Aperitivo

We’ve had dinner here 3 times in the past 30 days because it’s just so damn delicious. Service is always efficient and friendly. Lindsey is a true gem and we simply love her. We have always enjoyed their Italian DOCG wine. And saving the best for last, the food: best Italian food cooked in the United States. Yes, it is a bold statement and I stand by it. Every single dish we’ve tried is phenomenal - the presentation, flavor combinations, perfectly cooked homemade pasta, simple fresh ingredients … my mouth is watering just writing about it. This is truly a special place that has a lot of heart. You can taste it in their food. And they are opening a sister restaurant soon, too. I give Aperitivo my highest recommendation and am so grateful for experience.

Best damn pasta and Negroni in the area. Been coming here for over 4 years. It is expensive but the quality is top notch and all eating out is pricey these days and in this area especially. If you want to save money cook yourself at home. The owner is amazing and all the workers are so friendly. Keep up the great work!

Seated immediately with no reservation which was great. No menu descriptions or overview from server. Even worse. they've changed their entire menu and opened another restaurant focusing on pastas, which is what we came for. No mention before we were seated. Another lovely server came over to explain the situation. We decided to stay since we were already situation but it would have been nice to be informed of such a recent significant menu change.

Found this great little spot as we were passing through Santa Barbara. Offering Italian cuisine using local ingredients, a real hidden gem in an area with so many places to choose from. The staff were really friendly and everything we had felt very authentic and extremely tasty. Highly recommend this place.

Fortunate enough to have eaten at some wildly acclaimed restaurants with Michelin stars. Have now eaten here a few times and can say this is hands down one of my top favorite restaurants. Tonight's special with corn pudding., mozzarella, truffle was my favorite single bite of food to date. We can't wait to come back.

My favorite place to eat in Santa Barbara! A small restaurant and limited menu of fresh pastas and gorgeous Italian offerings sourced locally. Wine list is strictly Italian

Hands down our favorite spot in town! Brian and Andrea have cultivated an incredible restaurant. The menu is revolving and we’ve never had anything less than a 10/10 meal. A must if you’re looking for elevated Italian cuisine, a unique wine menu, and a romantic setting. Can’t recommend it enough!

My new favorite place! I loved the cocktail with espresso - so unique. The dishes are creative, beautiful, delicious and memorable. Loved the homemade pasta with uni especially.

Fantastic experience with delicious food and a large variety of wine. They have a small kitchen so food does take awhile but it's worth the wait. They're going to open their larger restaurant soon. They take reservations on a piece of paper but I recommend going early to grab a seat. The staff was very friendly and hard at work. The panzanella tomato salad was delicious and very refreshing. I ate the whole thing by myself it was so good. Rigatoni with pancetta was also delicious and rich. It was similar to a salty crunchy bacon and the Hugo Spritzer cut the oil and heaviness. Even though it looks small from the outside, it was better than most Italian restaurants I've been to.

We came here during their soft opening and at the time, they did not have any of the pasta dishes (sad); only serving up small appetizers and tasters. Nonetheless, our experience was very good. Staff and owner were super pleasant and ensured our needs were met. Minus 1 star only because 1 of the staff kept standing there staring at us the whole time, which made us feel uncomfortable. 1. Marcona Almonds (5/5) I've always liked Marcona almonds and get them often from Trader Joes, so I know what these are like when they are fresh and "nutty." For those who do not know, Marcona almonds are softer in texture, so don't expect that crunch. 2. Carciofi Alla Romana (5/5) This marinated artichoke is dressed in lemon seasoning, breadcrumbs and topped off with a good amount of pecorino cheese and fresh mint leaves. It was light, citrusy from the lemon dressing and not too woody, indicating the artichoke is fresh and prepared well. I love the mint leaves, which makes it refreshing and the breadcrumbs, which adds the crunchiness texture. 3. Tomino, Fichi Rucola Rossa E Noci (5/5) A very interesting fig dish that is served with a large block of creamy seared Piedmontese cheese topped with fresh arugula, toasted walnuts and honey-balsamic dressing. It comes with a side of nicely grilled sliced bread. The fig was sweet and fresh. The arugula adds a nice herbally taste. The honey balsamic gives it a very homey honey flavor profile, with the honey flavor being the most dominant. Everything came together very well. Very creative way to turn plain figs into an inspiring, fun and flavorful dish. 4. Bruschetta Peperoni Ricotta (4/5) Toasted grilled bread topped with whipped ricotta and tomato sauce. The bread could be better; it was a bit on the soggy side or seemed a bit under-developed. However, we loved the tomato-spice sauce as it gave it a pleasant sweetness from the tomato with a slight spicy kick from the peppers. The whipped ricotta was smooth and creamy and the rosemary bits they added on top gave it a dash of rosemary flavor. 5. Tartufo Al Pistachio (5/5) Their own version of pistachio gelato that we absolutely loved. This is how gelato should be ... creamy, not too sweet, yet packed with a generous amount of real pistachio bits and praline hazelnuts. As long as you are not allergic to nuts, this is a must try! We will be back to try out their "warm" dishes and pastas the next time we are in SB. Keep up with the good inspiring dishes!!!

