Naples didn't just invent pizza — it is pizza. The soft, charred, impossibly light dough. The San Marzano tomatoes from the slopes of Vesuvius. The fresh mozzarella di bufala from Campania. This is where it all started, and despite what the rest of the world has done with the format, nowhere else comes close.
But which pizzeria in Naples is actually the best? That question starts fights. We analyzed hundreds of Reddit posts from r/napoli, r/ItalyTravel, r/travel, and r/Pizza — including one legendary post from a resident who ate at 50+ pizzerias in Naples — to find the spots that Neapolitan locals and seasoned travelers recommend again and again. The honest truth? Almost every pizzeria in Naples is good. But these 15 are exceptional.
📊 How we built this list
We analyzed 200+ Reddit posts and 1,000+ comments across r/napoli, r/ItalyTravel, r/travel, r/Pizza, and r/solotravel — spanning 2020 to 2026. We gave special weight to a Naples resident who systematically reviewed 50+ pizzerias, and cross-referenced with threads specifically asking locals for non-touristy recommendations. Every spot on this list was mentioned by at least 4 different people across separate threads.
What to order: The montanara (fried-then-baked pizza) is legendary — it's the pizza they made in the movie "L'oro di Napoli" with Sophia Loren. Also try the marinara and the angioletti with Nutella for dessert. The dough is famously light and airy.
"Starita is one of my favorites, good luck for the queue though! And you need to taste the angioletti with Nutella!"
— r/napoli · 18 upvotes · Debate: Best Pizza in Napoli
"I wouldn't skip Starita, it's the opposite of Da Michele — it's a smaller pizza and it is absolutely incredible. I've tried probably well over 50+ pizzerias in Napoli and Campi Flegrei, and it's still in my top 3."
— r/napoli · 12 upvotes · Best Non-Touristy Pizzerias in Napoli
"My personal favourite is Starita, but in the end it's only a matter of personal choice. An honorable mention should go to those places that specialize in pizza fritta."
— r/napoli · 5 upvotes · Debate: Best Pizza in Napoli
tabiji verdict: The locals' favorite. While tourists queue at Da Michele, Neapolitans go to Starita. The montanara alone is worth the trip to Materdei — a pizza that gets fried, then finished in the wood oven, creating a texture you won't find anywhere else. The person who ate at 50+ Naples pizzerias rated it "great" and specifically praised the montanara. Multiple locals named it their #1 unprompted. That's the highest endorsement there is.
What to order: The 4 Casi Campani (four Campanian cheeses) at Santa Lucia, or the Margherita con Ricotta at Bagnoli. His marinara sbagliata ("wrong marinara") is a game-changer. The tasting menu at Bagnoli is the best pizza tasting menu in Naples.
"Since nobody mentioned him I will go with Diego Vitagliano. His Marinara Sbagliata is a game changer."
— r/napoli · 4 upvotes · Debate: Best Pizza in Napoli
"Diego Vitagliano — Santa Lucia (4 casi campani) and Bagnoli (Margherita con ricotta). The pizza was fantastic. This is my favorite pizza tasting menu so far."
— r/napoli · I've eaten pizza at 50 pizzerias in Naples
tabiji verdict: Diego Vitagliano is Naples' contemporary pizza king. The person who systematically ate at 50+ pizzerias placed both his locations in the "excellent" top tier — the only pizzaiolo to earn two spots there. His marinara sbagliata flips tradition on its head, and the tasting menu at Bagnoli is a culinary experience, not just a meal. If you want to see where Neapolitan pizza is heading, this is it.
What to order: Any pizza — the dough is the star, with a 24-hour fermentation that produces an incredibly light, digestible base. The margherita and diavola are benchmarks. Pro tip: put your name in and have cocktails across the street at Twins while you wait.
"50 Kalo. Best pizza I've ever had in my life."
— r/travel · 10 upvotes · Pizza in Naples
"Put your name in at 50 Kalo in Mergellina and have cocktails across the street at Twins until your table is ready. Top three pizzas and top three cocktails right across the street from each other."
— r/ItalyTravel · 5 upvotes · Best Pizzeria in Naples
"Avoid Michele and go straight to 50 Kalo. Btw it's harder to find a pizzeria in Napoli with awful pizza."
