Have you ever taken a bite into the soft and squishy crust of a greatly prepared pizza Napoletana…its heavenly!! This soft feel is perfectly matched with a variety of flavours, fresh olive oil and your preferred vegetable. Welcome to Naples!
There are a lot of exciting things to do in Naples, you could visit the Herculaneum, explore the Amalfi Coast or simply view the city’s finest attractions via a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus, but nothing comes close to having a taste of the best pizzerias in Napoli.
It’s always been my desire to take a ‘strict’ pizza tour around my city, and I’ve finally achieved it. During this tour, I took the liberty to visit many of the pizza shops. Rather than getting tired, I craved for more pizza by every passing day.
Officially, you can identify good pizza shops by the Pizza vera signs – issued by the AVPN – above the restaurant doors. Unofficially, you can identify the best by the number of Neapolitans willing to wait outside. Let’s save you the stress and walk you through the five best pizzerias in Naples and indeed, the best pizzas in Italy.
First off, let’s get a slight background of where it all started and how far it’s gone.
History and background
Flatbreads had existed long before the 1700s but were never topped with tomatoes until the 16th century. Today, the traditional Neapolitan pizza which mirrored the Italian flag: red [tomatoes] white [mozzarella] and green [basil leaves] was first made by Baker Raffaele Esposito when King Umberto I and Queen Margherita visited the city in 1889.
Over the years, the number of pizzerias in the city has tremendously increased. Of the 800 (approximately) pizza shops in Naples, just about 12% of them are certified by the Association Verac Pizza Neapolitan (AVPN). The Italian city’s pizza-making skills have even been recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
It’s time to take a peek into this Cultural Heritage.
Where to find the best pizzas in Naples?
Pizzeria Sorbillo
Sorbillo has become famous for its massive pizzas from organic campaign produce. Getting into its main sitting area can take nearly 2 hours during each lunch and dinner shift. As a result, many of the locals grab little snacks from the marble Aquafrensco Kiosk next door.
Established in 1935, the Sorbillo brothers continue to satisfy their patrons with locally sourced ingredients, making it a highly rated pizza shop by most locals. Personally, I fancy its size and general feel.
Pizzeria Da Pellone
This pizza shop is only a little distance away from the train station. Despite its being away from the Centro Storico where the most famous pizzerias in Naples are found, it’s one of the best. Their pizzas are traditionally huge, with fresh ingredients and sold at relatively cheap prices. The crowd is much less during lunchtime and at 7pm.
Da Pellone is famously known for its pizza fritta. The fried pizza is a Neapolitan street food loved by most locals. It is made locally by sealing the toppings between the two layers of pizza dough and frying thoroughly. The final product is really crispy lovely to chew.
Antica Pizzeria Da Michele
I never regretted my decision to visit Da Michele against all odds (I had over 30 people ahead of me in my first two attempts). The restaurant is arguably the most popular in the country; hence, numbers are distributed outside to regulate the flow of patrons. No reservations are accepted and only two kinds of flavours are served, Margherita and marinara.
Since its birth in 1870, the Condurros have satisfied the cravings of their patrons and today is considered one of the best pizza shops in Italy by many locals and tourists alike. And I tend to agree.
50 Kalò
This pizza place is known for its modern, calm and controlled look. It provides a glorious blend of tradition and innovation. Their menu offers classic pizzas and a true “balance of cheese and acidity”. Some locals describe it as a doughy version of Neapolitan pizza.
Ciro Oliva – Concettina ai tre santi
I’ve always yearned to visit this pizza shop. It is located in the lively and energetic district of Sanita. Their menu offers creative pizzas and a host of fried specialities.
The family of Oliva who has run this pizzeria for the past 60 years serves its patrons with dynamic recipes without forfeiting its traditional roots.
If I were to describe my pizza tour around Naples in just a sentence, I’ll say: “Naples is a city close to my stomach”. It offers the best of pizzas in Italy, and most likely, better than any in your home town.
Getting a chance to share my pizza meals with tourists from around the world was also a great idea. What more can I say, a plan to visit the city will hardly be regretted.
Once again, welcome to Naples!
Jump around 