The story
In 1961, Salvatore Pili left Arbus, a small town in the province of Cagliari, Sardinia, with a one-way ticket to Milan and a determination to learn the craft. He trained in the kitchens of the city's best restaurants, then opened his own place, La Carbonaia Mare, in 1979 near Piazza Sant'Ambrogio. In 2006, that same dedication found a new home: Antica Osteria del Mare, on via Ascanio Sforza 105 in the vibrant Navigli quarter. Today, the restaurant seats seventy-five and continues the family story, selecting every ingredient with the same care as the first day.
Antica Osteria del Mare is a restaurant where the sea is the protagonist. The raw bar leads with oysters, sea urchins, spider crab, sea truffles, and a mixed crudo of shellfish — each piece chosen for its peak freshness. Grilled dishes follow: moscardini with polenta, octopus with potatoes, scallops, scampi with seasonal vegetables, and turbot cooked in vernaccia wine. Frying is light and crisp, an alternative that never sacrifices quality.
Sardinian traditions are woven throughout. The fregola ai frutti di mare — a toasted semolina pasta that absorbs the rich shellfish broth — is a signature. Bottarga and pane carasau appear, and the meal often ends with seadas, a Sardinian sweet cheese pastry drizzled with honey and mirto. The wine list is built around Sardinian labels and Italian whites chosen to complement the seafood without overwhelming it.
The restaurant's commitment to sourcing the best catch daily and preparing it with respect has earned it a place in the Michelin Guide, listed among Milan's quality addresses. The recognition is not a novelty but a reflection of a philosophy that has been consistent since 1961: bring only what the sea offers at its best, and let the ingredients speak.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
Location
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