— r/travel · 5 upvotes · Pizza in Naples
tabiji verdict: Ciro Salvo's 50 Kalò is the pizza that converts skeptics. The Mergellina waterfront location is beautiful, the dough is absurdly light (his 24-hour fermentation is famous), and the wait is more pleasant than most — there's literally a cocktail bar across the street. Multiple Redditors independently called it the best pizza of their lives. The 50-pizzeria reviewer placed it in the "great" tier. It's expensive by Naples standards but worth every cent.
What to order: The margherita is enormous and costs around €4. The pizza is huge — expect a pizza larger than your torso. Important: go to the original on Via dei Tribunali, NOT the one near the waterfront. Locals say there's a "huge quality difference."
"Just to be clear go to the one in Via dei Tribunali, not the one near the seaview. There is a huge quality difference."
— r/napoli · 9 upvotes · Debate: Best Pizza in Napoli
"Sorbillo absolutely. Michele is overrated. Also, Starita and Franco Gallifuoco."
— r/napoli · 10 upvotes · Best Pizzeria in Napoli?
tabiji verdict: Sorbillo is divisive — some call it the best in Naples, others call it a tourist trap. The truth is somewhere in between: the original Via dei Tribunali location genuinely serves excellent pizza at absurd prices (€4 margherita), but the queues are brutal and some of the satellite locations don't live up to the name. A local tip: the smaller Sorbillo just beside the main one has shorter lines and is mostly locals. Skip the seafront one entirely.
What to order: There are only two choices: margherita or marinara. That's it. No toppings, no variations, no dessert. Just pizza in its purest form. The margherita uses fior di latte (not buffalo mozzarella). These are massive "ruota di carro" (cartwheel-sized) pizzas.
"Da Michele is a good place to start."
— r/travel · 22 upvotes · Pizza in Naples
"Da Michele is pretty bad recently, not even in the top 10. It only benefits from the fame from 30 years ago and for being in the movies. Avoid it!"
— r/napoli · 8 upvotes · Best Pizzeria in Napoli?
"Most of Neapolitans don't eat at Michele, they just tell it to you because it's famous. It's a place for tourists since Clinton and Julia Roberts ate there."
— r/napoli · 17 upvotes · Best Pizzeria in Napoli?
tabiji verdict: Here's the real talk: Da Michele is the most famous pizzeria in the world. It's also the most controversial in Naples. The "Eat Pray Love" effect turned it into a permanent tourist queue, and locals increasingly avoid it. The 50-pizzeria reviewer rated it merely "good," saying "it's fine, not sure what the big deal is." But — and this matters — the dough at the original location is still genuinely excellent when it's made right. If you go: arrive at 11 AM on a weekday, walk straight in, and judge for yourself. Don't wait an hour for it.
What to order: The creative seasonal pizzas are the draw here — Ciro Oliva pushes boundaries while respecting tradition. The pizza fritta is also excellent. The neighborhood (Sanità) is one of Naples' most authentic.
"Should try also Concettina ai 3 Santi. And for an astonishing pizza fritta you should try Le Figliole in Spaccanapoli and Isabella De Cham in Rione Sanità."
— r/napoli · 4 upvotes · Best Non-Touristy Pizzerias in Napoli
"I actually love the pizzeria the pizzaman of Concettina ai 3 Santi opened — I think it is called Antico Borgo ai Vergini. As a Neapolitan, most pizzerias that are not in the tourist area are great."
— r/napoli · 4 upvotes · Best Non-Touristy Pizzerias in Napoli
tabiji verdict: Ciro Oliva is one of Naples' rising stars, and Concettina ai Tre Santi reflects his ambition — creative toppings on perfect Neapolitan dough, in the atmospheric Sanità neighborhood. The 50-pizzeria reviewer noted a price discrepancy between sit-down and takeaway, so eat in. The pizza fritta here is also top-notch. It's a bit touristy now but the quality holds up.
What to order: The marinara — simple and perfect. The pizzas are enormous. Important: make sure you're seated in the main room with the main oven, not the secondary dining room which uses a different oven and isn't as good.
"Pizzeria Pellone was delicious when I was in Napoli. It seemed like every patron (besides me) was speaking Italian. I got the marinara pizza and it was simple and perfect."
