The best part of the day for Italians, says Italian chef Andrea Massoli, is aperitivo time. It’s a time to gather with friends and family while sipping your favourite drink and having “due chiacchiere” which in Roman dialect means “two chats”.
“But of course with the right people and drink, it will soon become a loud laugh,” says Massoli, chef at Brisbane restaurant Firma. “Surely my fellow compatriots will agree that we all love having aperitivo.”
An aperitivo is a drink before dinner, usually carbonated, bitter and low alcohol (it can be non-alcoholic too). The word is also used to label the ritual of drinking it though ‘aperitivo hour’ or ‘aperitivo time’ are used too. The term ‘aperitivo’ comes from the Latin word meaning ‘to open’ which suggests its original purpose is to stimulate the appetite.
“It’s common to have aperitivo daily but on the family day on Sundays, it’s a must,” says Luigi Esposito, Italian chef-owner of Sydney’s 170 Grammi. “There usually needs to be a minimum of two people at home for it to be aperitivo.”
You can meet people at bars for aperitivo hour, ordering some snacks alongisde the drinks and extending the social session into the night maybe heading to another few bars for more snacks or a restaurant for dinner. At home it’s more intimate with simple snacks like salumi, bread and cheese and often wine instead of a carbonated, bitter drink.
“In my family, aperitivo was a cherished tradition,” says Nicola Ronconi, Italian chef-owner of Sydney restaurant Nico. “We would open a couple bottles of wine and set out simple, delicious fare like salumi, cheese and olives. It was a ritual that brought us closer together.”
Where in Sydney can you embrace the Italian tradition of aperitivo before dinner? Here’s where Esposito and Ronconi recommend as the most traditional, plus a couple other spots we’ve rounded up with aperitivo-dedicated menus and top reviews online.
Matteo
Matteo is an Italian restaurant and cocktail bar in the CBD and Double Bay. Its menu focuses on food from North Italy where the aperitivo tradition started. Antipasti include carpaccio, crudo and prosciutto with buffalo mozzarella. Ronconi calls it an exceptional spot for aperitivo.
“It has a vibrant atmosphere at 5pm,” he says. “The lively environment coupled with a great selection of aperitivo drinks and snacks makes it a perfect place to unwind after work.”
Continental Deli
Another Sydney spot for aperitivo Ronconi recommends is Continental Deli in Newtown which he says has a great selection of nibbles like anchovies, olives and salumi. “The inviting environment and delicious offerings capture the essence of aperitivo,” he says. “It’s ideal for experiencing the authentic Italian aperitivo culture.”
Bar Conte
Esposito’s pick is Bar Conte in Surry Hills which has a dedicated aperitivo hour menu on Mondays to Fridays 4-6pm. The menu has mixed spritzes and alcoholic sodas and nibbles like olives, crostino and chips with truffle mayo. “It has a great atmosphere perfect for pre-dinner drinks,” says Esposito.
Café Freda’s
Café Freda’s is a Euro-inspired wine bar and eatery in Taylor Square, Darlinghurst. Its aperitivo hour runs Wednesdays to Fridays 4-6pm. Graze on snacks like a cheese board, marinated olives and oysters and sip spritzes and vermouth.
Sydney Common
Sydney Common on the first floor of Sheraton Grand Hyde Park overlooking the greenery puts on aperitivo specials Tuesdays to Fridays 4:30-6:30pm. Beer, wine and G&Ts are $6 or if you’re craving a cocktail, mini martinis are $8 and negronis $12. Pair your drinks with snacks like roasted macadamia nuts, tuna crudo and citrus-marinated Sicilian olives.
Grain Bar
Four Seasons originally launched an aperitivo set menu at its Mode Kitchen and Bar in 2023 but it moved it to Grain Bar this year. For $40 and a two-hour seating time you can help yourself to an antipasto buffet of cheeses, salumi and focaccia. Spritzes, beer and wine are free-flowing too.
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