The art of hosting: a restaurant for international guests in Milan
Dinner with international guests in Milan is a chance to introduce the city through its food. When hosting colleagues, clients or visiting friends, choosing a restaurant means thinking about the menu, the neighbourhood and the time you want to spend together. At The Meatball Family, traditional cooking meets the pleasure of sharing: Milanese mondeghili, meatballs in tomato sauce and dishes for the centre of the table.
Our story began in 2013 on Via Vigevano, in Navigli. Today, our original restaurant and our Piazza Cinque Giornate location offer two starting points for a relaxed evening in Milan, with industrial-style interiors and a menu built around meatballs.
Milanese mondeghili: the city's history on a plate
For a taste of local cooking, start with mondeghili. These meatballs are part of Milan's home-cooking tradition and its practice of making good use of leftover meat. As YesMilano, the city's tourism portal, explains, their story reflects family traditions and the cultural influences that have shaped Milan.
At our Navigli and Cinque Giornate restaurants, the menu features mondeghili made with beef and mortadella, served with saffron mayonnaise and salsa verde. Introducing them to your guests gives a name and a story to what they are tasting. A short explanation of the dish can become the evening's first conversation starter.
The history of mondeghili on YesMilano
Spaghetti Meatball and dishes to share
Alongside Milanese tradition, Spaghetti Meatball captures the flavour of The Meatball Family. The menu pairs spaghetti with datterino tomato sauce, Parmigiano Reggiano, basil and Black Angus beef and pork meatballs, in regular and XL sizes. For a group, the larger size offers a way to share one of the restaurant's signature dishes.
Sharing works especially well when people at the table are just getting to know each other. Choosing together, passing dishes around and comparing flavours makes dinner feel more relaxed. You could begin with mixed fried meatballs and continue with a pasta dish; the restaurant team can help you choose quantities and combinations for your group.
Navigli or Piazza Cinque Giornate: where to take your guests
Navigli, our original restaurant on Via Vigevano
The restaurant at Via Vigevano 20 is where our story began. The bottle display, central chandelier and industrial details give the dining rooms their character. Its Navigli location makes it easy to combine dinner with a walk towards the Darsena and the canals, a pleasant route for first-time visitors to Milan.
Explore our Navigli restaurant and book
Cinque Giornate, a table to share after work
At Piazza Cinque Giornate 6, the restaurant brings together an open-plan dining room, raw materials, metal and statement lighting. It is an option to consider when arranging dinner with international colleagues in this part of the city. To choose between the two locations, start with where your guests are staying and their plans for the day: straightforward travel arrangements help everyone arrive at ease.
Explore our Piazza Cinque Giornate restaurant and book
How to choose the menu for an international group
Before dinner, share the menu for your chosen restaurant with your guests: Italian and English versions are available on the website. This practical gesture gives everyone time to read through the dishes and arrive with a few ideas. As the host, you can gather preferences and discuss a suggested selection with the restaurant.
The current Navigli and Cinque Giornate menus include Melanzane a Portofino, made with aubergine and provola cheese, and Le vegane, made with lentils, mushrooms and beetroot. For allergies, intolerances or specific dietary requirements, contact the restaurant when booking and ask the team for the allergen information. This helps you choose dishes that suit the requirements you have discussed.
View the current Italian and English menus
| Course | Dish | Why choose it |
|---|---|---|
| To start | Milanese mondeghili | A taste of local cooking. |
| To share | Fried meatballs mix | Different flavours to try together. |
| For a pasta course | Spaghetti Meatball | Available in regular and XL sizes. |
| For variety | Melanzane a Portofino or Le vegane | Two options to consider according to your group's preferences. |
Planning dinner with international colleagues: practical details
When booking, share the number of guests, your preferred time and any group requirements. If dinner follows a meeting or comes before another engagement, explain how much time you have. For a larger group, ask the restaurant about ordering arrangements and seating.
Send your guests the exact address and a link to the restaurant page. At the table, a few stories can introduce Italian cooking: the origins of mondeghili, tomato sauce and the pleasure of sharing a dish. These simple gestures leave room for conversation and turn a work dinner into a chance to connect.
Book your dinner with international guests in Milan
Choose the most convenient location for your group, browse the menu and plan your evening with The Meatball Family. From Navigli to Piazza Cinque Giornate, we look forward to welcoming you for meatballs, Italian cooking and the pleasure of gathering around the table.
