Best Pizza In Naples | 15 Must-Try Pizza Places In Naples

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Naples, Italy, is a pizza city with plenty of locations to eat it and even more reasons to do so. However, if you take your pizza more seriously than others, Naples is the place to be.

Of course, Naples is definitely the city for you regardless, with its fascinating sights and excellent nightlife, but the brilliant mix of dough, tomato, cheese, and basil takes the city to new heights.

The Etruscans invented the idea of putting toppings on flatbreads, but the Neapolitans elevated it to an art form.

The Margherita – that classic, modern pizza topped with cheese and tomato sauce – was invented in Naples in 1889.

It should be no surprise that Naples remains the best place to sample this undisputed culinary classic.

In this guide, I’ll show you where you can find some of the best pizza in Naples. Enjoy!

History Of Pizza in Naples

When you think about it, pizza is simply a type of flatbread with tomato sauce. Flatbread has been an essential element of our nutrition for thousands of years.

Most food historians agree that the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians ate pizza-like foods (flatbread with oils, spices, and other toppings).

However, flatbreads were never topped with tomatoes before the 1700s, which is today a distinguishing feature of pizza. Explorers returning from South America introduced tomatoes to Europe in the 16th century.

Flatbreads prepared from the dough and covered with cheese, olive oil, herbs, and tomatoes became a popular street meal in Naples by the late 18th century. It was largely a dish consumed by Naples’ poorer classes.

The origins of the iconic pizza—Pizza Margherita—are debatable. According to popular folklore, it was developed during the patriotic fervor that followed Italian unification in the late 1800s.

Raffaele Esposito, a Neapolitan pizza maker, was charged with creating pizzas for Margherita of Savoy, the new Italian Queen, on her visit to Naples in 1889.

One of the three pizzas he baked for her included the Italian flag colors of red tomato sauce, white mozzarella cheese, and green basil leaves.

The queen, who had never had pizza before, appreciated it the most, and Esposito christened it “Pizza Margherita” in her honor.

However, subsequent research has called this mythology into question. Regardless of the authenticity of this legend, pizza is inextricably linked to the culinary heritage of Naples.

Naples, as the birthplace of pizza, has its unique pizza style known as Neapolitan Pizza. There are three official Neapolitan pizza varieties:

• Pizza Marinara: Tomato, garlic, oregano, and extra-virgin olive oil on top
• Pizza Margherita: Freshly sliced cow mozzarella, basil, and extra virgin olive oil are sprinkled on top of the tomato.
• Pizza Margherita Extra (or “DOC”): Freshly sliced buffalo mozzarella, basil, and extra virgin olive oil are sprinkled on top of the tomato.

When you bite into your first Neapolitan pizza, there is nothing conventional about it, despite how easy it may seem.

Each bite has the balance of the scorched bread, the comfort of the cheese, the sharpness of the rich tomato sauce, and the aromas of oregano and basil.

My Top 3 Picks of the Best Pizza in Naples

Restaurant	Top Pick	Our Rating
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele	Margarita Pizza	5/5
L’Antica Porta Alba	Margarita con prosciutto	5/5
50 Kalo	Spicy sausage with fresh cheese	5/5

The 15 Best Spots For Pizza in Naples

Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba

Via Port’Alba, 18, 80134 Napoli NA, Italy // +39081459713

If pizza is one of your favorite foods, you must go here; it has the finest pizza in Naples I’ve ever had.

Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba, Naples’ – and probably the world’s – first pizzeria, has been serving pies since 1738 and is still doing well today.

The wallet pizza is served via the window, folded into neat quarters, paper-wrapped, and claims to have been invented by this vintage pizzeria.

The pizzas are brilliantly executed, using simple but beautiful ingredients. The owner, Genaro Luciano, is such a nice guy that he even gave me a little instruction on how to do it.

The dough is aerated for almost two days, which is why it is so flavorful and well-balanced.

I chose the Sapporo de Profumo d’amalfi, which came with tomato sauce, basil, capers, buffalo mozzarella, and yellow cherry tomatoes.

Taking a bite was like having a party in the mouth. This is a must-try!

L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele

Via Cesare Sersale, 1, 80139 Napoli NA, Italy // +390815539204

Pizzeria da Michele is possibly Naples’ most famous pizzeria. Despite being a steady favorite among Neapolitans since 1870, the restaurant finally rose to international prominence in 2010.

