THE BEST PIAZZAS IN ROME FOR AN APERITIVO

I have a confession. I’ve become addicted to … ahem, I mean fond of the Italian custom of l’aperitivo (the aperitif). It’s a magical time of day. A time I look forward to all day long. Even just thinking about it lightens my mood and brings a smile to my face.

What Is L’aperitivo?

Similar to the North American “cocktail hour”, an aperitivo is a civil way of celebrating the end of the working day by relaxing and enjoying a glass of wine or a Campari, spritz, or another cocktail. L’aperitivo time is usually between 7 – 9 pm (although I’ve seen it start as early as 4) and is almost always accompanied by some kind of food. Some bars will serve plates with items like small sandwiches, focaccia, or bruschetta. Others have small buffets where you can help yourself to a plate. Occasionally you will find a bar that only serves potato chips or olives but this shouldn’t be considered a true aperitivo. As a rule, Italians believe alcohol should always be accompanied by food and as they don’t usually eat dinner until at least 8 or 9 pm, this also helps tide them over.

The Rules of L’aperitivo

One thing to note is that while there may be a generous amount of food offered, it is not considered good manners to treat the aperitivo buffet as a replacement for your dinner. The general rule is one plate for one drink. Indeed if you look around you’ll often see many locals just picking at their plates slowly over the course of an hour or two often leaving some uneaten. They know they have a delicious dinner to look forward to so why ruin their appetite?

Another unspoken rule of l’aperitivo is that whenever possible it should be enjoyed outdoors. You’ll often find Italians spilling outside of their local bar with a glass of wine in hand or enjoying a beer while resting on the steps of a fountain boisterously chatting with friends and family.

The Best Piazzas In Rome To Have An Aperitivo

In Rome, Italy there is no shortage of beautiful piazzas where locals and tourists alike can enjoy an aperitivo while admiring the views but then not all piazzas are alike. So what does it take for a piazza to make my list of the top 7 for an aperitivo? Well, I have a few criteria;

1. It has to have an aesthetic appeal.
2. It has to have a few bars or restaurants (obviously).
3. It has to cater to locals (not just tourists).
4. It has to have low levels of car traffic.

Now I want to be clear that I’m well aware that the best (and cheapest) restaurants and bars are not usually located in the more famous piazzas as these tend to be high tourist areas. However for an aperitivo, my priority is mainly ambiance and I want to enjoy my drink outside surrounded by the beauty, history, and culture of Italy. So now that we’ve determined the criteria, in no particular order, here is my list of the best piazzas in Rome to have an aperitivo while soaking in the beauty of the eternal city.

Piazza Navona

With its distinctive oval shape, Piazza Navona is one of the largest and arguably most beautiful squares in Rome. The piazza is surrounded by exquisite examples of Baroque Roman architecture and contains important sculptures like its centerpiece, Bernini’s Fontana Dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain Of The Four Rivers) topped by the Egyptian Obelisk of Domitian. One of the most popular piazzas in Rome, Piazza Navona is always bustling but is a must-visit at night when Bernini’s fountain is lit up. While the square contains more restaurants than bars they don’t really get busy for dinner until after 8:30 so I have often been fortunate to get a table on the patio for a glass of prosecco (or 2). Don’t expect the full aperitivo experience here, ie. proper food, but you will at least be served some olives or chips to nibble on. And then, of course, there are the views.

Campo de Fiori

This square is aptly named Field of Flowers and during the mornings it’s home to the famous market that features an abundance of flower vendors. It’s always a popular spot for locals and tourists alike but at night it’s a popular nightlife spot for the younger crowd. As such the bars tend to cater to them and are mostly more casual hangout places. The Roma Beer Company follows that trend. It’s a casual resto and patio that features a great craft beer selection which is becoming quite popular in Italy. They also have a limited selection of wines and Franciacorta. And while I can’t attest to the menu, they have a small buffet selection for l’aperitivo that can be quite satisfying.

