C'era una volta una piada, nestled in the vibrant heart of Milan at Piazza S. Gioachimo, 5, presents a delightful take on traditional Italian street food with a modern twist. This charming restaurant is a haven for lovers of piadine — those thin, soft flatbreads that fold around a symphony of fresh, carefully selected ingredients.
Step inside and you’ll immediately sense the inviting buzz typical of a beloved local spot. With a recently expanded space offering a whimsical decor inspired by replicas of old paintings and quirky Tim Burton-style portraits, the atmosphere strikes a truly unique balance between cozy and artfully eccentric. Picture enjoying your meal while catching glimpses of Milan’s sleek new skyscraper district through the windows—an unexpected but delightful backdrop for your culinary adventure.
The menu at C'era una volta una piada shines with options that suit both health-conscious diners and those craving heartier flavors. The "Le Leggere Pollo E Tacchino" selection highlights standout creations like the GYROS—tender chicken breast kebab-style, layered with sun-dried tomatoes, crisp mixed greens, cool cucumbers, and creamy robiola cheese, delivering an explosion of Mediterranean freshness and warmth for just €11.60. For something lighter but equally vibrant, try the DIETORELLA: turkey breast paired with grilled zucchini, silky squacquerone cheese, turmeric, and a hint of black pepper, a perfectly balanced piadina at €10.30.
Those seeking bold, rich flavors will appreciate the TACCHINELLA, with turkey breast, peppery arugula, tangy capers, and luscious salsa tonnata, or the playful PEPITA, featuring organic chicken nuggets, smoky scamorza cheese, fresh arugula, and a generous slather of mayo — a comfort-food delight at an unbeatable price.
Salads, or "Insalatone," offer refreshing alternatives packed with grilled meats and vibrant vegetables. The POULETTE combines grilled chicken breast with carpaccio of zucchini and carrot atop a bed of mixed greens for €10.50. Meanwhile, the VALERY CHIC features steamed beef, delicate grana flakes, and the same fresh vegetable carpaccio for €11.30 — all dressed with impeccable finesse.
Amplify your piadina experience with house-made sauces such as the rich and creamy honey mustard, which fuses sharp mustard heat with sweet honey undertones (€0.50), or indulge in a taste of the Middle East with the velvety, tangy hummus spiced by paprika and extra virgin olive oil (€0.60). These sauces deepen the layers of flavor, making each bite truly unforgettable.
Customers consistently praise C'era una volta una piada for its large portion sizes and exceptional value. Consuelo Angioni raves about the “great piadina for cheap prices” and the variety of delicious ingredient options, noting how the fast service keeps up even during busy times. Manolo Macchetta appreciates the “first quality” products, delighting in how the renewed locale provides an intriguing artistic atmosphere along with a view of Milan’s modern skyline. Zedd B highlights the speed and friendliness of the staff, perfect for visitors “on the go” who want a quick yet satisfying bite. Meanwhile, Melissa Choy is impressed by the sheer variety and flavor, recommending the light, flaky piada loaded with pepperoni, grilled zucchini, and soft cheese as a must-try for spice lovers.
Overall, C'era una volta una piada is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Italian piadine that combine fresh, high-quality ingredients with both creativity and comfort. Whether you’re a Milan local or an explorer roaming the city streets, this spot promises a taste experience that’s hearty, flavorful, and delightfully memorable.
Contact: +39 351 837 8571
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Consuelo Angioni
25/11/2025
Great piadina for cheap prices and in a cute location! You'll have many options for the ingredients and all seem very delicious, from the classic ones to the most original. Big portions. Crowded but fast.
Manolo Macchetta
02/11/2025
Piadine are very good and big. Products are first quality (and you can taste they are). They just renewed the place which is now larger with a view on the new "skyscraper district" of Milan. Place is interesting by itself with replica of old painting and Tim Burton style of drawing portrait. It's also cheap for the quality and quantity.
Zedd B
31/10/2025
Great sandwich place in Milan and a perfect option if you’re on the go. The sandwiches are fresh, flavorful, and made with quality ingredients. Quick service, friendly staff, and convenient if you’re exploring the city and need a satisfying bite without a long sit-down meal.
MiNa
04/09/2025
Everything was super fresh and delicious. I highly recommend.
Melissa Choy
19/08/2025
TONS of variety! If you're looking for a piadina that's larger than your head for 5-8 euros, you’ve come to the right spot! Not only are the portions huge, but they're delicious!!! The piadina is light and flaky which is exactly what you want. I've ordered the spianata (pepperoni) piada ---it's pepperoni with grilled zucchini and soft cheese --highly recommend this for you pepperoni lovers. Pepperoni in italian is actually bell peppers, so for those of you that are italian, I mean actual meat pepperoni :) I've also had the poulette salad which was great although not what I expected. The menu with english translation indicated that it's iceberg lettuce (which I was able to substitute with mixed greens), grilled chicken breast w aromatic herbs, zucchini, carrots, avocado and almonds. When i see grilled chicken breast on a menu, I expect it to be a chicken breast that has been grilled and then sliced thinly. What I got was grilled chicken breast cold-cuts style. Now, although they were cold cuts, it was the tastiest chicken cold cuts I've ever had so I wasn't mad about it! The salad portions are also very large and come with the plain piadina on the side. They're also super efficient and you can watch them make it fresh behind the counter! Come at 1230 to avoid large lines :) if you're on the go, you can take the piadina or salad for take-away.