In case you didn’t know, Julia Roberts ate at L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele in the film Eat, Pray, Love.

Da Michele always has a long line because of its popularity, so you’ll have to take a number to be seated. Although there are more tourists than in the past, nothing has changed in the neighborhood.

This Naples pizza restaurant is very simple, with two brilliantly lighted rooms on an unassuming side street.

My friend and I ordered the famed Margarita Pizza for dinner; it was amazing! It’s astonishing how they achieve this flavor with only three major ingredients.

I was blown away by the flavor of the tomato and mozzarella. Each of the ingredients can be tasted because they blend so perfectly together.

The dough was incredible, truly out of this world. I’d absolutely return to Naples just for this. I definitely recommend paying this Naples pizza location a visit!

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Gino e Toto Sorbillo

Via dei Tribunali, 32, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy // +39081446643

What comes to mind when you think about Naples? What are the best things to do and see in Naples? When you visit Naples for a weekend break, the culture, sights, and sounds come to life.

But if you like pizza, you already know Gino e Toto Sorbillo is one of the best pizzerias in Naples.

Gino e Toto Sorbillo boasts a magnificent perspective of the city’s historical center, a basic and well-designed environment, and courteous service.

We had the Margarita buffalo, which was delicious. The tomato sauce is fantastic. We even got a pesto pizza. I enjoyed the flavor.

The pizzas are simple, yet they are enchanting. This is a must-see for anybody visiting Naples. I’d even suggest their own beer.

50 Kalò

Piazza Sannazaro, 201/c, 80121 Napoli NA, Italy // +3908119204667

The dough draws people to this modern Naples pizzeria, named one of Italy’s greatest pizza establishments by the New York Times in 2014.

Ciro Salvo is a wood-fired oven expert; his pizza bases are light, puffy, and crisp in all the right places, complemented by premium toppings from Campania producers.

I ordered a prosciutto pizza. Even after cooling, the dough was melted and not chewy. The provola and Parmigiano melded together wonderfully to create a delightful, delicate blend topped with fine layers of prosciutto cotto.

The ingredients were of the highest quality. To top it all off, I got a wonderful photo of myself with the people baking the pizza in the front. Our server was highly attentive and provided excellent customer service. A must-eat pizza in Naples!

Starita

Via Materdei, 27/28, 80136 Napoli NA, Italy // +390815441485

Starita is the only decent pizzeria in town that is open on Sundays, which is when most Neapolitans gather around their nonna’s kitchen table to eat rigatoni al ragù and watch Napoli play football on TV.

Whereas Sorbillo’s pizza is large and sloppy, Starita’s pizza is firmer and has a lovely doughy but airy crust.

This is your traditional Naples pizzeria, with lovely tablecloths, local beers, extensive menu including the traditional pizza made with the correct local ingredients. The pizzas are perfect and will beat most wood-fired pizzas

It was the best pizza Napoletana I’ve ever had. We also ordered Margherita pizza and porcini mushroom truffle pizza, and were absolutely mind-blown. The pizza flavor was so deep it hits all the spots.

Also, their specialty of fried dough balls drenched in warm Nutella is a must-try for dessert; work it off with a stomp around the adjoining underground cemetery. Definitely one of the best options in Naples; give it a try!

Antica Pizzeria Di Matteo

Via Dei Tribunali, 94, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy // +39081455262

Antica Pizzeria Di Matteo, with its large menu, is the ideal spot to lunch before seeing the sites of Naples. Having visited Naples several times, I can assure you that the city has some great eateries.

Antica Pizzeria Di Matteo, which debuted in 1976 and still has the same proprietor today, is one of my favorites.

We shared a pizza that was a work of art in Neapolitan style! The crust was light and airy, crispy and chewy on the outside and paper-thin on the inside.

It wasn’t too soggy or soupy, which is a common complaint about many pizzas. With hot Italian sausage and rapini, ours was wonderfully tasty.

We had a fantastic dinner experience, and the staff was friendly and eager to provide suggestions. It will not disappoint you if you sit and enjoy pizza right here!

Ristorante Pizzeria Gorizia 1916

Via Gian Lorenzo Bernini, 29, 80127 Napoli NA, Italy // +390815782248

Gorizia 1916 is a well-known institution in the upscale Vomero district. It has been the backbone of the town for almost a century, famously being open throughout both World Wars.

The restaurant’s art-deco décor, white tablecloths, and archetypal career waiters in their exquisite waistcoats, white shirts, and black bow ties have attracted Naples’ most prominent individuals throughout the years.

