What to eat in Naples, the best traditional food

DIANA BANCALE

Founder and author, travel blogger since 2014.

What to eat in Naples, one of the most popular cities in the world for its local cuisine, birthplace of pizza and great place to taste many delicacies.

Here are some typical Naples food you absolutely have to try!

As you may know, I was born and raised there and even though I live now in Spain, every time I go back to to Naples, I look forward to eating some of my favorite dishes ever.

If you are about to go on a trip to the Naples, get ready for a complete Naples food tour!

Do you want tips on typical dishes to try? Here is my personal selection!

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Traditional neapolitan cuisine – the main dishes

Gattò di patate

A potato flan with ham and mozzarella, or provola and various cured meats. The crust is made crunchy by oven-baked breadcrumbs. A simple but very tasty dish. My grandmother always made it for me…

Mozzarella di bufala (buffalo mozzarella)

Buffalo mozzarella, made with the milk of buffaloes from Campania region, is a unique fresh cheese. Remember that when it is fresh it should NEVER be put in the fridge but kept outside, inside its serum.

Only after a day ot two, when it is no longer fresh, we store it in the fridge and use it for cooking.

Fior di latte and provola cheese

Cow’s milk mozzarella is called fior di latte, while its smoked variant is provola. Both delicious. You can eat them as appetizer, as main dish with vegetables or as a second plate after a nice pasta dish.

Salsiccia e friarielli

I haven’t eaten meat for years but salsiccia e friarielli (sausage with typical neapolitan broccoli leaves) is a pillar of Neapolitan cuisine. Friarielli are are stewed in a pan with oil and garlic.

They make a great side dish.

read also: THE BEST TRADITIONAL RESTAURANTS TO EAT IN NAPLES LIKE A LOCAL

Pizza di scarole

One of my favourite dish ever. It is a pizza dough filled with escarole, cooked together with olives, capers and pine nuts which are previously browned together.

Casatiello

It is a sort of very nutritious savory pie, made with cheese, salami and eggs. It is mostly eaten for Easter lunch.

Sartù di riso

Rice timbale that can be prepared in different variations. My grandmother made it with mozzarella and mushrooms, otherwise it can be made with Neapolitan tomato sauce ragù, peas, bacon, mushrooms, fior di latte or provola, meatballs, sausages and hard-boiled eggs.

Pizza rustica

Neapolitan rustic pizza is a delicious savory pie filled with ricotta, cheese and spicy salami. It can be eaten warm or cold.

Frittatina di pasta

Traditional neapolitan street food, easy to prepare and to carry. When I was a child we use to prepare it and bring it to the beach. It is prepared with leftover pasta from the day before and eggs, mixed and cooked like a normal omelette. I love it, especially cold from the fridge.

Pasta e patate

Pasta and potatoes with smoked provola is a traditional dish of poor Neapolitan cuisine. Irresistible despite its simplicity.

Pizza Margherita

No doubts, the best pizza in Italy is in Naples. Simple and delicious, made with local ingredients such as tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, olive oil and basil. Soft and thin inside, with a soft raised crust. Light and easy to digest, thanks to the long leavening. Useless to say, my favorite dish ever!

LOCAL TIP: Looking for the best places tro try authentic neapolitan pizza? Try the historic restaurant Antica pizzeria Da Michele, Pizzeria di Matteo, Sorbillo or ristorante europeo Mattozzi.

Pizza fritta (Fried pizza)

In Naples it is one of the best known street food. The dough is made with pizza dough filled with ricotta, black pepper, salami and mozzarella and then fried.

Spaghetti alle vongole

One of the typical dishes of Neapolitan cuisine, became one of the pillars of italian cuisine too.

The original recipe requires them to be prepared plain but you can also add some cherry tomatoes. The clams used are the real ones from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Have it with a glass of white wine or two and it will taste like paradise!

Zucchine alla scapece

It is a side dish that is prepared by cutting the courgettes into slices, frying them in extra virgin olive oil and seasoning them with vinegar and mint.

Melanzane a funghetto

Melenzane a funghetto are side dish made with fried aubergines and tomatoes, also excellent for seasoning pasta. One of those dishes to eat in Naples suitable for those who love vegetables.

Typical Neapolitan pastry

If you fancy some sweet treats after a nice lunch or dinner, you are in the right place! Naples local culture offers a great variety of desserts. Go in a pastry shop and you will see…

Sfogliatella riccia e frolla

Curly puff pastry and shortcrust pastry are one of the most loved typical desserts of Neapolitan pastry making. The best place to eat sfogliatella? “La sfogliatella di Mary” in Galleria Umberto, in the historic center of Naples (centro storico).

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CHECK AVAILABILITY AND PRICES HERE