Capre e Cavoli Restaurant
Capre e Cavoli is a restaurant located in the Navigli district of Milan, one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, known for its canal-side dining scene and creative cuisine. The name — an Italian idiom meaning roughly “apples and oranges” — signals an eclectic, boundary-crossing approach to the menu.
At a glance
- Type
- Restaurant
- Location
- Navigli area, Milan, Lombardy, Italy
- Coordinates
- 45.4870° N, 9.1853° E
- Cuisine
- Contemporary Italian
Overview
Capre e Cavoli occupies a corner of Milan’s celebrated Navigli quarter, where the city’s historic canal network once served commercial navigation and today anchors a lively food-and-culture corridor. The restaurant draws on seasonal Lombard produce while incorporating broader Italian regional influences, reflecting the cosmopolitan character of the neighbourhood. Its relaxed atmosphere makes it a popular choice for both locals and visitors exploring the canals on foot.
History
The Navigli district where the restaurant sits has been a centre of Milanese social life since the medieval period, when Leonardo da Vinci himself worked on improvements to the canal lock system. The area underwent significant transformation in the twentieth century, and the canals — many of which were covered over — became a focus of urban regeneration from the 1970s onward. Today the Navigli hosts one of the densest concentrations of restaurants, bars and studios in northern Italy, and Capre e Cavoli is part of that evolving culinary fabric.
What you see
The restaurant’s interior reflects the informal, design-conscious aesthetic typical of Navigli establishments, with exposed brick, warm lighting and a compact dining room suited to convivial meals. The canal-side setting gives the surrounding streets a distinctive character, with narrow towpaths, colourful facades and the gentle rhythm of water visible from nearby. In the evenings the area fills with aperitivo crowds, and the restaurant opens onto this lively street scene.
Cultural significance
The Navigli has been designated part of Milan’s living cultural heritage, with ongoing debate about restoring uncovered sections of the canal network. Dining establishments like Capre e Cavoli play a role in sustaining the social and economic vitality of a district that bridges historic craft traditions — ironwork, pottery studios — with contemporary creative industries.
Practical information
- Address
- Navigli district, Milan, 20144
- Hours
- Check official website or contact the restaurant directly
- Reservations
- Recommended, especially on weekends
Getting there
The nearest metro station is Porta Genova FS on Line 2 (green line), approximately five minutes on foot from the main Naviglio Grande canal. Tram lines 2 and 9 also serve the area. The Navigli is easily walkable from the Brera and Ticinese districts.