The Ten Best Pizzerias in Naples, by Simona Piccinelli, our Italy Specialist

This year, I decided to celebrate the New Year with some amici in Naples, and I bet them that we would discover the best pizzeria in Naples by eating nothing but pizza for our entire five-day stay. I won the bet (thanks to Sant’Antonio Abate, the patron saint of bakers?), although I might have put on a few extra kilos 🙂 New Year’s Eve was the only day when almost all pizzerias are closed. So we welcomed the New Year in the beautiful Piazza Plebiscito and Castel dell Ovo, watching spectacular fireworks after a delicious seafood dinner.

Pizza baked in wood burning oven

Some notes from our Pizza Tour of Naples:
La Vera Pizza (Neapolitan Pizza Association ) of Naples has a few basic golden rules:
– it can only be cooked in wood-burning brick ovens

– the crust has to be soft and light; that’s why the dough is made the day before it’s used, allowing the yeast to rise for at least 10/15 hours

– the pizzaiolo (pizza maker) must be a real maestro, the dough stretching technique is essential, and you need at least 2/3 years of apprenticeship to become a pizzaiolo

We visited many, many many pizzerias, and now we can list our definitive ten best pizzas in Naples :

1. Da Michele

Via Cesare Sersale, 1, 80139, Napoli
Tel +39 081 553 9204.
www.damichele.net

Let’s start with what some people may consider the inconveniences- the restaurant is rustic, to say the least (almost spartan and very much “no frills”), no reservations are accepted, you always have to wait in line (we had 40 people before us!!) and they serve only 2 kinds of pizza. Nothing but the pizza Margherita and pizza marinara here, using only fiordilatte cow´s milk and sweet, tantalizing San Marzano tomatoes. So why do we recommend this place? Because this is the best pizza in Naples in our opinion!!! Since 1870 the Condurros have been making pizzas for their hungry patrons, from  tourists to local Napoletani to VIPs (they are particularly  proud they had the famous soccer player Maradona as an approving diner!)

Da Michele Pizzeria

Image courtesy of Da Michele Pizzeria


2. Il Pizzaiolo del Presidente

Via Tribunali, 120/121
Tel. +39 081 296 710
www.dalpresidentepizzeria.it

Right in the heart of Spaccanapoli, the historic center of Naples, Signore Ernesto Cacialli welcomed us here with a huge smile. Pizzaiolo since the time he was 7 (!!!), Ernesto invited former US president Bill Clinton – who was in Naples for G8 – to taste his creations (back in 1994). Since then, his pizzeria  (the “president´s” pizzeria) was re-named in his honor. Buono!

Il Pizzaiolo del Presidente


3. Brandi

Salita S.Anna di Palazzo, 1- 2 (angolo via Chiaia)
Tel +39 081 416 928
www.brandi.it

Close to the elegant Chiaia neighborhood and to Piazza Plebiscito, this is where the mythical “pizza Margherita” was invented. Although pizzas have apparently been around in one form or another since Ancient Roman times, Raffaele Esposito is credited with creating the Margherita. He worked at this very pizzeria (established in 1780), and in 1889 he was asked to bake three different kinds of pizza for the royal visit of King Umberto I and Queen Margherita of Savoy. The Queen’s favorite was a pizza with the Italian flag colors: basil leaves for green, mozzarella for white, and tomatoes for red. Named Pizza Margherita in her honor, this is how this pizza is still universally known. Brandi is one of the more elegant and atmospheric pizzerias and offers many traditional Napoletano side dishes as well. While Italians tend to drink beer with pizza, they offer some nice Falanghina white wines and Aglianico-based reds here as well.

Brandi Pizzeria


4. Di Matteo

Via dei Tribunali, 94, 80138 Napoli
Tel +39 081 455 262
www.pizzeriadimatteo.com

Founded in 1936 by Salvatore Di Matteo, the pizzeria was then managed by the “scugnizzi pizzaioli” (street urchin pizzaioli kids, usually poor, going to school only when they had to and spending a lot of time hanging out in the narrow streets of Naples) that used to work for him.  Today, it is run by Raffaele Marigliano, who 50 years ago created an amazing pizza con alici e cicinielli (anchovies and newborn very, very little fish, not produced anymore). Here you cannot miss the pizza fritta, a deep-fried pizza with ricotta cheese, provola cheese, tomato sauce, and sugna (lard). Heaven on earth!

