What Is Aperitivo? Understanding Italy’s Pre-Dinner Tradition (And Why You’ll Love It)

By Cindi Fries, Max Travel Abroad – Guiding small groups through Italy’s flavors, customs, and pre-dinner rituals one spritz at a time.

If you’re in Italy and hungry between lunch and dinner, don’t panic. You’re not out of luck—you’re just on Italian time. Enter the aperitivo.

The aperitivo is not quite dinner. It’s not just a drink. It’s that glorious window—usually from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.—when locals unwind with something to sip, a few bites, and a sidewalk seat worth lingering in.

What You Drink (and What Comes With It)

Order an Aperol Spritz, Limoncello Spritz, Negroni, Campari and orange juice, or a crisp local white wine. In most bars, your drink comes with something to snack on. In high-tourist areas, it might just be a bowl of chips.

But in neighborhood spots or cities with strong aperitivo culture, you’ll often get a real aperitivo spread—think focaccia, olives, cheese, and sliced salumi. It’s not a full meal, but it’s more than enough to carry you to dinner.

Why It Matters

Restaurants in Italy rarely serve dinner before 7:00 p.m., and most kitchens shut down from 3:00 to 6:30. So if you missed lunch—or your breakfast turned into brunch—aperitivo isn’t just tradition. It’s strategy.

It’s also one of the easiest, most enjoyable ways to slip into the local rhythm.

Not sure what happens after aperitivo?

Read this: How to Order at an Italian Restaurant Without Offending a Nonna

Wondering when it’s socially acceptable to order a cappuccino?

Start here: Types of Italian Coffee (and When to Order Them)

Ready to experience aperitivo in a real Italian piazza—not a tourist trap?

Join one of our small-group tours or let us help plan your custom itinerary through Italy’s most delicious regions.👉 Explore our Italy tours

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