This is a very cute and quaint small Italian eatery that is 21+ . What I love about this spot is that the menu is small but they focus on quality and I kid you not I had some of the best and freshest pasta ever considering I've never been to Italy before. I love how intimate the dining scene is because it allows you to not only focus on the food, but as well as the conversations you're having when you're grabbing dinner. The entire dining culture does remind me of how it is like in Europe, which where takeouts are kindly declined, and the staff allows you to focus on the conversations that you are having without being rushed. Aperitvio Spritzer 3/5 Castelvetrano and Kalamata Olives 4/5 Panzanella 5/5 Tagliatelle al ragu toscano 4/5 Topini al pesto di zucchine 2/5 I realized that their menu changes a bit so if you get a chance to get the tagliatelle al ragu toscano then do so because it was packed with so much flavor! I personally thought the topini al pesto di zucchine lacked in flavor. I felt that the zucchini was more flavorful than the gnocchi itself. I was also surprised by how good the panzanella was! I never got so excited for a salad until now! I literally had this a few weeks ago and I am still thinking about it! Seriously, come here for a date night, solo dinner date, or anything! I absolutely enjoyed my time here

Aperitivo has been at the top of my list for months and I'm so glad I finally tried it! The restaurant is small and intimate with bar and table seating. A group of three of us walked in on a Saturday night and only waited about 25 minutes. The restaurant is conveniently located near tons of bars and breweries on State Street, so we grabbed a glass of wine while we were waiting. We ordered three side dishes and the two pastas on the menu that week. We really enjoyed the burrata dish and the pesto pasta. High quality ingredients and everything was hot and fresh out of the kitchen. I have heard rave reviews about aperitivo, so I came in with very high expectations. Everything tasted good and I liked everything I tried, but I was not absolutely blown away. That being said, I still had a great meal and thought everything was prepared well. Service was good. Our server checked in on us often and seemed knowledgeable on the wines and menu items. I think this is a great spot for a date night and I love the rotating menu. It's pricey but I would come back to try other dishes and see if there's anything that I absolutely love.

This hidden gem located on Haley is a perfect spot to come after work for a spritz and a snack or bottle of wine if you prefer. Get there early as they do get full and the place is narrow with high top chairs and some spots at the bar. The staff is super friendly and welcoming as well as make recommendations based on preferences. The bruschetta is extremely flavorful and fresh tasting. Great plate to share. The panzanella salad is an explosion of flavor with a Cabernet vinaigrette that brings the dish together. The spritz you cano or go wrong with any and they have an extensive wine list however few options to order a glass.

Amazing! The owners were both there, they were so friendly and welcoming. We went right when they opened and got a little table by the window. It was perfection.

They have a Sangiovese by the glass. Not many places in SB do. That right there gives it 5 stars in my book. It's always packed every time I walk by, I was actually on my way to Villa when I passed by and they had open bar seating (was during fiesta so makes sense, otherwise this basically never happens). Bartender told me they're opening a spot on State around the corner to do pasta and a few other items while keeping their menu small. They're not kidding about a small menu, the food looked great from what I could tell- I was just here for the Sangiovese. I'll be back if it's ever not super packed when I walk by.