Pizzeria di Matteo

 


5. Pizzeria Trianon da Ciro

Via P. Colletta, 44/46 80139 Napoli
Tel: +39 081 553 9426
www.pizzeriatrianon.it.

Established in 1923, this is a BIG  pizzeria with three floors. Here you can find exquisite (made fresh daily) buffalo milk mozzarella as a topping and the full range of pizza toppings you normally expect. They have 29 on their list, and their specialty is salsiccia (Italian sausage) and friarielli (a kind of sprouting broccoli that grows only in the countryside around Naples, see photo below). Recommended.

Friarielli
Friarielli (sprouting broccoli)


6. Sorbillo

via Tribunali, 32
Tel. +39 081 1933 1280
www.sorbillo.it.

This is another pizza “temple” in the “centro storico” of Naples; run today by Geno Sorbillo, a member of the 3rd generation pizza-making family. Sorbillo can also deliver to your home or hotel (in the historic center of Naples), and you can order online.

Pizzeria Sorbillo


7. Da Ettore

Via Gennaro Serra 39, Napoli
Tel +39 081 764 3578

Right on the seafront, facing the pretty Castel dell’Ovo marina/fortress on the elegant Santa Lucia boulevard (where politicians, actors, and tourists frequent) the pizza here is truly excellent.  But apart from pizza, they also excel in the “frittura all’italiana”, a sinfully delicious mix of deep-fried aubergines (eggplant), zucchini, mozzarella, arancini (rice croquettes), cauliflower, potato croquettes, zeppulelle con alghe (salty doughnut-like fried thingie with seaweed).

Arancini (stuffed rice balls)
Arancini (stuffed rice balls)


8. Lombardi 1892

via Foria, 12/14
Tel +39 081 456 220
www.pizzerialombardi.it

Close to the FABULOUS archeological museum of Naples (with its fascinating Erotic room of Pompeii mosaics, and the Farnese collection), Pizzeria Lombardi was founded in the turn of the century by Enrico Lombardi who sold pizza in Brazil before setting up his pizzeria in Naples. Nowadays, it is run by his grandsons, Nando and Gigi. They also offer a variety of simple, perfectly executed dishes, but the pizza is what you come for. Their specialty is pizza with smoked provola cheese. yummmmmmmmm.

Pizzeria Lombardi 1892


9. Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba

Via Port’Alba, 18
Tel +39 081 459 713

This is the oldest pizzeria in Naples and Italy. Founded in 1738 as a seller of street food, it became a real pizzeria in 1830. Vincenzo Luciano is the 5th generation to run the business.

Antica Pizzeria Port Alba


10. La Notizia

Via Michelangelo da Caravaggio, 53
Tel +39 081 714 2155
www.pizzarialanotizia.com

Named after the movie (the owner Enzo Coccia loves “Citizen Kane”), this pizzeria only opens for dinners, allowing the yeast to create the perfect dough. A real treat is the pizza bianca – without tomatoes – with scarola salad, aubergines (eggplant), and provola cheese. It is not located in a touristy neighborhood, but it is absolutely worth going to the upper part of the town to reach it. Authentic Napoli.

Pizzeria La Notizia

 

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72 thoughts on “The Ten Best Pizzerias in Naples, Italy- possibly the best pizza in the world

  1. Pizza a domicilio says:

    Questo post ha cambiato il mio modo di vedere la pizza :) Pizza = Gold :)
  2. Laura says:

    Can't wait to go back to Naples and try these places!!! When I'm not in Naples Italy, I eat at Rosedale Brick Oven Pizzeria (http://www.RosedalePizza.com) in Naples, FLORIDA! It is just like I remember having it in Naples Italy! I'm lucky to have them all within a 30 minute drive of my house!!! LOVE THEM!
  3. yehia says:

    Quiero una receta de masa y salsa para mi pizzeria en golfito costa rica
  4. Neapolitan-Style Pizza with Whole Wheat Crust | Landon Gilfillan says:

