20 Best Restaurants in Naples, Italy (Plus Local Bars to Try)
More than just the birthplace of pizza, Naples is a city with a robust food scene that's sure to keep you coming back for more. Read on for all the top places to eat and drink in the city.
Most people come to Naples with one thing on their mind – the world’s best pizza. If this is you, don’t worry – I’m not here to tell you that you’re wrong. But I am here to tell you that after you’ve gotten your fill of that tasty ‘za, there is so much more amazing food to eat in this city. Naples is a great place to visit if you’re a foodie, and there are excellent bars and restaurants spread across the city. We found a few of the neighborhoods really excelled – Centro Storico, Spanish Quarter, Piazza Bellini, and Vomero. I’ll give you a few basic pointers to get you headed in the right direction, and then provide our recommendations for the best restaurants in Naples, Italy (and bars, too!).
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Tips and Tricks to Avoid a Disappointing Meal
There are five basic rules to picking where to eat in a major tourist city to ensure you enjoy your meal. The good news is, Naples is a large city with tourist spots that are more dispersed, so it’s much easier to find a great place to eat without taking these rules too seriously.
- DON’T eat at a restaurant where the menu is entirely in English or contains photos of all of the food.
- DON’T choose a place because a waiter outside called you over and tried to persuade you to eat there.
- DON’T take Google Maps reviews as undisputed facts. We know, it’s an easy place to start and we gravitate toward those 4 star and up locations as well. But the truth is, in tourist destinations these reviews are overwhelmingly contributed by, well, tourists, who may have different expectations for service than are standard in that country. If you see a place that looks good but the reviews aren’t top notch, check to see whether those reviews are food-related or simply someone being a little impatient.
- DO walk at least two to three blocks away from big tourist attractions to avoid higher costs and lower quality.
- DO gravitate to restaurants with a small, specific menu.
Follow these simple guidelines, and you’ll be set up for success!
The Best Restaurants (and Bars) in Naples
We highly recommend these spots for your next visit to Naples. Looking for more information on the classic dishes of Naples you should eat while you’re there? Check out our post here.
Also – a quick note that at bars and restaurants in Italy, your bill will include a 1 or 2 EUR per person coperto for table service and at most places you’ll pay when you’re ready up at the counter or bar area. This means there’s no need to wait for your server in order to pay your bill. We actually loved this about Italy, but it can cause some confusion at first.
This rather large neighborhood stretches from Via Toledo to nearly Napoli Centrale train station and, in our opinion, is the best neighborhood for classics done right, without any fuss. If you’re doing a Naples Underground tour or checking out some of the many historical churches, you’ll be in the right spot.
Let’s start with breakfast. Caffe Mexico has several locations across the city and is well-known as serving the best espresso Naples has to offer. I recommend the location on Spaccanapoli, as it’s got a great ambiance. What’s Spaccanapoli? It’s a narrow street whose real name is Via Benedetto Croce that runs through Centro Storico. From above, it appears to divide that part of the city, giving it its name Spaccanapoli, or “Naples splitter.” It’s high on a lot of lists of things to do in Naples but, to be honest, it’s mostly a tourist trap. The quick walk down the road to get to Caffe Mexico will be more than enough to get the gist and grab your souvenirs, to boot.
Though I’m sure you couldn’t get 10 Napoletanos to agree on the best place for fried pizza, this one would certainly make the list. Fried pizza is a must-try while in Naples, and is essentially a whole pizza, folded in half, and fried into a puffy pizza pastry. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea – it wasn’t ours, at least – but it’s a fun experience, particularly to watch the locals somehow scarf down a whole one all by themselves while you struggle to make a dent. Make sure to tackle this with a fork and knife so you don’t get any side-eye.
Trust us – we know this one doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the food more than makes up for the exterior. This one makes the cut of the best restaurants in Naples for their burrata alone. Pared down to the basics with buffalo mozzarella, the freshest tomatoes and basil, and top quality olive oil, you’ll be mopping up every last drop with bread. This trattoria also features excellent fresh seafood and very reasonable prices. Cash only.
Making many lists for the best restaurants in Naples, this veteran establishment has been in business since 1943. Mimi’s has a homey, casual vibe, with walls covered in pictures of famous Italians who have dined there in the past. It’s a great place to try a classic neapolitan dish or fresh seafood, like their octopus salad or seafood saute. Curious about the classic dishes of Naples? Learn more here.
