Campania is a stunning region in southern Italy renowned for its dramatic coastlines, ancient ruins, and world-famous cuisine. Home to Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, and the islands of Capri and Ischia, it offers an unrivaled mix of history, natural beauty, and gastronomy. The birthplace of pizza and mozzarella di bufala, Campania captivates visitors with its vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes.
Campanian cuisine is one of Italy's most celebrated and influential culinary traditions, having given the world pizza napoletana, spaghetti with tomato sauce, and mozzarella di bufala. The region's cooking is defined by extraordinary produce - San Marzano tomatoes grown in volcanic soil, sfusato lemons from Sorrento and Amalfi, buffalo milk mozzarella from the Sele plain - combined with the freshest seafood from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Pasta shapes unique to the region include scialatielli, paccheri, and schiaffoni. Neapolitan street food culture is thriving, with sfogliatella pastries, fried pizza, and pizza fritta eaten standing at the counter.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Campania.
Pizza Napoletana
Wood-fired pizza with San Marzano tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella, charred crust
Where to try: Historic center pizzerias, especially Via dei Tribunali
Price: €4-10
Sfogliatella
Shell-shaped pastry filled with ricotta, semolina, and citrus - a Naples institution
Where to try: Any pastry shop in Naples, especially Bar del Professore
Price: €2-3
Mozzarella di Bufala Campana
Fresh buffalo mozzarella with milky, tangy flavor - DOP protected
Where to try: Near Paestum, Caserta, or good restaurants throughout Campania
Price: €8-15 for 250g
Spaghetti alle Vongole
Clams with garlic, white wine, and parsley - a Neapolitan classic
Where to try: Coastal restaurants throughout Campania
Price: €14-22
Ragù Napoletano
Long-cooked meat sauce with multiple cuts, eaten Sundays with pasta
Where to try: Traditional trattorias in Naples
Price: €10-18
Scialatielli ai Frutti di Mare
Hand-cut pasta unique to the Amalfi Coast with mixed seafood
Where to try: Amalfi Coast restaurants
Price: €18-28
Delizia al Limone
Soft dome cake filled with lemon cream, the Amalfi Coast's signature dessert
Where to try: Pastry shops throughout Amalfi Coast
Price: €4-6
Colatura di Alici Pasta
Spaghetti with anchovy fermentation sauce from Cetara
Where to try: Cetara and good Campanian restaurants
Price: €14-20
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Gino Sorbillo
One of Naples' most legendary pizzerias, Gino Sorbillo has been making pizza on Via dei Tribunali since 1935. The Margherita and marinara here are considered benchmarks of the art form - San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, and a perfectly charred crust from a wood-burning oven.
Known for: Classic Neapolitan pizza with 80-year family tradition
Via dei Tribunali 32, 80138 Naples NA
L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele
Founded in 1870 and made famous by the movie 'Eat, Pray, Love', da Michele serves only two pizzas - Margherita and Marinara. The queue outside is part of the experience, but the simplicity and quality of these two pies makes it a pilgrimage for pizza lovers worldwide.
Known for: Only two pizzas, made since 1870
Via Cesare Sersale 1, 80139 Naples NA
Pizzeria Brandi
The birthplace of pizza Margherita, Pizzeria Brandi has been serving pizza since 1780. In 1889, chef Raffaele Esposito created the Margherita here for Queen Margherita of Savoy, topping it with tomato, mozzarella, and basil to represent the Italian flag.
Known for: Birthplace of pizza Margherita in 1889
Salita Sant'Anna di Palazzo 1, 80132 Naples NA
Pizzeria Starita a Materdei
A Naples institution since 1901 in the working-class Materdei neighborhood, Starita is less tourist-focused than centro storico pizzerias. The fritto menu includes legendary fried pizza and cuoppo fritto (mixed fried seafood cone), with a vast pizza menu beyond the classics.
Known for: Fried pizza and historic neighborhood atmosphere
Via Materdei 27/28, 80136 Naples NA
La Masardona
The undisputed champion of fried pizza in Naples, La Masardona has been frying pizza since 1945 from a small shop near Napoli Centrale. The calzone fritto - a half-moon of fried dough filled with ricotta, cicoli (pork fat), and pepper - is a must-eat Naples experience.
