Who doesn’t love a good aperitivo? Apertivo is an Italian tradition that has been adapted in different ways by different regions. The city of Rome also has its own unique spin on it and has some of the best aperitivo in Italy! So, what is an aperitivo? Well, it’s basically a pre-dinner snack that is coupled with meticulously crafted cocktails or wine.
The word aperitivo perfectly explains what it is. It comes from Latin verb aperire – to open. Aperitivo simply exists to open up your appetite before dinner and prepare your taste buds for an exquisite journey. However it can be tricky to find the Best Aperitivo in cities like Rome.
Even though the aperitivo buffet tradition comes from Milan, Rome definitely grasped the details and mastered the essentials of a true aperitivo. Whether it’s buffet or snack plate service, here are 11 Best Aperitivo Places in Rome.
1. ERCOLI PARIOLI
Ercoli is a wine and cocktail bar with a salumeria and cheese shop inside of it. The great thing about this bar is that you can buy whatever you liked from your cheese and meat board after you try it! The options here are endless. Blinis, crudites, perfectly cut cold meats and well-chosen cheese are all available here and all are delicious! You will definitely want to come back!
Address: Viale Dei Parioli 184
2.FRENI E FRIZIONI
Freni e Frenzoni is a huge hit among travelers and the locals. It’s very hip and artistic and the crowd here reflects that. With their aperitivo, you have access to many things like: Good music, nice atmosphere, incredible alcohol selection, and an open buffet. If the inside is crowded you don’t need to worry. Grab your plate and your cocktail then head to the outside. The bar is right next to the River Tiber so you can enjoy the cool view of Ponte Sisto with your aperitivo. Their extensive buffet is famous for a variety of vegetarian and vegan options as well!
Address: Via del Politeama, 4 – 6
Phone:+39 06 4549 7499
3.TERRAZZA MONTEMARTINI
If you want to take your apertivo to another level then Montemartini is your place. It is located on the recently renovated rooftop of Hotel Palazzo Montermartini, so you will have a fantastic view of Rome. Despite being in the city center, it is a premium spot to escape from the noisy crowd during the day. You will certainly appreciate their marvelous Martinis and well-prepared snacks here.
Address: Largo Giovanni Montemartini, Hotel Palazzo Montemartini
Phone: +39 06 45 661
4.GIN CORNER
It’s easy to find ordinary aperitivo buffets around Rome. Some places have their own unique style though which makes them stand out from the rest. Gin Corner surely does. As its name suggests, Gin Corner is a bar committed solely to Gin. It has over 100 kinds of Gin waiting for their guests. The bar is located in Centro Storico so after a long day of visiting museums and historical spots you can come down and sip your Gin during aperitivo. If you’re lucky, you can also catch live jazz music.
Address: Via di Pallacorda, 2
Phone: +39 06 68802451/2
5.DOPPIOZEROO
Doppiozeroo is the perfect place if you are looking for a more moderately priced and more dinner-like version of an aperitivo. From the outside,Doppiozeroo looks pretty pricey and luxurious but the bill doesn’t say so! You can have a hard time selecting what to eat from the open buffet here because it is unbelievably rich in every category. Cold meat cuts, pastas, pizzas, dessert, Roman-style fries, and salads, just to name a few. After you finish your aperitivo here, you can move on to some dancing since the area is right next to the dance club district of Via Ostense.
INSIDR Tip: Not in the mood for aperitivo? They offer open buffet brunch during the weekend as well.
Address: Via Ostense, 68
Phone: +39 06 573 019 61
6.MOMART
Momart is a very popular a la carte restaurant among locals, fortunately, though, they also have an aperitivo buffet. During the summer they have a large open area for you to enjoy the food and drinks of the restaurant with your friends and family. The buffet here is quite rich, it is filled with seafood, pizza, pasta, and the staff always makes sure that it is well stocked. It’s also an all you can eat buffet so you won’t regret the price! Make sure to go there early, so that you won’t have to wait too long in line.
Address: Viale Ventuno Aprile, 19
Phone:+39 06 8639 1656
7. ROMEO CHEF AND BAKER
Chef Christina Bowerman is the only female in Rome who holds a Michelin star. She knows the city extremely well and she makes sure to bring her own touch to the competitive aperitivo scene in the city. The design of her restaurant, both the interior and exterior is a reflection of Bowerman: Provocative yet ultra sophisticated. Romeo offers you more than just a random aperitivo, it is an experience filled with charming and delicious food and the drinks are stylish and tasty!
Address: Piazza dell’Emporio, 28
Phone:+39 06 32110120
8. GRAZIA E GRAZIELLA
Grazia e Graziella is in Trastevere, the gastronomical heart of the city! Whether for lunch, dinner or in this case, aperitivo, the restaurant will show you why it got its reputation for having one of the nicest atmospheres and delicious dishes! You won’t have the open buffet option here but rather small plates of snack food such as types of bruschetta, olives, foccacia and fancy nuts. Make sure you come back for a meal as well.
Address: L.go M.D. Fumasoni Biondi , 5
9.AI TRE SCALINI
Ai Tre Scalini is actually an enoteca – which means wine shop and bar in Italian. So, here your aperitivo drink will be a local or regional Italian wine. The place is not new to the area – after all it has been around since 1895. The locals really appreciate this wine bar and this is best reflected by the fact that it is never empty. It feels like a wine bar that is isolated from the city especially since there are ivies covering most of the building. Their apertivo is made to perfectly complement your wine, so sit down, drink and relax!
Address: Via Panisperna, 251
10.LATTERIA GARBATELLA
Leather armchairs, black walls, and dazzling bar instruments: Garbatella is here to conquer the scene. However, it leaves the pretentious attitudes behind the bar counter. In Latteria Garbatella, high-quality service is waiting for you. It doesn’t offer an open buffet option but what they serve you is very precisely made cocktails with food that pairs well with it, its better than any buffet! A cool fact about the bar is that it is completely designed and built with recycled materials!
Address: Piazza Geremia Bonomelli ,9
Phone:+39 06 512 3913
11.MIMI E COCO
Mimi e Coco might be on one of the busiest streets in the historical center of Rome yet they probably serve the best tomato bruschetta here. Choose your drink, either an Aperol Spritz or a glass of their house wine and let them speak for themselves. If you are feeling particularly hungry, you can always get a cheese or deli board for the table!