The 14 finest dining spots in Naples

Cinematic Naples thrives on culinary delights, but this southern Italian city offers much more than just indulging in pizza margherita at Da Michele, a nod to Julia Roberts' experience in the 2010 film Eat Pray Love, or visiting the pizzeria where Sophia Loren tossed dough in the 1950s.

Dining in the bustling heart of Naples, steeped in rich tradition and kissed by the warm Mediterranean sun, embodies the essence of local cuisine. For Neapolitans, sourcing seasonal vegetables, fresh seafood, creamy buffalo mozzarella, and aromatic spices from a market is as natural as cooking from scratch and ensuring not a morsel is wasted.

Whether devouring fried fish from a paper cone on a busy street or enjoying snack-laden aperitivi (pre-dinner drinks) at dusk, these experiences never go out of style. Forget about the latest trends or terms like “street food,” “short-circuit,” and “sustainability.” Spirited Naples has long excelled at setting its own standards, offering a rich variety of options that cater to vegans, vegetarians, traditionalists, and the adventurous alike, featuring a vibrant selection of classic osterie and trattorie, upscale dining spots, affordable friggitorie (fry shops), and, of course, genuine pizzerias straight out of the movies.

From the best pizzerias to restaurants renowned for their seafood, here are the 14 top places to eat in Naples.

1. Concettina Ai Tre Santi

Dive into La Sanità, a once-ignored rough-cut neighborhood that has transformed into the trendiest spot for pizza lovers in Naples. For over 70 years, the Oliva family has been crafting dough, but it’s the innovative flair of young pizzaiolo Ciro Oliva that has turned their family venture into a bustling eatery – and La Sanità into a surprising culinary hotspot. Enjoy a pizza-dough bun stuffed with artichokes or an artisanal pizza alongside a local craft beer or a unique Campanian wine to savor Neapolitan paradiso right at your table.

2. Tandem

Thank goodness for Tandem, where true food lovers can indulge in the incredibly rich ragù napoletano (Naples’ hearty meat and tomato sauce, prepared with chunky beef rather than minced like bolognese) any day of the week – defying the city’s tradition of serving it only on Sundays. This signature sauce, simmered slowly for hours, features prominently on an increasingly creative menu. Stick to the classics: enjoy it over fresh pasta or in a bowl with crunchy bread for dipping.

3. Antica Pizza Fritta di Zia Esterina Sorbillo

Experience the vibrant contrasts of Naples by enjoying lunch from this authentic fried pizza joint after visiting the opulent pink-hued Palazzo Reale. Pizza maker Gino Sorbillo follows the same original recipe and uses the same kitchen tools as his aunt Esterina did post-WWII, ensuring that this beloved comfort food is exactly as it should be: fluffy, light, and filled with ricotta, provola cheese, and ciccoli (pork lard) at the first bite. Devour it right away or watch the deep-fried half-moon of pizza dough settle.

4. Cibi Cotti “Nonna Anna”

If you weren’t fortunate enough to have your own Italian nonna, this iconic market eatery – located in a humble space among wooden crates of fruits and vegetables at the covered Mercato della Torretta – is the next best thing. Locals, including shopkeepers and office workers, flock here for bargain-priced classics like trippa al sugo (tripe in tomato sauce), tracchia al ragù (pork rib tips in slow-cooked ragù), and ceci e scarole (chickpeas and greens), all lovingly prepared with extraordinary flavor by Anna Pappalardo from 1968 until her passing in 2017. Her children and nephews now carry on her legacy with equal skill. Open for lunch only.

5. 50 Kalò

It’s noteworthy that every one of the 25 wood-fired pizzas at Ciro Salvo’s trendy pizzeria, located just steps from the sea in the upscale Mergellina area, is thoughtfully paired with a specific extra-virgin olive oil. The sweet red and yellow San Marzano tomatoes are organic, while artisanal pork salamis, DOP cheeses, capers, olives, artichoke hearts, garlic, and rare Slow Food-certified vegetables are meticulously sourced from independent producers. No reservations are accepted, so be sure to arrive right on time.

6. Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo

Step out of the 17th-century church in Naples’ vibrant historic center, where devotees honor a tiara-adorned skull, and into this cult favorite adored by local pizza lovers. The thick-crust pizzas, gently charred and baked to chewy perfection in Gino Sorbillo’s impressive wood-fired oven, fulfill all the criteria for “ideal Neapolitan pizza.” The yeast is reportedly from the same mother culture that the Sorbillo pizza dynasty has used for generations.

