Simone Barlaam, a 23-time world champion swimmer born in Milan in 2000, has spent his life balancing sport and passion. In this exclusive guide to Milan, the 2024 Paris Olympics torchbearer shares his favourite spots to dine, explore art and culture, and unwind in one of Italy's most iconic cities.
For Barlaam, the best coffee is found at Pasticceria Grossi in Piazzale Udine, a beautiful pastry shop where he often takes teammates after training sessions. When seeking a treat, he heads to Panificio Storico Vailati on Via Vitruvio, where pastries are both lovely and welcoming.
When craving pizza, Barlaam makes a beeline for da Mimmo near Chinatown in Milan's North of Loreto (NoLo) neighbourhood. The classic Neapolitan pizzeria holds a special place in his heart as it was one of the first places he visited with his parents. It's still a favourite haunt, serving thick and fluffy pizza slices that transport him back to his childhood.
As a student at the Politecnico di Milano, Barlaam would often dine at Grano e Caffè on Viale Romagna, where food is both fresh and affordable. For special occasions, he heads to Ratanà on Via Gaetano de Castillia, run by chef Cesare Battisti, who has introduced him to traditional Milanese dishes like mondeghini.
In the evenings, Barlaam can be found in Chinatown's vibrant streets of Via Paolo Sarpi. This area comes alive at night with its many eateries, street food stalls and karaoke bars – perfect for a fun night out with friends.
Fashion has long been an integral part of Milanese life, particularly through the legacy of Giorgio Armani. The city was built on his iconic designs, which have influenced style worldwide. Barlaam's involvement in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games shows just how much he respects this heritage. The Italian designer will forever be remembered as a symbol of the city and its culture.
Parco Sempione is one of Milan's most charming parks, offering endless green spaces to enjoy for free – an ideal spot to relax after a long day. Another must-visit attraction in the city is the Acquario Civico di Milano, which boasts some of the oldest aquariums in Europe and has been delighting visitors since its construction in the early 20th century.
Barlaam's love for swimming creatures stems from his passion for aquatic environments – their beauty reminds him of freedom. For an added touch, he enjoys watching fish swim at this aquarium as it provides a soothing experience that never fails to mesmerize him.
Milan is renowned globally for its rich cultural heritage and museums, including some lesser-known gems like the L.O.V.E. statue by Maurizio Cattelan and the Museum of Natural History, featuring life-size dinosaur models in a beautiful park setting. These hidden treasures embody the essence of Milan – a city that constantly surprises visitors with new artistic expressions and architectural marvels.
As one can see from Barlaam's exclusive guide to Milan, this captivating Italian city offers something for everyone, from world-class dining options to incredible cultural experiences that bring joy to those who live there.
For Barlaam, the best coffee is found at Pasticceria Grossi in Piazzale Udine, a beautiful pastry shop where he often takes teammates after training sessions. When seeking a treat, he heads to Panificio Storico Vailati on Via Vitruvio, where pastries are both lovely and welcoming.
When craving pizza, Barlaam makes a beeline for da Mimmo near Chinatown in Milan's North of Loreto (NoLo) neighbourhood. The classic Neapolitan pizzeria holds a special place in his heart as it was one of the first places he visited with his parents. It's still a favourite haunt, serving thick and fluffy pizza slices that transport him back to his childhood.
As a student at the Politecnico di Milano, Barlaam would often dine at Grano e Caffè on Viale Romagna, where food is both fresh and affordable. For special occasions, he heads to Ratanà on Via Gaetano de Castillia, run by chef Cesare Battisti, who has introduced him to traditional Milanese dishes like mondeghini.
In the evenings, Barlaam can be found in Chinatown's vibrant streets of Via Paolo Sarpi. This area comes alive at night with its many eateries, street food stalls and karaoke bars – perfect for a fun night out with friends.
Fashion has long been an integral part of Milanese life, particularly through the legacy of Giorgio Armani. The city was built on his iconic designs, which have influenced style worldwide. Barlaam's involvement in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games shows just how much he respects this heritage. The Italian designer will forever be remembered as a symbol of the city and its culture.
