The Best Bars for Aperitivo in Genoa Italy

Are you looking for a bar where you can get a satisfactory aperitivo in Genoa?

Maybe you want to take your girlfriend out to eat something on the seashore or have a drink with your friends after a long day at work.

You have come to the right place.

If you don’t know me yet, here’s my introduction: I’m Andrea from Discover Genoa and in this post I am going to list the best places where you can get an aperitif in Genoa Italy in my opinion.

In this list you’ll find some bars in the centre of Genoa, some at the seaside and others in districts like Boccadasse or Albaro.

Read through the article and you’ll certainly find the best place where you can get a Genoese aperitif.

Are you ready? Let’s go!

Where to Have an Aperitivo in Genoa Italy

In Genoa it is very common to have an aperitif: meeting before dinner and having a drink is a fun way to spend the time after a long day at work or before a planned evening out.

Until a few years ago, bars mostly offered only some snacks, while recently they have started to serve buffets that are so rich and abundant that you can easily have dinner with them.

Here’s my list of the top 5 places where you can get an aperitivo in Genoa.

Mugugno

Meat aperitivo in the centre of Genoa

In the heart of the city’s historic center, housed in the ancient cisterns of the Rolli Durazzo-Zoagli palace, you can enter a place with a magical and timeless atmosphere.

In this restaurant, wine bar & cocktail bar you have the opportunity to taste traditional Ligurian dishes, sample the wine and bubble cellar, sample signature cocktails and choose from a wide selection of spirits.

If you are a Spritz lover and want to taste a special version, we recommend the Spritz Nouvelle Vague (with basil syrup!).

To accompany the aperitifs you can enjoy a wide choice of small delicacies: fried or soused anchovies, crostini with olive pate or livers, Genoese cakes, mixed platters of cold cuts and cheeses or fish carpaccio.

• Prices: from 10€
• Address: Vico de Gradi, 4R, 16123 Genoa GE
• Hours: Tue – Wed: 6pm – 1pm, Thu-Fri: 6pm – 3pm, Sat-Sun 12:30pm – 2:30pm, 6pm – 3pm
• Tel: 010 092 7065

Taggiou

Best cheese and charcuterie apericena in the alleys of Genoa

Looking for an apericena place in Genoa and craving for cold cuts and cheese boards?

Taggiou is the place for you.

High-quality sliced meats, wine and cheese boards, quick service and smiling staff in a small, very typical Genoa alleyway place.

Bruschette excellent, we recommend those containing pesto or honey and nuts.

• Prices: 10€
• Address: Vico Superiore del Ferro, 8, 16124 Genova GE
• Hours: Mon – Sun 18-23
• Tel: 375 631 3019

Mugugno

Meat aperitivo in the centre of Genoa

This is one of my favourite places for a happy hour drink.

If you like cold cuts and cheese, Mugugno is the right place for you.

If you’re still hungry, you can choose between burgers and a huge range of cuts of Piedmontese and Tuscan meat, grilled to order behind the counter.

For 7€ you can choose between a glass of wine or a cocktail and enjoy a great aperitivo with your friends.

It has a picturesque inside room and only two tables outside (always occupied during the happy hour), therefore it might not be the right place for you if you enjoy being outdoors.

• Prices: 7 €
• Address: Via Luccoli 38, Genoa
• Opening hours: From Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m., Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m.

Panino Marino

The best fish aperitif-dinner in Genoa’s Porto Antico

Panino Marino is a new, modern and elegant bar and it represents the best choice for a fish aperitif.

It is right in front of the Acquario di Genova and offers different possibilities: you can choose between 7 types of gourmet sandwiches with seafood specialities (such as tuna tartare, fried salmon or squid) or Aperimarino.

This last option is also the most popular and includes a medium cone with French fries, two creations of the chef, two tastings of seafood, 1 glass of wine or beer and some snacks.

• Prices: 7-10 €
• Address: Piazza Caricamento 65R, Genoa (in front of the Aquarium)
• Opening hours: Everyday, 12:00-3:30 p.m., 6:30-11:30 p.m.

Il Bistrotto Bogliasco

Aperitivo on a terrace overlooking the sea

If you are looking for a romantic place where you can leave your other half breathless, Bistrotto is perfect for you.

It is located in Bogliasco (a 20-minute drive from the centre of Genoa) and its menu offers any kind of snacks and a drink of your choice.

Do you know what the best part is?

The terrace overlooking the sea: it is really fascinating beyond words.

It is recommended for a romantic aperitif-dinner.

• Prices: 10 €
• Address: via Giuseppe Mazzini 183, Bogliasco (GE)
• Opening hours:  Mon-Thu closed, Wed-Thu 6-10 p.m., Fri-Sat 6-2 p.m., Sun 12 p.m.-3 p.m., 6 p.m.-noon
• Phone: +39 010 347 2506

La Strambata

Aperitif-dinner in Boccadasse

In this case, the aperitif does not include many different things, but the location is really worth it.