Visiting santa barbara this is a must. Small quaint restaurant so if we arrived the moment they opened to make sure we had a spot. The server was nice and gave us the perfect advice on what to order. We had the burrata, and two pasta dishes. Holy burrata, the pastas were amazing but I could have had 3 orders of the burrata. The pastas were a creamt gnocchi, which were perfectly light and delicious and a duck pasta. They paired perfectly together and i continues to go back and forth never sure which was one my favorite. I look forward to my next visit up north to return again.

Came here at the recommendation of a near by bar. They do not take reservations, which is understandable with the small space they are in. We were seated by Hannah, who was so welcoming and talked us through the menu. Everything we ordered was better than the last and the mix of flavors were things you would not normally think would go together, but they DID! This food is cooked with love and passion and the kind staff are the cherry on top! Get into to this place for dinner ASAP!

I was in town for my birthday and I was crying for some pasta. After some research, this place came up and it is highly raises. When I arrived, I knew it was a good choice because small local restaurant like this it's usually good indication that the food and service excel ! The two house-masa pasta dishes are a must try. The flavor is complicated and I have never had Italian pasta like these. On top of that, please do yourself a favor and get a glass of wine. If you're not sure about wine pairing, make sure to ask the waiter or waitress to suggest the wine. The pasta is cooked to perfection ! Every bite was so delicious ! There aren't many tables but wait wasn't long. The interior gives out a cozy small restaurant vibe. The waiter and waitress were very friendly.

Came here for my 1 year anniversary, it was fantastic. Felt like we were back in ital (where we honeymooned) Great hospitality and lively

This was the best meal I had in Santa Barbara! We were greeted warmly, seated immediately and Lindsey provided excellent service throughout the evening. The Hugo Spritz and Burrata took me back to the Amalfi Coast in my mind. I've never had such a delicious and buttery burrata in the USA. Everything was delicious... from the fresh salad greens to the amazing pasta. I couldn't stop smiling. I've paid for Michelin star meals that weren't this good. I can't wait to return.

Thank you Yelpers for recommending this amazing restaurant! This spot does not disappoint at all and provides all you've been missing from Italian food. The restaurant is small, but is totally worth the wait. The inside is clean and welcoming and the service is beyond impeccable. The drinks are tasty, but the food speaks for itself. The burrata was creamy and flavorful. The zupa was nothing live I've had before, with so much punch of flavor. The pasta was cooked perfectly, with a sauce that didn't over power or make your stomach feel overly full. Everything about the food deserves five (5) stars! Amazing!!!

This is where you go so you are less sad about missing Italy. Tiny menu means everything is top notch, high quality, ultra fresh. Warm neighborhood vibes. Italian wine list is so good too. Wish they were open Sundays.

Authentic Italian culinary experience. Don't miss if you're in Santa Barbara. All pastas and dishes made on site with local ingredients. Daniel was a wonder waiter and Andre (part owner) was a wonderful hosts. Dinning in a very intimate setting which felt like being entertain by good friends. Not to be missed.

Delicious food, amazing wines, and an intimate setting. This is a perfect date night spot!

One of the best dining experiences. We were walking around State Street, found this restaurant tucked to the side, and it had the best reviews. Small, cozy, and intimate dining experience that makes you feel at home. Both bar and table seating are available. The owners are wonderful - friendly and warm. Drinks are incredible. Very well-made. The Costa Smeralda was on the sweeter end but so enjoyable. My husband loved the Siciliano - great option for an espresso cocktail. They also have wonderful wine options. The food is where they shine. They have a small, rotating menu, so you'll have different options whenever you come in. I felt like each time I tried something new, it was the best I'd ever had. Their pomodori al forno e basilico was packed with a rich, creamy, tomato flavor. I love bread with my soup, so I added a side of the Oat Bakery Bread - best bread ever. It was salted perfectly, crispy on the outside while still soft on the inside - perfection. Their pastas have raised my expectations for all other restaurants. I wish I remembered the names of what we ordered, but one was a lighter eggplant ziti and the other was a creamy vegetable trottole. You can clearly tell this is fresh pasta, and they come together to form delicious dishes. Affogato is a great way to end your meal - creamy hazelnut gelato with a decadent chocolate center topped with rich, tasty espresso. There's both street parking and paid lots available. I'd recommend coming in earlier as it is a small restaurant, so it fills up quickly. I am so happy to have found good authentic Italian food close to home, and I will definitely be coming back here.

