The 10 Best Aperitif and Aperitivo in Pisa
Sometimes we just need to get out of the house and go out on the town. Especially now that it is summer and the evenings are becoming longer and the weather is delightful.
The thing is, I don’t like to go out late or stay out too late either. Plus, Wally requires us to go home at a reasonable time. A great thing about aperitif is that it is typically a pre-dinner event. Similar to happy hour in the USA, an aperitif is a pre-dinner drink like wine, beer, or a cocktail. A lot of times it comes along with some small snacks like potato chips and peanuts. With a small extra charge, you can sometimes get even more small bites which turn it into aperitivo. If you have any dietary restrictions, remember to ask for this from the servers.
There is no shortage of places in Pisa to get a great aperitif to start your evening out on the town. We have some favorite places for aperitifs in Pisa that I would like to share with you. I am sure the list will continue to grow as we explore more this summer.
Our Favorite Spots for Aperitif and Aperitivo
Piazza della Pera
There is no doubt that this is my favorite piazza in Pisa. It is a quiet piazza located just off Corso Italia near Ponte Mezza. It has several restaurants and bars where you can sit down and relax and enjoy an aperitif or aperitivo. It is the home of our two favorite Indian restaurants (Tanduri and Namaste) and also has a small walk-in shop to get Sicilian food such as arancini – Etna Street Food.
The following three locations are our favorite spots for aperitif in Piazza della Pera.
* Bar Mocambo
If you are a fan of rum or whiskey then I highly recommend stopping by Bar Mocambo for a drink and some small bites. I love their rum cocktails while Andrew prefers to try their variety of whiskeys. The menu is very diverse and has something for everyone.
It is a very cute and unique place with a wall of books and tables made from old sewing machine sets. There is seating both inside and outside. It is first come first serve, so I recommend getting there early to get a spot.
Hours: 6pm to 1am weekdays, 6pm to 2am(Fri&Sat), closed on Mondays.
Location: Via S. Bernardo, 29, 56125 Pisa PI
* Chicchessia
Located just a couple of doors down from Bar Mocambo, Chicchessia is a pleasant place to sit down for a cocktail, beer, or wine. They have outdoor seating both in the piazza and in their garden in the back. They also have some indoor tables to relax at.
My favorite drink is the strawberry mojito, especially when they use fresh berries. Service is quite nice and they have a good deal for aperitivo.
Hours: 6pm – 1am (weekdays), 6pm – 1:30am (Fri-Sun), closed Monday’s
Location: Piazza Chiara Gambacorti, 43, 56125 Pisa PI
* Enoteca La Dolce Vite Pisa
If you are a wine lover, then this is the place for you. Located in Piazza della Pera, Enoteca La Dolce Vite Pisa focuses mainly on wine. You can order by the glass or bottle. If you aren’t in the mood for wine, they do have popular Italian cocktails and some beer options.
For those that are a bit hungry, I can’t over recommend their crostini. These are pieces of bread with different toppings that are then toasted. They also have a variety of tagliere and cheese boards. I really enjoy having a quiet evening here either with friends or just Andrew. The owner and staff are very nice and attentive.
Hours: 5:30pm – 12am (Tues – Sun) closed monday’s
Location: Piazza Chiara Gambacorti, 47, 56125 Pisa Pl
* Eleven Cafè
We were only recently introduced to this adorable bar/cafè. The menus come in the form of passports and they have many specialized cocktails. The inside is so cozy and has sort of a hipster vibe. On a nice day, you can also sit outside at their many tables. It is a very cool place to stop by.
Hours: 3pm – 1am (Mon – Thurs), 3pm – 2am (Fri), and 2pm – 2am (Sat & Sun)
Location: Piazza Chiara Gambacorti, 11, 56125 Pisa PI
* Geco
This is a fun little place for some of the best aperitif in Pisa if you are interested in a selection of fried snacks and a selection of drinks. The outdoor seating is cozy and the staff is very friendly and attentive.
Spritzmania
This a cool place to enjoy a large variety of different flavors of one of Italy’s most popular cocktails: the Spritz. I have enjoyed the limoncello and coconut versions and can’t wait to try more. There is now a bar associated with Spritzmania that specializes in beer on tap. You can order from either place and have the drinks put on the same tab.
They also will bring out some tasty snacks to enjoy with your drink. Ordering is simple as you can order on your phone via a website and they will then bring it to your table.
It is just far enough from Piazza Garibaldi that it is not too busy and full of people but is close enough to make it accessible. The square is really nice and borders the river.
Hours: 5:30pm to 12am
Location: Piazza Cairoli 2 56127 Pisa, Tuscany, Italy
Argini Margini (Summer Only)
Each summer, there are several small bars that pop up along the Arno River. Argiini Margini is one of them. They have a variety of cocktails and other drinks to enjoy while sitting riverside. I find it really nice to sit down so close to the water and enjoy being outdoors on a beautiful summer evening. We have enjoyed some of the food available such as the french fries. They also, in the past, have had some seafood.
Hours: TBD (check website/facebook for more info)
Location: Lungarno Galileo Galilei, 8, 56125 Pisa PI
Il Bastione
Located on the North end of Borgo Strata, Il Bastione is a great place to enjoy not only delicious aperitif, but also incredible Italian food. We first discovered it when we met up with a group of expats from in and around Pisa. The owners are incredibly kind and skilled at what they do.
There is outdoor seating along with a cozy inside atmosphere.
Hours: hours vary, so please check their website or google for more detailed information
Location: Via Carlo Fedeli, 4, 56123 Pisa PI
Arno Vivo (Summer Only)
Located near Ponte Victoria, this is another riverside bar located on the Arno River. A lot of the time, they have live music or DJ’s to set the mood along with burgers. They have a couple of options for vegetarians, including french fries. Along with their drinks, they also offer small nibbles for you to enjoy.
Pull up a chair to a table to share with friends or sit in one of the beach loungers to watch the sunset. We find it to be a great place to meet with friends, especially those that are driving because there is parking nearby.
Hours: TBD (July – September)
Location: Lungarno Bruno Buozzi, 1, 56124 Pisa PI
So many choices!
There are so many great places in Pisa to enjoy an aperitif. This is just a sampling of places you might enjoy. Please let me know if you find another place you think belongs on the list. I would love to try it!
