Are you in the mood for a tasty apericena in Catania? If you’re planning a vacation in Catania and want to know the best places to enjoy excellent aperitifs, this is the right article for you. The list of aperitifs approved by locals will lead you to discover the best spots in the city.
Whether you prefer a vegan aperitif or are more traditional, we have the perfect place for you. All you need to do is gather your best friends and share a common desire to enjoy a good glass of wine or perhaps a delicious spritz. But first, let’s understand together what an apericena is and its origins.
Apericena, a portmanteau of “aperitivo” and “cena” (dinner), is a neologism that refers to an aperitif taken as a substitute for dinner. This involves consuming savory or sweet snacks such as pretzels, tasty tartare, and samplings of dishes and delicacies served buffet-style in restaurants or nightclubs during the evening.
The apericena finds its precursor in the merende sinoire of Piedmont, events where farmers would eat substantial snacks made with local products before heading home, from early spring to late summer. This merenda sinoira is a tradition still alive today in Piedmontese taverns, now offered as an aperitif.
According to sources, a Milanese entrepreneur is credited with inventing the apericena in the mid-1990s. To encourage people to drink at his establishment, he set up buffets during aperitifs, creating what is now known as the “Milanese aperitif,” which evolved into the apericena we know today.
Where to Have the Best Apericena in Catania?
After spreading to other parts of Northern Italy, the apericena became popular across the entire country, becoming a widespread social and cultural phenomenon, especially among young people, by the second half of the 2010s. Apericenas are also typical in France, known as “apéritif dînatoire.”
The perfect place for a delightful apericena is Teapot, where you can enjoy a range of sweet foods with exotic teas alongside a tasty Spritz and savory snacks. For example, the Teapot Spritz is an innovative cocktail made with violet syrup, prosecco, and tonic, best enjoyed with goat cheese and walnuts, as well as delicious vegetarian sandwiches.
Another spot we recommend is The Yard Hostel, especially if you love a calm and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Here, you can chat with people from all over the world while sipping fantastic creative cocktails. The Cocktail Nepitella, an exotic twist on the mojito, is made with white rum, coconut water, and lemon juice.