The Spanish Quarter is the most centrally located neighborhood and the nearest to most of the main tourist attractions, like the Royal Palace of Naples or the Galleria Umberto I. This neighborhood is well-known for their food, and rightly so, it’s another great destination for Neapolitan classics.
I had the best spaghetti alle vongole (clams) of my life at this cozy restaurant in the heart of the Spanish Quarter. Tucked a few streets back from the main drag, this restaurant had far more local diners than tourists, and you could taste the resulting love and care in their food. On top of that, the service was friendly, and we really felt welcomed at their establishment. 10/10 would visit again.
We stumbled into this ristorante after failing to get into Trattoria Da Nennella (more on that below), but we were so glad we did. This is where I fell in love with a classic dish of Naples, pasta alla genovese. Imagine if french onion soup had a baby with a pot roast, and then that baby made love to some fresh-cooked pasta. So mouthwateringly delicious. On top of great food, this ristorante has a spacious patio and lovely interior as well, so you’ll be comfortable no matter the weather.
Trattoria Da Nennella is a famous spot for their food, but even more so for the singing and dancing waiters that serve it. Due to this, the line to get in can be excessively long. We recommend coming at off-peak times (such as 11:30am for lunch, or 6:30pm for dinner), or expect to wait. Their top dish is another local classic, pasta e patate con provola (see more traditional dishes here). Be prepared to tip the musicians though – rumor is they’re rather insistent, and you did come for the show after all.
One of the oldest pizzerias in Naples, Pizzeria Brandi is responsible for gracing the world with its most famous pizza – the margherita. Antica Pizzeria Brandi was established in 1760 and, in 1889, was asked to make a variety of pizzas for King Umberto I and Queen Margherita of Savoy while on a royal visit to Naples. The Queen’s favorite was one made with red tomatoes, white mozzarella, and green basil – meant to represent the colors of the Italian flag – which the pizzaioli thereafter named the margherita pizza, in her honor. The pizzeria still displays a letter of thanks from the royal household, cementing its place in history. Today, the pizza is still excellent, and the restaurant has a charming and authentic atmosphere.
Nestled between Centro Storico and the Spanish Quarter, just south of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (a must visit – learn more about it in our post Your 2-5 Day Naples Itinerary), Piazza Bellini is the best spot in town for aperitivo and nightlife. We frequented this plaza regularly, as it features several excellent bars and restaurants and a great ambiance. For ease, we’ve separated this section into Eats and Drinks.
Eats
Right around the corner from Piazza Bellini is Via dei Tribunali, or “Pizza Alley.” Though technically in Centro Storico neighborhood, it’s a perfect dovetail from your chosen aperitivo spot in Piazza Bellini. Start with arancini, or fried balls of rice stuffed with various fillings (ours was cheese, peas, and ham – yum!), for which this restaurant is famous. It’s common practice to start your pizza night off with some fritti, a general term for all things fried. Most commonly, this will include arancini, zeppole, crocchette, and frittatine di pasta.
After your appetizer of fritti at Antica Pizzeria Di Matteo, head to Gino e Toto Sorbillo for pizza. This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Naples, and there will assuredly be a line, but we promise it’s worth the wait. The good news is, authentic Napoli pizza is only cooked for about 60 to 90 seconds in a hot-burning wood-fired oven, so the food comes out pretty quickly. The crust is so thin it melts in your mouth, and you’ll finally understand why they eat it with a fork and knife. Gino e Toto Sorbillo’s pizza is excellent, but what made it stand out for us is the menu. After a handful of classic options, there are 23 bespoke pizzas named after the owner’s grandparents and each of their 21 pizzaioli (that’s professional pizza maker) children. Talk about a full household!
If you’re in the mood for something a little more…nutritious than fritti and pizza, give Etto a try. Located across the street from Piazza Bellini, Etto’s menu features a variety of wholesome, nutritionally balanced bowls that are as delicious as they are good for you. They also dabble in international flavors, which is a nice change of pace after too many days (if there is such a thing) of Italian food. We ate here several times during our stay and were always pleased.
Drinks
One of our favorite spots in Piazza Bellini is Caffe Letterario Intra Moenia. The outdoor seating is lovely, under a pergola covered in greenery or a colorful terrace with twinkly lights. But the inside is what makes this place special, as it houses a small book and stationery store. Here you can find books on the history of Naples, and vintage-inspired postcards that will stand out from all the ordinary tourist souvenir fare. And don’t worry – the drinks are delicious.
