Top 15 Dishes to Enjoy in Naples, Italy

For travelers seeking destinations rich in tradition and charm, a European cruise with a stop in Naples, Italy is a fantastic option. While you explore this picturesque seaside city, be sure to indulge in the local cuisine. Any or all of these 15 dishes are guaranteed to delight your taste buds.

1. Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca

If you have a craving for spaghetti while in Naples, you must try spaghetti alla puttanesca. This flavorful sauce is crafted from a handful of simple ingredients, including tomato sauce, black olives, capers, garlic, parsley, and sea salt. A bowl or plate of handmade pasta topped with puttanesca truly captures the essence of southern Italy.

2. Pizza Margherita

As Naples is renowned as the birthplace of pizza, you must try the beloved local favorite: Margherita pizza. Created in homage to Queen Margherita of Savoy, this straightforward recipe features mozzarella, tomato, and basil, crafted by a local pizzaiolo in the late 1800s to symbolize the colors of the Italian flag—white, red, and green.

The crust of this pizza has a delightful chewiness, and since most Neapolitan pizzas are baked in stone ovens, you can anticipate a hint of char.

3. Pizza di Scarola

If you find yourself in Naples during the winter, be sure to try pizza di scarola, commonly known as escarole pie. A traditional dish often enjoyed on Christmas Eve, it deviates from standard pizza as it features a top and bottom crust, resembling a pie more than a pizza.

Every Italian grandmother has her unique take on pizza di scarola, but typical fillings usually include escarole, black olives, onions, pine nuts, capers, and dried currants or raisins.

4. Pizza Fritta

While you’re exploring Naples, don’t miss the chance to taste pizza fritta, affectionately called the “pizza of the people.” This beloved street food involves stretching pizza dough, filling it with ingredients like mozzarella, ricotta, salami, or ham, and then frying it. Served alongside a side of tomato sauce for dipping, it’s a delicious option for lunch in Naples.

5. Baba

If you have a sweet craving, Naples is the place to be. A dessert that captures the essence of this region is baba. This small, mushroom-shaped yeast cake is drenched in rum syrup and typically served with custard or whipped cream alongside seasonal berries.

6. Ragù

Be cautious when ordering pasta with ragù in Naples, as the red sauces available here are unmatched. Whether it's the volcanic soil that nurtures the tomatoes or a unique mix of ingredients, once you've savored Neapolitan ragù, you’ll be inspired to recreate it at home.

For an authentic experience, seek out recipes featuring beef, tomato paste, prosciutto, pancetta, onions, red wine, olive oil, and pecorino cheese, reminiscent of the culinary delights of Naples, Italy.

7. Polpette

Few Italian meals can satisfy hunger like polpette, which are hearty meatballs typically served in pairs or threes and drenched in ragù. Crafted from a mixture of beef, veal, pork, onion, white wine, and various spices, Neapolitan meatballs are enjoyed on their own, not as a pasta accompaniment. Complement this rustic dish with slices of crusty bread, a fresh salad, and a glass of red wine for the ultimate Neapolitan dinner.

8. Parmigiana di Melanzane

While some claim that eggplant parmesan originated in Naples, this beloved dish is prepared throughout southern Italy, and its true roots remain a mystery. Comprising layers of deep-fried eggplant slices, tomatoes, basil, and two types of cheese, this baked casserole elevates comfort food to extraordinary heights.

9. Impepata di Cozze

Residing along the southern Italian coastline, the people of Naples relish a variety of seafood dishes, including impepata di cozze. This dish features fresh mussels cooked with olive oil, tomatoes, red chili peppers, white wine, and parsley. If you choose to order impepata di cozze for your meal, be sure to ask for a baguette or some crusty rolls to soak up any remaining sauce.

10. Gattò di Patate

For a truly comforting taste of Naples, indulge in gattò di patate, a delightful savory potato pie. While many variations exist based on the chef's style, the classic version usually includes mashed potatoes, ham, salami, mozzarella, parmesan, eggs, butter, and a crispy breadcrumb topping. Typically baked in a casserole dish for everyday meals, gattò di patate is often presented like a cake for special occasions.

11. Frittata di Pasta

If you’re a fan of eggs, you’re bound to enjoy frittata di pasta. Imagine a frittata packed with eggs, ham, creamy cheese, and yes, pasta! Italians love to repurpose leftovers, and this dish is a fantastic way to do just that. In Naples, you can easily find frittata di pasta in both restaurants and pubs.

12. Cuoppo

If you're seeking delicious street food in Naples, grab a bit of everything served in a brown paper cone, known as cuoppo. This delightful assortment may include battered and deep-fried morsels like fish, shrimp, mozzarella, eggplant, dough balls, and potato croquettes. It's a convenient snack to enjoy while wandering through the city.

13. Mozzarella di Bufala

Are you a cheese enthusiast? Then one of the top items to indulge in while in Naples is buffalo mozzarella, crafted from the milk of water buffalo. This cheese is abundant in the Campania region of Italy and stands out from cow's milk mozzarella with its softer, creamier texture and slightly tangy taste. When dining in Naples, savor buffalo mozzarella on pizza, in calzones, or tossed into salads.

14. Struffoli

In southern Italy, the holidays wouldn’t be the same without struffoli, a beloved Neapolitan dessert typically enjoyed during Christmas. This festive treat consists of marble-sized balls of dough that are deep-fried, then arranged into a mound or wreath shape and generously topped with honey, candied orange peels, candy-coated almonds, and colorful sprinkles.

15. Sfogliatelle

Sfogliatelle is a pastry that's almost too stunning to eat. With its delicate, shell-like form and thin, ridged layers resembling a stack of potato chips, this sweet indulgence is filled with ricotta, whipped cream, or custard, and finished off with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Planning a European cruise? Make sure to tick Naples, Italy, off your bucket list. Before you board your ship again, take the opportunity to sample some of the delectable culinary treasures that this historic city has to offer.