This was our first trip to Naples and it is probably the busiest and grittiest city in Italy. Everywhere you look there is action and people talking in loud voices. Our driver Gino took us directly to the Grand Hotel Santa Lucia from our hotel in Ravello. The hotel is across the street from the Castello dell’Ovo. The location allowed us to take long walks along the sea. Our first walk took us to Sorbillo, one of the iconic Pizza restaurants in Naples and now the world. We started with fritti and then had a great Margherita pizza.
Our next day we had a city tour with our guide Dario, who was entertaining and informative. We started at the National Archeological Museum, which featured many artifacts from Pompeii. We proceeded to the Sansevero to view the amazing sculpture of the Veiled Christ. We ate lunch at another iconic pizza restaurant – Pizzeria Di Matteo. Dario insisted we try the fried pizza which was amazing. It is hard to believe how they can fry the pizza dough and yet get a delicate soft crust. Our second pizza was a pizza gialla, which is probably the best pizza we have ever eaten.
The next day we walked to the Piazza Del Plebiscito and then toured the Royal Palace. Lunch was at the Osteria Della Mattonella. A very small iconic local restaurant specializing in pasta ragu. That evening we did a food tour with Paolo from With Locals. He was a good guide and really gave us a very good prospective of Naples and all of its delicious food. He was even kind enough to give us a lift back to the hotel.
Our last day we revisited the area of the food tour which was slightly past the Spanish Quarter. We went to the Chiesa Del Gesu which was an over the top eaxample of Baroque. Then we past some pleasant quiet time in Chiostro di Santa Chiara.
Naples Restaurants:
Ristorante Dora – driver Gino’s recommendation
Veritas – Katie Parla – excellent
Osteria Della Mattonella – small, local, perfect Napoletano!
Tamdem Ragu – Linda Owen recomendation
Da Ettore – very close to the hotel.