7. Osteria della Mattonella

In the picturesque Spanish Quarter, make a reservation with Mamma Antonietta and her adult children, Massimo and Fatima, at Osteria della Mattonella. The cozy atmosphere is enhanced by vintage photos, memorabilia, musical instruments, and a stunning array of 18th-century majolica tiles. The menu showcases time-honored dishes that have remained unchanged since 1978, featuring comforting soups, fresh pasta, octopus salad, classic Neapolitan polpette (meatballs), and an exceptionally delicious Genovese (traditional Neapolitan sauce made from slow-cooked beef, yellow onions, and white wine).

8. Pescheria Mattiucci

The interior, adorned with white tiles, fishing nets, graffiti art, and a statue of the Virgin Mary, creates a charming setting for the delectable pesce crudo – sliced raw fish – served at this no-frills fishmonger’s in trendy Chaia. The Mattiucci family has been catching and selling their fresh catch here since the 1890s, and their combinations of lemon- or orange-marinated swordfish and tuna with fresh fruits and vegetables (like fennel and pineapple) are simply outstanding.

9. George

It's difficult to pinpoint what to praise most about this Michelin-starred establishment: the modern Neapolitan cuisine infused with French influences (including incredible sauces and a 40-egg tagliolini featuring truffles and sage-infused Norman butter) crafted by local chef Domenico Candela; his remarkable nine-course tasting menu degustazione; or the romantic panoramic views of the Bay of Naples from the rooftop garden.

10. Palazzo Petrucci

Chef Lino Scarallo embodies Neapolitan cuisine; his father was a butcher in La Sanità. For him, savoring sauce with a scarpetta (bread) or indulging in a cuoppo (paper cone of fried delicacies) is just as sacred as putting a creative twist on traditional dishes in his contemporary seaside restaurant. Just a 10-minute stroll along the waterfront from Mergellina leads you to enjoy o ragù e mare (a fish rendition of the classic meat sauce) alongside romantic sea views.

11. Friggitoria Vomero

Experience authentic Neapolitan street food at this takeaway fry shop, a charming vintage spot from 1938 located in the verdant Vomero district. Everything deep-fried in bubbling oil is a delight: spaghetti, pizza, eggplant, pumpkin flowers, panzerotti (potato croquettes), arancini (rice balls), or simply irresistible flour-and-water dough shells – either plain or enhanced with seaweed. Order a cuoppo misto (mixed cone) and enjoy it while taking in the stunning views of the city and the island-dotted bay beyond.

12. Mimì alla Ferrovia

Step into the charm of old-world Naples, adorned with elegant white tablecloths, frescoed ceilings, and framed photos of notable past patrons, at this beloved traditional ristorante. Founded by Emilio Giugliano (known as Mimì) near the central train station in 1944, this eatery’s classic Neapolitan menu remains unchanged. Be sure to savor their exquisite stuffed peppers, parmigiana di melanzane (layers of baked eggplant, tomato sauce, basil, and cheese), and spaghetti con vongole veraci (spaghetti with fresh baby clams).

13. L’Ebbrezza di Noè

While the delectable food and wine at The Drunkenness of Noah may be alluring, you probably won’t exit feeling as tipsy as Noah in Michelangelo’s renowned fresco in Rome’s Sistine Chapel. Choose from over 2,000 wines curated by sommelier-owner Luca to complement a classic pizza di scarola (calzone-like dough filled with escarole, olives, and capers), paccheri fritti (fried pasta with eggplant, basil, and tomato sauce), or some of Naples’ freshest seafood. Whether for aperitivo, dinner, or a casual apericena (a mix of drinks and dinner), all options are delightful.

14. Umberto

Food enthusiasts, prepare to indulge. This historic trattoria transports you back to interwar Naples with its original decor, tobacco-stained yellow walls, and the Di Porzio family running the show since 1916. Non-Italian speakers will appreciate the thorough, well-translated menu highlighting local Slow Food specialties – including salami, blood sausage, dried black cherries, and the rich Montoro onions – along with rare ancient bean and tomato varieties found primarily in the Campania region. Dig in!