La Strambata is located in Boccadasse, a small fishing village near Corso Italia, within walking distance from the city centre.

In La Strambata you can order a drink and enjoy the snacks by the sea, looking at a breath-taking sunset.

The quantity-quality-price ratio is not very high, but the location is magical.

• Prices: 7-10 €
• Address: Piazza Nettuno 5r, Genoa
• Opening hours:  Everyday, 7:30-1:30 a.m.

Bar Paradise

One of the best cheap aperitifs in Genoa

Are you looking for a cheap apericena in Genoa?

Then you must try Bar Paradise, located right in the historic center of Genoa, in a quaint corner of medieval Genoa.

By ordering a glass of wine, a mug of beer or a cocktail, you will receive a tasty aperitif at a truly unbeatable price, to be enjoyed inside the bar or in the outdoor area located in the charming little square in front of the entrance.

Pizzettas, cheese flatbreads, veggies and other hearty appetizers. All, starting from 5€.

Ideal for you if you are looking for something cheaper than the usual aperitivo in downtown Genoa.

• Prices: from 5 €
• Address: Piazza della Stampa, 7, 16123 Genova
• Opening hours:  Monday to Sunday, 08:00 a.m. – 09:00 p.m.
• Phone: +39 010 246 8412

MOG: Mercato Orientale Genova

Aperitivo in the centre of Genoa

Inaugurated in April 2019, Mercato Orientale has become in a few weeks the heart of Genoa’s aperitivo.

Here you can choose between dozens of different types of cooking, from Ligurian to Mexican, so that everyone is satisfied.

On the counters inside you can find focaccia, pizza, fish, wine of all kinds, Mexican tacos, meat, burgers, gourmet sandwiches, fresh pasta and ice cream.

Well, it has something for all tastes.

• Prices: starting from 10 €
• Address: Via XX Settembre 75r, Genoa
• Opening hours:  Everyday, 10:00-12:00 a.m.
• Phone: +39 010 897 3000

Ai Troeggi

The best aperitif abundant in Genoa

Looking for a place for hearty appetizers?

At Troeggi, natural wines, craft beers and bruschetta are the stars. Located in the heart of Genoa’s historic center, this venue surprises with an intimate, cozy setting and great quality (and quantity) of its aperitifs.

The restaurant’s rooms are carved out of old palazzo funds on Via Chiabrera, with exposed stones and beams, soft lighting and plentiful chopping boards.

I recommend ordering bruschetta, there really are all kinds.

A super recommended apericena place.

• Prices: starting from 10 €
• Address: Via Chiabrera 61r, 16123 Genova
• Opening hours:  Tue to Sat 5:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.; Sun 5.30 p.m. – 12:00 p.m.; closed on Monday
• Phone: +39 349 719 7363

Peyote Tacos Bar

One of the best original aperitifs in Genoa

Looking for places to have a special drink?

Maybe you just felt like sipping a margarita in front of the sea, in an exotic atmosphere?

Then you must try the Peyote Tacos Bar. This is a young, dynamic and clean establishment. Small plates not plentiful but giving the opportunity to taste several.

It is not located in the city center but in Recco, a town of inhabitants 30 km from Genoa. It can be reached by train or by car: the train station and highway exit are those of Recco, precisely.

I recommend the burrito and Tommy’s Margarita. Simply delicious.

• Prices: starting from 12 €
• Address: Lungomare Bettolo, 1/A, 16036 Recco (Genova)
• Opening hours:  closed on Mon and Tue; Wed: 06:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.; Thu to Sun 6:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
• Phone: +39 327 306 2455

Tiki Bar

One of the best aperitifs by the sea in Genoa

A dreamy place in a dreamy location, impeccably run.

Tiki Bar Baia dei Frati is a little beach bar where you can have an aperitif with your feet in the sand (literally).

Fantastic aperitifs at sunset, where, admiring the red sun reflecting in the crystal clear water, you forget that anything else exists.

Great cocktails, average prices (from 7€ for a cocktail to 5€ for a spritz) and very plentiful aperitifs.

One of the best places for aperitifs, ideal during the spring or summer season.

• Prices: starting from 5 €
• Address: Via Romagneno, 8, 16036 Recco (Genova)
• Opening hours: every day (summer season) from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Phone: +39 353 429 4736

Aperitivo in Genoa Italy: prices

The prices for Genoese aperitif-dinners are different, but all are between a minimum of 7 € and a maximum of 15 €.

The most expensive is maybe the aperitif-dinner at MOG, because once you’re inside you won’t stop trying everything you see.

In general, you won’t spend more than 15-20€ anyway.

Conclusions

Well, this short article about the best bars for aperitivo in the centre of Genoa and at the seaside is finished.

If you need further information, read my article on what to do in Genoa at night.

Now, I give the floor to you.

What is your favourite bar?

Let me know with a comment below.

Have a nice aperitivo 😉
Andrea