Bentoteca Milano

I visited recently and the experience the team at Bentoteca provided was nothing short of astounding. I felt very welcome and well looked after. If you enjoy the theatre of watching the chefs at work, then reserve a seat at the counter which faces into the kitchen! I opted for the omakase menu and the sommelier selection wine paring. Everything I was served was brilliant. Artfully plated, with the quality of the ingredients shining through from start to finish. Be prepared, as the omakase is a LOT of food but if you have a decent appetite, it’s entirely worth going for this. Grazie mille for the superb experience!

Bentoteca used to be “the” restaurant for me and my ex boy and now even if he is taking someone else there you know what it is fine because Bentoteca remains delicous. Since before covid theory they yolk consistencies and textures such as that of marinated cow heart and tuna chiai (in picture), or that of bone marrow and fermented shrimps, as a strong part of their process. I also really appreciate the use of every part of the tuna in many cuts, I had the tuna head with giardiniera is really a sweet treat. The price is Milanese price. It is a satisfaction to go eat there. This is the place I suggest to friends but also where I go when I want to gift myself a dinner. Thank you!

Overrated and expensive for what it is. If you're a food connoisseur, this restaurant will likely disappoint. I’m genuinely confused by the 5-star reviews and its inclusion in the Michelin Guide. We came for an à la carte dinner and ordered several popular items as suggested; three starters, two mains, and four wines. Unfortunately, the dishes were overly salty, and lacked freshness. The so-called “seafood” udon was undercooked and had minimal, shriveled bits of seafood that I had to dig for - very misleading. Portions were small, and while the service was friendly, it was also quite slow. For the price, the experience feels unjustified - the quality simply doesn’t match the hype or the cost. If I’m paying a premium price, I expect premium food.

Always a good experience. I am happy that the chef seems to have gone back a little to his “michelin starred” origins, I prefer this to the “bistrot spirit” that he tried a couple of years ago. Exquisite tasting menu, for a competitive 90 Euro price. Good service. Impressed by the puff-pastry soup and by the salad - super lovely. The 5 variations on tuna are of course superb. The japanese sandwich is a lovely surprise. Yes, a really good experience.

It was a great dining experience here! We had the omakase menu and every dish was chef’s kiss! The 2 rounds of starters were fabulous! We love every tuna dish and the chicken & eel skewer too! Service was really remarkable, very personable and friendly! Will definitely visit if I am ever in Milan again.

One of the best places I’ve tried in Milan. The cuisine here is a mix of traditional Japanese cuisine and a modern cuisine by using great ingredients to create that umami taste. We were three people and we had many different dishes from the menu to share so had the opportunity to try many plates. Service was well organized and accurate, we had a great experience

I’m ABSOLUTELY amazed by this restaurant !!! All of the staff are friendly, welcoming and professional for asking my food allergies in advance. The atmosphere is relaxing and even for dining alone (not all Michelin restaurants are friendly and good arrange to solo diner) The nature wine pairing is awesome as some bottle of them are not easily found in Milan. Overall, it’s way more higher than the average. I been trying a lot of Michelin restaurants and few could make me not feel greasy, the chef’s pairing from first course to dessert are totally fresh. Best Japanese restaurant I ever had in Milan, love it so much🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

We got so excited to visit Bentoteca after some recommendations online, but only to leave really disappointed. I don’t want this review to take away from the good dishes we did have, as well as the service which was brilliant. The wine offering was wonderful, with multiple choices given and a full in depth description of each bottle expertly given by the wait staff. The wine was complex as stated and one of the best bottles I’ve had in Milan. We ordered 4 shared starters between us and a main each as recommended. We started with a Tuna Tartare which wasn’t to my wife’s taste but I enjoyed it. She isn’t a big sushi fan so this wasn’t taken in to consideration when reviewing, it is what it is, we try things. The second course arrived which was a chicken Karaage. This was again, very good! Third course was a Wagyu Sando which was easily the best part of the meal. The other starter we ordered was the mushrooms. For reference we absolutely adore mushrooms in every form. If there’s a mushroom dish on the menu there might be 2 orders of it going in. Big mushroom people. The mushrooms didn’t remotely meet the criteria that this restaurant is supposed to set out. They were chewy, lacked flavour and generally had an unwelcoming texture. I’d argue they were a little chunky for the dish? I hope that makes sense. This takes us to the main. I ordered the Wagyu with Monfish liver. It was solid enough but not outstanding. Lacked something but not remotely enough to complain about. I did enjoy it to a degree. 40 euros for a small main like this stung but look, it wasn’t bad it is what it is. Then that leads me to my wife’s tuna steak. I’m not one to complain. If I am I’ll likely leave 5 stars and say ‘this is what I’d prefer’ or ‘this is what I’d hope would be better’ and appreciate things could be worked on. This was one of the worst Tuna steaks I’ve ever tasted. The quality was so poor and I appreciate we’re near the dolomites in Italy, but it seriously lacked the level I was expecting here. My wife initially tasted and turned her face, and admittedly I thought she had maybe put herself off after the very first course, but this was far from the case. To us a tuna steak should come out a little pink and be very meaty in taste but this was the most ‘fishy’ tasting tuna I’d ever tasted. Think John West style tuna taste. It was grey, and arguably tasted a bit old. We complained and the waiter passed on our message. We ate possibly 1/3rd of it. The bill arrived and the tuna was still on the bill, which was a little disappointing. When we complained we made sure to let the staff know that it was our only gripe (I did mention the mushrooms but if the tuna was good I’d imagine I’d have said nothing) and yet still it was on there. We apologised to the waiter for the fuss (he was lovely, no qualms there), and made our way to the front. The member of staff at the front apologised and took €15 from the €230 bill and let us know that the tuna was ‘frozen today’ but he would have to charge us. These things happen. The chef’s in that kitchen will know significantly more about food and cooking than I ever will, and mistakes do happen But when I go to a restaurant that has been hyped up as much as this, that is literally known for its tuna dishes, and receive something that poor, I can’t help but mention it. A real shame. Hopefully others have a better experience than we did.