Why You Should Experience Aperitivo in Milan at Least Once

In this post, I wanted to introduce one of my favorite parts of Italian culture: aperitivo.

I mentioned this briefly in a previous post, but Italians tend to eat dinner quite late. In my homestay, for example, we usually started dinner around 8:30 PM.

That’s where aperitivo comes in.

The word comes from the Latin word aperire, meaning “to open,” and in Italy it refers to the tradition of “opening” the evening meal in a pleasant and social way.

Typically enjoyed between around 5 PM to 8 PM, aperitivo is an Italian dining culture centered around light drinks and small snacks before dinner.

If you visit a restaurant or outdoor café offering aperitivo, you’ll often see signs advertising “Happy Hour.” Usually, by ordering a drink — such as a cocktail, beer, sparkling wine, or spritz — you gain access to a selection of snacks or buffet-style food for around €10 or so.

In Milan especially, areas near the Duomo, Garibaldi area, and the Navigli district are filled with places specializing in aperitivo.

Depending on the restaurant, some places even offer what’s called “apericena,” a combination of the words aperitivo and cena (dinner).

In these places, food is served buffet-style and is often unlimited until you’re full. I noticed this style especially often at Latin American restaurants in Milan.

What Do People Usually Eat & Drink?

Aperol Spritz: The Iconic Aperitivo Drink

When Italians enjoy aperitivo, one of the most common drinks is the famous Aperol Spritz.

It’s made with:

• Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine),
• Aperol (an orange-flavored liqueur with 11% alcohol),
• sparkling water,
• and usually a slice of orange or lemon.

The slightly bitter but refreshing flavor pairs perfectly with salty snacks and helps stimulate your appetite before dinner.

Of course, there are many other options too — champagne, local wines, beer, and sparkling white wines are all common choices.

More Than Just Snacks

Traditionally, aperitivo included only simple finger foods like:

• olives,
• potato chips,
• crackers,
• or nuts.

But in Milan, competition between aperitivo bars has become intense over the years, and the food offerings have become much more elaborate.

Many places now serve:

• freshly baked pizza,
• salads,
• pasta,
• cheeses,
• prosciutto,
• salumi,
• and many other dishes.

Honestly, some aperitivo spreads are large enough to replace dinner entirely.

Final Thoughts

If you end up living in Milan, I truly recommend experiencing aperitivo culture at least once — though realistically, probably much more than once.

More than just food or drinks, aperitivo is about slowing down, socializing, and enjoying the evening with friends before the night begins.

And personally, I think that ability to fully enjoy small everyday moments is one of the most charming parts of Italian culture.