If I had to choose just one Italian tradition to bring with me everywhere, it would be aperitivo. There’s something magical about this early evening ritual – the clinking of glasses, the small bites that somehow feel like a meal, and the unspoken rule that for at least an hour, you slow down, sip your drink, and simply enjoy life.
Before moving to Italy, I had no idea how much aperitivo would become a part of my routine. At first, it was just another cultural experience to try. But over time, it turned into something I genuinely look forward to – whether it’s a casual Spritz at a small café, a fancy Mojito with friends, or a cozy aperitivo at home with my boyfriend.
It’s not just about the drinks or the food; it’s about the atmosphere, the feeling of unwinding after the day, and the way Italians turn something simple into an art form. In this post, I’ll share what makes aperitivo so special, some of my favorite experiences, and how you can enjoy it like an Italian, whether you’re in Italy or not.
What is aperitivo? A quick introduction
If you’ve ever been to Italy, you’ve probably noticed people gathering at bars in the early evening, sipping colorful drinks and nibbling on small bites. That’s aperitivo – a beloved Italian tradition that falls somewhere between happy hour and a light pre-dinner ritual. But unlike the typical happy hour you might find elsewhere, aperitivo isn’t about getting cheap drinks or rushing through a meal. It’s about slowing down, socializing, and savoring the moment.
The word aperitivo comes from the Latin aperire, meaning “to open,” because the drink is meant to “open” the appetite before dinner. Typically, it takes place between 6 and 8 PM, when locals gather at cafés and bars to unwind after the workday. The drinks are usually light and slightly bitter, designed to stimulate rather than fill you up – think Spritz, Americano, or Negroni (my boyfriend’s go-to choice, though I prefer a Mai Tai when I can find one!). Of course, there are plenty of non-alcoholic options, too, for those who prefer something without alcohol.
But aperitivo isn’t just about what’s in your glass. It always comes with food – ranging from a simple bowl of olives and taralli to an elaborate spread of bruschette, cheese, and cured meats. In some cities, especially in northern Italy, bars offer a buffet-style apericena (a mix between aperitivo and cena, meaning dinner), where you can enjoy an all-you-can-eat selection of small bites for the price of a drink.
More than anything, aperitivo is about enjoying life the Italian way. It’s an excuse to pause, chat with friends, and soak in the atmosphere of a lively piazza or a cozy bar. And once you’ve experienced it, it’s hard not to fall in love with the tradition.
The essentials of a true Italian aperitivo
Aperitivo isn’t just about what’s in your glass or on your plate – it’s a ritual, a moment of the day dedicated to slowing down and enjoying good company. While the experience can vary depending on where you are in Italy, a few key elements make for a true aperitivo.
1. The drinks: a balance of refreshment and flavor
Aperitivo drinks are meant to stimulate the appetite without being too strong or too sweet. The most common options include:
- Spritz variations – The ultimate aperitivo drink, made with Aperol (or Campari for a stronger kick), prosecco, and soda water. My boyfriend and I both love this one.
- Hugo – A lighter, floral drink made with elderflower syrup, prosecco, and soda – perfect for warm evenings.
- Bicicletta – A refreshing mix of white wine, Campari, and soda, often overlooked but great for those who find Spritz too bubbly.
- Vermouth-based cocktails (think Negroni and Americano) – In some regions, vermouth is served on its own with ice and an orange slice, a nod to its historical role in aperitivo.
- Non-alcoholic choices – Bitter sodas like Crodino and Sanbittèr are widely available, as well as fruit-based mocktails for those who prefer a sweeter touch.
While my boyfriend often opts for a Negroni, I tend to go for a Mai Tai when available, even if it’s not traditionally part of aperitivo. But when in doubt, we both agree: a Spritz is always a safe choice.
2. The snacks: small, simple, and just right
Unlike tapas or appetizers, aperitivo snacks are meant to complement the drinks rather than be a meal. What you get varies depending on the bar and the city:
- The standard combo – A bowl of chips, often accompanied by salty peanuts or olives. This is what most places offer.
- Aperitivo with a little extra – In some regions, especially in Emilia-Romagna (like Rimini, where my boyfriend is from), you might get a plate with olives, taralli, and cut-up tramezzini, piadina, or cassoni.
- Trieste’s version – Here, the approach is minimal: chips, peanuts, and occasionally a dip sauce with crostini. Simple but satisfying.
- Cheese and cured meats – In more generous places, you might get a small plate of local cheeses and salumi, but this is usually in bars that specialize in wine.
Unlike in some countries where happy hour means discounted drinks, in Italy, the snacks are included in the price of your drink. It’s part of the experience, not an extra charge.
3. The setting: where to enjoy aperitivo like a local
The right location makes all the difference. A true aperitivo should be:
- Somewhere relaxed – Whether it’s a lively piazza, a small café with outdoor tables, or a seaside bar, the best places allow you to sit back and take in the surroundings.
- Not rushed – Aperitivo isn’t meant to be grabbed on the go. You sit, sip, snack, and enjoy. It’s common to stay for over an hour with just one drink.
