Chau Giang

One of Italy’s favorite local pastimes is aperitivo, the tradition of socializing over drinks and snacks before dinner.

Aperitivo can be simply understood as an early-evening light meal where Italians enjoy drinks and snacks before dinnertime. It is sometimes compared with happy hour found in other countries, when bars serve customers meals and drinks at discount prices, but aperitivo is unique in several ways. For one, the time to enjoy aperitivo usually falls between 6:00 and 9:00 pm, as Italians make a practice of having late dinners. In addition, establishments offering aperitivo typically do not offer discounts, although for 10 to 15 euros, you can enjoy a cocktail while filling yourself up with diverse and tasty side dishes.

Most people believe aperitivo originated in Turin in the late 18th century, and credit Antonio Benedetto Carpano, who created the first aperitivo drink, vermouth, as its founding father. Vermouth is a wine whose flavor is enhanced by mixing plant-based elements like roots or herbs. Sweet and at the same time sour and bitter, accentuated with the light fragrance of herbs, it remains a popular choice among Italians to enjoy before dinnertime. By the 19th century, aperitivo had spread to every corner of the country, although it remains more popular in Northern Italy.

Aperitivo offers a wide range of options of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but choosing drinks such as vermouth, Campari, Negroni or prosecco will bring you an experience closer to the local tradition. If you want to enjoy something truly Italian, you can opt for an Aperol Spritz, a concoction made from Aperol, sparkling wine, soda and a wedge of orange. Its eye-catching dark orange color and strong, addictive flavor make it a favorite among aperitivo lovers.

Aperitivo food

In addition, side dishes are an indispensable part of aperitivo. There are typically two ways to savor the snacks, either as a buffet or as a platter of food with many dishes to enjoy with your drink. There is a wide range of popular aperitivo food, from salami, cheese and French fries, to olives, pickled onion, cucumber and celery in sweet and sour sauce. If you choose a buffet, otherwise called an apericena, which is a more modern form of aperitivo, you will be served dishes similar to those for dinner, including bruschetta, pizza, sardines, ham and pasta.

Aperitivo venues in Navigli

Although you can find aperitivo everywhere in the beautiful land of Italy, the city of Milan is still the best place to experience this culinary culture. If you want to try it on your discovery trail, the aperitivo establishments situated behind the ancient castle of Sforza or on bustling Sempione Street such as BhangraBar, Deseo or Duomo dal 1952 make great choices. Likewise, if you want to immerse yourself in truly local life, you can choose establishments along the Navigli River. Here, you can find a busy aperitivo place every few steps. All you have to do is choose one to your liking, order your favorite cocktail to enjoy with some flavorful Italian side dishes and watch the romantic Navigli at sunset as the world around you bustles.

More than just enjoying delicious food and drinks, aperitivo has become a cultural pastime among Italians, where they can meet friends and loved ones to share stories of daily life after a day of hard work before returning home. For a true taste of Italy, it is an experience not to be missed.