I’m not referring to the Renaissance here, I want to tell you about the department store in Milan. Department stores are not all that common in Italy. Italians seem to prefer to shop in stand alone stores. I hope it stays this way, I prefer it too. However Rinascente is an excellent place to shop in Milan, especially if you want to wander and browse on several floors full of wonderful things.
All the major brands are represented in clothing, shoes, accessories and homewares and the basement floor has a great selection in interesting gadgets – I can’t think of a better word. All sorts of quirky and unusual things can be found here for your home, and life in general. There is also a lovely cafe to stop for a coffee and a delicious snack. The colour theme when I was last there was purple and each table had the most beautiful purple orchid.
delicious strawberry tart at the basement cafe
the orchid is real
One of my favourite floors in the store is the top floor, which is devoted to food. There is a delectable food hall where you can buy exotic things to take home as well as several different places to eat, offering a great selection. Best of all, there is an outdoor cafe which overlooks the Duomo. You get a fabulous view of the roof of this amazing church. It is worth going up there for this alone, but the food is good too.
the view of the Duomo from one of the indoor restaurants
the view from the terrace restaurant
looking into the roof of the Duomo
the bread basket
delicious lunch
There is a smaller Rinascente in Florence which also has a little cafe on the top floor. The outdoor terrace offers a fantastic view of the magnificent Duomo, the rooftops of beautiful Florence and across to the Boboli gardens and beyond.
the cafe on top of Rinascente in Florence
not a bad view
The one in Rome has recently moved locations to make way for an enormous Zara shop. I haven’t been in yet, but I will check it out when I am next in Rome.