Strolling the food stalls of Naples is understanding the city’s culture, traditions and pride. Mobile cooking-stations, kiosks, cafés, tiny eateries, food markets and other street food havens are the city’s law and order.
The perfumes of freshly-baked dough, deep-fried seafood, milky mozzarella balls, stuffed rice suppli, freshly-made tomato sauce and other delicacies will convert even the most resistant to street food feasts. It is no wonder that Naples and street food have formed the strongest of marriages, transcending centuries of change.
A fertile volcanic soil, Buffalo dairies and the Mediterrean Sea – Neapolitans’ connection to their rich natural surroundings has made their street food one of the world’s most revered, and absurdly friendly to wallets too!
You shouldn’t have a problem find a a great meal in Naples but look out for these as you stroll in the historic centre:
Il Cuoppo Friggitori Napoletani – This is one of the best street food stalls for fried seafood. Located in the historic Via San Biagio Dei Librai, the stand offers many variations of all things fried, from fried vegetables to fried mozzarella balls, all wrapped in a paper cone. Try the fried seafood mix, freshly prepared in just a
few minutes, for just €6. Portions are very generous so your money goes far and beyond here!
Friggitoria Vomero – Another great fried snack bar, decades-old in the art of fried Neapolitan appetisers. Here you must try the zeppole, arancini, omelette di maccheroni pasta, fried potatoes and zucchini flowers. Located next to Naples’ funicular, this street food bar is a great stop before or after your funicular ride, or both! Prices vary between €0.20-2 apiece.
Pizzeria Di Matteo – For the best street pizza in Naples, head to the family-run pizzeria di Matteo, on Via Tribunali near Piazza San Gaetano. This is the place for typical Neapolitan pizza, both oven or fried, in a typical Neapolitan atmosphere. Even Bill Clinton squeezed in for his share of pizza during his visit to Naples in 1994. No fancy, no fuss. Just pizza. Go for the Margherita, the most typical pizzas of all! Prices vary between €2-6.
DE’ Figliole – De’ Figliole, in Naples’s historical centre since 1860, has the best fried pizza in Naples. Calzone-looking or flat, chewy yet slightly crunchy on the edges, fried pizza is a long-standing Neapolitan tradition not to be missed. Observe the women in the kitchen stretch the dough whilst locals rush in for their pick of the day, and don’t hold back as you indulge in one of the oldest traditions of the city! Prices vary between €4-5.