Aperitivo Spots

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Aperitivo Spots

9:31 AM |

Dana Kaplan, Stresa Sights |

Aperitivo... perhaps one of my favorite words in Italian. And one of my favorite things to do. On a Friday afternoon after a long work week... Meeting friends before going to dinner... Watching a sunset... As a transition between a long day of sightseeing and a relaxing evening... There are so many good reasons to stop and make this pause in your day. And there are so many wonderful spots in which to have an aperitivo. Here are some spots I've recently enjoyed aperitivi in:

If you're in neighboring Baveno, try a Spritz at the Lido Baveno. Lido is a popular beach club all day long, and becomes louder and club-like late in the evenings on the weekends, but in between is just perfect for me.

Via Piave, 66 28831 Baveno (VB)

0323 922856

www.lidobaveno.it

(con't)

In Piazza Cadorna, Stresa's heart and center, you'll find Enoteca da Giannino in one of the corners, under the portico. With a contemporary interior and outside seating on couches and chairs, it's ideal for before or after dinner drinks or watching the piazza life go by, wine glass in hand. They, like many of the wine bars in town, also sell wine bottles; Giannino additionally has a great selection of gin and other spirits.

Enoteca da Giannino

Piazza Cardona 9, Stresa, Italy

Al Buscion... Casual, comfortable, and close to everything in central Stresa. Massimo will always recommend good wines he has on hand. There's also a menu of local favorites and light meals, perfect for lunch or dinner.

Via Principessa Margherita, 18 28838, Stresa (VB)
0323 934772

Relatively new on the Stresa bar scene is Paulon diVino Cafe, but it's already a local favorite. Located on via Roma, just a few steps in from the lake, Paulon has a warm brick interior and a larger outside patio for warm weather. They have a great selection of wines, always something fun to try, and your aperitivo arrives with a little plate of snacks. They also have a menu of light foods and sandwiches.

Paulon diVino Cafe

Via Principe Tomaso 4-6

+39 348 473 4682

Although I'm not often a beer drinker, I tried this giant German beer at Bar Verbanella. The terrazzo on the lake behind Verbanella is quite bright and refreshing, with its somewhat incongruous but fun tropical umbrellas. Every early evening it fills up here, and stays busy as the sun sets across the lake. The specialty at Verbanella are their Bellini, and their bartender is known for mixing some of the best cocktails in town. Keep Verbanella in mind for Thursday evenings in the summer too, when there is free Jazz all evening long.

La Verbanella

Corso Umberto 1, 2 28838 Stresa (VB)

0323 30212

Ahhh... another beautiful sunset, another Spritz. Where was this one? At the Sky Bar at La Palma Hotel. The bar is open to the public. Just go into the hotel and take the elevator to the roof. La Palma has, in my opinion, one of the best views of the lake, and now, the most gorgeous rooftop bar in Stresa.
Lungolago Umberto 1, 33 28838 Stresa (VB)
0323 32401
hlapalma.it