Joia — Restaurant in Milan

As a vegetarian for 20+ years and a foodie who has been to some of the best restaurants in the world, here's my (meticulous) and honest review: My partner and I were excited to splurge on a Michelin rated vegetarian restaurant after having spent two weeks in what is pretty much an all-meat eating culture like northern Italy. To my surprise, I was quite disappointed. Not for any one thing in particular, rather a collection of things. (1) No bar. If there's no bar then there's no cocktails. Only wine could be offered to drink. Having allergy to red wine meant I had a very limited selection. (2) the smell inside the restaurant smelled of mold. Like someone left wet towels on the floor too long (3) the atmosphere was awkwardly quiet. No background music or anything to cut the noise so I felt like I had to whisper the whole time. (4) Design of interiors was dated and meh. Terrible lighting; too bright. Yes, I realize this is petty, but these things do matter. Especially when you're paying $400+ for a meal.

Now on to the food...we both ordered the large fixed menu "The Zenith" which was a 10 course meal. (5) timing of the courses were way off. We were served for over 3+ hours! With huge gaps in between courses but of the same section. (6) too much food. I felt sickly full by the end of it. This is my own fault for ordering it, but still worth noting. (7) ALL of the dishes they served were cold. All of them. Not a single hot meal! (8) there was no variety in the flavor of the dishes. They were all quite bitter and all repeated either celery, tomatoes, basil, or raspberry lots of raspberry! no regional takes on dishes. We're in Italy! A culinary Mecca. Yet none of what was served was a nod to that culture at all. (10) servers had a hard time explaining what exactly our dishes were. When asked they would simply say "vegetables". When serving the cheese she told us all of the chesses were 'pecorino' even though that clearly wasn't the case. (11) the texture in at least 3 of the dishes was off. Soggy. Like they'd been sitting in the refrigerator for too long.

In summary, I think this is a classic example of a name getting perpetuated just because it has caught-on with upper tiers of people. The plating and dishes looked beautiful, but fell flat with actual flavors of things. I've certainly had much better vegetarian dishes, and from $15-20 restaurants nonetheless. Save your money, or...

I was in Milan on a business trip with my sister, who works with me and my business partner. Becasue i am vegan (the other two are meat eaters) we decided to go to a vegan reataurant. After asking Siri we ended up here, not knowing that it was a michelin star restaurant.

I was slightly apprehensive at first as I have been to many nice restaurants around the world and eaten many types of cuisine, some good, some bad. And being new to veganism, for some reason I thought I might not be able to experience the great service and impeccable food I have had before. How wrong I was.

Once we sat down and checked through the menu there were vegetarian and vegan options, but everyone decided to choose only vegan plates, and all different dishes so we could get the most from what we were about experience and share.

First arrived the tasting plate, which was a very tiny selection of different vegetables and sauces to try. I wasn't too sure about this, but soon realised the flavours wre amazing. This was complimentary. Next up was another dish, which I cannot explain. I can just say that it was a type of mousse (it probably wasn't a mousse so I apologise if I was way off the mark with this) with two different types of sauces. Also complimentary and tasting great.

As the starters arrived, the food got better. The presentation was impeccable and the textures were out of this world and the flavours were tremendous. The same goes for the main course. We also had a dessert, all of which were a great size and a great finish to the mea. Everything washed down with the cheapest bottle of house red they had, which complimented everything we had.

This was one of the best meals I have ever had. Even the two meat eaters said the same.

Although it was quite expensive, €254 for three people, (€85 a head) it was worth every cent and we will certainly be visiting again.

Any meat eaters out there that think you can't have a good meal without meat, visit Joia and you may soon change...

Dining at Joia in Milan was nothing short of a sublime experience, one that truly stands out in the world of culinary excellence. From the moment we stepped into this Michelin-starred haven, we were enveloped in an ambiance that was both elegant and inviting. The restaurant's unique blend of sophisticated décor and tranquil atmosphere, reminiscent of oriental aesthetics, set the stage for an unforgettable evening.

Our gastronomic journey was a delightful exploration of Joia's celebrated vegetarian philosophy. The combination of the "Emphasis on Nature" and "Discovery in Tradition" menus offered a tantalizing array of flavors that were both innovative and profound. Each dish was a masterpiece, carefully crafted to showcase the essence of its organic ingredients. The three finely structured wines we selected elevated our meals, creating a symphony of tastes that danced on our palates.

The service was impeccable, deeply personalized, and attentive to every detail. Claudio, our waiter, was a highlight of our evening, infusing the service with warmth and humor that made the experience even more enjoyable. His knowledge of the menu and wine pairings was impressive and his friendly banter added a personal touch that we greatly appreciated.

A special mention must go to Sous Chef Raffaele Minghini, who graciously spent time with us after our meal. Engaging in a lovely chat with him provided a deeper insight into the culinary philosophy and passion that drives Joia. It was a privilege to learn about the inspiration behind the dishes firsthand.

Having dined at many Michelin-starred establishments, Joia not only met but exceeded our high expectations. It is a culinary gem that leaves a lasting impression, one that we wholeheartedly anticipate revisiting. Whether our travels bring us back to Milan or we plan a trip specifically to relish another exquisite meal at Joia, it remains a beacon of exceptional vegetarian cuisine and...