Primo Maggio is a great place to go if you feel like trying something a little adventurous. Their cocktail menu features some interesting combinations, like drinks made with cheese or others with chocolate, and the menu leaves most of the ingredients a mystery. It’s a bit of a “trust the chef” situation, but if you’re willing to gamble, it could pay off with a unique and delightful mixology experience.
While the interior of Piazza Bellini excels in aperitivo, the exterior is all about nightlife. Jurdau is one of several such bars where locals mix and mingle until 3 in the morning, or later (earlier?). Stick to basic drinks as these are simple bars, not fancy mixology haunts, but it’s a great place to get a feel for the authentic Naples lifestyle. Whether you like to sit back and people watch or try to chat up the locals, you will definitely be entertained.
Up on the hill, Vomero offers the hip and trendy alternative to the cozy, traditional-style restaurants of Centro Storico or Spanish Quarter. With exceptional views of the city and the Bay of Naples, this is an excellent place to come for aperitivo, sunset, and dinner. Vomero has a vibrant food and bar scene and offers many of the top places to each and drink in Naples, especially if you are looking for a break from classic Italian fare. For ease, we’ve separated this section into Eats and Drinks.
Eats
For dinner, we highly recommend Verso Giusto. This is the ideal pick if you’re still looking for Italian cuisine, but ready for a little twist. Verso Giusto amps up the classics in an intimate, modern setting that’s perfect for date night. We ordered the fried cod while we were here, only because what we intended to order was sold out, but holy cow was it the best fried fish of our lives. And you can trust my opinion on this one, because I’m from Wisconsin, and fish fry is life there. We devoured it and practically licked the plate – 100 out of 10.
Eventually, you might crave something a little different, and we’re glad to offer you just the place – Staj Noodle Bar. This Asian fusion restaurant knocked it out of the park on all aspects. Interior and exterior seating? A vibe. Comprehensive sake and gin menu with over 30 and 80 varieties, respectively? Complete with sommelier. Japanese classics as well as some fun fusion options? Hello genovese bao buns. We loved this place so much we came back twice, and we know if you give it a shot you won’t be disappointed.
An exception to my “Vomero is where you come to get something a little different” opener, Osteria Donna Teresa needs to make the list because it is the most authentic and traditional dining experience that we had in all of Italy. This small, eight-table restaurant has been family-run for several generations, complete with the elderly patriarch who still sits at the front door every day to welcome in their customers. We arrived by chance right at opening and were lucky we did, as there was a line out the door within 15 minutes. There’s no menu here, rather the owner informs you which three or four dishes they have that day and you pick from your options. We enjoyed fried sardines, pasta genovese, and pork ribs, all excellent. You’ll find it no surprise that Osteria Donna Teresa has received awards from the Slow Food organization every year since 2017.
Drinks
Zest is an excellent choice for aperitivo in Naples. They offer a great selection of specialty cocktails along with the classics, and their snacks are delicious as well. We ordered a vegetable spread with tzatziki the first time we went, and after weeks in Italy carbo-loading my face off, I cannot tell you how thrilled I was to eat a vegetable. In addition to covered patio seating, their interior is also quite posh, with velvet couches and a great loungey vibe.
Another solid aperitivo spot, Cantine Sociali Vomero has a large and welcoming outdoor seating area. What stood out for me here was their very nicely done cocktail menu featuring all of the world’s most classic drinks. The wait staff was also very welcoming and fun, even bringing out samples of pasta from their kitchen. This is definitely a good choice if you’re on the hungrier side, as their aperitivo spread was voluminous and top-notch.
Rounding out the list is probably the coolest place we found in Vomero, Riot Concept Store. This coffee shop/bar/lounge/store makes you feel young and hip just by walking in. From the chill aesthetic with comfy couches to lounge on to the laid-back bartenders to the store that sells everything from ultra-trendy clothes to records, bongs, and sex toys, Riot knocks it out of the park. Come with a few hours to spend and prepare to make some extra space in your luggage for your unique finds.
Now that you know the best bars and restaurants in Naples, all that’s left to do is get out there and savor every bite. We hope you enjoy these bars and restaurants as much as we did! Comment below what your favorites were.
Looking for more recommendations on what to see and do in Naples? Check out our post Your 2-5 Day Naples Itinerary.
Interested in a guided food tour of Naples? Check out these options from Get Your Guide:
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