The Rome IndexAperitivo food in Rome
What actually comes with the drink — and how to make a meal of it.
The food component
Rome's aperitivo food is more modest than Milan's famous buffet spreads — expect a small dish of olives, crisps, or bruschetta as a basic accompaniment, upgrading to small cicchetti (bar snacks) at better places. A handful of venues offer a more substantial spread that genuinely replaces dinner if you order two rounds.
Cicchetti to look for
Bruschetta al pomodoro (toasted bread with tomatoes), crostini with various toppings, arancini or supplì, cured meat plates, and in Jewish Ghetto-adjacent bars, small fried pieces of courgette or artichoke.
Making it a meal
Two drinks at a well-stocked aperitivo bar between 6 and 8pm, followed by a short walk, is a legitimately satisfying light supper at a fraction of a restaurant price. This is how many young Romans actually eat on weeknights.