Naples is home to a rich repertoire of sweet treats. Many of Italy’s most celebrated desserts hail from this city and the Campania region. Their popularity has made them readily available worldwide, but nothing compares to tasting a Neapolitan pastry in its birthplace. And in a city where food is both an art form and an expression of love, one needn’t venture too far to sample them.
But with so many pastry shops to choose from, deciding where to taste these confectionery delights can seem like a daunting chore. Fortunately, this guide can help narrow down the list, making it easier to navigate the labyrinth of options in and around Naples. All you’ll need to do is show up with an empty stomach and prepare yourself for an indulgent experience. For a refresher on what Neapolitan pastries to look out for, read this guide. Or, keep scrolling to find out where to enjoy them in the city. Buon viaggio e buon appetito!
Gran Caffè Gambrinus
A visit to Naples isn’t complete without a stop at Gran Caffè Gambrinus. Located in Piazza del Plebiscito, this historic café dates back to 1860. Boasting an opulent ambience and delectable treats, it’s no wonder Italian Presidents have long made this a mainstay on their agendas when visiting the city. The experience of enjoying coffee at Gambrinus will certainly change your perspective next time you’re at your local coffee shop. And the offerings at Gambrinus go beyond the ordinary, having made the news in 2019 for creating the world’s biggest pastiera for Easter. The dessert weighed in at over 300 pounds and more than six feet in diameter!
See more: 10 Secrets of Italian Coffee Culture and 9 Gifts for Italian Coffee Lovers
Scaturchio
For generations, Scaturchio has been a magnet for Neapolitans and visitors alike. Thanks to its popularity, this iconic pastry shop now boasts numerous locations in the centro storico, including its flagship location at Piazza San Domenico Maggiore. Having even earned the praise of Lidia Bastianich, this is a must-visit! Here one will find the most commonly-known classics, in addition to ones lesser known outside of Campania. An example is the Santa Rosa, a reimagined version of la sfogliatella riccia. It includes the addition of almond paste in its flour mixture and is garnished with custard and amarene cherries. To say that it’s decadent would be an understatement!
Chalet Ciro
Ask Neapolitans where to find some of the city’s best graffe and an overwhelming majority will suggest Chalet Ciro. With a seafront location in the Mergellina district and another inside Napoli Centrale train station, it couldn’t be easier to pay a visit. Despite the small stature of both locations, they offer a vast selection of sweets, including their notoriously large graffe. A great snack, this quintessential Neapolitan donut gets its light and fluffy texture from the addition of mashed potatoes to its dough. And while these can be eaten plain, the folks at Chalet Ciro offer added decadence with toppings like custard and chocolate. But the creativity doesn’t end there; they also offer a graffe cone, which acts as the perfect vessel to serve refreshing gelato on those hot summer days.
See more: Where To Find The Best Pizza In Naples
Pasticceria Poppella
Dating back to 1920, Pasticceria Poppella is a brand steeped in Neapolitan culinary history. Yet, in spite of this, most associate the name with modern innovation. This is thanks to pastry chef Ciro Poppella who took a risk in the early 2000s and gifted the world with a new creation: his fiocco di neve (snowflake). Essentially a bite-sized brioche stuffed with a creamy ricotta mixture and dusted with powdered sugar, these have been a hit ever since their inception! You’ll also find them with chocolate and pistacchio cream. Drawing in crowds from across the city, this pasticceria now boasts many locations in Naples. And though you’re sure to devour plenty of the fiocco di neve when visiting the shop, be sure to sample some of their other treats, including their babà; a recipient of countless rave reviews!
Antico Forno Attanasio
Steps from Napoli Centrale train station is a small, yet mighty, shop famous for its sfogliatelle since 1930. Many argue that this low-key spot serves the best ones in town and their waiting lines are a clear indication of this conviction. Whether opting for the frolla or riccia versions, people flock here to get a taste of them warm and fresh out of the oven. It’s not uncommon to see locals and tourists walking the streets of the centro storico with an Attanasio bag in hand. And for a culinary souvenir, be sure to pick up their preserved babà al rum. Sure to last long after you depart Napoli, these jars encapsulate the flavors of this beautiful city.
See more: How To Spend A Weekend In Naples
Pasticceria Vincenzo Bellavia
Both Naples and Sicily boast a treasured collection of sweet treats. Pasticceria Vincenzo Bellavia blends the two traditions, thanks to its Sicilian roots. Leaving behind his native Palermo in 1925, Antonio Bellavia brought the flavors and fragrances of his hometown to Naples. His influence remains strong through the pasticceria’s famed cannoli and cassata. However, this pastry shop is equally proud to be Neapolitan, serving classics like torta babà and taralli “sugna e pepe”. Today, it has several locations across the city, with one located inside Naples Capodichino Airport, making it perfect for visitors to get one final sugar fix before leaving the city!
And a few pastry shops near Naples…
Gran Caffè Napoli 1850 (Castellamare di Stabia)
For those braving the road between Naples and the Amalfi Coast, consider stopping in Castellammare di Stabia. Just a short drive from Pompeii but located off the tourist trail, this seaside town is home to Gran Caffè Napoli 1850. Having won various awards, it’s undoubtedly a great spot to recharge with coffee and dessert. With its cosmopolitan atmosphere and an ample choice of sweet treats, the only pitfall of this place is figuring out what to order. From Neapolitan classics like sfogliatelle and babà, to Sicilian cannoli and Roman maritozzi, they have it all. If visiting during the hot summer months, consider ordering a refreshing cappuccino freddo!
Pasticceria Pansa (Amalfi)
Exuding old world charm, Pasticceria Pansa is a must-visit on the Amalfi Coast. In the heart of it all, this elegant pastry shop offers patrons the opportunity to absorb the town’s beauty while enjoying a vast selection of sweets. Whether it’s a simple cornetto filled with pistachio cream for breakfast or their delizia al limone, there’s no right or wrong choice here. Equally delicious (and popular) choices include their rum-soaked babà and pasticciotto atranese. For those unfamiliar with the latter of the two, it’s a miniature pastry pie filled with custard and amarene cherries. A popular choice on the coast, its name denotes a connection to the nearby town of Atrani. With a convenient location, there’s no doubt you’ll make more than one visit to this place during your stay in Amalfi.
Pasticceria Sal De Riso (Minori, Amalfi Coast)
In the picturesque town of Minori, a sugar shrine bears the name of its world-renowned founder. The winner of countless awards, Sal De Riso is best known for having perfected the Amalfi Coast’s most iconic dessert: delizia al limone. This treat, along with their lemon torta caprese and lemon profiteroles, are made using the area’s highly coveted lemons. Resembling an art gallery of pastries, this place boasts an impressive selection of classic and innovative creations. For those visiting during the Easter season, be sure to try their colomba, a dove-shaped cake that is the season’s equivalent to a Christmas panettone. Available in multiple flavors — like caramel or apricot and amaretto — we love the citrus versions. Meanwhile, if you want to bring home the aromas of a visit to Pasticceria Sal De Riso, be sure to purchase from their fragrance collection; both for personal wear and room diffusing.