Known for: Best fried pizza in Naples since 1945
Via Giulio Cesare Capaccio 27, 80139 Naples NA
Ristorante La Caravella
One of the Amalfi Coast's most celebrated restaurants, La Caravella has been setting the standard for fine Campanian cuisine since 1959. The menu features refined interpretations of local seafood and pasta with an extraordinary wine cellar. It has received Michelin recognition repeatedly.
Known for: Historic fine dining with Michelin recognition
Via Matteo Camera 12, 84011 Amalfi SA
Da Gemma
Operating since 1872, Da Gemma is the oldest restaurant in Amalfi and one of the best. The menu celebrates the flavors of the Amalfi Coast with exceptional fresh pasta, local fish, and the sfusato lemon in various preparations. The dining room has a classic elegance.
Known for: Oldest restaurant in Amalfi, serving since 1872
Via Fra' Gerardo Sasso 10, 84011 Amalfi SA
Don Alfonso 1890
One of Italy's greatest restaurants, Don Alfonso 1890 in Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi holds two Michelin stars and has been a beacon of southern Italian cuisine since 1890. The Alfonso Iaccarino family grows its own produce on their Punta Campanella estate, resulting in extraordinary farm-to-table dishes.
Known for: Two Michelin stars, family estate produce
Piazza Sant'Agata 11, 80064 Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi NA
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Italian
Neapolitan Pizza
Seafood
Campanian
Traditional Neapolitan
Caprese
Contemporary Neapolitan Pizza
Historical Pompeian
Ischitana
Mediterranean
Neapolitan
Neapolitan Cafe
Neapolitan Street Food
Neapolitan Wine Bar
Pastry And Cafe
Sorrentine
Southern Campanian
Traditional Campanian
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Pizza Fritta
Fried pizza dough filled with ricotta, salami, and tomato - the original street food of Naples
Find it at: Street vendors in Naples historic center, especially around Piazza Garibaldi
Cuoppo di Frittura
Paper cone filled with mixed fried seafood or vegetables
Find it at: Waterfront seafood stalls in Naples and coastal towns
Taralli
Ring-shaped crackers baked with lard and pepper, sold in paper bags
Find it at: Street vendors and bakeries throughout Naples
Babà al Rum
Rum-soaked yeast cake, a Neapolitan classic available in every pastry shop
Find it at: Any pasticceria in Naples
Granita al Limone
Lemon ice granita made with sfusato lemons, refreshing in summer
Find it at: Cafes throughout Sorrento and Amalfi Coast
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
La Pignasecca Market
Naples' oldest and most authentic daily market selling fish, produce, cheese, and street food in the historic center
Hours: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Mon-Sat)
Porta Nolana Fish Market
Naples' most historic seafood market at Porta Nolana gate, with the freshest catch from the Gulf
Hours: 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM daily
Mercato di Antignano
Lively neighborhood market in Vomero hill district, less touristy than central markets
Hours: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Mon-Sat)
Paestum Mozzarella Farms
Buffalo mozzarella farm shops near Paestum selling mozzarella within hours of production
Hours: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM daily
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch (12:30-3pm) is the main meal - many restaurants offer fixed-price lunch menus at significant savings
Dinner in Naples rarely starts before 8pm - restaurants may be empty at 7pm
Standing at the bar for coffee and pastries is always cheaper than sitting
Cover charge (coperto) of €1-3 per person is standard in sit-down restaurants
Avoid restaurants near major tourist attractions - walk a few streets for better quality and price
Sunday ragù is a Naples institution - seek out a traditional trattoria for Sunday lunch
- Vegetarian
- Vegetarian options are widely available. Neapolitan pizza, pasta with tomato sauce and basil, and eggplant parmigiana are all naturally vegetarian. Most restaurants have vegetarian choices.
- Halal
- Limited halal-certified restaurants in Campania. Naples has some Middle Eastern restaurants in the Piazza Garibaldi area. Seafood is a safe option throughout the region.
- Gluten free
- Gluten-free (senza glutine) pasta and pizza are increasingly available in restaurants throughout Campania. Look for the AIC (Italian Coeliac Association) symbol.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €5-12 per meal | Street food, pizza fritta, and standing at café bars. Excellent quality at very low cost in Naples. |
| Mid-range | €20-40 per meal | Sit-down trattoria or restaurant with antipasto, pasta, and wine. Great value for quality. |
| Upscale | €70+ per meal | Fine dining at Michelin-starred or high-end coastal restaurants. Some of Italy's finest cuisine. |