9 Naples Street Food You Cannot Miss In The Birthplace Of Pizza

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Any foodies out there, stop everything, do not pass go, and head straight to Napoli! Do yourself a favor, and don’t listen to what anyone tells you about Naples in a negative light. (Don’t you just hate that?) 

Not one to follow the sheep, I have always heard amazing things about Naples from a food point of view. 

When arriving in the country and asked by a local where I’m going next, if I said Naples, I would hear things like “dirty” or “dangerous”. Born in South Africa, I’m pretty street smart, so I don’t know if I just naturally have my wits about me, but I absolutely adore Naples, and everything about it.

The energy; the food; the vibe; the chaos; the melting pot of cultures. I recommend it to anyone visiting Italy, but especially to those who love food. 

One thing you’ll notice immediately is that Naples street food features a lot of heavily-fried goods. Fried pizza, fried pasta, fried potatoes… You catch my drift. I can only handle so much of the deep-fried foods, but that didn’t stop me from trying. If you see any shops called friggitorie, these are food stores/vendors selling fried foods.

And of course, pizza originates in Naples, so there’s always that! Plus, the ocean is on Naples’ doorstep, so you should expect a lot of seafood around here, too. 

To call Napolitanos passionate about food is an understatement. So, if you’re much the same and are heading to Napoli, here are 9 must-eat quintessential Naples street food you have to try! 

9 Naples Street Food You Cannot Miss In The Birthplace Of Pizza

1. Neapolitan pizza

You say pizza, I say love. 

Starting with the most obvious of the Naples street food, Neapolitan pizza (or that’s pizza napoletana if you’re Italian), it’s no secret that Naples is the birthplace of Italian pizza! 

However, Neapolitan pizza is known for two things: a thin, crispy base and delectably soft, puffy crusts. A classic is topped with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and probably basil.  

Foodie tip: Different cities, like Rome, have their own version of pizza. Check out the Eternal City’s pizza version while exploring the best street food in Rome! 

Everywhere you look in Napoli, there’s a pizzeria or a takeout shop selling them by the slice! I’d suggest sticking to the classic first. As much of a cliche as it sounds, the best pizza I had in all of Italy was 100% in Naples! 

In my opinion, it all comes down to the tomatoes. In Naples, they favor the San Marzano variety from Campania. During a taxi ride from Naples to the Amalfi, our taxi driver spent a good 30 minutes explaining to us all about these tomatoes (and his mother’s secret recipe). 

Best place to try Neapolitan pizza in Naples: Pizzeria Sandropizzettata, Owap Pizzeria (vegan options), L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele

2. Cuoppo

Cinque Terre has the fritto misto served in a paper cone (filled with an assortment of deep-fried seafood bits); Naples has the cuoppo. 

Originating in the 19th century in Napoli, it all began at the local fish market with the leftover seafood cuts not sold. Cuoppo, in this Italian city, is also sold in paper cones, containing an array of fried foods easily eaten with your fingers in one bite. 

These little deep-fried bites of goodness are not just limited to seafood (frutti di mare). As mentioned earlier, the Neapolitans are big fans of all things fried. Cuoppo typically contains fried zucchini flowers (so delicious, they’re called sciurilli in Italian), potato croquettes, polenta chips, salted zeppoline, frittatine di pasta (more on that later), calamari rings, salted anchovies, and salt cod. 

Local tip: Certain Naples street food vendors sell mixed cones (the classic), or cones of one specific ingredient, for example, deep-fried anchovies — especially yum with an iced cold beer. 

Best place to try Cuoppo in Naples: Friggitoria Vomero, Il Cuoppo 

3. Pizza fritta 

The word “fritta” means fried. So, you do the math. Fried pizza hails from post-World War II days. After many pizza ovens were destroyed during wartime, and ingredients became scarce, the locals came up with a plan, and thus, pizza fritta was born. 

It looks pretty much like a mini calzone. Instead of baking the dough in an oven, the dough is topped with ingredients, folded over, and deep-fried. A classic pizza fritta is usually filled with fresh ricotta, tomatoes, and cicoli, i.e., dried and crispy pork crackling chips. One other version is to fry the round dough disc and then chuck the ingredients on top!  

So naughty; so delicious! 

Best place to try pizza fritta in Naples: Antica Pizza Fritta da Zia Esterina Sorbillo, Antica Friggitoria La Masardona dal 1945, Pizza fritta 

In this Italian city, there’s another Naples street food that looks very similar to pizza fritta, and that’s panzerotti. The difference? Panzerotti are fried or baked. These crescent-shaped pockets contain tomato, cheese, basil, and even meat sauce like a ragu.  

Best place to try panzerotti in Naples: ‘O Cuzzetiello Panineria

4. Frittatine di pasta Napoletane 

Okay, this next Naples street food is something I’d never personally jump to try, but my significant other most certainly would. It kind of reminds me of the type of food you’d see trending on TikTok.  

Frittatine di pasta Napoletane are Neapolitan pasta fritters. As the name sort of gives away, it’s a deep-fried pasta ball of béchamel sauce. The classic way is to use spaghetti pasta. 

Originally, the recipe was simple. Over the years, the ingredients have been elaborated. Back in the day, the mixture (before frying) would contain peas and ham (along with the béchamel). Nowadays, all sorts are added, from cured meats to ragu sauce to provola cheese. 

