I’ve had many transcendental food experiences during my time in Italy, but nothing compares to biting into a true Neapolitan pizza for the first time. After all, this is the city that invented pizza — and where pizza-making is considered a true art form. In fact, the tradition of Neapolitan pizzaioli has even been recognized on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. Authentic Neapolitan pizza follows a few strict traditions: a soft, airy crust, simple ingredients and a blistering hot wood-fired oven.
The city captured both my heart and my stomach from my very first visit. Over the years I’ve returned again and again, dutifully eating my way through its legendary pizzerias — in the name of research, of course. If you’re planning a trip, you might also enjoy my Naples Food Guide and this list of the best boutique hotels in Naples.
Without further ado, here’s where to find the best pizza in Naples.
1. Sorbillo
Sorbillo is arguably Naples’ most popular pizzeria and a long line begins to form an hour before opening for each lunch and dinner shift. The pizza here is very, very good and Gino Sorbillo himself is worth the hype. I loved this wonderful feature in Eater that highlights how Sorbillo almost single-handedly created the Neapolitan pizza culture as we see it today. He helped revitalize the maligned centro storico through his establishment, and I’ve heard he’s a wonderful person, so I’m all in for supporting him and his pizzas.
The pizzas are famously oversized with a soft, slightly soupy center — classic Neapolitan style — but the flavor is excellent. If you only have 24 hours in Naples, I wouldn’t recommend spending half the day in line. Opt for Sorbillo Lievito a Madre down by the waterfront instead.
2. Concettina ai Tre Santi
I love Rione Sanità, a blue-collar neighborhood in north Naples with a strong local identity, incredible architecture and delicious food. So I’m always happy to dine at Concettina ai Tre Santi and have a chance to wander around the neighborhood. Many locals consider Concettina to be serving some of the best pizza in Naples right now. This 4th generation family-owned pizzeria is helmed by Ciro, a young and ambitious pizzaiolo who keeps reinventing himself. Concettina now offers a pizza tasting menu and wine pairing — one of the few establishments in Napoli to do so.
3. Starita
Just nearby in the Materdei neighborhood is Starita, my other go-to pizzeria. The pizzeria is famous for being the setting of L’Oro di Napoli starring Sofia Loren and for its 100 year old history. Starita first opened in 1901 as a wine bar and then began serving local foods and today is well known for its Neapolitan pizzas and fried variations. Starita also has locations in Milan, Torino and New York, though I’d wager the Neapolitan branch is the best.
Starita serves one of the most classic examples of Neapolitan pizza in the city, and I love ordering the marinara here — which comes slathered in tomato sauce and topped with extra cherry tomatoes. Be sure to save room for dessert. The angioletti alla Nutella (fried dough drizzled with chocolate) is one of the most indulgent desserts you’ll find in Naples.
Unlike most other pizzerias, Starita is open on Sundays (closed Mondays).
4. Gino Sorbillo Lievito Madre al Mare
This restaurant is surprisingly much less crowded than the flagship pizzeria but it still makes a pretty good pie (as well as an excellent gluten-free version!). It’s not quite as good as the original Sorbillo but it’s a good second option if you need the name value and the wonderful location on the waterfront earns it its place on this list. There’s indoor and outdoor seating meaning you can enjoy a view of the waterfront and take a stroll after your meal. And although you’re supposed to pair pizza with beer (Italians love the carb-on-carb combo), the white Falanghina del Sannio is a truly delicious wine to accompany your meal!
5. Da Michele
Alongside Sorbillo, Da Michele is ultra famous in Naples for its inexpensive pizzas and for being featured in Eat, Pray, Love. It actually took me a while to get to this pizzeria because I was never in the mood to wait in a long line and I still probably wouldn’t recommend it over others. Yes, the pizza is excellent and the atmosphere is traditional (verging on austere, but it’s a very classic blue collar place). And no, you can’t beat €6 for a margherita. But the experience feels rushed, and you’re usually seated family style with strangers.
6. Di Matteo
Di Matteo was the first pizzeria I fell in love with in Naples. Located alongside dozens of pizzerias along Via dei Tribunali, it’s central, quick and cheap. Di Matteo has an excellent friggitoria out front with delectable fried treats you can enjoy while you wait. Order potato-filled crocchè, fried eggplants and arancini before biting into a perfect pizza margherita.
7. Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba
Pizzeria Port’Alba is one of the oldest pizzerias in the city but for some reason, it’s not talked about to death in guidebooks and blog posts. Maybe because it isn’t a sexy spot, or maybe because the pies are €1-2 more than they should be, but the pizza here is really, really good. It’s also open all day, every day making it a great place to get your pizza fix on Sundays when most good establishments are closed. It’s also the perfect spot to try the city’s famous pizza al portafoglio, a small margherita folded in quarters (resembling a “wallet”) that you can pick up for only €2.50.
8. Palazzo Petrucci Pizzeria
Palazzo Petrucci Pizzeria might be the closest you’ll get to rooftop dining in Naples. Located on a low terrace in Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, it’s one of the few places you can enjoy a classic Neapolitan pizza al fresco with a view. An offshoot of Palazzo Petrucci, a Michelin-starred restaurant in the city’s chic Posillipo neighborhood, this pizzeria is a little more “upscale” than others in the area but you’ll still be rewarded with an authentic Neapolitan experience – and a delicious pizza. It also offers a welcome respite from the buzz of the city if you’re looking to get away from some of the action. In the evenings, the terrace is illuminated by candlelight, creating a romantic atmosphere.
9. La Figlia del Presidente
La Figlia del Presidente is better known among locals than travelers, which is always a good sign. The pizzeria is owned by Maria Cacialli and is a spinoff of the Pizzeria del Presidente originally owned by her father Ernesto, a master pizzaiolo who famously served Bill Clinton in 1994.
Maria is a classic Neapolitan matron: warm, strong and decisive, skillfully managing a team of all male pizzaioli as she runs her pizzeria alongside her husband Felice Messina. This pizzeria is mainly situated underground but the dining area is spacious and bright so you won’t feel the difference. It’s also well-known for its frittatine di pasta so order one as an appetizer.
10. Da Attilio
One of the cozier pizzerias in Naples, Da Attilio is a third-generation restaurant nestled in the heart of the historic Pignasecca market, sandwiched in between fruit and vegetable stands, tripe shops and homeware stores. It’s a no-frills establishment that is a favorite with locals and well known for its Pizza Carnevale, a star-shaped pie with a stuffed crust filled with ricotta.
11. 50 Kalò
Heading away from the historic center, 50 Kalò is a contemporary pizzeria in the Mergellina district of the city. The well-to-do Neapolitans love it but I wouldn’t recommend a tourist to trek all the way across town for this pizza: it’s very good if you’re already in the neighborhood. 50 Kalò roughly translates to “Good Dough” in Neapolitan dialect and has been highly lauded by food critics and pizza enthusiasts for its wonderful dough, a carefully-researched recipe that uses low-protein flour to ensure high digestibility (an all important aspect of Italian cuisine!).
12. La Notizia
La Notizia is the only pizzeria I haven’t personally tried, but I’ve heard too many wonderful things about it to leave it out. Many Neapolitans consider La Notizia to serve the best pizza in Naples. Helmed by Enzo Coccia, a master pizzamaker, it’s a popular spot, though it is located in a residential neighborhood outside the center so you’ll want to take a cab to dine here. I hope to report back with positive news after my next trip to the city!
