Aperitivo in Rome: the 12 best places for aperitifs and apericenes

Photo by Abitudini e Follie. We can say that Italy is a republic founded on the aperitif, especially in the big cities. Rome is certainly no different and offers great places to relax while enjoying great food in a pleasant atmosphere during your stay in one of Rome Hotels
Let us show you the 12 best places to have an aperitif or "apericena" in Rome, where you can spend happy hour in the eternal city.

1 - Momart Café - Piazza Bologna area

Photos of Momart Café. The café has three levels: two floors are dedicated to the aperitif and one to the restaurant and is located near Piazza Bologna. It offers a 'meeting' atmosphere and also has a very pleasant outdoor patio to use during hot summer days.

It is a young and trendy environment, frequented mostly by students and often crowded. Momart prepares cocktails and offers a rich buffet to suit all tastes. Cocktail hours are from 18:00 to 22:30.

• Characteristics and services: artistic venue, often hosting exhibitions by emerging artists. Offers aperitifs and buffet aperitifs.

• Address: Via XXI Aprile 19 - Get directions

• Average price: €11.00 first drink, €6.00 from the second onwards

• Recommended speciality: its wood-fired pizza

• Contacts: Tel 06 86391656 - FB page - Website

• Nearest hotel: Le Meridien Visconti Rome

2 - Abitudini e Follie - Piazza Bologna / Policlinico area

Photos of Abitudini e Follie. Excellent cocktails prepared by qualified barmen or a good glass of wine accompanied by a plate of really tempting appetisers. Mini burgers, savoury pies, hot pizza and daily preparation await you. And if the appetiser has whetted your appetite and you want more, stay for dinner and order a vanilla cacio e pepe or a gricia with pears.
Just a few metres from Viale Ippocrate, it offers a glamorous and sophisticated ambience.

• Characteristics and services: chic restaurant. It serves gourmet cuisine and also offers outdoor tables

• Address: Via Pavia 28 - Get directions

• Average price: €7.00

• Recommended speciality: Pinsa Romana. This is a long-processing dough (48 hours) using highly selected wheat, soya and rice flours combined with a small portion of extra virgin olive oil

• Contact: Tel 06 4441459 - FB page

• Nearest hotel: Freedom Traveller Hostel

3 - VinAllegro - Trastevere district

Photos of VinAllegro. A warm and cosy environment offering a rich cuisine, delicious homemade desserts and an extraordinary happy hour buffet of really high quality.

Aperitifs are served every day from 18:00 to 21:00 and more than a few snacks await you. Awaiting you in this wine bar are 450 wines (Italian and foreign), beers, cocktails, spirits and much more.

• Features and services: Winebar. Offers happy hour and aperitifs with over 30 courses. Theme evenings and live music events are organised.

• Address: Piazza Giuditta Tavani Arquati 114 - Get directions

• Average price: €6.00

• Recommended speciality: the infinite varieties of bruschetta

• Contact: Tel 06 5895802 / 347 4088106 - FB page - Website

4 - Pastificio San Lorenzo - San Lorenzo district / Tiburtino district / La Sapienza University

Photos of Pastificio San Lorenzo. The name of the place comes from the fact that it is a former pasta factory transformed into a trendy place with a vintage flavour.
The Pastificio serves creative and elaborate recipes and a variety of appetisers that include mini tapas, cacio e pepe chips and pear and gorgonzola candies. It offers the best aperitifs in the San Lorenzo area.
The atmosphere is pleasant and the aperitif starts at 19:00 and can then continue with dinner.

• Features and services: vintage/artistic venue, in the same complex is the modern art foundation that hosts artists and organises photography courses

• Address: Via Tiburtina 196 - Get directions

• Average price: €10.00

• Recommended speciality: cacio e pepe chips

• Contact: Tel 06 97273519

5 - Il Gelato Bistrò - Cipro / Trionfale area

Photos of Il Gelato Bistrò. Andrea Puddinu, a pupil of Claudio Torcè, had a brilliant idea: combine the salty taste with the creaminess of ice cream. This gave birth to Il Gelato Bistrò, a place that offers a decidedly curious aperitif every day.
Their Aperigelato consists of a mix of three ice cream samples and three appetisers. Every day the combinations can be different and all accompanied by a flûte of prosecco or a glass of white wine.

• Characteristics and services: Simple restaurant. Excellent for breakfasts, quick lunches and 'special' aperitifs.

• Address: Circonvallazione Trionfale 11/13 - Get directions

• Average price: €7.00

• Recommended speciality: their unmistakable Aperigelato

• Contact: Tel 06 39725949

6 - Comò Bistrot - Monte Sacro area

Photos of Comò Bistrot. In the Montesacro area hides this mouth-watering aperitif based on a rich organic buffet, natural wines and craft beers.
You will find delicious specialities such as nests of spaghetti with tomato sauce, pasta cups, tomato sandwiches, savoury muffins, quiche lorraine, savoury tarte tatin, vegetable lasagnette and much more.
You can also listen to good live music during the week.