Thanks to the béchamel, as you bite into the battered pasta ball, the inside should be creamy and delicious. Depending on where you buy yours from, many vendors and restaurants do their own versions, for example, a frittatina carbonara. 

Best place to try frittatine di pasta in Naples: Rosticceria Imperatore

5. Panino Napoletano / Pagnottiello

In Florence, it’s the Schiacciata (one of the Renaissance city’s most famous street foods), in Napoli, it’s all about that panino Napoletano.

Also known as “pagnottiello,” panino Napoletano is Naples’ local sandwich hero. I love these sandwiches, and I think it’s perhaps the shine on the outer layer of the bread which lures me in. It looks very similar to brioche. They taste extra yummy after a day of drinking (I call it appreciating) Aperol Spritz. 

Inside the dough are cubed pancetta and cheese, and this bakes with the bread. As the bread rises, little pockets (with whatever filling) are created inside the loaf. It reminds me of a focaccia-meets-savory brioche. 

Best place to try pagnottiello in Naples: Friggitoria Napoletana da Rosetta; Partenopeat

6. Pizza a portafoglio

Since my last trip to Italy, I have taken up studying Italian. I’m in love with the language, and in fact, once you translate Italian words to English / vice versa, you notice how many cute little references there are. Pizza a portafoglio means wallet pizza, and that’s pretty much what this Naples street food is! 

Is it a foldover? Nope. It may look like one, yet it’s just the way the pizza is folded after it’s baked and is out of the oven. It’s literally perfect to munch on as you’re strolling the streets. 

Travel tip: Keep a napkin close by; sometimes oil spills from the pizza because of the cheese and it being folded, etc., etc. 

Strolling the streets, I took note that many locals eat their pizza this way. Even when a pizza arrives at the table in Italy, it’s not pre-sliced as we’re accustomed to. So, this all makes sense. 

Best place to try pizza, a portafoglio in Naples: Sorbillo Wallet and Fried Pizza

7. Neapolitan taralli

One thing I’ve realised after numerous trips to Italy is that Italians love their biscuits and cookies — whether this is sweet or savory. Neapolitan taralli reminds me of these little savory biscuits we were served a lot in Capri, the Amalfi, and in Florence, too, whenever ordering a drink. 

Heading to the Amalfi? Have a squizz at my favorite restaurants in Ravello!

Supposed to be rustic in appearance (which they are with their uneven tops), the taste is a little sweet and salty. This is because they’re made with almonds (lending the sweetness) and pepper! The key ingredient to this Naples street food snack, though, is lard! 

They pair so well with a glass of red wine or beer. Whenever we sit down for drinks in Napoli, taralli arrive at the table (but in mini versions). 

Also, depending on the region, there are flavor variations. Locals have been savoring these biscuits since the 18th century! I suggest you do the same. 

Best place to try Neapolitan taralli in Naples: Taralleria Napoletana

8. Sfogliatelle

Ladies and gents, introducing the perfect breakfast accompaniment among my list of must-try Naples street food — although, realistically, you can enjoy a sweet bite of these treats at any time of day.  

A perfect companion for an espresso, sfogliatelle are these beautifully crispy little pastries (almost shaped like a croissant but not entirely). Because of the way they are laminated pre-bake, the tops have a ribbed exterior. They’re closer shaped to a shell. In Italy, though, the locals say they look like lobster claws. So the sweet treats are nicknamed “lobster claws/tails.” 

Semolina-ricotta comprises the filling of this confection, finished off in a dusting of icing sugar, and the smell is to-die-for! 

Foodie tip: dunk it in your morning cappuccino!  

Best place to try sfogliatelle in Naples: Mary’s Sfogliatella, Sfogliate e Sfogliatelle

9. Baba al rhum 

Okay, I feel like I saw baba al rhum more times in Naples than any other Naples street food. Arriving in the city, it was raining cats and dogs. Running into the nearest cafe off the main road near the cathedral, I was craving coffee and a quick bite to eat after traveling from Rome. 

One of the first things our waitress recommended was baba al rhum, fresh out of the oven! I’ve heard about and seen baba al rhum before, but never tasted one till then. Of course, my husband agreed (we’re foodies, we’ll try anything a local recommends), and it really was yummy! 

A little sickly sweet for me, if I’m being totally honest. But I am glad I tasted the Neapolitan dessert. 

For all our baking aficionados, yes, yes, baba al rhum is French; however, in Napoli, it has now become a local dessert for centuries. This version of the sweet cake is smaller than the original. The leavened sponge cake is soaked in a rum syrup. Depending on where you eat it, they also sometimes come topped with cream, but this option is way too rich for me. 

Best place to try baba al rhum in Naples: Pasticceria Tizzano 1960 di Valentina Tizzano, Pasticceria Mignone

Beyond Naples

While we’re chatting all things food, if you’re interested in some of the country’s finest produce, I would recommend Tuscany. With its rolling farmlands, food is a whole other ball game! How long to spend in the Tuscan countryside? Dive into my 5-day Tuscany itinerary for some easy planning. 

Traveling Italy with a bit of a budget in mind? Here are some great, affordable restaurants in Rome. Or, if you’re a pasta fanatic, here’s where to find the best pasta in Florence. Buon appetito! 

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