- A moment of transition – It marks the shift from the workday to the evening. Italians don’t rush to dinner; they ease into it with an aperitivo.
Aperitivo is a feeling, not just a drink
Whether it’s a casual drink with friends, a weekly tradition, or a spontaneous stop at a bar, aperitivo is one of the simplest pleasures in Italy. The beauty of it is that you don’t need anything fancy – just a good drink, a few snacks, and a moment to unwind.
My favorite aperitivo experiences in Italy
Aperitivo has become more than just a ritual for my boyfriend and me. It’s a moment we truly cherish, no matter the season. Whether it’s summer by the beach or winter in a cozy café, we always find a way to make it special.
Summer aperitivo: sun, sea, and spritz
Summer aperitivo in Rimini is an experience on its own. One of our favorite rituals is grabbing mini pizzas from a small kiosk near the docks, picking up a couple of Spritz, and heading to the rocks to watch the sunset. There’s something magical about sipping a cold cocktail while the sky turns orange and the sea reflects the last light of the day. It’s simple, effortless, and always feels like the perfect way to end the afternoon.
Another summer tradition of ours is going to Embassy, a seasonal bar with a relaxed yet lively vibe. The music is always great, the cocktails are strong and delicious, and the food is plentiful. We sink into one of the garden sofas and spend hours just talking – about anything and everything. No rush, no distractions, just the two of us enjoying the moment.
Of course, nothing beats having an aperitivo right on the beach. After a long day of sunbathing and swimming, we love grabbing drinks from the chiringuito at Bagno 26 and enjoying them while still lounging on our lettini, our skin warm from the sun, our hair damp from the sea. The mix of salty air, cold drinks, and small paper plates of mini bites is something I’ll never get tired of. Wherever we are, we always try to time our aperitivo with the sunset – it’s the one thing that makes every drink taste better.
Winter aperitivo: cozy moments in the city
When the colder months arrive, we switch from beachside aperitivo to more central spots. One of my favorite places in Rimini during winter is Caffè Cavour, located in the heart of the city. During Christmas time, it’s even more special: the streets are glowing with festive lights, and a few years ago, they even had a small ice-skating rink right in the square next to the café. Sitting inside with a warm coat, watching people skate while sipping a perfectly mixed drink makes it one of the coziest aperitivo spots.
No matter where we go in Rimini, the food that comes with the drinks is always excellent. Unlike the simpler snacks in other parts of Italy, here we’re often treated to a spread of nuts, chips, olives, slices of salami and cheese, and even cut-up piadina or tramezzini. Sometimes, if we’re lucky, we get fried piadina chips, which are just superb.
We usually enjoy aperitivo alone – it’s our time to disconnect from everything else and just focus on each other. We talk as if we’ve just met, diving into conversations about anything that comes to mind, no matter how random.
Aperitivo with a view: Trieste and beyond
In Trieste, one of the best places for aperitivo isn’t a traditional bar but a restaurant called Pier The Roof. It’s located right on the pier, surrounded by boats and yachts, with a stunning view of the sea. Unlike Rimini, the snack offering here is minimal – just a bowl of chips – but the setting makes up for it. It’s quiet, peaceful, and slightly removed from the city’s traffic, making it one of my favorite spots when I want a more relaxed aperitivo.
One of our more unusual aperitivo experiences happened last summer in Cervia, a small town near Rimini that’s easy to reach by train. We found a unique place along the canal where, instead of tables and chairs, they had pillows on the ground and repurposed small wooden crates as tables. The cocktails and food were excellent, and sitting so close to the ground made it feel intimate and cozy – until the ants decided to crash the party. We ended up being semi-attacked by them, which was less than ideal, but the whole experience was so unique that I’d still do it again (hopefully with fewer uninvited guests next time!).
Our home aperitivo ritual
When we don’t feel like going out, we bring aperitivo home. At least once a week, we set up our own little spread with cheese, salami, fresh veggies (carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes), and baked piadina. Sometimes, we get creative and prepare mini crostini with different toppings. Then, we mix up our cocktails – usually a Spritz – and settle in for a relaxed evening.
Sometimes, we just sit at the table, talking and listening to jazz. Other times, we turn aperitivo into game night, pulling out one of our favorite board games like 7 Wonders, Everdell, Gloomhaven, Disney Villainous, or Patchwork. The first game we ever played together was Scrabble, and while I loved it, I was terrible at it – I always lost. We still have the game, but we tend to forget about it in favor of our newer favorites.
A special aperitivo memory
One of the most memorable aperitivo moments we’ve had was actually years ago, when we were still living in Aalborg, Denmark. My boyfriend surprised me with a carefully planned evening for Valentine’s Day. He prepared a full aperitivo spread at home, and afterward, we went out to this cozy, out-of-the-box burger place called Wildebeest Gastropub, where they served gourmet burgers unlike anything we’d had before. The night ended with a trip to the cinema to watch Fifty Shades Darker. My boyfriend was one of the very few men in the theater, but he knew how much I loved the first movie and wanted to make sure I got to see the second. It was one of those thoughtful, perfectly planned nights that made me love aperitivo even more – not just for the food and drinks but for the memories it creates.