• Features and services: Vintage Bar. Offers buffet aperitifs and evenings with live music

• Address: Viale Gottardo 95 - Get directions

• Average price: €7.00

• Recommended speciality: pairing the bio buffet with a good craft beer

• Contact: Tel 3334395280 - FB page

7 - Charlie Vini e Cucina - Ponte Milvio area

Photos of Charlie Vini e Cucina. By now it is an institution at Ponte Milvio. Charlie has a comfortable outdoor area where you can enjoy a platter of cold cuts accompanied by excellent wine.
Thespecialities of this aperitif are Iberian cold cuts and cheeses, in particular the unmissable burrata with truffle. Be careful though: the aperitif turns into a hearty dinner in no time. Try it to believe!

• Characteristics and services: rustic-chic winebar. Offers rich aperitifs and apericenes

• Address: Viale Flaminia 450 - Get directions

• Average price: €15.00 approx. per drink+aperitif

• Recommended speciality: burrata with truffle

• Contact: Tel 06 64010535, 3348181620 - FB page

8 - Panella L'Arte del Pane - Zona San Giovanni / Colosseo

Photos of Panella L'Arte del Pane. Also known as'the bread jeweller's' for its not exactly modest prices, it is however a real guarantee for aperitifs. Crostini, bruschetta, bread of all kinds, pizza, pasta, rice, mousse, fritters... You will find plenty of tasty delicacies to accompany your drink.
An absolute must is the arancini alla bolognese. Don't forget to try the desserts as well.

• Features and services: Breakfasts, cocktails and desserts in a well-kept establishment that also offers an emporium and dehors with outdoor tables

• Address: Viale Merulana 54 - Get directions

• Average price: €12.00/15.00 depending on the drink+unlimited access to the buffet

• Recommended speciality: bread, of course, and arancini alla bolognese

• Contact: Tel 06 4872435 - FB page - Website

9 - Kosher Bistrot Caffé - Historical Centre

Photo by Kosher Bistrot Caffé. An unusual aperitif for those open to new tastes and willing to learn about different cultures. Kosher (Jewish) cuisine is mostly known only in name and not in fact: so why not try it? The specialities here range from dried meat to beef salami, but also meat carpaccio and a good selection of kosher wines. Theatmosphere is relaxed and convivial.
Remember, however, that it is closed for dinner on Fridays and all day on Saturdays, in observance of Shabbat rules.

• Features and services: Wine bar, bistro and baguette with a simple atmosphere

• Address: Viale Santa Maria del Pianto 68 - Get directions

• Average price: €18.00/20.00

• Recommended speciality: baguette filled with homemade sliced meats

• Contact: Tel 06 6864398 - FB page

10 - Magnebevo e sto al Pigneto - Pigneto area

Photos of Magnebevo e sto al Pigneto. A small place where it is worth going early to enjoy an aperitif. Situated in a side street of the Pigneto pedestrian precinct, this place with a long and curious name offers a good selection of craft beers (also on tap) and as many wines and cocktails. The drinks accompany delicious cartocci di fritti and taglieri di affettati. The atmosphere is nice, relaxed and informal.

• Features and services: creative cocktail bar. Rustic and modern at the same time

• Address: Via Macerata 3/5 - Get directions

• Average price: €5.00

• Recommended speciality: cartocci di fritti

• Contact: Tel 3351274182 - FB page - Website

11 - Vicolo 88 - Lake EUR area

Photos of Vicolo 88. Situated in one of Rome's most modern neighbourhoods, this restaurant satisfies the needs of its customers.
Characterised by an elegant style, it offers a splendid terrace overlooking the Piscina delle Rose, surrounded by a fantastic green area.

Vicolo 88 is a restaurant, pinseria and cocktail bar, perfect for lunches, dinners, after-dinners and especially chic aperitifs.

• Characteristics and services: a fashionable-chic venue. It offers buffet-style aperitifs on a terrace overlooking the Piscina delle Rose.

• Address: Viale America 18 - Get directions

• Average price: €8.00 - €10.00 (€15.00 for apericena)

• Recommended speciality: Fish first and second courses. Do not miss the Salmon slice with Pesto

• Contacts: Tel 06 87728001 - 3737402948 - FB page

12 - Duke's - Parioli area

Photos of Duke's. Characterised by creative cuisine that combines traditions from all over the world, this elegant venue has become a true institution among young Romans. The aperitif at Duke's is a real must thanks to the tasty combinations of international flavours.

Duke's also offers a garden with outdoor tables in which to enjoy a fabulous dinner.

• Features and services: Trendy, youthful restaurant offering international cuisine. It also has a garden with outdoor tables.

• Address: Viale dei Parioli 200 - Get directions

• Average price: €10.00/15.00

• Recommended speciality: Sicilian red prawn fish dishes, Scottish'LochFyne' salmon and Canadian lobsters

• Contact: Tel 06 80662455 - FB page