Piazza della Rotonda

This square’s iconic building, the Pantheon is one of the best-preserved ancient buildings in Rome, not to mention my favorite so it’s a preferred place for me to grab a table outside during the magic hour while soaking in the history and the genius of ancient engineering. It’s a lively and bustling place and a patio seat at one of the many restaurants or cafes along the perimeter is a great place for an aperitivo and some people-watching. For a casual aperitivo try Tempio Bar with its direct view of the Pantheon. This is on the top of my list of best piazzas in Rome, however, be warned this is a very touristy area where you’ll be paying for the location and likely only be offered potato chips as a snack but I think the view totally makes up for it.

If money is not an option another great spot in the area is the Hotel Minerva Rooftop Bar. It’s not exactly in the piazza but more above the piazza and features an amazing view over the Pantheon, not to mention impeccably prepared cocktails.

Piazza Mattei

Home to one of the most charming (and my personal favorite) fountains in Rome, the Fontana delle Tartarughe (Fountain of the Turtles), Piazza Mattei is in a central location just behind the Jewish Ghetto. This lovely little square is just off the busy streets so it’s a nice peaceful option for those days when you just want a quiet drink after a long day of sightseeing. Le Tartarughe is a lovely little spot to enjoy your aperitivo.

Piazza di Pietra

This square, while a bit of a pedestrian thoroughfare, is a popular night spot for locals. On one side it features the Il Tempo Di Adriano (Hadrian’s Temple) with its impressive columns and on the other a handful of stores, cafes, and bars including Salotto 42 which has been ranked one of the World’s Best Bars. An “it” spot for Rome’s well-heeled and hipster crowd Salotto serves up an array of delicious original cocktails along with some tasty little bites.

Piazza della Madonna dei Monti

This small but lively piazza is in the chic neighborhood of Monti located about halfway between Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum. The area is more working-class Rome and less touristy than the Piazza Navona or Campo de Fiori areas. It’s popular with the local hipsters for its vintage shops and bookstores not to mention its great restaurants, cafes, and bars. The piazza is a popular meeting spot and during the day you’ll find people sitting by the fountain enjoying a slice of pizza or a panini but it’s at night that the square really starts hopping. There is an assortment of bars and cafes including the Bottega del Caffe which features a charming outdoor patio surrounded by trellised vines. However, if you are looking for a wider selection of excellent wines I also highly recommend the Monti institution Civico 4 which is just around the corner. They put out a tasty smorgasbord of food for aperitivo every night between 6 – 9 p.m.

Piazza di Santa Maria

Centrally located in the trendy district of Trastevere this square with its 15th-century fountain is a popular spot for locals and foreigners alike. While still busy it’s more tranquil during the day than at night when it becomes popular with the younger crowd along with street performers and musicians who entertain the crowds at the piazzas Italian restaurants. It’s a busy area but also a great place to enjoy an aperitivo in one of the many cafes or bars and people-watch. For a table with a direct view of the fountain and the basilica after which the square was named, check out Cafe Di Marzio.

So there you have it. My list of the top 7 piazzas in Rome, Italy for an aperitivo. Now I know some of you might be asking why I haven’t mentioned Piazza di Spagna or Piazza San Pietro. Well, that’s because while they certainly are beautiful, in my opinion, Piazza di Spagna is more of a thoroughfare than a piazza and most of the cafes or bars are off the side streets, not actually in the main piazza. And although I love the Piazza del Popolo, it just didn’t meet my criteria either as there are no cafes or bars in the actual piazza.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS;

What time is best aperitivo? Aperitivo is meant to be a pre-dinner drink to wet the appetite. Sometimes they are served with small bites of food. As Italians traditionally eat dinner later, aperitivo is usually served starting around 6pm and lasting until around 9.

What do Italians say before drinking? "Salute" or "cin-cin" are commonly used to say "cheers" in Italy. 

What is a typical aperitivo in Italy? Typically aperitivo fare served alongside a drink are small bites like olives, cheeses, meats and bread. They are meant to stimulate the appetite and not fill you up before dinner. 

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If you’re looking for other Italian travel tips check out my Guide To Rome’s Best Restaurants and 6 Things You Absolutely Must Do On The Amalfi Coast.