Embrace La Dolce Vita: Resy’s Guide to New York’s Italian Aperitivo Spots

Northern Italy awaits inside this Clinton Hill hideaway, which charmingly disguises itself as an old pharmacy. Kick off an idyllic dinner date with a signature Negroni (pro-tip: the “Gold – D’oro,” with earthy, citrusy Salers and vibrant Contratto, is a win), a glass of house vermouth, or a refreshing rosato spritz; complement your drinks with marinated anchovies served with butter on fresh Tuscan bread and fresh-imported mozzarella with roasted red peppers and broccolini.

Dining at acclaimed chef Rita Sodi’s ode to her Tuscan roots is a coveted experience. Nab a seat at the bar to witness the restaurant’s impressive Negroni program in action. With eight distinct versions, you’re bound to fall in love with one (or maybe two!). While you’re there, don’t miss the chef’s exquisite lasagna.

The sculptural, crackly carta di musica at King is equal parts messy and chic; and it’s the perfect snack with which to enjoy aperitifs straight-up (try the bitter and herbaceous Lucano Anniversario) or the Laurus Nobilis, a gin-and-vermouth-based number. The restaurant’s menu changes daily, but panisse (golden chickpea fries) and finochietta (cured salumi) are mainstays.

Each night brings new aperitivo offerings at Roman’s. The neighborhood staple tucked into a brownstone in Brooklyn crafts a daily sour and a daily bitter—so ask your server for the specials before you make up your mind. Call for some ham, a dish of savory olives, or the luscious fava bean dip before you lean into the daily menu of seasonal vegetables and hearty pastas.

Just steps away from Prospect Park, Fausto is the perfect place to cool off after an evening walk. It boasts a mighty selection of aperitifs, which can be ordered neat, over ice, or as delightful spritzes. You’d be smart to pair them with melt-in-your-mouth arancini.

Ask for a misti of salumi and formaggi as you await your beverage of choice at Danny Meyer’s elegant trattoria. Your best bet is to chat up the bartender, who can recommend a spirit and a preparation with your taste in mind. Get an order of crispy cacio e pepe potato skins while you’re at it.

The gold-accented bar at Cafe Altro Paradiso is backlit by SoHo sunlight and stocked full of both favorite and yet-to-be-discovered aperitifs. Spring for a spritz made with Forthave red, a cult-favorite libation made locally in Brooklyn; sip it alongside the restaurant’s piatto di antipasti, which features prosciutto, coppa, Parmigiano, and the like.

That the signature martini at Misi is made with olive oil-washed beefeater gin is both utterly appropriate and entirely delicious. Other aperitivo options at this waterfront stunner range from Cocchi Americano (an aromatized wine) to Carpano Bianco (a richly perfumed vermouth). Try something new between bites of whipped ricotta crostini, and prep your palate for the splendid array of pasta that is to come.

Before dining at Frankies Spuntino—the Carroll Gardens mainstay with a magical backyard—pop into the attached Franks Wine Bar for aperitivo. Ask the somm for something crisp to wash away the day, or grab a cocktail like the aptly named Settle Down Easy, comprised of gin, vermouth, amaro, mandarin, and ginger. For snacks, cured meats, boquerones, and salt cod croquettes are good bets.

Negronis, spritzes, martinis, you name it—Dante has a myriad of each; something to satisfy every imbiber. Aperitivo is the soul of this Greenwich Village cocktail den, where sourdough flatbreads and antipasti round out the pre-dinner offerings.