There are lots of budget restaurants to pick from in Milan, ideal when you don’t want to break the bank and perhaps prefer to save some of your hard earned cash for a couple of really good meals during your trip, while eating cheaper the rest of the time – for more details about this have a look at our Gourmet Restaurants page.  In the meantime, here are some suggestions for budget eating.

Ciao is Italy’s answer to a fast food restaurant, but it doesn’t serve the kind of fare that “fast food” conjures up!  Using seasonal and local produce, the food is really fresh and is laid out buffet style – simply help yourself to what takes your fancy and pay at the till.  It offers a new selection every day and unlike many Milanese restaurants, which only open during set meal hours, Ciao is open all day so you can pop in whenever hunger strikes.  For a good quality, hot meal that is priced very fairly, Ciao is a sure bet.

Another great budget eatery is Brek, a chain of budget restaurants famous for not costing an arm and a leg , which offers affordable yet tasty food and includes a children’s menu.  With a choice of pizza, pasta, salad it’s a very economical way to eat – and round off your meal with one of the delicious desserts, big enough for two (or maybe even three!) at the moment there are 2 of them: Via dei Missaglia 97 TEL: 02 8931 5193‎ and Via Cino Del Duca 5 TEL 02 7602 3379‎

Sadler Wine & Food is a conventional Italian restaurant that is comfortable and offers good prices.  Ingredients are carefully sourced and put together beautifully, sometimes in unusual ways!  Located near Piazza Amendola in the Fiera district, this is a great place to enjoy a taste of Italian meats and cheeses, a glass of wine, and relax in stylish surroundings while not paying exorbitant prices.

XIER chinese restaurant in Via lepetit, 20 - 20124 - Milano Telefono 02.67481999 is a something totally new for Milan - a cheap but delicious self service chinese restaurant located near the station. it works like this, you pay 12 euro (at the time of writing 2010) and you can eat as much as you like, they have everything you can imagine, noodles, sweet and sour, steamed dumplings, salads, sushi, desserts, rice dishes and then there is also a counter with about 8 chefs who make anything you like to order including fresh fish, steaks, pork chops, spare ribs... watching them at work is worth the entry fee alone - XIER self service Chinese buffet restaurant in Milan rocks and is one of the best value for money restaurants in town.

Panino Giusto is a great budget restaurant in Milan and the ideal place for a quick Panino (a warmed sandwich usually with ham and cheese or vegetables), which makes an ideal and cheap lunch or snack.  There are several branches around Milan so you’re never too far away from one!  You can get Paninos at many locations around Milan and while Panino Giusto is slightly more expensive, they are also a lot tastier thanks to the quality of the bread and ingredients used.