Borgia Group Continues Expansion: New ‘Osteria Formentini’ Opens in Milan’s Brera
Milan, March 4, 2026 – The Borgia Group, a prominent name in the Italian catering sector, has announced the opening of its latest establishment, ‘Osteria Formentini,’ in the heart of Milan’s historic Brera district. This new contemporary osteria, inaugurated in March 2026, is the eleventh venue for the group, founded by brothers Vittorio and Saverio Borgia, further solidifying their presence across Lombardy and Sicily.
With a network now comprising eleven venues, approximately 215 employees, and a turnover approaching 12 million euros, the Borgia Group continues its trajectory of growth. Osteria Formentini, designed by chef Federico Della Vecchia, aims to be a place of everyday conviviality, offering an authentic reinterpretation of the Italian osteria tradition.
A Contemporary Osteria Rooted in Brera’s Heritage
Located at the corner of Via Madonnina and Via Formentini, the new restaurant is strategically positioned in one of Milan’s most vibrant and recognizable neighborhoods. The group’s vision for Osteria Formentini is to create a space deeply rooted in the community, welcoming both local residents and visitors exploring the charming streets of Brera. The osteria features approximately 100 seats and employs 15 staff members, marking a significant step in the group’s ongoing development.
The architectural design of Osteria Formentini was spearheaded by architect Giovanni Musica, founder of the Milan-based MGAlab studio. Vittorio Borgia, CEO of Borgia Group, emphasized the osteria’s unique appeal: “In a neighborhood full of restaurants that tell the story of tradition, Osteria Formentini is one of the few places that makes you really relive it. Through smells, ambience and recipes that speak to the memory before they speak to taste. An experience that unites generations at the same table.”
From Palermo to Milan: A Decade of Growth and Diverse Concepts
The entrepreneurial journey of the Borgia brothers began with a clear philosophy: informal catering characterized by high-quality raw materials, meticulously designed environments, and prime city-center locations. This successful format was first implemented with the opening of Bioesserì in Milan in 2012, a concept that has since been replicated and diversified across the group’s other venues.
Today, Bioesserì maintains a strong presence in both Milan and Palermo, offering a culinary experience that blends Mediterranean cuisine with long-rising dough pizzas, catering to various dining occasions from breakfast to business lunches, aperitifs, and dinner.
Over the years, the Borgia Group has expanded its portfolio with a variety of concepts, all united by their core philosophy. In Milan, in addition to Bioesserì and the newly opened Osteria Formentini, the group manages Casa Bi, which opened in the CityLife district in 2023, Trattoria Donna Concetta, specializing in Neapolitan culinary traditions, and Baunilla pastry shop, a creative endeavor inspired by Sicilian confectionery.
Connecting with the Territory: Borgia Group’s Sicilian Roots
In Sicily, the Borgia Group’s operations are primarily concentrated in and around Palermo. Notable projects include Molo Sant’Erasmo, a seafront restaurant that has played a role in the revitalization of Palermo’s southern coast, where the Oreto river meets the Mediterranean. Also in Palermo, the group operates Mezzena, a restaurant adopting the contemporary steakhouse model while also highlighting the so-called ‘fifth quarter’ of meat, and Terrazze Santamarina, a gastronomic project led by Palermo chef Giuseppe Calvaruso, which combines contemporary cuisine with local products.
One of the group’s most distinctive projects is Stazione Lago in Piana degli Albanesi. This unique venue is housed within the former Kumeta railway station, a building constructed in the 1920s that was never fully operational but has been transformed into a gastronomic space overlooking the lake.
The opening of Osteria Formentini underscores the Borgia Group’s continued commitment to expanding its culinary footprint, offering diverse and high-quality dining experiences across Italy’s key gastronomic cities.