I liked how the arrangement felt like someone’s home, with a wood fire oven blazing and cooking fresh pizza and bread, filling the room with pleasant, inviting odors.

For lunch, we enjoyed a fantastic pizza. I was blown away by the incredible friendliness and delicious Italian pizza. Definitely a place worth revisiting.

La Masardona 

Via Giulio Cesare Capaccio, 27, 80142 Napoli NA, Italy // +39081281057

Since the 1930s, when head chef Enzo Piccirillo’s family began selling them to hungry market laborers on their way home from work, La Masardona has specialized in deep-fried calzoni.

Surprisingly, the pizzeria is named after Piccirillo’s powerful female foremother, “La Masardona,” whose function as “La Masardona” was to transmit secret messages vocally amongst revolutionaries.

However, everyone has finally gotten the memo, as the best-kept secret of the grungy Case Nuove sector is now well-recognized as Italy’s temple of fried pizza.

We decided to have pizza fritta, and La Masardona provided us with an excellent example of this fried pleasure. The pizza was delicious and lighter than expected. 

The ingredients were incredibly fresh and flavorful – lovely tomatoes, Mozerella, rocket, and so on. We tried both the open and closed versions, which cost around €6 for a normal size.

Be warned: the standard is far fuller than it appears! The restaurant is fairly simple, nothing fancy, but absolutely comfy, and the staff was friendly and accommodating.

Overall, it was a fantastic experience and the ideal location to enjoy pizza fritta in Naples. You’ll enjoy it, I promise!

Acunzo Pizza

Via Domenico Cimarosa, 60, 80127 Napoli NA, Italy // +390815785362

If you want to branch out from the classic Neapolitan pizza variations but still crave pizza, go to Pizzeria Acunzo, one of Naples’ most inventive pizzerias.

Acunzo is a local favorite in Vomero’s upmarket sector, adjacent to the Castel Sant’Elmo.

The pizza menu at this family-run business is intriguing and represents a combination of tradition and inexhaustible creativity. 

Acunzo became famous among Neapolitans for their Pulcinella, a delicious oven-baked pizza stuffed with Mezzanelli pasta, Bolognese sauce, sautéed mushrooms, boiled eggs, ham, ricotta, and mozzarella.

The pizza was fantastic. I’ve never had pizza like this before. This place can do no wrong! A must-try!

Pizzeria Concettina ai Tre Santi

Via Arena della Sanità, 7 Bis, 80137 Napoli NA, Italy // +39081290037

Concettina ai Tre Santi is undoubtedly one of the best and hippest pizzerias in Naples right now. Only a few tourists make their way here from Naples’ historic center, and the eatery is usually busy with locals eating a fast lunch or dinner.

While Concettina ai Tre Santi’s well-known Margherita is fantastic in and of itself, this restaurant deserves praise for serving the most flavorful Marinara I’ve ever experienced.

The base of the pizza is a little thicker than in other restaurants, making it easier to eat. Aside from traditional Neapolitan pizza, there are many creative seasonal alternatives.

Prices are slightly more than in other Naples pizzerias, but you get a larger selection and superior service here.  Highly recommend this place!

Pizzeria Carminiello

Corso Secondigliano, 350, 80144 Napoli NA, Italy // +390817540037

Carminiello, located on the city’s northern outskirts, is well-known for its freshly fried delicacies as well as its pizza: battered sliced aubergine, croquettes, and rice arancini stacked behind the glass counter at the entrance.

It’s the ultimate farewell pizza in Naples before boarding the plane back home, just beyond the airport but without a tourist in sight.

The pizza and appetizers were delicious!! I visited a few popular pizza restaurants in Naples, and this was, without a doubt, one of my favorites! The dough is light and fluffy, and the sauce is delicious.

The fried flatbread with ricotta and mozzarella was my favorite starter. It was fluffy and delicious! Everyone was incredibly nice, and you could tell they like what they do!

I highly recommend venturing out of the city center to find this hidden gem and grab a great pizza slice.

Pizzeria Da Attilio

Via Pignasecca, 17, 80134 Napoli NA, Italy // +390815520479

Each neighborhood in Naples is like a village, complete with its own parish church, plaza, market, and a variety of trattorie and pizzerias.

Locals may have differing opinions on which grocer has the greatest mozzarella or which fisherman has the freshest clams, but there is usually agreement on the best pizzeria.

