Aperitivo in Italy, especially in summer, is a social experience with refreshing cocktails and light appetizers. Popular drinks include Spritz (traditional or with Campari), Negroni, Americano, Bellini, Limoncello Spritz, and Hugo, alongside emerging craft cocktails. This casual gathering can occur at various times and locations, serving as a light lunch or a pre-dinner pause. Enjoy a variety of appetizers like finger foods, cheese platters, or dishes like caprese salad and eggplant parmigiana. Explore eight ideal spots for an aperitif along the Tyrrhenian coast, stretching from Sapri to Diamante. In just over eighty kilometres, you’ll experience the flavors of Campania, Basilicata, and Calabria, with unique scenery between the sea and mountains. Each curve reveals new panoramas and culinary delights, showcasing the region's diversity even during aperitivo time.
Tresoldi Café – Lungomare Italia, Sapri (Campania)
This sandwich captures the essence of the sea simply and directly: grilled octopus, battered onion, and fish sauce. The "Polpo di Fulmine" at Tresoldi Café is best enjoyed as the sun sets over the Bay of Sapri, perhaps paired with a glass of Fiano del Cilento. It’s a marine, essential dish that is a must-have for happy hour.
La Bottega dei Golosi – Via Umberto I, 25 – Sapri (Campania)
You can dine in the shop - La Bottega dei Golosi, surrounded by the best ingredients the Cilento has to offer: cheeses, cured meats, and preserves meticulously selected by Pasquale, a passionate host and tireless explorer of flavours for 27 years. The roasted artichoke with buffalo mozzarella is just one of the delightful options available. To complement your meal, enjoy a sparkling wine crafted using the traditional method from Campania, creating a small, unhurried ritual.
Bulle – Trecchina (Basilicata)
Nestled near the slopes of Mount Coccovello, Bulle presents a contemporary take on bistronomy, utilising local ingredients alongside an international flair. After spending eight years in Copenhagen, chef Mariano offers tapas-style dishes available in both small and large portions. The grilled octopus, accompanied by chimichurri and fermented lemons from Maratea, makes for an excellent starter. Pair this with a 100% Lucanian Negroni for a delightful experience.
Santi al Porto – Maratea Harbor (Basilicata)
At Santi al Porto, enjoy a soft bun filled with crispy shrimp and 'nduja mayonnaise, perfectly balancing the flavors of the sea and fire, all while taking in views of the Maratea harbor with its docked boats and golden light. This dish serves as a refined yet unfussy aperitif. To complement it, try a Lucanian rosé made from Aglianico, which pairs beautifully with the 'nduja and offers a refreshing finish.
Palazzo Barone di Tropea - La Terrazza Bar (Basilicata)
Enjoy a true Italian aperitivo at Dal Barone with a selection of delicious Calabrian specialties while admiring the magical sunset over Stromboli. At the Baron's, a true culinary experience with a breathtaking view of the square; a fine Calabrian DOC wine.
Al Migliarese - Tropea (Basilicata)
The new Trend Lounge Bar Al Migliarese is where you can spend your evenings in tranquility enjoying good music and savoring new and tasty aperitifs and cocktails. In the ancient heart of Tropea, amidst soft lighting, noble palaces, and bougainvillea embracing the piazza, signature cocktails, authentic flavors, and elegant touches create evenings to remember.
Roccia del Sub – San Nicola Arcella (Calabria)
Enjoy amberjack and shrimp tartare served just steps from the sea at the Beach Club Roccia del Sub, surrounded by rocks and umbrellas, with sunlight reflecting off the water. You can sip on an A'mericina, a reinterpretation of the classic Americano that includes red vermouth, Cynar, soda water, and a touch of Angostura bitters while swinging on a swing that overlooks Dino Island. Located just 200 meters from the path leading to Arcomagno, the aperitivo experience here feels suspended between rock and sky.
Tyché – Largo Savonarola, Diamante (Calabria)
Tyché's aperifish bar offers a delightful selection of shrimp skewers, salmon sandwiches, and catch-of-the-day sandwiches, all with a view of the seafront in Diamante, known as the city of chili peppers. One standout drink on the menu is "Il Mare," a refreshing combination of whiskey, lemon, and chili pepper essential oils. This bold yet balanced cocktail delivers a perfect hint of spice, capturing the essence of marine freshness with a touch of Calabrian character.
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