    [...] you would know that it is considered the home of the original pizza, and quite possibly is the best pizza in the world!  And trust me when I say, you will NEVER eat anything like it EVER [...]
  5. Agostino Vitiello says:

    Thank so much, I visit the Naples .When eating the pizza at there i feel that pizza is so delicious and tasty,Thanks for giving such information.
  6. Phil Forus says:

    recently been to BRANDI - quite ok but nothing exceptionally special....
  7. Dean Medico says:

    I've been to a few of these places in Napoli, they're always an experience. For an equally satisfying experience, http:/pizzaluca.com is a mobile truck doing authentic pizza Napoletana in the NY metro area. Incredible!!!
  8. Davide says:

    The next best thing to Naples,when in the Boston area, is Charcoal Guido's in Waltham, Ma.... the best Neapolitan pizza... imported Italian wood fired oven...check it out if you are in Boston.
  9. Daryk says:

    "Mater Dei" in the Sanita', old part of Naples. Here is where any dispute on the best pizza terminates.
  10. Christmas Holidays Trip: Napoli (Naples) | passionforagriculture says:

    [...] ahead of time and cross-referenced lists of where the best pizza is located. We settled on a top ten list and decided to try to get to the top few, then we really couldn’t go wrong with any of the [...]
  11. Sophia says:

    LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE PIZAAAAAA!!! PIZZA=HAPPINESS IN ME!!!
  12. Antonio Cosentino says:

    Any real Italian knows the one true spot of the best pizza in the world. Just outside of Salerno, "La Pizzeria dei Dei" or Pizzeria of the Gods, and it truly is. The difference: Mozzarella di Bufala made that morning. in my opinion, this pizzeria is even better than these other truly amazing pizzeria napoletane. Ciao!
  13. David says:

    To visit Naples Italy museums you need to preserve ticket at least one day from the actual tour date. The museum is open from Wednesday to Monday from 9:00 Am to 8:00 Pm.
  14. » The pizza in Napoli Nickel by Nickel says:

    […] Best pizza? Handsdown Sorbillo’s, Di Matteo’s was good too, but Sorbillo’s beat it. It turns out there’s two Sorbillo’s, one copycat, the restaurant also opens later in the evening and be prepared for a little bit of a wait on the street. It’s worth it. (check this summary of pizza places) […]
  15. silvio says:

    hi i want tell you that nice website than you con to use for see the time ferry timetable to Naples http://www.navietraghetti.com bie bie….
  16. Man In Ranks » Blog Archive » Neopolis, Nettuno, 007 & Nordic Raiders says:

    […] In Naples (named Neopolis by the Greeks), one refers to the Greek streets, the Norman protectors and the Bourbon kings all of whom cultivated this culture long before it became part of modern Italy. Then there is Vesuvius, Herculaneum, Capri and Amalfi. I had this notion that they’ve seen most of it already and experienced the rest. A generation here or a government there or an inevitable looming crisis of some fashion will be outlasted. I still can’t get over the sight of lemons the size of large grapefruits or small American footballs. I am cross with the Neopolitans now that I know what is the texture and which are the proper flavors of genuine pizza. […]
  17. Naples and Why You Need to Visit It | Bessie Knows Best says:

    […] the region that you’re visiting and Naples has the spirit of the south when it comes to food. The pizza in Naples is probably the best in the country. Pizza in Naples has almost been elevated to high art and most […]
  18. mobile website says:

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  19. George says:

    Visit to Naples Pizzeria da Mario e Figli The true Neapolitan pizza visit the site here http://www.hot-news.it/portal/pizza-doc-a-napoli-pizzeria-da-mario
  20. Our trip to Napoli! | Marina's Bloggariffic says:

    […] the hotel to get some dinner. We were adviced by the helpful receptionist downstairs to go to the Pizzeria da Michele, which according to her is a very famous […]
  21. weekend brunch: roasted eggplant, pesto & bocconcini panini - Scrummy Lane says:

    […] one! Now I don’t remember exactly which restaurant I visited, but there’s a great list here for anyone likely to head that way anytime […]
  22. Pizza Restaurants in Ras al-Khaimah says:

    Yummy and delicious pizzas...So nice of you that you have shared really good information about eating pizza.

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