Milan
Littered with old cars, motorcycles and vintage signs, Officine is a huge, dimly lit retro workshop-cum-bar unlike anything else in the city. Fancy…
Must-see nightlife in Italy
San Giovanni & Testaccio
A part of the neighbourhood furniture, this long-standing cafe-pasticceria has the busy clatter of a good bar, with excellent pastries, splendid coffee…
Milan
It’s an old-man bar with oodles of charm: think ’70s interior, vintage prints and a whole lot of laminate. During the day, you'd never believe this is one…
Centro Storico
Found in the back room of an unassuming trattoria (Osteria delle Coppelle) but accessed through a dedicated entrance, this speakeasy has bartenders who…
San Giovanni & Testaccio
When temperatures climb in the capital, this charming little bar springs to life, serving up coffee and cocktails (€5) until long after sunset. Its…
Milan
Hipster home Ugo has a retro vibe that will appeal to latter-day Gatsbys who find themselves in need of a rum or whisky-based cocktail such as Whip &…
Centro Storico
A great little bar tucked around the corner from Piazza Navona, Ex-Circus is a laid-back place with sofas, arty decor and free, fast wi-fi. It's popular…
Milan
Bicycles are the theme of this cosy art bar and bistro, and they hang stylishly from the walls alongside works by emerging artists. Still popular with…
Milan
Fabulous banquette and window seating make Radetzky one of the most popular aperitivo places on this stylish, pedestrianised strip. In keeping with the…
Venice
There's always a party on at Strani thanks to its excellent selection of beers on tap, well-priced glasses of Veneto wines and platters of sopressa (soft…
Venice
Although the bars along Via Garibaldi may look interchangeable, the queue for El Rèfolo’s pavement tables says otherwise. Part of the draw is the ever…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
Forget the other bars that line Pigneto’s main pedestrianised drag. If you want authenticity, this traditional shop is the place, with its cheap beer and…
Venice
So much more than a cafe, Le Café serves everything from croissants to pasta to cocktails – but the real reason to come here is to enjoy a drink at the…
Enoteca della Strada del Vino di Marsala
Marsala
The elegant, cornice-framed facade of late 17th-century Palazzo Fici provides a magnificent prelude to the wine that awaits visitors inside at Marsala's…
Central Tuscany
A member of the Comunità del Cibo a Energie Rinnovabili della Toscana (www.comunitadelciboenergierinnovabili.it), a network of food producers in the Val…
Pompeii
Friendly, laid-back Campana is Campania's first speciality-coffee roastery, the passion project of young maverick roaster Paola Campana. Sip and slurp…
Lucca
Food pairings with fine wine and bubbles is the speciality of this glamorous enoteca (wine bar), champagneria (champagne cellar) and bistro in central…
Modena
The big personality behind the now-closed rock-and-roll craft-beer bar Maltomania is one of the partners behind Modena's newest and best destinations for…
Lake Garda
Perched high above Lake Garda on the Strada del Ponale, the Belvedere lures in large consortiums of walkers and cyclists either because they’re too…
Naples
The chances are you'll find warm, wise owner Nelli behind the counter at this tiny, sunny cafe, making cappuccinos, gluten-free hot chocolates, or freshly…
Oltrarno
When the urge for a decent cup of tea takes hold, head straight to this elegant and old-world Florentine tea shop and sala da tè (tea room) in Santo…
Centro Storico
Feast your eyes on the monumental magnificence of Palazzo Farnese while enjoying a coffee or drink on the terrace of this chic cafe-bar. It serves quality…
Naples
This pocket-sized cantina and grocery store has become an unlikely hotspot thanks to next-gen owner, Francesco Sepe, and his on-tap local vino, sold at €1…
The Veneto
Established in 1779, Nardini is the world’s oldest grappa producer and one of Italy’s oldest companies. Its original grapperia bar flanks the 16th-century…
Rimini
FOB, named after the Foam on Beer draught head control system installed above its 34 taps (pints €5 to €6.50), is one of Emilia-Romagna's most visually…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
Dress up for a drink on the rooftop terrace of Palazzo Fendi of fashion-house fame – few cocktail bars in Rome are as sleek, hip or achingly sophisticated…
Ragusa
Off the tourist trail, Prima Classe is where the ragusani play. A slick mix of concrete floors and designer Spanish lighting, it's a cafe, bar and art…
Naples
One of Naples' best (and best-loved) coffee bars – even the local cops stop by for a quick pick-me-up – is a retro-tastic combo of old-school baristas, an…
Bergamo
They could serve mud-water in this cafe on Bergamo’s main square, so delightful is the setting. Notwithstanding, the drinks still taste just as good as…
Bay of Naples
Right on Miseno's sandy beach, Beach Brothers is a blissful spot to kick back with a beer or spritz and watch the sun set lazily over Procida and Ischia…
Siena
Established in 1886, Nannini's good coffee and location near the Campo ensure that it remains a local favourite. It's a great place to sample Sienese…
Vicenza
Decked out in all manner of knickknacks and illuminated by flickering candlelight, hip Bar Borsa covers all bases, from coffee and juices to aperitivo and…
Naples
Bottle-lined timber shelves set a cosy scene at this classic Chiaia wine shop and bar. Swill, sniff and eavesdrop over a list of well-chosen, mostly…
Rimini
For an adult aperitivo, this trendy newcomer is a solid bet. This spot boasts excellently mixed cocktails and sophisticated tapas led by a creation after…
Ravenna
Hip and friendly owner Pepe suffered for a few years while his trendy cocktail bar was cut off from the action by the construction work that transformed a…
Oltrarno
This trendy gastropub, tucked down an Oltrarno backstreet, pairs top-notch Italian and European craft beers with enticing Asian-inspired dishes cooked up…
Catania
A sojourn in Turkey inspired chef and sommelier Christian Nicita to open this minimalist tea salon. Black, green, white, oolong, sheng puerh or herbal,…
Bologna
Just 400m across the bridge in Bolognina, this former neighbourhood furniture shop was transformed by cool kids into one of the city's best cocktail bars…
Pisa
This trendy cafe stares face to face with Tuttomondo (1989), a mural on the facade of a Pisan church – and the last mural American pop artist Keith Haring…
Bosa
A wonderful venue for sampling Bosa's renowned Malvasia, this attractive cantina is operated by the Columbu family, which has been producing wine in the…