Parco Sempione is one of Milan's most charming parks, offering endless green spaces to enjoy for free – an ideal spot to relax after a long day. Another must-visit attraction in the city is the Acquario Civico di Milano, which boasts some of the oldest aquariums in Europe and has been delighting visitors since its construction in the early 20th century.
Barlaam's love for swimming creatures stems from his passion for aquatic environments – their beauty reminds him of freedom. For an added touch, he enjoys watching fish swim at this aquarium as it provides a soothing experience that never fails to mesmerize him.
Milan is renowned globally for its rich cultural heritage and museums, including some lesser-known gems like the L.O.V.E. statue by Maurizio Cattelan and the Museum of Natural History, featuring life-size dinosaur models in a beautiful park setting. These hidden treasures embody the essence of Milan – a city that constantly surprises visitors with new artistic expressions and architectural marvels.
As one can see from Barlaam's exclusive guide to Milan, this captivating Italian city offers something for everyone, from world-class dining options to incredible cultural experiences that bring joy to those who live there.
. I mean, who wouldn't want to visit da Mimmo for some classic Neapolitan pizza slices after a long swim training session? 
It's amazing how passion for food and art is shared by sports enthusiasts like Barlaam! 
That sounds super convenient. What's also cool is how Parco Sempione park is a free spot for relaxation in the city... it's like a hidden gem! 
... i mean, who wouldn't want to try pastries at Pasticceria Grossi or pizza at da Mimmo? 
... and omg, parco sempione sounds like the perfect spot to chill after a long day 
The way Simone Barlaam is sharing his love for Milan feels super authentic 
. I mean, he's not just talking about the fancy museums and landmarks – he's sharing the hidden gems that make the city special, like da Mimmo in Chinatown 
. That place sounds like a total treasure trove for foodies! 
. But what really gets me is how he talks about Milan being a city that constantly surprises visitors – I think that's something we can all learn from 
.
Like, I was at this place in Tokyo last year, had the best matcha latte of my life... anyway, speaking of Milan, have you ever been to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II? It's like stepping into a different era, all fancy and old-school cool 
. And yeah, the Acquario Civico di Milano is amazing, I've seen some sick fish there too 
.
. I mean, who wouldn't want to try authentic Neapolitan pizza at da Mimmo? 
! But what really gets me is how he balances his passion for art and culture with his love for swimming... it's so inspiring to see someone who's truly passionate about multiple things 
Simone Barlaam is the real MVP of Milan 
! 60% of his free time goes into exploring new food spots, with an average rating of 4.8/5 on Google Reviews 
! Did you know that the city's iconic fashion brand Giorgio Armani is worth over $10 billion 
? And, fun fact: Barlaam's love for aquatic environments is so strong that he spends an average of 2 hours/day watching fish swim at the Acquario Civico di Milano 
. Meanwhile, did you know that Milan hosts the highest number of international events per capita in the world? 
No wonder this city is always buzzing!
Can't they put some thought into how to organize the content? For example, why not group all the food spots together or make a map with the location markers 
. And what's up with all the cliché phrases like "one of Italy's most iconic cities"? Been there, done that 
. Can't they give us some new and interesting perspectives instead of just regurgitating the same old tourist traps? 
! It's awesome to see a sports icon like him sharing his passions beyond swimming - food, art, and culture are all so integral to this beautiful city. Pasticceria Grossi and Panificio Storico Vailati sound like my kind of spots for a caffeine boost and pastry fix 
️
.
.
Who knew Milan had so many hidden gems like the Museum of Natural History with life-size dinosaur models? Mind blown! 
.
his love for swimming creatures is really inspiring and it's awesome that he shares that passion with others through the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games. He also has some amazing recommendations for food spots in Milan, I might have to check out Pasticceria Grossi and da Mimmo soon! 
. Da Mimmo pizza place sounds like a total game-changer - thick and fluffy crust, yeah please! 
. I'm also stoked to hear he loves chillin' at Parco Sempione and watching fish swim at the aquarium 
i mean, who wouldn't wanna try the famous Neapolitan pizza at da Mimmo? 
