There is a moment in Italy when the day changes shape.
It is not lunch anymore, and not dinner yet. The sun starts to set, the air becomes softer, people slow down, find a table outside, order something to drink and let the evening begin without rushing it.
That moment is called aperitivo. And if you are visiting Basilicata, experiencing an aperitivo in Matera is one of the simplest, most beautiful ways to feel a little more local. Not because it is fancy or viral, but because it is a ritual of presence.
A glass in your hand, something tasty on the table and the city around you, slowly turning golden.
What aperitivo really means
Many travelers think aperitivo is just the “Italian happy hour”. It is not wrong, but it is not enough.
Aperitivo is less about drinking and more about entering the evening in the right mood. It is the pause between what you did during the day and what comes next.
Especially in a city like Matera: after hours spent walking through the Sassi, climbing stone staircases, visiting cave churches and chasing panoramic viewpoints, your body will probably ask for one thing: a break. A real one.
And that is where aperitivo comes in.
Why Matera is made for sunset drinks
Matera changes completely at sunset. During the day, the stone is bright, almost white, the heat reflects from every surface, the city feels raw and sculptural.
Then the light lowers.
Walls become warmer, shadows grow longer, the Sassi turn gold, and conversations get softer. This is probably the best time to sit outside and enjoy the city without trying to “do” anything. Just be there.
If you are searching for the best aperitivo in Matera, do not look for the most panoramic spot or the loudest terrace. Look for a place where the atmosphere lets you slow down. A place where locals go too. A place where the drink matters, the food matters and, most importantly, enjoying the moment matters.
Aperitivo at Materia Prima Bistrot
At Materia Prima Bistrot, aperitivo is not something we treat as an afterthought. It is one of the best ways to experience our eatery.
We are located a few steps from the Sassi, close enough to reach easily after your visit, yet far enough to leave the crowds behind.
Our outdoor tables sit in a quiet, central corner of Matera, where stone, light and shadows create the kind of atmosphere you want after a long day of exploring.
No chaos, no tourist rush. Just the right pace. You arrive a little tired, sit down, order a drink… and suddenly, everything feels different.
What to drink beyond the usual Spritz
It’s not an aperitivo if it doesn’t involve a drink.
Of course, you can order the classic Aperol Spritz. You are in Italy and there’s nothing more iconic than that, we understand.
But if you want to move slightly beyond the obvious, things can get even more interesting.
We often suggest Select Spritz: Select is actually the original Venetian bitter used for spritz, with a deeper, more herbal profile than Aperol. Equally refreshing, but a little more grown-up and definitely more “local choice”.
Then there is the Fusettone: Fusetti bitter with pink grapefruit soda. Bright, bitter, citrusy, easy to drink and perfect for sunset.
Another favorite is our Sfumatura di Americano, a twist on the classic Americano where ginger beer replaces soda, adding a more aromatic and spicy note.
If cocktails are not your thing, our aperitivo at Materia Prima Bistrot still has plenty of room for you.
We are first and foremost a wine bar, which offers a selection of natural wines and independent producers. Orange, white, red, sparkling. Sometimes clean, sometimes funky, and always chosen with intention.
Is wine not your path? No problem: you can pick from our thoughtful beer selection, which includes craft, non-alcoholic and gluten-free options.
The real aperitivo is like this: not fixed, not limiting or limited, but open to customization. Your aperitivo ritual is just yours, whatever direction it takes.
What to eat with your aperitivo
Of course, a proper aperitivo in Matera also needs something to eat. Not a full dinner, but not just random snacks either. Something small, tasty, intentional.
At Materia Prima Bistrot, the appetizer side of our menu is especially strong for aperitivo.
Our crispy focaccia is one of those things that disappears quickly from the table: golden, crunchy, satisfying, perfect with a drink.
Then there are the mini tacos, available in different versions, playful and full of flavor. They are not a traditional food, and that is exactly the point because they bring a more contemporary rhythm to local ingredients and aperitivo culture. You can share them, or pretend you are sharing them and keep most for yourself.
We won’t judge, we promise!
The best aperitivo is the one that feels right
The truth is, the best aperitivo in Matera is not only about what you order. It is about where you are when you drink it.
The feeling of finally sitting down after hours on your feet. The first cold sip. The small plate arriving at the table. The light changing on the stone around you.
It is simple, but never basic.
And maybe that is why aperitivo is such an important Italian ritual: it reminds you that pleasure doesn’t need to be complicated. Sometimes it is just a table outside, the right drink, something good to eat and nowhere else to be.
So yes, visit the Sassi of Matera. Walk everywhere. Take the photos. Get lost. But when the day starts softening, do what Italians do.
Stop. Order a drink. Let the evening arrive slowly.
If you are looking for a truly Italian aperitivo in Matera, Materia Prima Bistrot is waiting for you a few steps from the Sassi, but far enough from the noise.
For juicy focaccia, mini tacos, natural wines, unexpected cocktails and that golden hour feeling you will probably remember even longer than the view.
