Food • Aperitivo
Aperitivo at HomeUK Edition 2025
A simple board, the right glasses, a few snacks and suddenly your UK living room feels like an Italian bar — even if you only have an Ikea coffee table.
Get the printable aperitivo checklist (PDF) with shopping list and day-before prep tips.
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Real Italian vibe, in a UK flat
No chef skills needed: just smart combinations of cheese, cured meats, bread, veggies and snacks you can find in the UK.
Designed for small flats & flatshares
Boards, trays and glasses that work even if space is tight and everyone sits on different chairs.
Shoppable kit & clear budget
UK-friendly links (some affiliate) for boards, bowls and glasses: build your set once and reuse it all year.
TL;DR — how to do Italian aperitivo in the UK without stress
1) Pick one board theme Cheese + bread, or salumi + pickles. Fewer things done well beat a random mountain of snacks.
2) Balance alcoholic & soft One spritz or wine, one proper non-alcoholic option (bitter or soda with citrus) and always water on the table.
3) Prep ahead, then enjoy Slice cheese and prep veggies before guests arrive; last minute is just ice, drinks and warming the bread.
Want a printable checklist with shopping list, fridge items and last-minute steps?
Key takeaway
Think in colours, textures & temperature
A good aperitivo has something crunchy, something creamy, something fresh and a small salty/acid kick.
Key takeaway
Room temperature is your friend
Cheese and salumi taken out of the fridge 30 minutes before taste more like they do back home in Italy.
Key takeaway
Glassware does half the 'wow'
Even a cheap bitter feels special in the right glass with ice, an orange slice and a small coaster.
Base boards: cheese, salumi & carbs
Start with 3–5 well-chosen items instead of covering the table: it’ll look better and cost less.
| Category | Example | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Soft cheese | Brie, camembert, taleggio if you find it | Creamy, great to spread on bread or crackers |
| Aged cheese | Parmigiano, grana, pecorino | Breaks into shards and adds savoury depth |
| Salumi slices | Prosciutto, salami, coppa | Instant Italian bar feeling with little effort |
| Carb base | Sliced bread, focaccia, breadsticks, taralli | Fills people up and softens the alcohol impact |
| Fresh element | Cherry tomatoes, fennel, carrots, cucumber | Light, crunchy contrast to all the salty food |
Tip: worried about overbuying? Plan for roughly 3 savoury bites per person and top up with fresh fruit if needed.
Drinks & glassware: from Aperol to soft spritzes
You don’t need a full bar: 1–2 alcoholic options and one non-alcoholic, served in the right glasses, is plenty.
| Drink | Recommended glass | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Classic spritz (Aperol/Campari) | Large wine glass | Lots of ice and an orange slice — it looks special instantly |
| Chilled white / prosecco | Flute or medium wine glass | Keep a jug of water nearby to balance things out |
| Alcohol-free spritz | Wine glass or tumbler | Use a bitter-style soft drink + soda + citrus, same ritual as a real spritz |
| Simple soft drink | Tumbler | Soda + citrus juice + lemon slice on ice looks like a proper cocktail |
| Water | Plain glasses | Always on the table so everyone feels better the next morning |
Little bowls & snacks: olives, nuts & small bites
Small bowls turn very normal foods into proper aperitivo snacks.
| Snack | Where to find it in the UK | Quick idea |
|---|---|---|
| Green or black olives | Large supermarkets, deli counters, Lidl/Aldi Italian ranges | Dress with olive oil, lemon zest and oregano |
| Mixed nuts | Snack aisle of any supermarket | Toast in a pan with a little oil and salt for a warmer taste |
| Taralli / breadsticks | Italian/import aisles or Amazon | Serve standing up in a tall glass or narrow bowl |
| Sun-dried tomatoes / antipasti jars | Jars in the tinned veg/pickles aisle | Chop and mix with capers and olive oil for a quick topping |
| Crisps & bagged snacks | Anywhere | Pour into small bowls instead of leaving bags on the table — instant upgrade |
How to set up aperitivo at home in 30 minutes
Here’s a realistic plan if you work, have limited space and invite friends to a normal UK flat.
- Phase 1 — the day before Decide how many people are coming, pick one board style (more cheese or more salumi) and buy bread, cheese, salumi, olives and one alcoholic + one soft drink.
- Phase 2 — one hour before Clear your coffee table or kitchen counter, add a cloth or runner, lay out boards, bowls and glasses, and chill drinks and water.
- Phase 3 — 30 minutes before Slice cheese and veggies, fill bowls with olives and snacks, lightly warm bread/focaccia if you like. Last minute is only ice and mixing spritzes.
Tip: if you live in a flatshare, warn flatmates and offer to include them or pick a time when the living room is usually free.
Hosting in a tiny UK living room
- Use your coffee table or kitchen counter as the “buffet” and let people sit wherever (sofa, chairs, floor cushions).
- Don’t put everything out at once: bring snacks in two waves so the table always looks inviting.
- Keep a small “crumb emergency kit” with a cloth and wipes nearby to deal with quick spills.
- If you’re short on ice, rely on properly chilled drinks and plenty of water; ice becomes a nice extra instead of a must.
Want another practical guide to make your kitchen more “Italian-friendly”? Check:
Tiny UK Kitchen, Big Italian Flavour →Your at-home aperitivo kit (UK version)
A compact set of boards, glasses and bowls you can reuse all year. Some links are affiliate and may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.
1) Boards & small bowls
- 1–2 wooden or bamboo serving boards in different sizes (one large, one narrow).
- Set of 4–6 stackable small bowls for olives, nuts and antipasti.
- One large tray or platter to hold bread, focaccia or taralli.
2) Glassware & ice
- Set of 4–6 large wine glasses (work for spritz and wine).
- 4–6 short tumblers for soft drinks and water.
- Large ice cube trays or ice bags.
3) Small extras that level things up
- Simple cork or fabric coasters.
- Nice paper napkins or washable fabric ones.
- A low candle holder or fairy lights for “bar-style” atmosphere.
What this kit gives you
- An aperitivo that looks “bar-level” even in a tiny living room.
- A reusable set for birthdays, dinners and movie nights.
- Less prep anxiety: you always know where everything goes.
- A small Italian ritual you can bring back whenever you feel homesick.
Want personalised tips for your space or for a special-occasion aperitivo?
Affiliate note: some links may be Amazon affiliate links. You don’t pay more; they help keep these guides free.
FAQ — Italian aperitivo at home, UK edition
How much food do I need per person for aperitivo?
How can I make a nice aperitivo on a tight budget?
Can I host a proper aperitivo without alcohol?
What if someone doesn’t eat dairy or meat?
Related reads
- Italian Pantry Essentials (UK) →
- No-Machine Italian Coffee Kit (UK) →
- Tiny UK Kitchen, Big Italian Flavour →
Affiliate note: some links may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the community free.
Download the aperitivo checklist (PDF)
A one-page checklist with basic shopping list, prep-ahead notes and room to adapt your own menu.