The “Italian Temple of Gastronomical Delights,” Peck is the ultimate in gourmet food shopping in Milan and has been since its opening in 1883. It has a vast selection of cured meat, cheese, bread, as well as prepared specialities including salads, marinated vegetables, croquettes among other goodies.

High-end items include truffles, caviar, porcini mushrooms and foie gras. What pairs perfectly with all of this fabulous food? Wine of course! Their extensive wine cellar carries more than 3000 labels from Italy and abroad.

For tea and coffee lovers, they carry the best blends of loose and canned coffee and an extensive selection of teas and infusions.

For those with a sweet tooth, the pastry shop has it all including cakes, chocolates and handmade gelato.

Located on the 7th floor of this high-end department store is a sprawling emporium with a huge assortment of gourmet foods and an area dedicated to “Made in Italy” products.

Find the best of everything here from the finest olive oils to exotic spices to aged vinegar. Leave room for sweets as there is a variety of jams, candies and chocolates. They even have designer water in custom made bottles. There is an excellent selection of Italian and international wines. All the products sold here can be arranged in elegant gift boxes, and if you are not sure what to buy, they’ve got you covered, and you can make an appointment with a personal shopper that will help you choose the perfect gift.

And if being around all that food starts making you hungry, no problem because there are several restaurants and cafés available to settle all your cravings with up close and personal views of the Duomo.

Drogherias are old-fashioned small neighbourhood grocers that are sadly disappearing from the Italian landscape as large supermarkets have moved into town.

They are like the corner store that has just about everything for day to day life and are usually family-run.

This one carries speciality teas, spices and a variety of classic Italian must-haves. Coming here feels like Italy circa 1950. 

Eataly is a huge food market focused on the “Italian way of indulging at the table.” The goal is to make high-quality Italian products easily accessible at affordable prices. The location of this multi-level store is a converted historic theatre and carries not only food (fresh produce, pantry items, sweets and wine), but everything food-related such as cookbooks, utensils and even small appliances.

They have pre-made gift boxes and of course, offer the option for custom gifts.

There are several restaurants and cafés offering everything from full lunch and dinner to street food, gelato and espresso.

For fun and entertainment, they have live concerts every day and offer a variety of cooking classes. 

This lively shop carries an assortment of Italian wines by the bottle as well as from the barrel. They will bottle your vintage of choice directly from the cask and there is even the option of adding personalised labels.

But the fun does not stop there, you can also pick up everything you need to go with your wine purchase such as pasta, pâté and a variety of other sauces. They also have a great selection of classic spirts and of course many grappa options.

Pasticceria Marchesi has been in operation since the 1800s and has evolved over the years starting as a pastry shop and eventually adding a charming café offering high-quality sweets and baked goods. It is a great place to buy that perfect souvenir of traditional confections.

Pop in to buy handmade treats, but make sure to linger over coffee or tea because stepping into this shop is like taking a step back in time. The ornate 18th-century building with its coffered ceilings and mahogany furnishings make for a cosy setting. While all three of their locations ooze elegance, for a time travel experience, make sure to visit their original location at Via Santa Maria alla Porta.

Right off the pedestrian street of Corso Como is the adorable shop Zaini. Originally a chocolate factory, it is now a pretty boutique with a café that offers handmade chocolates and other decorative sweets.

They offer a wide variety of year-round and seasonal gifts that are beautifully packaged with ornate, custom boxes, baskets and even crates. And if you don’t find exactly what you are looking for, no need to worry, they will create the perfect present according to your specifications.