With the arrival of warmer weather, after work or school, there’s nothing better than an outdoor aperitif in Rome in good company. Fortunately, the capital is a surprisingly green city, full of parks, hidden gardens, and panoramic terraces where you can relax away from the traffic.
We’ve updated our guide for 2026 to the most beautiful spots for an aperitif or apericena al fresco: 18 unique venues, ranging from secret gardens to rooftops with views, all the way to a getaway to the Castelli Romani. All are perfect for those seeking original, off-the-beaten-path spots—the kind that Romans know best.
Totem Garden Bar
Tucked away among the streets of Monteverde, next to a park complete with a dog-friendly area, Totem features small tables under the trees and string lights that come on at sunset. In the late afternoon, they serve carefully crafted drinks and platters of fresh tapas, paired with craft beers and organic wines that change with the seasons.
What to order: an Aperol Spritz or a good IPA.
Treebar
On the green side of Via Flaminia, a wooden and glass kiosk surrounded by fountains and plants serves as a haven for the neighborhood’s creative types at aperitif time. The style is minimalist, with an almost Nordic-Japanese touch, and the cuisine focuses on a few well-executed, ultra-fresh Italian classics.
What to order: a craft beer or a cocktail, paired with fried snacks. Closed on Mondays.
Necci since 1924
Open since 1924 and beloved by Pier Paolo Pasolini (there’s even a mural dedicated to him just around the corner), Necci is Pigneto’s secret garden for aperitifs: in the evening, the twinkling lights among the trees create a touch of magic. You’ll start with the classic welcome chips and a glass of rosé or a cocktail.
If you’re staying for dinner, go for the fettuccine with artichokes.
Frugale Roma Food Garden
In a nursery in Casal de’ Pazzi, amid plants for sale and a mural by street artist BLU, Frugale is the only place that greets you by giving you a free plant. For an aperitif, choosethe “apericena mare” or “apericena terra,” orthe all-you-can-eat roll buffet, featuring montanare and fried snacks. Don’t miss the grilled meat and the white chocolate mousse.
Le Serre by Vivi
Housed in the 20th-century greenhouses of an estate on Monte Mario, it’s a flower-filled garden where you’ll forget you’re in the city. The menu features organic fare, and the drinks focus on the great classics: order a Negroni or an Americano and let yourself be tempted by the octopus with stracciatella. The ViVi brand also has a location inside Villa Pamphili, if you love enjoying an aperitif in the parks.
Casa del Jazz
In the park of Villa Osio—a mansion confiscated from organized crime and returned to the city—you can enjoy an aperitif amid centuries-old trees and the song of cicadas. In the summer, the garden becomes a stage for outdoor jazz concerts: arrive early, take a seat at the bistro with a glass of wine or a cocktail, and enjoy the sunset. A tip: bring mosquito repellent.
Figo Street Food
Just a stone’s throw from Ponte Milvio, nestled within the Tor di Quinto golf driving range and overlooking the Tiber, Figo serves Sicilian-inspired street food in an unexpected green oasis.The “aperifigo” is casual but substantial: fried snacks, bruschetta, and you can add an excellent eggplant parmigiana and the famous octopus burger, all washed down with a perfectly crafted spritz.
Appio Park
Across from the Egeria Fountain, Parco Appio is a Roman summer institution: school desks scattered across the lawn, food stands, music, and a crowd of true Romans—no tourists. There’s no set menu: order whatever you like, from an aperitif platter to a Spritz, and there’s even a dance floor. Pet- and kid-friendly.
Borgo Pigneto
Inside the historic Villa Lauricella building lies a beautiful spot to enjoy city life. We’re talking about Borgo Pigneto: a multicultural space and a convivial gathering spot. At the kiosk, the cocktails served are refreshing and thirst-quenching highballs, crafted in the true spirit of zero waste. In the lounge, however, the focus is on botanical-based, entirely homemade cocktails: plants and sprouts form the basis of the drinks in this area.
Fermentum
In the almost surreal setting of the Parco degli Acquedotti, with Roman arches in the background, Fermentum opens right at aperitif time. Before pizza (which starts in the evening), you can warm up with homemade fries and supplì, accompanied by a craft beer or a glass of wine. It’s also perfect for kids: there’s a large playground right across the street.
Barcheria Laghetto dell’Eur
A small oasis on the EUR lake, where you’ll forget you’re in the city. The aperitif is a complete package featuring assorted appetizers, mini pizzas, tramezzini, and a drink or a glass of wine; and if you love spritz, you’ll find over twenty variations here. The real highlight is a swan ride or a boat trip on the water at sunset: it’s hard to find anything more original.
Terrazza Elio
Inside the young and cool The Hoxton, in the Pinciano neighborhood, Elio is the terrace-lounge where aesthetics matter just as much as the cocktails. Aperitifs are served daily, accompanied by savory appetizers and a carefully curated drink list: try the Heatwave, a cocktail that’s a big hit among regulars. The atmosphere is relaxed, the music is just right, and if you stick around, you can share a Milanese-style cutlet.
Terrazza Borghese
On the terrace of a four-star hotel, with a view stretching out over the pine trees of Villa Borghese and Porta Pinciana, aperitifs are enjoyed in the late afternoon. Delicacies likefresella with cherry tomatoes and stracciatella or shrimp in kataifi pastry are served in the garden, accompanied by a fine glass of wine. The atmosphere is elegant yet relaxed—perfect at sunset.
Terrazza Mirador Rome
On the slopes of the Janiculum Hill, in the garden of the luxury Villa Agrippina Gran Meliá hotel, Mirador is a little-known gem offering views of Castel Sant’Angelo, the Tiber, and the Vatican domes. The atmosphere is that of a garden party: a DJ playing in the background, expertly crafted cocktails, and small tapas-style dishes, such as yellowtail tartare with mango. Be sure to make a reservation for sunset.
Casina Valadier
At the top of the Pincio, overlooking Piazza del Popolo, the neoclassical pavilion designed by Giuseppe Valadier offers one of Rome’s most spectacular views. At the panoramic bar (Hortus Bar), you can sip a glass of wine or a cocktail—the Aperol Spritz is the classic choice—as the sun sets over the rooftops of the capital. An aperitif for a special occasion, elegant yet relaxed, with the large garden serving as a backdrop.
Settimo
On the top floor of the Sofitel, just a stone’s throw from Via Veneto, Settimo offers a 360° view that takes in Villa Borghese, the Vatican, and the dome of St. Peter’s. It’s the perfect spot for an evening aperitif at a lofty height: signature cocktails, a glass of Bellone from Lazio, and a menu that reimagines Roman tradition, from tortello carbonara on down. Impeccable service.
Giardino L’Olivella – Frascati (Castelli Romani)
If you’re in the mood to leave the ring road behind, head up into the vineyards of Frascati: the Azienda Agricola L’Olivella is a “miniature Tuscany” just half an hour from Rome. Here, an aperitif is a tasting of the estate’s own wines, accompanied by local flavors and, often, live music. Open in the evening (closed on Mondays), it’s perfect for a romantic evening away from the city.
Pagnanelli Restaurant – Castel Gandolfo (Castelli Romani)
Perched high above Lake Albano in Castel Gandolfo, Pagnanelli offers one of the most beautiful aperitifs with a view in the Castelli Romani. The terrace is breathtaking, and the historic wine cellar carved into the rock is a hidden gem worth visiting: enjoy a glass from the (endless) wine list paired with their appetizers, among the best in the area. More sophisticated than casual, it’s ideal for special occasions.
