The Art of Aperitivo in Shanghai
What is it about the long, hot days of summer that make us want to ditch our harried Shanghai lives and spend the season in the Italian Riviera? Because Italians know how to slow down and enjoy life, that’s why. They invented the concept of aperitivo, after all. Loosely translated, aperitivo means “to open”. As in, to open your appetite with a light drink and snack before dinner. More than that, aperitivo is a lifestyle - making time to relax while enjoying food and drink in the company of good friends. And really, couldn’t we ALL use a bit more of that?
There are only a few places in this city doing a true aperitivo - meaning that when you buy a drink you get a free snack or, even better, access to a buffet of snacks. This is not your typical happy hour deal. Aperitivo drinks are low in alcohol and are meant to take the edge off after a long day – not to get you blind drunk!
Here's where you can experience a bit of la dolce vita in Shanghai.
Funkadeli
Address: Wujin Century Building, 291 Fumin Lu
Tel: 021 6170 1318
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am-2am
First, The Godfather of Spritz - Funkadeli. Holding court right smack dab in the middle of buzzing Fumin Lu, their spacious terrace is the ideal place to experience Italian style drinking culture in Shanghai. They've got a truly relaxed atmosphere, alongside plenty of seating inside and out, that makes for a great venue to bring friends or family during a sunny weekend. They offer a range of drinks that are perfect for aperitivo, including a classic Negroni (RMB 60) with campari, sweet vermouth and gin and a Very Dirty Martini (RMB 65) with gin, dry vermouth and olives.
This summer though, we're encouraging you to perch on their outdoor couches and bring your amici to take advantage of their Spritz & Cicchetti deal, Tuesdays from 5pm to 9pm. They offer six cicchetti (Venetian style bar snacks) and three of their signature Superspritz (made with Aperol or Campair, prosecco DOC, soda, orange and olive) for RMB 128, or three Estrella Damm beers for RMB 88. All in all, the prices are good and an afternoon here is definitely a must.
Favorita Italia Kitchen & Wine Bar
Photo credit: Favorita
Address: 207 Mengzi Lu
Tel: 021 63139319
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:30am-2pm; 5pm-1am
Address: 1315 Xinzha Lu
Tel: 021 62116665
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:30am-2pm; 5pm-10:30pm
This casual neighborhood Italian restaurant and bar is well-loved for their great pizzas, wine and comfortable ambience. While they're now a little further out than their previous locations, both of Favorita’s venues have inviting terraces that are perfect for whiling away a few hours during their Summertime Promo.
The deal includes two aperitivo drinks and a selection of their daily finger food for RMB 80, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm every day. Enjoy classics such as spritz, negroni, americano or sparkling wine. We were impressed by Favorita’s aperitivo snacks, including thinly sliced housemade porchetta wrapped around crunchy grissini breadsticks, also baked in-house.
Gemma
Photo credit: Popolo Group
Address: 20 Donghu Lu
Tel: 021 3356 5118
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:30am-12am
When it comes to all things Italian, Gemma is the real deal. Offering a contemporary take on some of Italy's most beloved classics, you'll find everything from wood-fired pizzas and house-made fresh pasta to cocktails with Italian flair. Drawing inspiration from one of the most beautiful places in the world - Italy's Gulf of Naples - they've adapted their authentic Italian dishes to reflect locally-sourced ingredients as well as taking into account the constantly changing F&B scene in Shanghai.
They’re one of the very few venues we found offering a true aperitivo. Every day between 4pm and 8pm (even weekends!) you can order a drink and get a complimentary antipasti platter. Once your appetite has been sufficiently "opened", stick around a little longer and order one of Gemma’s Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas that come in a variety of authentic flavors - from your plain Margherita (RMB 85) to an indulgent Truffle Carpaccio (RMB 130) complete with crème fraîche, Wagyu beef carpaccio, black truffle and arugula. But don't just end there! Finish off with a scoop of artisanal gelato from Buco, their walk-up gelato window.
Atelier by Taste Buds
Address: 758 Julu Lu
Tel: 021 8034 8167
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 6pm-2am; Friday to Sunday, 3pm-2am
Daniel An’s cavernous bar in the More Than Eat complex is definitely a destination for stellar cocktails and a truly unique and interesting interior, but it can be your post-work watering hole, too. The Campari and Aperol-lined walls at the front entrance are not just for decoration - it’s a real bar! This bright, casual and laid-back area called the “Aperitivo Bar” lives up to its name.
Pop in any day, any time during opening hours, and enjoy a spritz (RMB 50), gin and tonic (RMB 50) or Heineken on tap (RMB 30) while watching the world go by from their window seats or outdoor benches. After 6pm, you can order bar snacks (RMB 35-RMB 90) or a selection of Asian and Western mains (RMB 55-RMB 500).
Bitter
Address: 58 Wuyuan Lu
Tel: 135 0172 6412
Hours: Tuesday 10am-5pm; Wednesday to Monday, 10am-late
When serial F&B entrepreneur Camden Hauge decides to get her hands involved in something new, Shanghai notices. Her notable list includes Egg, FEAST Food Festival, Chef's Table, Shanghai Supperclub and numerous other food-related pop-ups and projects around the city. Bird + Bitter is a two-part venue on Wuyuan Lu that is both modern, minimalistic and seating roughly 20 patrons in each.
This summer, Bitter is bringing the relaxed, unpretentious aperitivo atmosphere to Wuyuan Lu. Look out for their new aperitivo menu, launching at the end of the month. Bartender Warren Pang (you may know him from Janes and Hooch in Beijing) is planning his own twists on classic aperitivo drinks like spritz and negroni, which will be paired with snacks from Bird’s kitchen next door. Word is they'll also be setting up a spritz bar on the rooftop terrace at Bird – sounds like a great place to roost for the summer.
La Cabane
Photo credit: La Cabane
Address: 1 Taojiang Lu
Tel: 021 3356 2388
Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 5pm-2am; Saturday and Sunday, 11am-2am
Not to be outdone by the Italians, the French have their own version of aperitivo called apéro. Basically the same idea - relax and enjoy your life - but with Frenchier food and drink. From the people behind French crepe house, La Creperie, La Cabane's concept is affordable French comfort food in a casual setting.
Starting on June 14th, La Cabane has started offering a glass of rosé or a double pastis along with nibbles including duck terrine, French saucisson and olives for RMB 88. “Lazy summer in Southern France” atmosphere included. This apéro will be available on weekdays from 5pm to 7pm and weekends from 3pm to 7pm.
Alimentari
Photo: Popolo Group
Address: 158 Anfu Lu
Tel: 021 3356 5118
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8am-12am
Reminiscent of the classic mom-and-pop shops that are scattered throughout Italy, Alimentari is a quaint Italian style deli where you go to find a vast selection of fresh deli meats, artisan cheeses, olives and more - simply put, it's a gem for imported pantry goods. The store stocks a vast selection of wines too picked out by the Popolo group's sommeliers that represent regions far and wide including Italy, Spain and Australia priced at RMB 150 and above.
If you are looking for a DIY aperitivo experience, make a beeline for Alimentari right now and put together the perfect aperitivo platter with their selection of salumi and formaggi (that’s cold cuts and cheese - essential Italian vocabulary). You’ll also find freshly baked bread, an olive bar, wine, and other imported Italian foodstuffs that'll make any gathering perfect. If you just can’t wait to get home with your purchases, sit at one of their outdoor tables and enjoy your aperitivo alfresco with one of their hand-crafted bottled cocktails with specially designed labels.
Making it in Shanghai: LesQueers Gabby Gabriel