So happy to be back and have Aperitivo as my first Yelp Review for 2024. Andrea, Daniel and their staff continue to dazzle the senses with their offerings of Italian small plates, wines, and cocktails. And now in this post-Covid world they don't have their spacious parklet anymore, but they continue to have their comfy-cozy indoor dining room with limited seating. You really do feel like you're right there in the kitchen with the staff, who are all very friendly and helpful in making sure you get to taste their very best. We arrived early enough to get the cushy window bench, and had a good view of their menu, which is positioned on the front wall and showing their latest offerings. Their menu does change regularly, so it's nice to experience something different and delicious each time. Andrea had greeted us warmly, got us situated, and helped us navigate their menu, which is divided up by Giardino, Zuppa, Bruschetta, Pasta Fresco, and Desserts. We did taste from each catagory, with the standouts being Burrata, Ribollita, Agnolotti con Costolette de Manzo, and for dessert their Gelato al Limone and Tartufo al Pistacchio. We also appreciate their passion for Italian wines. We've enjoyed their various Italian Reds, but this time kept to their Nero D'Avola Rosé, and Vermentino. Highly recommend being there on their earlier side of the evening, before the crowds descend. And always nice to enjoy dinner there and then either walk over to State Street where it's still blocked off to traffic, or head under the overpass to the Funk Zone.

Simply amazing. The staff were friendly and on point. I noticed they had a Yelp 100 Restaurants in US AWARD Award for 2024 in the bathroom. They need to put that out on the window and let people know that. We had the bruscetta and vegetarian pasta and pistachio gelato. All of which was elevated that I could not get enough. They were closing when we finished since they close early. We asked for the gelato and cafe and they accommodated. Definitely highly recommend this place. There's not a lot of room so get there early. Great place for a couples retreat I felt so comfortable and welcomed. Hope to visit again on our next trip to West Coast. . .

Great wine selection and the food was amazing! Definitely a place to stop by when visiting!

The restaurant is small and there can be a long wait time. However, the food is excellent and worth it!

I cried once pasta came to me, or my main dish. Everything was so delicious. I cannot describe to you what this meal did to me. I thought the wine was good then I paired it with food and it was out of this world. Service was not quick per se because they make everything to order. Ambiance is more on the middle upper class because it's a pricey place. Food is the best. I'm speaking from multiple side dishes and the truffle pasta. The other pasta(s) were just good. This one was incredible. So yes, I'd recommend not only this restaurant but also this dish. Chefs kiss

Stopped by at 5pm on a Wednesday evening, and was seated outside. They have daily rotating menus, including 2 "garden" items, 1 crudo, 2 bruschettas, 2 house-made pastas, along w 2 snack and 2 dessert selections. The type of house-made pasta will differ between the two dishes, and there is typically a meat and no meat pasta dish. Check their website for daily offerings. I started off with an Aperitivo Negroni, sipping until the hamachi crudo came out shortly after. The crudo was magnificently presented, a piece of art in itself, with curled cucumber slices, bisected berries and golden tomatoes, sprigs of green/purple basil, all in a delightful pear sauce. Light, refreshing, and a feast for the eyes. The gnocchi and sausage dish came out 40 minutes later, which took a bit longer than I expected. The sauce was minimal but rich, scattered with a layer of crispy ground sausage. The gnocchi definitely had a bite to it, perhaps a teeny bit undercooked to my liking. This is a great place to unwind with friends, as well as split plates to maximize trying those rotating dishes. The owner is very gregarious, helpful w the menu, and seems passionate about his brainchild. I applaud the daily rotating menus, which is no small feat!

Great service, great food. A little pricey, but worth it. Dog friendly. Understand they will be expanding. Looking forward to it.

I've been wanting to visit for so long and I'm so happy I finally made it! The service was excellent--attentive, professional, and full of great recommendations. We started with the Carciofi alla Romana (marinated long stem artichoke, pecorino, mint, and breadcrumbs), which was a perfect appetizer to set the tone. Next, we had the Tonno e Fagioli Bruschetta (olive oil poached tuna, turmeric, white bean & tahini spread, pickled shallot, radish, preserved lemon, calabrian chili, herbs)--hands down one of the most delicious dishes I've ever had. For our main, we had the Paccheri al Pesto di Zucchini e Carciofi (house-made paccheri, roasted zucchini, artichoke, basil, pine nuts, parmigiano reggiano, breadcrumbs), which was a delightful combination of flavors. We shared everything, and it was the perfect amount for both of us. I had a lovely glass of white wine, and my sister enjoyed the Lago di Garda Spritz, which was also fantastic. The ambiance was super cute--I love how intimate and cozy the space is, and I appreciate that the menu changes regularly. Can't wait to return!