— r/napoli · 14 upvotes · Actually Good Pizza Spots
"I'm a big fan of Pellone near the station although you have to be careful to get the main room (and oven) and not the secondary room."
— r/napoli · 11 upvotes · Best Pizzeria in Napoli?
tabiji verdict: Pellone is the anti-tourist pizza experience. Near the train station (an area most tourists rush through), it's packed with Neapolitans eating enormous marinara pizzas at plastic tables. Zero pretension. The key insider tip: insist on the main dining room — the secondary room has a different oven and the pizza isn't as good. One Redditor noted Pellone has "heavy dough" which is true — this is old-school, thick Neapolitan, not the contemporary light style. If you like substance, this is heaven.
What to order: Any classic Neapolitan pizza — the dough here is the star. The margherita is excellent, but the specialty pizzas with local ingredients are worth exploring. No wait typically required.
"I wanted to visit Brandi my last day in Napoli, but it was pretty full. So I tried 'Ntretella. It was so freaking good. I tried many that are supposed to be the best, but 'Ntretella was by far the best I had."
— r/napoli · 12 upvotes · Debate: Best Pizza in Napoli
"'Ntretella was good and with no wait."
— r/travel · 4 upvotes · Pizza in Naples
tabiji verdict: The best-kept secret on this list. While tourists battle queues at Da Michele and Sorbillo, 'Ntretella in the upscale Chiaia neighborhood quietly serves some of the best pizza in Naples — with no wait. Multiple Redditors stumbled upon it as a backup plan and were blown away. One person who tried "many that are supposed to be the best" called 'Ntretella their #1. That's the kind of endorsement money can't buy.
What to order: Enzo Coccia is a pizza philosopher — his margherita is a masterclass in simplicity. The seasonal specials showcase premium Campanian ingredients. Try the cosacca (tomato, pecorino, basil — no mozzarella) for something different.
"The pizzerie that are usually mentioned as the best in Naples are Sorbillo, Starita, 50 Kalò, La Notizia."
— r/travel · 7 upvotes · Pizza in Naples
tabiji verdict: Enzo Coccia is to Neapolitan pizza what a Michelin chef is to French cuisine — technical perfection wrapped in tradition. La Notizia 53 is up on the Vomero hill, away from the tourist center, and that's intentional. The 50-pizzeria reviewer placed it in the "great" tier. If you want to understand why Neapolitan pizza is different — the science of the dough, the sourcing of ingredients — this is where you come. It's a pilgrimage, not just a meal.
What to order: The Margherita del Vesuvio is the signature — made with piennolo tomatoes grown on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. These tiny, intensely sweet tomatoes are unique to the region and create a sauce unlike anything else.
tabiji verdict: Slightly outside the city center in San Giorgio a Cremano, Pizzeria Salvo rewards the trip with one of the most unique margheritas in the Naples area. The piennolo tomatoes from Vesuvius are a revelation — concentrated sweetness that regular San Marzanos can't match. The 50-pizzeria reviewer placed it in the coveted "excellent" tier. Worth the short Circumvesuviana ride from central Naples, especially if you're also visiting Herculaneum or Pompeii.
What to order: The pizza fritta — stuffed with ricotta, cicoli, and provola, then deep-fried until golden. It's enormous and costs almost nothing. Come hungry — these are filling.
tabiji verdict: You haven't experienced Naples until you've eaten pizza fritta, and Isabella De Cham is the place to do it. The person who ate at 50+ pizzerias in Naples rated it "excellent" — their top pizza fritta spot. Located in the atmospheric Sanità neighborhood, this is a no-frills, street-level operation. The fried pizza arrives impossibly golden, stuffed with ricotta and provola, for about €4. It's the most Neapolitan thing you can eat.
What to order: The fritta completa — the classic filling with ricotta, cicoli, provola, and pepper. They open at breakfast time, and yes, Neapolitans genuinely eat fried pizza for breakfast.
tabiji verdict: La Masardona is the most famous pizza fritta spot in Naples, and unlike many famous things in this city, it still delivers. Located near the bustling Porta Nolana market, it opens early — Neapolitans legitimately eat pizza fritta for breakfast here. The 50-pizzeria reviewer placed it in the "great" tier. The atmosphere is chaotic, the neighborhood is rough around the edges, and the pizza is magnificent. That's Naples.
