Milan contemplates nocturnal ice cream and pizza sales ban once more

A popular Italian city revisits a controversial idea from years ago: a ban on selling ice cream and pizza during nighttime hours. This ban aims to reduce street noise, which is a real nuisance for residents.

Milan authorities have proposed reintroducing a ban on selling ice cream and pizza after midnight. The city seeks to mitigate the noise and litter caused by loud groups wandering the streets of Lombardy's capital at night.

"The goal is to balance social gatherings and entertainment with the peace and quiet of residents," said Marco Granelli, deputy mayor.

The proposed ban would target only outdoor food vendors and would be effective from 6:30 pm on weekdays and 7:30 pm on weekends, between May and October.

The regulation would apply in popular tourist and local areas including Nolo, Lazzaretto, Melzo, Isola, Sarpi, Via Cesariano, Arco della Pace, Como-GaeAulenti, Porta Garibaldi, Brera, Ticinese, and Darsena-Navigli.

This idea was first mooted over a decade ago. It failed to materialize in 2013 due to opposition from Milan's residents.

Italy is notable for its plethora of surprising bans for tourists. For instance, several years ago, authorities banned building sandcastles in the town of Cavallino near Venice. It was deemed to interfere with rescue operations on the coast.

A few years ago, the mayor of Castellammare di Stabia, on the Bay of Naples, garnered international attention by banning overly revealing clothing, including mini skirts. "We are not in Majorca," argued Mayor Luigi Bobbio amidst protests against the restriction.