The cafes around the Piazzetta are the famous Portofino spectator sport — a Negroni costs roughly the same as lunch in a small town inland, but you are paying for the view and the procession of yachts arriving in front of you. Stella has been the photographer's favourite spot since the 1960s; Caffè Excelsior runs along the opposite side of the square.
For sunset, the bar at Castello Brown opens to the public during museum hours and serves drinks on the lower terrace with the harbour view. The Belmond Hotel Splendido's pool bar (open to non-guests with a reservation) is the most photographed terrace in town.