Apericena in Italy: What It Is and How It Works

An apericena is an Italian aperitivo with enough food to replace dinner: you order a drink, and a buffet or a large board comes with it. The word joins aperitivo and cena (dinner), and it is most at home in Milan. Here is what it is, how it differs from a regular aperitivo, and how to enjoy it like a local.

Last updated: October 21, 2026. We checked the definitions, history and survey figures below on that date.

Apericena vs aperitivo at a glance

What does apericena mean?

Apericena is a blend of two Italian words, aperitivo and cena. The Zingarelli dictionary added it in its 2011 edition and defined it as an aperitivo that replaces dinner. The word aperitivo itself, however, comes from the Latin aperire, to open, because it was meant to open the appetite, according to the Treccani dictionary.

Where did the tradition come from?

The aperitivo grew up in northern Italy. Antonio Benedetto Carpano created vermouth in Turin in 1786, and the evening drink later became a ritual in Milan too. Then, in the 1990s, Milan bars began to offer buffets with the evening drink, and that “happy hour” habit grew into the apericena.

How an apericena works

First, you order a drink at the bar or at your table. Then the food comes with it, either from a buffet or as a board served at the table, as some bars now do. So you don’t pay for the food separately: it is built into the price of the drink.

How much does it cost? In a 2024 survey by Swg for Deliveroo, reported by Il Sole 24 Ore, Italians spent about €12 on average per aperitivo outing, a figure that covers every kind of aperitivo, not just the apericena. Prices vary by bar and by city, so check the board before you order.

What time is apericena in Italy?

Most bars serve it from around 6 or 6:30 pm until about 9 pm. For many people, it is an early, informal alternative to a sit-down dinner.

Apericena etiquette: how to enjoy it

• One drink, one plate: the food is paid through your drink, so a second plate usually means a second drink.
• Check the board: many bars serve only a regular aperitivo with a few snacks, so look for the word “apericena” or ask.
• It isn’t a free dinner: treat the buffet as part of your order, not as a meal on the house.
• Plan the rest of the evening: if you’re still hungry, a slice of pizza or a gelato on the way home usually does it.

Where to go in Italy

Milan is the capital of the apericena, especially along the Navigli canals. However, the busiest Navigli buffets often trade quality for quantity, so a smaller bar with a set board is often the better pick. Turin, the home of vermouth, has a long aperitivo tradition too. Venice, on the other hand, has its own version: small bites called cicchetti with a glass of wine, as our guide to cicchetti in Venice explains.

For the drinks, regional styles and manners of the classic version, read our guide to aperitivo in Italy. In addition, if you plan a few days in Lombardy, our Milan itinerary shows where the evening crowd goes.

Learn the ropes on a food tour

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A guided tasting is an easy way to learn what to order. For example, this Eating Milan food tour takes you through the city’s food scene, and our Milan food tour guide compares the options. In Turin, our Turin food tour guide covers chocolate, coffee and the aperitivo.

Sources and verification

On October 21, 2026, we checked the Treccani entry for aperitivo, the Zingarelli 2011 entry for apericena as reported by La Stampa, the history of vermouth as told by Vice Italia, and the Swg and Deliveroo survey reported by Il Sole 24 Ore in May 2024.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between aperitivo and apericena?

An aperitivo is a drink with a few snacks before dinner. An apericena comes with a buffet or a large board, enough to replace dinner.

What does apericena mean?

Apericena joins the Italian words aperitivo and cena (dinner). The Zingarelli dictionary added it in 2011 as an aperitivo that replaces dinner.

What time is apericena in Italy?

Most bars serve it from around 6 or 6:30 pm until about 9 pm.

Is the food free with your drink?

No. The food is included in the price of your drink, so a second plate usually means ordering a second drink.