : a bar-restaurant, small but cosy, featuring its namesake, the excellent "striatella", cousin of "piadina". It's a type of flatbread based on wheat flour, olive oil, salt and water, traditionally baked on a terracotta dish. The dough is folded and can be filled with sweet of savoury ingredients (ham, cheese etc.). Striatelle uses incredible products and are very imaginative with their combinations. A bargain-price restaurant, very gourmet and suitable for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike.

Chic & Quick by Sadler is the place to be for gourmets who want to taste Italian excellence at affordable prices. Claudio Sadler is one of Milan's most famous chefs and founded a restaurant in his own name. I most particularly recommend his version of lunch. Excellent food, very fine wines and a dish of the day for 20 euros.

If, like me, you're a big fan of artisan and visually appealing pastries, then Caminadella Dolci is the place for you! Tucked away in a typically Milanese inner courtyard, beside the Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, this little bakery will delight your eyes, stomach and mind. With few tables, prices on the high end for Milan (though not for Paris), this tranquil, intimate establishment offers desserts to die for, created with mouth-watering produce. You'll definitely want to go fill up on desserts here before leaving the city.  

In a little street near the Naviglio Pavese, not far from the Piazza XXIV Maggio, you'll find the slightly untypical restaurant Anadima. Tables are distributed on various mezzanines, with a very pleasant décor. The cuisine is surprising and inventive: tagliatelle au "ragù" (sauce) of duck with blueberry jam, prune pieces covered with pancetta with a reduction of balsamic vinegar...need I go on?

Although there's no "typical" Milanese drink, they do have excellent wines, particularly those from the neighbouring Veneto region. The preferred cocktail are the Venice Spritz and the Negroni, a rather strong cocktail based on red Vermouth, Bitter Campari and gin. The Basso Bar serves this "sbagliato" (which means "incorrectly"), with vodka instead of gin.