Antica Pizzeria Starita a Materdei

Antica Pizzeria Starita a Materdei is a historic family pizzeria at Via Materdei 28 in the Materdei district of Naples, Campania, Italy. The business traces its roots to the 19th century and is one of the best-known names in Neapolitan pizza. It reached a wide audience when Sophia Loren was filmed eating pizza at the premises in the 1954 film L'oro di Napoli, and the connection still draws film fans. The cuisine is Neapolitan pizza in the classic style: a soft, elastic dough with a puffed edge, baked in a wood-fired oven. The signature dish is the montanara, a pizza that is briefly fried and then baked with tomato, basil and cheese, a technique associated with this pizzeria and now widely imitated across the city. The margherita is the benchmark order for first-time visitors, and the pizza a portafoglio, folded like a wallet, is the traditional street-style format. The dining room is lively and busy, with simple tables, a quick-moving staff and a mix of local families, students and visitors; the noise level is high at peak hours and there is no formal dress code. The beverage list is straightforward, with beer, soft drinks and regional wine to pair with the pizza. Prices are modest, in the typical Naples range of a few euros for a basic pizza. The pizzeria accepts reservations, which are worth making on Friday and Saturday evenings and for groups, since the room fills quickly and walk-in waits can be considerable. Weekday lunch is generally easier. Materdei sits north of the historic centre, close to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale and a short walk or metro ride from Piazza Dante, and visitors often combine the meal with an exploration of the Sanita district nearby. Opening hours vary by day, so confirming by phone before travelling is sensible. Cash and cards are generally accepted, though small establishments may prefer cash for low-value orders.