Top 10 places to have an aperitif in Rome
Would you like to enjoy an aperitif in Rome like a true Italian? Don't miss these suggestions!
Aperitif in Rome | ©Helena Lopes
As the saying goes, "when in Rome, do as the Romans do," and in Rome it is customary to have an aperitif before dinner. This is a small snack accompanied by a few drinks, which is sometimes so substantial that it can even serve as dinner.
If you want to enjoy yourself like a true Roman, trying an aperitif is undoubtedly one of the essential things to do on your trip to Rome, but not just anywhere. In this post, I'll show you 10 places where having an aperitif in Rome is a real pleasure.
1. An aperitif in a place that will surprise you, Freni e Frizioni
Located in the Trastevere neighbourhood, near the Tiber River, you'll find Freni e Frizioni. A cocktail bar with a very friendly atmosphere that you have to include in your gastronomic tour of Rome. It has a terrace that you'll want to sit out on when the weather is nice to enjoy an aperitif in Rome.
Did you know that Freni e Frizioni is housed in a former car repair shop? That's where it gets its name, which means brakes and clutches in Italian.
Order a drink (I recommend the Copacabana or Bastille cocktails) and enjoy the varied buffet, which is entirely vegetarian (rice, pasta, couscous, ratatouille, etc.). It's delicious!
Useful information
- Address: Via Della Politeama, 4.
- Recommended appetiser: Pasta.
2. Affordable and charming, Bar San Calisto
Bar San Calisto may not be the prettiest bar in the Trastevere neighbourhood, but I definitely include it in my food tour of Rome because it has a special charm. It's one of those places that hasn't lost its essence over time and where you can enjoy a good aperitif in Rome.
In fact, if you like beer, it's a fantastic place to have a few pints because the prices are very cheap compared to other bars (around £1.50). Accompany them with some tramezzini, delicious filled sandwiches.
You'll find Bar San Calisto very close to Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere. If you can, grab a spot on the terrace because there are usually street musicians in the area who will liven up your afternoon and you'll have a great time.
Useful information
- Address: Via Della Politeama, 4.
- Recommended aperitif: Tramenzzini.
3. Aperitif and jazz next to the Colosseum, Black Market
If your visit to the Colosseum has whetted your appetite and you fancy trying an aperitif in Rome, I recommend heading to the Black Market bar in the Monti neighbourhood.
I've included it in the food tour of Rome because it has a fantastic atmosphere for relaxing after a day of sightseeing. It has comfortable leather sofas where you can stretch out and rest while enjoying a glass of wine accompanied by fish and chips that taste homemade.
In addition, there are live jazz concerts in the evenings, making Black Market a great place to end a perfect day in Rome. In this area, you will also find more places to eat near the Colosseum if you are still hungry.
Useful information
- Address: Via Dei Ciancaleoni 31, 00184, Rome.
- Recommended appetiser: Fish and chips.
4. A delicious "ratatouille di verdure" at Materia Café
Also in the Monti neighbourhood, very close to the Basilica of St. John Lateran, you will find Materia Café, a quiet and comfortable place to go for an aperitif in Rome.
This is a charming place to go with friends to recharge your batteries. Whether for brunch or an afternoon snack.
Materia Café is a simply decorated, cosy café where you'll feel right at home. If you get the chance to visit, I recommend ordering the ratatouille di verdure with a glass of wine as an aperitif. Delicious!
Useful information
- Address: Via Andrea Provana, 7.
- Recommended appetiser: Ratatouille di verdure.
5. An aperitif in a night-time setting, Micca Club
Near Termini Station and close to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, one of Rome's oldest churches, you'll find this nightclub.
You can enjoy an aperitif in Rome while you're out burning up the dance floor. Plus, when you order a cocktail, you can choose from a buffet of assorted appetisers. It's not exactly cheap, but the whole experience is worth it. Above all, for the music played by the DJ and the live jazz, soul and funk performances.
Micca Club is a fantastic place to go with friends or as a couple to enjoy a different kind of night out in Rome.
Useful information
- Address: Via Pietro Micca 7a, Rome.
- Recommended appetiser: Rice salad.
6. The best Italian cold cuts at Pane e Salame
If you're passing by the Trevi Fountain, you have to stop by Pane e Salame for an aperitif in Rome. It's not a very big place, nor is the menu extensive, but it's the right place to savour good Italian cold cuts at a reasonable price.
If you want to escape the routine of pasta and pizza in Rome, it's time to try the delicious cheeses, mortadella and hams of Italian cuisine at Pane e Salame.
Whether in the form of paninis or tagliere, wooden boards on which the cold cuts and cheeses are served with a little jam. But why choose? I recommend trying a little of everything!
Useful information
- Address: Via Santa Maria in Via, 19, 00187 Rome.
