With its gritty mural-lined alleyways and delicious street food Naples can be compared to the lower east side of New York. Here’s a list of must try foods that I think define the city of Naples.
Pizza
Neapolitan Margherita Pizza
I was ecstatic at how much I enjoyed the simplicity of the Neapolitan margherita pizza as a self-proclaimed pizza connoisseur who loves everything from New York style pepperoni to more complex combos like sopressata, jalapeno, and burnt honey. The thin crust is topped with sauce made from the infamous San Marzano or Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio tomatoes grown nearby in the Campania region where Naples resides. Then delicious hunks of Mozzarella di Bufala Campana cheese are hand torn and laid across the top followed by basil and finished with a drizzle of olive oil topping this perfectly balanced pizza. The pizza is cooked in a wood fire oven that gets up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit for a whopping 90 seconds which makes them very hard to recreate at home.
The pizzas seem large for one person but very thin so have faith you will finish it in one setting. The sauce is watery due to their use of fresh tomatoes so be prepared to either roll it up like a crepe or eat it with a knife and fork which is 100 percent acceptable in Naples. Picky eaters and foodies alike can enjoy the delicious simplicity of the high-quality ingredients of this heavenly meal.
Places to try: L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele and Pizzeria Brandi
Pastries
Fiocco di Neve
Creme filled brioche sprinkled with powdered sugar makes this my personal favorite of the Neapolitan pastries. The name means snowflake in English due to the dusting of powdered sugar on top. (I can’t decide if I like the traditional or chocolate best so try both!)
Places to try: Pasticceria Poppella is near Umberto I Galleria so you can stop by for the next pastry recommendation and choose your favorite!
Sfogliatella
Grab one of these flakey, crispy, orange ricotta filled pastries signature to Naples.
Places to try: La Sfogliatella Mary is located in the Umberto I Galleria which should be on your list of things to visit anyway! You can snap a pic of the pastry in the beautiful domed for your social media.
Street Snacks
Frittatina
It’s fried pasta. Yes, you read correctly, FRIED PASTA. Usually, a pasta like bucatini in a creamy bechamel sauce with peas and pancetta fried in a light batter. It is the ultimate indulgence small enough to be a sharable snack. My favorite street food that I daydream about regularly.
Places to try: Sorbillo Piccolina – Gino e Toto or Antica Pizzeria Di Matteo or Pizzeria Concettina Ai Tre Santi
Pizze Fritte
Fried pizza, need I saw more? Similar to a calzone but in a much thinner shell and not as densely filled so it makes a great snack while walking around the city.
Places to try: Pizzeria Tutino, Sorbillo Piccolina – Gino e Toto, or Pizza Fritta da Fernanda.
Cuopo
Cuopo is quite simply a paper cone full of fried things (mostly seafood) that can be enjoyed on the run. You will find many friggatoris on the street filling their cones with fried cod, shrimp, calamari, zucchini, squash blossom, eggplant, potato croquette, aranchini (rice balls), and even anchovies.
Place to try: Passione di Sofi
Tiralli
Ring shaped crackers similar to a breadstick found everywhere in bakeries and if you are lucky they will show up as an apertivo alongside your spritz. They come in a variety of flavors from sweet to savory, and I prefer the spicier calabrese version. I think they would be a great addition to a charcuterie board.
Gelato
With its slow churn process at a higher temperature, gelato has a more intense flavor and denser texture than ice cream. My favorite flavor is the nocciola which is a light hazelnut and cream flavor similar to but as overpowering as Nutella. I also love pistaccio and for those who want to feel like a kid again try Stracciatella which is a fancy name for vanilla with chocolate chip shavings.
Places to try: Mennella Il Gelato which has several locations in Naples.
Pasta
Pasta Alla Genovese
If you are tired of pizza, try this stewed meat (usually beef or veal) and onions over a tube pasta like candele. Fans of traditional stew will find this one is kicked up a notch with its rustic while luxurious caramelized flavored sauce served over perfectly al dente pasta. It is not something I thought I would enjoy but it was one of my favorite meals of the trip.
Place to try: Pizzeria Concettina Ai Tre Santi or on your way back down Mount Vesuvius at Ristorante Vesum with a fantastic view.
Spaghetti Alle Vongole
Italian for spaghetti with clams is a dish that lets the fresh seafood shine with a briny sauce of olive oil, white wine, garlic, and tomatoes.
Drinks
Spritz
You will see spritzes on the menu EVERYWHERE. The most common is an Aperol spritz made of Aperol, Prosecco, and a splash of sparkling water. Aperol has a bitter and sweet taste with flavors of orange, rhubarb, and herbs. It is not for everyone but worth a try. If you want something a little sweeter try the lemon spritz made with limoncello or a peach bellini.
Coffee
Espresso is serious business in all of Italy and you can see it everywhere. Most people start their day with an espresso that is rich and thick. I preferred a cappuccino along with my breakfast, as tradition has it in Italy – no cappuccinos after noon. If you want something more along the lines of dessert, try a nocciola which is espresso with hazelnut cream. Also, the price to enjoy your coffee standing at the bar is a fraction of what you will pay to sit at a table with service so take your pick.
Wine
One of my favorite things about traveling is trying the regional wine. When in Naples look for wine from the Campania region which should be on the label. For a nice dry, full-bodied red try an Aglianico which is grown in the volcanic soil with tasting notes of pepper, leather, and dark stone fruit on the more tannic side. It pairs well with pasta alla Genovese, ragu, or other meat dish. For white try Falanghina which is a dry, light-bodied wine with a nice acidity and tasting notes of citrus, peach, honey, and almond perfect with seafood.
Tip: Service is usually included in the coperto and additional tip is not expected but appreciated.