Naples is one of my all-time favourite destinations. The nearby tourist destinations of the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, or even Capri might get more attention on social media (they are certainly some of the most beautiful parts of Italy) but Naples has so much life and passion, it’s hard not to fall in love. Not to mention, the food scene is spectacular. Some of the best street food in the world originates here, and of course, it’s the home of the Neapolitan pizza, aka the greatest invention known to man. Sure, it’s chaotic, gritty, and full of people, but there are no airs or graces – it’s authentically itself.
Why Naples?
Naples is one of the most ancient cities in Europe, and there are many reflections of this all over the city. Whether it’s Castel Sant Elmo looking out from the top of the hill, or Castel Nuovo by the sea, the city is not short of history. Naples is also very close to historically significant sites such as Pompeii and Herculaneum: towns preserved in time after being covered in ash from nearby volcano Vesuvius nearly 2000 years ago. Mount Vesuvius, an active volcano that you can visit, looms large over Italy’s most densely populated city. The fact that it could technically erupt at any time (although it hasn’t since 1944) could give Naples its frenetic energy.
The Birthplace of Pizza
It’s time to focus on the good stuff: food. Naples is perhaps most well-known for being the origin of one of the world’s greatest inventions – pizza. Known merely as peasant food in the 19th Century, it wasn’t until a visit from King Umberto I and Queen Margherita in 1889 that things began to turn around. The royals were served three different pizzas, the last one made to represent the colours of the Italian flag: green from basil, white from mozzarella, and red from the tomato sauce. This is, of course, a Margherita, named after the Queen who declared it her favourite, elevating its status from peasant food to a meal worthy of royalty.
These days, pizza is one of the world’s most beloved foods, and Naples is where it’s at its best. In fact, Neapolitan pizza is so special that the “art of Neapolitan pizza” has been added to UNESCO‘s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. There is also the AVPN (Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana), which celebrates and supports the traditional ways of making authentic Neapolitan pizza. For a pizzeria to be AVPN verified, they must adhere to a particular set of rules (a specific brand of flour, San Marzano tomatoes, exact cooking times etc.), so a stamp of approval from the association is seen as a sign of excellent, authentic pizza. The one other thing to mention about pizza in the city is that it is generally, pretty cheap. You can, in most places, get a beer and a pizza for under β¬10!
The Best Pizza Places in Naples
This list is not exhaustive and is obviously based on my personal experience, but I promise you, you can’t go wrong with any pizzeria on this list.
Pizzeria da Michele
This is one of the oldest pizzerias in Naples, founded in 1870. It is extremely popular, primarily with tourists, perhaps due to a famous Julia Roberts scene set here in Eat, Prey, Love. Be prepared to wait a while, and definitely make sure you have a number before waiting. Once you’re inside though, service is quick and efficient. The decor is pretty nondescript, but once you taste the pizza, you realise exactly why this place is so renowned. It’s not the best in the city, but my god it’s good. Light, chewy, and with the best ingredients, it is a perfect introduction to traditional Neapolitan pizza.
Gino e Toto Sorbillo
Sorbillo – incredible pizza but very touristy. You’ve probably heard of this one without knowing it – they recently hit the headlines whilst advocating for putting pizza on pineapple! A bit of a no-no for Neapolitan pizza purists. You might have to wait a long time here, but take a number, enjoy a cheap portable drink from the kiosk opposite and enjoy the plenty of people-watching opportunities on this busy street.
Di Matteo
One of my personal favourites. Di Matteo is highly recommended by multiple Neapolitans and doesn’t disappoint if you want the authentic Naples experience. The pizza is good, the wine is cheap, the service is functional – the perfect Neapolitan pizzeria.
Pizzeria & Trattoria Al 22
Another highly recommended place by Neapolitan friends. Fantastic marinara sauce here, and good choice of pizza. I also really enjoyed the fried goods on offer – the fiori di zuccha (fried courgette flowers) were divine.
Da Attilio
Situated next door to Al 22, on the bustling Via Pignasecca, Da Attilio is arguably the better of the two pizzerias. This is a true classic pizzeria and is regularly on the best pizza lists.
Pizzeria Salvo
I potentially ate the best pizza I’ve ever had in Naples. Located on the upscale Riviera, close to the sea, the restaurant is more up-market than the rest of the places on the list, yet white tablecloths and smart waiters don’t detract from the quality of the pizza. Sure, the price is a little higher than some other pizzerias, but we’re talking β¬8 instead of β¬6 for a margherita. The pizza, Margherita del Vesuvio, was incredible. The dough was soft and light with a slight chew, and the toppings: tomatoes grown on the side of Vesuvius and soft, creamy buffalo mozzarella – it doesn’t get much better.
The Best Sweet Treats in Naples
There is so much more to food in Naples than pizza. I couldn’t begin to list all the delicious sweet treats on offer, but here is a short list of some pasticcerias where you can discover them for yourself!
Sfogliatelle Attanasio
One of the most famous Neapolitan treats is a sfogliatelle – a lobster tail-shaped pastry made up of many paper-thin buttery layers and filled with ricotta and lemon zest. It is best served warm, and although you can find them all over the city, Sfogliatelle Attanasio is somewhat of an institution. They have been making and selling sfogliatelle in their bakery since 1930, and every time I’ve been there I’ve found a line of eagerly waiting customers waiting, some enticed by the sweet smells drifting out of the doors. Attanasio sells other pastries, but absolutely come here for the warm, crunchy sfogliatelle to get the authentic taste of sweet Naples.
Pasticceria Poppella
Home of the fiocchi di neve (translates to snowflake), this light-as-air, soft creamy bun is a relative newcomer on the Naples pastry scene. It was created by Pasticceria Poppella around 10 years ago and has been their best-selling pastry ever since. The fiocchi de neve are featherlight, small, sweet brioche, filled with a super airy and smooth cream. They are sweet, but not too much, and my absolute favourite sweet thing to eat in Naples, and maybe Italy. These are a must-see!
Scaturchio
A more traditional pasticceria but with some of the best quality pastries and deserts in the city. There are so many good things here it’s hard to pick out a favourite, but a few highlights are; a cornetto (an Italian croissant made with margarine instead of butter), a rum baba (originally from France but also synonymous with Campania), and a Minesteriali, a dark chocolate coin, filled with liqueur and cream, created at Scaturchio. My top tip is to head to the train station branch before travelling for next-level train snacks.
Bonus – PIZZA DAY TRIP
If you’re travelling for food, as I often am, then I would heartily recommend a day trip outside of Naples to nearby Caserta. A beautiful town with a lovely palace and huge gardens, but more importantly, it has the best pizzeria in the world. I Masanielli has been voted the Best Pizzeria in the World for two years running and is definitely worth taking the short trip outside of Naples. I Masanielli is in an unassuming location, and definitely not your traditional pizzeria. Inside is dark, and modern and boasts innovative pizza toppings on incredibly soft, yet chewy dough.
Their 7 types of onion pizza was incredible and like nothing I’d eaten before. It was hands down my favourite non-traditional pizza, and I would eat it again and again if I could. Booking is essential here to avoid disappointment as it, understandably, gets very busy.
Your Turn
If you managed to get through this post without getting hungry or booking a trip to Naples, then you’re a better person than I am! I think it’s obvious by now that Naples has a special place in my heart, but I hope I have inspired you to go out and explore this amazing city, sample all of its delights, and create the best pizza list of your own.
If you’re looking for more travel inspiration, try my guide on what to eat in Strasbourg.
Everything looks amazing. Thanks for sharing! π
The food is so good, I often catch myself daydreaming about it! Thanks for reading!