If you’ve ever been to Italy—or simply spent time with Italians—you’ve probably heard the word aperitivo. It sounds simple: a pre-dinner drink, maybe a few olives, a handful of crisps, something small to “open” the appetite.
But in Italy, aperitivo is rarely just about the food or the drink. It’s a ritual. A pause. A social glue. A way of saying: I’m here, I’m with you, let’s slow down for a moment.
That’s exactly why I started hosting Italian aperitivo in Amsterdam—to recreate that feeling of connection around a shared table.
Quick answer
In Italy, aperitivo is a pre-dinner drink with small bites. Apericena is a more abundant aperitivo that can replace dinner—closer to what I host at my Italian aperitivo nights in Amsterdam.
What “Aperitivo” Actually Means
The word aperitivo comes from the Latin aperire, meaning “to open.” Traditionally, it’s meant to open your appetite before dinner—usually with something light and refreshing like a Spritz, a glass of wine, or a bitter Italian classic (think Campari, Aperol, Vermouth).
But culturally, it opens something else too: the evening. The conversation. The feeling that the day is done and now we can enjoy each other.
In many Italian cities, aperitivo happens in that golden time between work and dinner—often around 6–8pm. You meet friends, you order a drink, and something to nibble appears. Sometimes it’s small. Sometimes it’s generous. Sometimes it turns into the whole night.
Aperitivo vs Apericena
In Italy, aperitivo and apericena aren’t exactly the same thing—even though they often get used interchangeably outside Italy.
Aperitivo is the classic pre-dinner moment: a drink + light snacks. You’re still going home (or out) for dinner after.
Apericena is when the snack situation becomes so abundant that it basically replaces dinner. The name is literally a mix of aperitivo + cena (dinner). You still order a drink… but the buffet is hearty enough that you leave full.
If you’re booking one of my events, think of it as apericena-style aperitivo: a generous buffet that feels like dinner.
My High School Aperitivo Era (Little Money, Big Nights)
When I was younger—high school years—aperitivo was the thing.
We didn’t have much money, but we had a strong desire to dress up, feel grown-up, and be out in the world. So on Fridays or Saturdays, we’d meet in town, put on our best outfits, and go for aperitivo.
The drinks were… iconic in the way only teenage choices can be. Hello Piña Colada & Sex on the Beach (I can’t believe I’m admitting this on the internet, but it’s true.)
And then there was the buffet: big trays of pasta salads, little sandwiches, olives, focaccia, maybe some warm bites if you were lucky. We’d fill our plates, chat for hours, laugh, flirt, plan life, complain about school, and feel like the night was endless.
It was affordable, social, and full of that youthful magic: you didn’t need much to have a great evening—just a table, a drink, and your people.
That’s the heart of aperitivo for me. Not luxury. Not perfection. Connection.
Why Aperitivo Is So Special (Even as Adults)
As adults, life gets busy fast. We schedule everything. We rush. We eat in front of screens. We meet friends “quickly” and then run to the next thing.
Aperitivo is the opposite of that energy.
It’s unhurried. It’s communal. It’s designed for conversation. It’s the kind of tradition that makes space for spontaneity—because you’re not committing to a full formal dinner, but you’re also not just grabbing a drink and leaving.
It’s a soft landing at the end of the day.
How I Host Italian Aperitivo in Amsterdam (My Seated Version)
When I host Italian aperitivo in Amsterdam, I keep the soul of the tradition—but I shape it into something that fits my style and the experience I want to create.
Instead of standing around a bar, you sit at a long table. You share space with strangers. You mingle naturally, without pressure. You taste a rich buffet that includes Italian classics for appetizers, warm mains, and a little dessert to finish.
Everything is served with that “Italian abundance” mindset—generous, seasonal, and made to be shared. And of course: it’s accompanied by a glass of wine (because some things are sacred).
Want to experience Italian aperitivo in Amsterdam? See upcoming dates and details for my long-table nights here: https://the-balanced-plate.com/italian-aperitivo-nights-in-amsterdam/
If you want to cook the classics yourself, you might also love my Italian cooking workshops in Amsterdam: https://the-balanced-plate.com/cooking-workshop-pasta/
The Aperitivo “Formula” You Can Recreate at Home
If you want to bring aperitivo energy into your own kitchen, here’s the simplest way to think about it.
Choose one drink, then build a table with something salty, something creamy, something warm, and something fresh. If you want it to feel more like apericena, add one “proper” dish (even something simple) and finish with a small sweet bite.
The goal isn’t to impress. The goal is to create a moment people want to linger in.
Final Thought: Aperitivo as a Way of Living
For me, aperitivo is a reminder that food isn’t only fuel. It’s a bridge. A ritual. A reason to gather.
It’s dressing up even when you don’t “need” to. It’s making a random Tuesday feel like a celebration. It’s turning strangers into friends over shared plates.
And if you ever join one of my aperitivo nights in Amsterdam, that’s exactly what I hope you’ll feel: welcomed, nourished, and part of something simple and human—just us, and food.
Join My Next Italian Aperitivo Night in Amsterdam
I host intimate long-table, apericena-style evenings where you mingle, taste a generous Italian buffet, and slow down over a glass of wine.→ See upcoming dates & book your spot:
Planning a celebration at home or at the office? Here’s my Italian catering in Amsterdam