Some of the best Italian food I've ever eaten. Anywhere. Started off with the panzenela salad and artichoke salad. Delicate flavors, everything fresh and bursting with flavor. Pastas - tagliatelle with bolognese, and a mushroom rigatoni with truffle. Rich but not overpowering. All of the food is excellent at Apertivo. Shared plates, nice Italian wine selection. A must in Santa Barbara!

The food, service, and ambiance was very good. Derek the chef came out to make sure the meal was too our liking which was a very nice touch and made our night. Awesome!

Finally got try Aperitivo. Everything was super fresh and tasted great. Small space so filled up fast. Had a 5 min wait on a Friday 6p. If you have a chance stop by. 21 and Over

We were wanting some delicious pasta and weren't too hungry so spotted this really cute and lovely pasta wine spot! Food: -HAMACHI, POMPELMO E CAMOMILLA: very delicious! The fish was fresh and the taste of everything together was really refreshing! I also do love celery on its own but on this it felt a bit overpowering buuuut it did add to the freshness so it was just more of an observation and not something that'd deter me from getting it again -RIGATONI AL TELEFONO AFFUMICATO: yuuuumm!! My partner kept commenting how the pasta themselves were just so delicious and cooked to perfect chewiness! And i usually don't go out of my way to get red sauce pastas (im a pasta novice) cause it seems more basic to me (plz forgive me) BIUUT this was freaken delicious and each bite was just. I'd order this again :) Service: Very comfortable, friendly, prompt and checked in! Ambiance: W sat outdoors and they wall it with this beige/yellow thingy that makes it feel cozier and lovely even though it's on a busy street with people and cars bustling on the other side. Loved it! Would recommend outdoor sitting! Overall: Yes! Come here to eattt and to drink and to enjoy the vibes and the calm :)

Walking in we felt like we were transported to Italy, with the cozy restaurant vibes where patrons sit wherever they can fit them and the delicious smells from the kitchen keep you attentive to each dish. The service was wonderful and the staff constantly checked on us, provided excellent recommendations, gave our mostly well behaved dog love, and even small talk about their Italian roots. We loved that the menu was curated and not overly complicated, the dishes complex but fresh and familiar. The cocktails and wine paired well with the menu. This is what dining out is all about, a guided tour of the wonderful world of cuisine.

So delicious! Stumbled across this place last night. The food is incredible and the spritz's are delicious. Everyone that works there is lovely. Glad to have discovered this gem.

Incredible new restaurant in Santa Barbara. The owner and staff were so friendly. We had the eggplant and Burrata appetizer which were both delicious. The bread was toasted to perfection and the Burrata was paired with fig and honey which flavors came through nicely. We also ordered the black pasta which I forgot to take a photo of. It had sausage and clams I believe which was to die for. I would definitely recommend checking out this place and trying a variety of their appetizers and pastas. By the way, they don't take reservations but were still able to seat us quickly.

Amazing food! It's a little slow but that's understandable given the size of the kitchen. It's a cafe chic ambiance with very skilled, knowledgeable staff. Everything is delicious. They change the menu often. They don't have a liquor license but they still manage to make fun wine-based cocktails. Your best chance of getting in quickly is going right when it opens. I wouldn't recommend going with more than three people. It's a very small space.

Neighborhood bistro feel, romantic lighting, good service and good food, menu is limited and always changing. It's a small restaurant so it fills up fast. Small bar area but whole place feels like bar seating. Good place to stop by for wine and small eats or stay for dinner. Will stop in again to check out new menu. Might be a good choice for first dates.

First time here, recommended by a gf as a great date night spot. A small Italian gem of a place! While waiting, there was 3 parties ahead of us, we were given soup tasters outside. Smart! An open space so you could see everything that was going on! From the owner to the waiter to the cook, everyone was friendly and attentive. They ran out of the gnocchi so we'll have to go back another time for sure! Here's the pics!

