InGalera

The story

InGalera Milan: Fine Dining Inside Bollate Prison | Michelin Recommended

InGalera: Italy's First Restaurant Inside a Prison

InGalera is the first and only restaurant in Italy built within a prison and open to the public for both lunch and dinner. Located inside the Bollate Prison in Milan, it is a place where detainees, guided by a professional chef and maître, learn the craft of food preparation and surprise guests with well-executed, exclusive recipes.

The restaurant is the result of a partnership that began in 2013 between ABC Catering, a cooperative that had already been working with prisoners since 2004, and PwC Italy, which contributed its business expertise. Supported by the Cariplo Foundation, the Italian Minister of Justice, and the Paolo Frisi Hotel School (which already had a jail section), InGalera opened its doors in 2015. The project’s core mission is to reduce recidivism by offering detainees real work experience, professional training, and the dignity that comes from contributing to society. As the restaurant states, "recidivism decreases extraordinarily when prison provides opportunities for professional training and real work."

The kitchen is led by Chef Davide, who previously worked alongside the late Vittorio Fusari, a celebrated chef who volunteered his time to support the project. In his memory, a special dish—"lo scoglio rovesciato croccante"—was featured on the menu in early 2026.

The Dining Experience

The menu changes seasonally and offers a wide selection of classic Italian cuisine. Starters range from a Carpaccio of Octopus and Melon with toasted peanut sauce to a deconstructed Vitello Tonnato with slow-cooked veal and crispy capers. First courses include handmade Malfatti gnocchi with spinach and ricotta in brown butter and sage, and a Risotto with Blueberries, Gorgonzola, and Walnuts. Main courses feature the classic Milanese Cotoletta, a Tagliata of Fassona beef with chimichurri, and sea options like a Treccia of Branzino on a ratatouille with clam essence. A fixed Saturday lunch menu is also available at €50, including water, wine, and coffee.

A Michelin Recommended Restaurant

InGalera’s commitment to quality has been recognized by the Michelin Guide, which lists it as a Recommended restaurant. This acknowledgment places the restaurant firmly on the map of Milan’s fine dining scene, affirming that the food and service here are on par with the city’s best. As one recent guest review on the restaurant's site notes, the service is "truly Michelin-starred." Beyond the dining room, InGalera also offers a catering service for events and private parties, extending its model of professional reintegration beyond the prison walls.