- Recommended aperitif: The paninis.
7. The aperitif with the most options, Momart Café
Momart Café is a place where you can enjoy a delicious aperitif in Rome. It's a place with a young and fun atmosphere where you can relax in the afternoon before dinner, sipping some of the best cocktails in the Italian capital with your friends or your partner.
At Momart Café, you can enjoy an aperitif with an open buffet. The menu is so varied that you can choose from pizzas, chicken, quiches, pasta, salads and much more. What's more, you'll eat until you're full, so you probably won't want anything else for dinner.
Or will you? There's always room for dessert! You'll definitely want to go for an ice cream at one of Rome's best ice cream parlours.
Useful information
- Address: Viale XXI Aprile, 19, 00162, Rome.
- Recommended appetiser: Wood-fired pizza.
8. Cocktails and jazz at Salotto 42
Also in the centre, next to Hadrian's Temple and a few minutes from the Pantheon, is Salotto 42, a cocktail bar with a great atmosphere that you have to include in your gastronomic tour of Rome. It's ideal for an aperitif in Rome and a nightcap while listening to jazz music.
Salotto 42 offers a wide variety of dishes to choose from, including quinoa salad, couscous, hummus, rice noodles, sushi and much more. Accompany your meal with a delicious cocktail or a glass of wine and toast your next trip to Rome with that special someone.
Useful information
- Address: Piazza di Pietra 42.
- Recommended appetiser: Sushi.
9. Aperitif in a tavern, Oasi della Birra
Before discovering the Trastevere neighbourhood at night, a great plan that I recommend to round off a fun day of sightseeing is to head to Oasi della Birra (in the lively Testaccio neighbourhood) for an aperitif in Rome.
This beautiful tavern with a terrace, which you can include in your gastronomic tour of Rome, is where you can relax on sunny days while enjoying a few beers or wines accompanied by a delicious aperitif of couscous, pasta, rice, vegetables and, best of all, delicious cheeses, cold cuts and Italian desserts.
As its name suggests, this is a "beer oasis" that will seem like paradise to lovers of good food and drink. For very little money, at Oasi della Birra you can fill yourself up and you won't need to book a table for dinner later. In any case, in the post on where to eat in Trastevere, I'll leave you with some ideas if you're one of those people who can't go to bed without having had dinner and a late-night snack.
Useful information
- Address: Piazza Testaccio, 39, 00153, Rome.
- Recommended aperitif: Cold cuts and cheeses.
10. Aperitif in a local setting, Doppiozeroo
Doppiozeroo is a fantastic place to go for an aperitif in Rome after visiting the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, one of the city's four major basilicas, which is only a 15-minute walk from the bar.
The atmosphere at Doppiozeroo is lively. Many Italians include this place in their gastronomic tour of Rome and stop by after work for an aperitif, so it's a great place to mingle with the locals. I recommend going early to get a seat or at least trying to book a table as it tends to get busy.
As for what to order as an aperitif at the bar, try the Spritz to drink and pizza to accompany it, although you can choose any dish from the buffet (pasta, salads, vegetables, rice, etc.), as the dishes are quite tasty and the menu is constantly changing.
Useful information
- Address: Via Ostiense, 68, 00154, Rome.
- Recommended appetiser: Pizza.
What is the Italian aperitif?
The Italian aperitif consists of going to a bar or tavern to have a nice drink and something to nibble on while spending time with friends, chatting and enjoying life.
It is a deeply rooted Italian custom that emerged in the 18th century in the Turin area thanks to Antonio Benedetto Carpano (the creator of vermouth) and was so popular that it quickly spread from the north to the rest of the country.
What time is the Italian aperitif?
Italian aperitifs are usually served from 5pm to 8pm, although in some restaurants they last longer and become an all-you-can-eat buffet at a fixed price.
Italian aperitifs are an excellent option for a light dinner without spending too much money. They are the ideal gastronomic option for low-cost travellers!
How much does an Italian aperitif cost?
Trying an aperitivo is one of the essential things to do on your trip to Rome. It usually costs around £10, although the price varies depending on the city and the bar you visit. The range of places to enjoy an aperitivo is as varied as the range of restaurants in Rome.
What do you drink with an Italian aperitif?
People usually drink beer or wine, although classic cocktails such as Spritz, Campari or Negroni are also popular.
In fact, the drinks menu has expanded considerably in recent times and you can now find other more popular options such as Mojitos, Bloody Marys, Gin and Tonics, Caipirinhas, Manhattans and Margaritas, among many others.
As for food, there is plenty of variety to choose from. You won't go hungry! The most typical dishes are cheeses, cold meats, nuts, olives and crisps served on a board called a "tagliere", although most restaurants tend to offer more elaborate options ranging from pizza, quiches and sushi to couscous, pasta and rice dishes. There are even desserts!