The Best Places for Aperitivo in Verona

Though its name might be “the osteria of the liar,” this place is truly the genuine article. The owner of the place, Alfredo Buglioni, is passionate about Veronese gastronomic traditions. He has a vineyard in Valpolicella, where the house wines, called Buglioni, are made. The place will be absolutely packed in the evenings with locals, who come for the buzzing atmosphere, great wine and fair prices. The place also serves up savory appetizers of various cheeses and salumi, primi of freshly made pasta, and classic, stick-to-the-ribs secondi of meat and polenta. Forget about Juliet’s House or the Arena—this place is a must for anyone visiting the city.

Old-fashioned and cozy, Monte Baldo is the kind of place where you’ll want to drink grappa at the counter in the wintertime and spend all evening talking out on the doorstep in the summer. They have a well-chosen, affordable wine list and great nibbles to go with your glass, like crunchy balls of fried eggplant and thin slices of mortadella. The place will be packed to bursting at lunchtime and in the evenings with a diverse crowd of locals, students and visitors alike. Elbow your way to the counter and order some of everything.

This bar would be worth a mention just for the gorgeous view on the Adige river, but it’s also got good wines and delicious appetizer plates. After a few glasses of wine, you’ll surely come to a deeper appreciation of the Adige flowing through the city, the ancient Roman stone bridge and something else philosophical that you’ll forget by morning.

This wine bar in Borgo Roma just opened recently, with a well-researched wine list as well as all kinds of artisanal beers on tap as its chef-proprietor, Thomas, cooks up a heady spread of delicious snacks. Gourmets will find delight in a carefully curated selection of cheeses and salumi, freshly made pasta dishes, as well as delicious second courses such as slow-roasted pork loin.

From your morning shot of espresso to a hearty dinner with friends, Scapin is an institution that has its roots in the 1930s, when the grandfather Angelo Scappin used to sell cheeses from door to door. The business has certainly expanded since then into a lovely cafe and bar, located just steps away from the Piazza delle Erbe. You’ll find a great selection of wines and a menu full of traditional Veronese recipes that always changes according to what’s in season.

Towards the outskirts in the newer, hipper parts of the city, there’s the recently opened Kitchen & Coffee in Borgo Roma. It’s got a super young and relaxed vibe, with a rotating list of special events including live music. Best of all, any day that you stop in, the place serves up an inventive menu of cocktails with an enormous buffet full of finger food from 6 pm onwards. What could be more delightful?

In the heart of the city’s Piazza delle Erbe, Mazzanti is a classic. You can certainly stop by for a coffee and a snack during the day, but you know you’re sure to find it lively here at night. They make a perfect Spritz and have over 300 wines. On the weekends, the bar often plays host to DJ sets as well, so you might find yourself in the middle of a great party.