Aperitivo is more than a drink – it’s a moment
Looking back, I realize that so many of my favorite memories are tied to aperitivo. Whether we’re sipping cocktails on the beach, enjoying a cozy winter evening in the city, or simply playing board games at home, aperitivo has become a ritual that brings us together. And that’s what makes it so special – it’s not just about the drinks or the snacks but about taking a moment to pause, connect, and enjoy life, one sip at a time.
The secret to a perfect aperitivo: What tourists often get wrong
For Italians, aperitivo is more than just a drink – it’s a ritual, a social moment, and a way to transition from the day into the evening. But for many tourists (non-Italians) visiting Italy, aperitivo can feel like just another touristy experience – something to check off the list before moving on to dinner. And that’s where they miss the point.
I’ve seen plenty of tourists sit down at a bar, order a cocktail, quickly snack on the free food, and leave within 20 or 30 minutes. It’s understandable – when you’re in Italy for only a week, you want to see and do as much as possible. But rushing through aperitivo means missing out on what makes it special.
If you really want to experience aperitivo the right way, here are some mistakes to avoid and some less obvious tips that will help you enjoy it like a local.
1. Expecting every aperitivo to be the same
Many tourists assume that every aperitivo experience will come with the same drinks, the same snacks, and the same atmosphere. But aperitivo isn’t a fixed formula. It changes depending on where you go, what kind of place you’re in, and even what time of year it is.
🔹 Better tip:
- Don’t expect a full spread – some places serve just chips and peanuts, while others bring out a mix of small bites. Instead of focusing on what you get, focus on enjoying the experience.
- Choose your location based on your mood. Want a quiet aperitivo? A small wine bar might be perfect. Looking for a livelier atmosphere? A bar with an outdoor terrace would be better.
- Try different places. If you didn’t love your first aperitivo experience, don’t assume that’s how all of them are. Some bars specialize in well-crafted drinks, while others focus more on the food pairings. Each place offers a different take on aperitivo, and that’s part of the fun.
2. Sitting at the wrong spot – choose your table wisely
A small but crucial mistake: many tourists sit inside or at the first available table, missing out on the best part of aperitivo – the atmosphere.
🔹 Better tip:
- Go for an outdoor table with a view of a piazza, a lively street, or the sea. Even if it’s a little chilly, many places provide heaters in winter.
- If you’re by the beach, position yourself for the sunset. There’s nothing better than sipping a Spritz while the sky turns pink and orange.
- If the bar has a mix of standing and seated areas, know that standing areas are often meant for a quick drink, while sitting down signals that you’re staying longer—so choose accordingly.
3. Ordering the wrong drink for the setting
Many tourists associate aperitivo with just a Spritz or a Negroni, but some drinks fit certain locations better than others.
🔹 Better tip:
- By the beach? Stick to lighter, refreshing drinks like a Hugo or Aperol Spritz.
- In the mountains? Go for something a bit stronger, like a Negroni or a Vermouth-based cocktail.
- Cold weather? A glass of warm Vin Brulé (mulled wine) or Amaro can be a great alternative.
- Not in the mood for alcohol? Try a Crodino or a Sanbittèr, classic Italian non-alcoholic aperitifs that still capture the bitter, refreshing taste of aperitivo.
4. Treating aperitivo as just a drink instead of an experience
Tourists sometimes forget that aperitivo is about more than what’s in the glass – it’s a state of mind.
🔹 Better tip:
- If you’re with someone, use the time to talk, reflect, or even people-watch – don’t just sip and scroll on your phone.
- If you’re alone, bring a book or simply observe the world around you. Italians can make one drink last an hour just by soaking in the atmosphere.
- In a hurry? Don’t bother having aperitivo. Rushing through it defeats the whole purpose.
5. Not taking advantage of aperitivo at home
Most tourists assume aperitivo is something you can only enjoy in Italy, but it’s actually one of the easiest traditions to bring home.
🔹 Better tip:
- Recreate it at home at least once a week – it’s a great way to unwind, even if you’re not in Italy.
- Make a small spread with whatever you have: cheese, crackers, olives, grissini, taralli, or even just some chips with dip.
- Pair it with a cocktail you love (or a mocktail) and set the right mood – some light jazz, dim lighting, and no rush.
In summary
No matter where I am, aperitivo remains one of my favorite parts of the day. Whether I’m watching the sunset on the beach, cozied up in a winter café, or setting up a small spread at home, aperitivo always brings a sense of ease and connection.
If you ever find yourself in Italy, don’t just grab a quick cocktail and move on. Take your time, soak in the atmosphere, and enjoy an aperitivo the way it’s meant to be. And if you’re not in Italy? Well, you can still bring the spirit of aperitivo into your life, one sip at a time.