One of the most memorable experiences in Liguria is sipping an aperitivo in Cinque Terre. It never fails to make for a gratifying end to the day before heading home after the beach or to reward yourself for a hike well done.
Honestly, there are dozens of places to sip an aperitivo in Cinque Terre. If you're at a beach club, you can move to one of the tables or even have a cocktail under your umbrella. Or you can park yourself at one of the bars that line the piazzas and tiny streets. But if you're looking for something extra special, head to one of these five spots to enjoy a pre-dinner or even noon-time aperitivo in Cinque Terre.
1. Enoteca Internazionale, Monterosso
Owned by the Barbieri family, Enoteca Internazionale is so much more than an enoteca, it's an irresistible specialty shop where you'll want to stock up on local delights to bring home. The vast wine list not only encompasses Liguria but the rest of Italy and other countries. If you're into wine, go for the Cinque Terre wine flights. Choose red or white, and you get a taste of five different wines, each produced in one of the five Cinque Terre towns. Couple the flight with their bruschetta, glorious toasted slabs with toppings that range from simple, like pesto or tomatoes, to substantial, like gorgonzola and ‘nduja and burrata, shrimp, and zucchini. Also, the cheese and salami platters are remarkable. You can even order a few items here and call it dinner. website
Fine bruschetta at Enoteca Internazionale. Photo: Jaclyn DeGiorgio
2. Torre Aurora, Monterosso
Go for the view and stay for the cocktails. This thousand-year-old structure offers a view of the bay of Monterosso on one side with Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore on the other. The playful cocktails may include Message in a Bottle, made with pear syrup, tequila reposado, lime, pimento, bitter red vermouth, and smoked cardamom bitters, and Saproe del Mare (flavor of the sea) with pisco, Italicus liqueur, ginger syrup, pink grapefruit juice, white vermouth, and sea salt essence. It's also a restaurant, so you can book dinner here. If you do, reserve for a half-hour earlier than you normally would and enjoy a cocktail beforehand. website
Message in a Bottle cocktail at Torre Aurora. Photo: Jaclyn DeGiorgio
3. Ananasso Bar, Vernazza
Located in the main piazza beside the harbor/beach, Ananasso embodies the essence of la dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing). Sit outside in good company, sip a cocktail or a glass of wine, and converse as the sun goes down. Or just sit in silence and people-watch, which can be as equally rewarding as conversation. Facebook
Aperitivo hour at Ananasso in Vernazza. Photo: Jaclyn DeGiorgio
4. Nessun' Dorma, Manarola
Named for the aria in Puccini's Turandot made famous by Pavorotti, Nessun' Dorma plays host to a view of what's arguably one of the Cinque Terre's most dramatic (and most Instagrammed) sites: the pastel houses of Manarola cascading into their cliffside perch overlooking the azure water. End the day here by watching the setting sun gild the town as you sip, say a Basilito cocktail made with muddled sugar and lime, tequila, tonic, and basil purée. Or go for one of the wines produced exclusively for Nessun' Dorma by the Cantina 5 Terre. If you're hungry, there are plenty of small plates on offer, so you can order several and turn the aperitivo into dinner. website
The Basilito cocktail at Nessun' Dorma. Photo: Nessun' Dorma
5. Bar La Concighilia, Riomaggiore
Located beside the seaside, La Concighila offers one of the best sunset views in the Cinque Terre, looking out onto Monterosso and with a glimpse of the other towns nestled into the cliffside. Sit on the terrace under one of the umbrellas and watch the sunset as you sip a glass of Possa or Vetua, natural wine producers from Riomaggiore and Monterosso respectively. Get your ape on here before a meal at Rio Bistrot or Fuori Rotta. Facebook
Sunset view during aperitivo hour at La Conchiglia. Photo: Jaclyn DeGiorgio