The modest-yet-well-respected Pizzeria da Attilio receives the most love in the Montesanto district, home to the city’s oldest market – but get there early because it often runs out of dough before closing

We opted for the classics, Margarita and Napolitana, which were delicious. It’s not the place to go for a romantic dinner, but it’s ideal if you want a good meal at a fair price!

Pizzeria Fratelli Cafasso

Via Giulio Cesare, 156, 80125 Napoli NA, Italy // +390812395281

If you’re going to a football game at the Stadio San Paolo in Fuorigrotta, you should stop by Fratelli Cafasso, which is run by one of the city’s best pizza-making families.

The Cafasso brothers produce typical mouthwatering pizza that is served a little smaller than usual, so you won’t be too tired to sing the litany of chants demanded of you at the match.

I chose Diavola, which is fairly spicy; I also requested the sott-olio, which is technically under oil but actually pepper under oil; adding a touch of this fire to already wonderful pizzas makes it even better. Anyway, it was perfect.

Another reason this place is unique is that their pizzas are smaller in diameter, around 20% less than a typical Neapolitan pizza, which is ideal because it would be too much!

This is a small gem, hidden in a relatively large neighborhood, but if you’re hungry and close to Cafasso, paying them a visit is something you won’t regret. It’s serves one of the best pizza in Naples.

Pizzeria Oliva da Carla e Salvatore

Via Sanità, 11/12, 80136 Napoli NA, Italy // +390815449871

Salvatore and Carla are the golden couple of La Sanità. He was the prized pizza cook Ciro Oliva’s son, and she was the lovely, well-to-do daughter of the well-known neighborhood tailor Angelo O’ Sarto.

They met while working shifts at their respective family companies on opposite sides of the road, married, and launched Pizzeria Oliva in 2014.

Their friendly service, inventive pizzas, and ideal position in front of the baroque Santa Maria della Sanita church make this a great lunch spot after exploring the back alleyways of this busy but charming neighborhood.

One of the greatest pizzas I’ve had. The dough is springy, thin in the center, and has a delicious crust on the side. Fresh tomatoes, delectable ingredients, and a flavor you won’t soon forget.

This pizza place is definitely worth the walk up from the main center! It makes one of the best pizza in Naples.

Mattozzi Restaurant & Pizzeria

Via Gaetano Filangieri, 16, 80121 Napoli NA, Italy // +39081416378

Locals flock to Ristorante Mattozzi for delightfully fresh pasta and seafood dishes. But their pizza is also among the best in town.

Located near the ferry terminal, it’s the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch before sailing to one of the nearby islands, where finding a better meal is difficult.

We had four starters. Most of their names have slipped my mind. Caprese, I assume, refers to the Mozzarella and Tomato salad. The Buffalo Mozzarella was the greatest Mozzarella I’ve ever had. I realize this isn’t specific to this restaurant, but you can get it here.

We also had an eggplant Parmesan, a squid dish, and a fried pizza “donut.” We ordered a Diavola pizza as the main entrée. 

Everything on the menu was great. We finished with Baba and Limoncello. Everything about the dinner was delicious and wonderfully prepared. This spot is a gem; give it a try! It has one of the best pizza in Naples.

FAQ

What is the most popular pizza in Naples?

Margherita pizza was created in Naples in 1889 and is still popular today.

Why is pizza famous in Naples?

According to popular folklore, during the patriotic fervor that followed Italian unification in the late 1800s, a Neapolitan pizza maker named Raffaele Esposito was tasked with baking pizzas for Margherita of Savoy, the new Italian Queen, on her visit to Naples in 1889.

What food is Naples known for?

Naples is first and foremost known for its pizza. And, yes, eating pizza in Naples is worth the trip. Aside from pizza, Naples is known for sfogliatelle, struffoli, and friarelli. 

You’ll also discover fantastic gelato, which can be found all around Italy.

Final Thoughts About The Best Pizza In Naples

If I had to sum up eating the best pizza in Naples, I’d say it’s happiness. After all, it is the so-called “pizza capital of the world,” with its fresh dough, choice of crisp toppings, and real cheeses.

Foodies, particularly pizza foodies, long for the pleasure of traveling to Naples and tasting what is unquestionably the tastiest pizza they have ever had.

On practically every street corner, you’ll find (but first smell) delicious freshly baked pizza that will have you changing your plans and booking a one-way ticket! Enjoy the best pizza in Naples!

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