What to order: Any classic pizza — the margherita and marinara are both excellent. This is straightforward, no-gimmick Neapolitan pizza done at the highest level.
"Even if most will not agree it is the best, go and try Franco Gallifuoco Pizzeria close to the Piazza Garibaldi. It will blow you away. I ate almost 20 pizzas in a week. Although all the pizzas were excellent, Franco's were on another level!"
— r/ItalyTravel · 12 upvotes · Best Pizzeria in Naples
"Sorbillo absolutely. Michele is overrated. Also, Starita and Franco Gallifuoco."
— r/napoli · 10 upvotes · Best Pizzeria in Napoli?
tabiji verdict: Franco Gallifuoco is the sleeper pick. Near the chaotic Piazza Garibaldi (Naples' main train station area), it's the kind of place most tourists walk right past. But those who stop are rewarded: one Redditor who ate 20 pizzas in a week said Franco's were "on another level." Locals mention it alongside Starita and Sorbillo, which is the highest compliment in this city. No queues, no hype — just incredible pizza.
What to order: The Margherita 2.0 — a beautiful reimagining of the classic. This is where pizza becomes art. Expect premium ingredients, stunning presentation, and prices to match (high by Naples standards, still cheap by international standards).
tabiji verdict: If pizza is art, Tavolo Riservato is the gallery. The 50-pizzeria reviewer placed it in the "excellent" top tier — specifically praising both the visual beauty and the taste of the Margherita 2.0. This is upscale Naples pizza: contemporary technique, premium ingredients, and Instagram-worthy presentation. It's the most expensive option on this list, but still cheaper than a decent pizza in New York or London.
What to order: The star-shaped calzone fritto — Da Attilio is famous for shaping their fried calzones into a distinctive star shape. Also try the classic margherita from their wood-fired oven.
"According to my husband who is a pizza fanatic, Da Attilio."
— r/travel · 12 upvotes · Pizza in Naples
tabiji verdict: Da Attilio sits in the Pignasecca market area — one of Naples' most vibrant and authentic neighborhoods. It's been family-run since 1938, and the star-shaped fried calzone is their calling card. Less famous than Da Michele or Sorbillo, but equally beloved by those who know. The Pignasecca market itself is worth the visit — grab pizza, then wander through the fish stalls and fruit vendors for the full Naples experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best pizza in Naples?
Based on Reddit consensus from locals and residents, Starita in Materdei is the most consistently praised pizzeria — known for its impossibly light dough, legendary montanara, and angioletti with Nutella. Diego Vitagliano and 50 Kalò are top picks for contemporary Neapolitan pizza. Da Michele is the most famous but opinions among locals are sharply divided. The honest truth: almost every pizzeria in Naples serves genuinely great pizza.
Is Da Michele in Naples worth the wait?
Da Michele is divisive among locals. It became world-famous after "Eat Pray Love" and various celebrity visits, but many Neapolitans now consider it a tourist trap with long queues and a limited menu. The pizza itself is still good, but the wait can exceed an hour. If you go, arrive at 11 AM on a weekday to walk straight in. Many Redditors recommend spending that time at Starita, 50 Kalò, or Pellone instead.
How much does pizza cost in Naples?
Naples is famously cheap for pizza. A margherita costs €4–€6 at most traditional pizzerias. Even at upscale spots, prices rarely exceed €14–€18 for specialty pizzas. Pizza fritta is €3–€5. A full meal with pizza and a beer runs €8–€15 at most places. Tourist markups are minimal compared to Rome or Florence.
What is pizza fritta and where should I try it?
Pizza fritta is deep-fried pizza dough stuffed with ricotta, cicoli (pork cracklings), and provola cheese. It's a Neapolitan tradition dating to post-WWII when frying was cheaper than running a wood oven. Best spots: Isabella De Cham in Rione Sanità (top pick), La Masardona near Porta Nolana (most famous), and Zia Esterina Sorbillo. Expect to pay €3–€5 for a massive, filling fried pizza.
Do I need a reservation for pizza in Naples?
Most traditional pizzerias don't take reservations — you show up and wait. For fine-dining spots like Diego Vitagliano or Tavolo Riservato, reservations are recommended. Pro tip: go for lunch instead of dinner, and avoid Friday/Saturday evenings. Even the busiest spots have minimal waits on weekday afternoons.