Lindsay was amazing!! We loved the vibe, the food, and the wine! We'll be returning the next time we're in town

The food gods must have been with me because I walked into this tiny restaurant on a whim. And what a delight it was. I cannot understand by what magic the two chefs were are able to churn out such refined dishes cooking on a couple of hot plates. Hot plates! I woke up this morning congratulating myself on the series of life decisions I've made that culminated to me eating the burrata, artichoke, and ragu I had last night. The ingredients looked simple and straightforward enough on the plate but in my mouth, they .. I dunno... sang? This girl is not typically into Italian food, but if I had to pick one restaurant to eat at for the rest of my life, Apertivo might be it. .

One of the best pasta dishes I've tried outside of Italy. The food is amazing. The place is small and intimate and the service is super friendly. The pasta dishes are made fresh to order so this is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a glass of wine with good company. Overall, so glad we stumbled upon this place thanks to Yelp!

The food and care given to the ingredients feels like like Italy. The spritz variations are superb on a warm day and different to the typical Aperol variety. Only downside is the busy road. The location is unique and has character, but very small - Italian style! Come for a spritz! Enjoy some fresh pasta or the bruschetta. You won't be disappointed. Saw they are reviving the order ahead home meal for two once a week which looks interesting.

Best Italian food in Santa Barbara. Small but always interesting menu. No one in SB serves better pasta. The few starters are always perfectly executed with just the right amount of inventiveness without falling into the trap of irrational added ingredients. Service is always spot on. The wine list has gems you've never seen at user friendly price points. I love this place!

I am not a huge Italian food person but this place blows every dish out of the water! They have very little seating but the menu is unique every night and they kill it on every dish. The burrata is a must!! I also really enjoyed their bruschetta with prosciutto and a mushroom pesto

FYI does not allow for under 21 :) we didn't done here but letting folks know they should update their description. Looked good though

Came here on a whim on a saturday night. We waited about 15 min for a table (you're able to browse state st. as you wait). The restaurant is kinda small, they offer high top table seating or bar seating. Upon getting seated, all the staff were super warm and welcoming. We ordered the burrata, pesto pasta, and ragu pork pasta. (however they change their pastas every week, so yelp pictures might not be accurate). Everything was delicious, the only downside was the ragu was two minutes less than al dente. Flavors were all there, the wine was great too. Unfortunately, we devoured everything before I thought of taking picture. On the plus side, they are a dog friendly establishment. This was such a small hidden gem tucked by state st. I definitely recommend coming here for some great italian food and great service!

Stopped by on the way home for some yummy and delicious food. Upon arriving we found out they were not serving specific food items on the weekends. To counter the disappointments, we decided to just grab some drinks, which were okay, not too bad. Server asked if we would like to olives and nuts (which we thought were included when dining here), ended up charging us $15 dollars for olives and nuts. Today, I learned to not make assumptions for what's included and what's not.

It's a small restaurant that's first come first serve, best fitted for groups of 2-4. Everything tasted freshly made and reminiscent of the restaurants you would find in Italy. The menu changes frequently, would absolutely try to come back quarterly!

Amazing food and service. The wine was great and the food was really good. Would highly recommend

The best little spot! The pasta was absolutely amazing. Only a few spots inside but we got sat almost immediately. Service was excellent. Nothing else like it around SB.

Aperitivo is such a hidden gem! They do not take reservations so be prepared to wait or come early as the place is small and intimate. They have a cute parklet in front for outdoor seating. The owner is from Milan and he rotates his menu based on seasonal ingredients. The menu is limited but everything is spectacular. There is usually a seasonal bruschetta and burrata on the menu as well as two types of pasta dishes. They have a variety of spritz options as well as wine. For those who like to cook, they offer a wine and pasta club. We can't wait to go back- it is wonderful to have a piece of Italy in Santa Barbara.

Stoped by for a quick on my way back to LA. Unfortunately on Sundays they don't serve their pastas. So we ended up getting some drinks instead. drinks were ok nothing special but what really brought the mood down for me was when the waiter asked if we wanted nuts and olives. Me coming from LA, when a waiter asks if you want nuts and olives with your drinks it's always complimentary or would atleast disclose that it's not included. Unfortunately for me I was not given that heads up. Maybe that's just how they do it here at this restaurant, but I just find it kind of ridiculous that we got charged an extra 15 dollars for those.