Milan, recommended by the people who live there.

Milan runs fast, and its best places change just as fast: one spot opens, another closes, a neighbourhood suddenly lights up. Keeping up takes more than a guide updated once a year. You need the people who live there, work there and move around the city every day — which is exactly what you'll find on BeLocal.

Duomo area, the Milanese way.

Even in the most touristy part of the centre there are addresses the community stands by. Ciacco, on via Spadari, is amazing, for the Duomo area, with unusual flavours. The Il Verzeratt kiosk, on via Osti, is always reliable, highly recommended. The Chiesa di San Fedele, after its restoration, is genuinely stunning to see. And for the evening, Armani/Privé is for some the overall best venue in Milan so far — even if it's pricey.

Darsena, Porta Romana and Bocconi.

This is the Milan of students, waterside aperitivo and Sunday lunches. Il GUD, on the Darsena, is the community's most-loved spot: nice because you're right on the Darsena. Dahlia Lab, on via Bocconi, is a sure thing after a lecture. Giannasi, on piazza Buozzi, makes CLAMOROUS roast chicken: best in class for chicken and potatoes. Pasticceria Gattullo is the historic go-to little bar for a chill aperitivo or coffee — and, for some, the right place to recover from Friday night. At Trattoria de la Trebia there's the best steak in the city, while Spore, on via Passo Buole, offers experimental, refined cooking, a mix of fermented food and Asian cuisine, with great value for money.

Brera and Monumentale.

At Cesarino, on via Pattari, the sandwich is ruthless, even for a work lunch. And near the Monumentale, Lom Dopolavoro is a hidden little gem with a lovely outdoor area to sit.

Why a friend beats a ranking.

Milan has a thousand "best places" lists, almost all the same. On BeLocal the recommendations come from the people you follow: you know who wrote them, you know if you share the same taste, you know who to trust. Their Milan becomes yours too.