Naples Restaurants

Naples is reputedly the home of the pizza, and it is believed that Italy’s biggest culinary export was conceived and popularised here. But there is far more to Naples than pizzerias, although you may find them ubiquitously dotted about the city, there are some fine international restaurants and many trattoria serving sumptuous Southern Italian food. In fact, the food is one of the highlights of visiting Italy, loved by all with its liberal use of pasta and rich sauces. Seafood is another popular item on the menu here.

Local cuisine

Fresh ingredients are the key selling point of food here, and most traditional restaurants stake their reputation on it. Olive oil, fresh tomatoes and rich, creamy Italian cheeses are the basis of pizzas and pasta sauces in Italy, but southern food is generally spicier. While pizza is the signature dish that put Naples on the culinary map, you’ll find quite a few differences and specialities which aren’t on the menus in pizza parlours the world over, with thinner bases, unusual combinations and abundant calzone.

Then there are the seafood favourites such as spaghetti ale dongle (a clam dish), and imprecate di cozen (a mussel-based dish). Local oyster varieties known as cannolicchi and taratufi are also particularly sought after. Wine is always on the menu and two local recommendations are Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio that can be white, red or rosé, and Aglianico del Taburno. Desserts are also important in Napoli, and the rum-flavoured cake known as baba should be sampled.

Where to eat

There are literally thousands of restaurants in Naples, ranging from glamourous venues for the rich and famous with views to die for, to tiny local bistros catering to the local population. Neopolitans like to enjoy food, preferably over a long lunch with a bottle of local Chianti and you’ll be spoilt for choice when wandering around sightseeing. However, if there’s one city you should avoid for the tourist traps, Naples is it. Italian tourist restaurants are notorious for loading the bill with all sorts of ‘extras’, which might include: sitting on the terrace, enjoying a solo from the house violinist, using the water off the table and so on, plus service charges and tax. Take away venues are famous for short-changing you on the confectionery they have popped into a brown bag for you. 

In Naples you are spoilt with great views and many restaurants, even affordable ones, will have some gorgeous terrace views of the harbour. The Borgo Marinaro area, huddled around the Castel dell'Ovo, is an ancient fishing suburb which is now considered one of the city’s best concentrations of restaurants. Santa Lucia offers more exclusive choices, with its great views of the Bay of Naples. Along the coast at Mergellina are numerous, cheaper restaurants, serving traditional dishes. In the Centro Storico local dishes are served at low prices, favoured by Neapolitans. The tourist traps tend to be found around the popular piazzas and close to the tourist sites.