The aperitivo starts here.
Aperitivo in Ferrara, made for sharing
Tuesday to SundayFrom 18:00 to 20:00
before dinner
At Materia Osteria Contemporanea, at Via delle Scienze 9 in Ferrara’s historic center, the aperitivo is built around small plates to share, from €5 to €7, with the full tasting at €30, wines by the glass from €6, craft beers and cocktails. We suggest two or three per person, passed around the table.
Not a starter.
A way to begin.
At Materia the aperitivo isn’t a wait. It’s already part of the experience. Small plates to share, brought to the table, wine chosen from the list, no rush. The right way to begin the evening.
The small plates change like the menu: they follow the season, what came in from the market, what makes sense to cook that day. You choose your drink from the list.
Hours
From 18:00 to 20:00
Tuesday to Sunday. We’re closed on Mondays.
Small plates
From €5 to €7
Small plates at €7, cured meats or cheeses at €5, full tasting at €30. Drinks are ordered separately from the list.
Reservations
Recommended
Limited seating, by choice. Book online or by phone to make sure you get a table.
Find us
Via delle Scienze 9
In Ferrara’s historic center, a few steps from the Castello Estense and next to Estebar, the place run by the Raiti family since 1975. How to find us.
The aperitivo small plates
Rotating small plates · €7 each
€7
Tortino di zucca
Grana cheese fondue, sweet shortcrust and thyme. Warm, comforting, made for sharing.
€7
Tonno Tonnato
Seared Mediterranean bluefin tuna on the house tuna sauce, tuna katsuobushi.
€7
Pancetta Rizzieri
Cooked in the wood-fired oven, silky potato purée and tomato mayonnaise.
€7
Pacchero con Pescato
Zucchini cream, zucchini flowers and a Taranto-style mussel reduction.
€7
Tortellino di Fagiano
Pheasant filling on Parmigiano cream and its own reduced jus.
Plus one or two daily small plates, depending on availability.
€30
The full selection
Full tasting
All five small plates on the menu, to share at the table.
Cured meats and cheeses
Weekly selection · €5 each
€5
Our cured meats
Weekly selection of two cured meats and our focaccia.
€5
Our cheeses
Weekly selection of two cheeses and our focaccia.
Drinks
Drinks are ordered separately from the small plates. For a bottle, choose from our wine list.
Wines by the glass
Sparkling
Crémant de Bourgogne€6
Blanc de blancs · Henri de Villamont
Perlé Trento DOC 2018€8
Cantina Ferrari
Still whites
Vermentino di Sardegna€6
Vintage 2024 · Cantina Audarya
Etna Bianco€7
Mari di Ripiddu · Filippo Grasso
Reds
Pinot Noir Beaujolais€7
Cantina Pier e Fils
Sangiovese Riserva 2020€8
"Il Nespoli" · Poderi del Nespoli
The sommelier’s wine€8–10
If you feel like trying a wine, ask the sommelier
Craft beers
Bionoc · Dolomiti · 33 cl
La Station€6
Blonde
Alta Vienna€6
Amber
Lipa€6
Amber IPA
Napa€6
American Pale Ale
NanaBianca€6
Wheat beer
Cocktails and spritz
Americano · Gin Tonic · Negroni€7
Aperol · Campari · Select€6
Cover charge, bread and service €2.50
Before you book
What our guests ask most often.
Where and when is the aperitivo?
At Via delle Scienze 9, in Ferrara’s historic center, Tuesday to Sunday from 18:00 to 20:00. We’re closed on Mondays.
How much does the aperitivo cost?
Small plates are €7 each, cured meats or cheeses with our focaccia €5, the full tasting with all five small plates €30. Drinks are ordered separately: wines by the glass from €6, craft beers at €6, cocktails and spritz from €6 to €7.
How many small plates should we order?
We suggest two or three per person. They’re meant to be shared: if you order different ones, you can taste them all at the table. Besides the small plates on the menu, there are one or two daily small plates.
Do I need to book?
It’s recommended, because seating is limited. You can book online from the Reservations page or by calling 352 030 5869.
A table for tonight?
The aperitivo starts at 18:00. Seating is limited,
it’s best to book, even for two.