The True Neapolitan Pizza in Naples

One of the pleasures of walking the streets of Naples are the tempting aromas floating out of the tiny pizzerias and filling the busy streets. They will lure you in to try “la vera pizza napoletana,” the true Neapolitan pizza, which is a must for any visitor to Naples. Ask any Neapolitan and they can quickly tell you where the best pizza in the city is made. Opinion will most certainly vary, but a pizza tour of Naples is one of the best ways to explore the city.

Neapolitans prefer their pizzas with light toppings, and first time visitors are sometimes surprised to find only a light tomato base with a few pieces of delicately flavoured mozzarella melted over the top and garnished by one or two basil leaves. Your traditional ideas of pizza will be thrown out the window after just one bite.

The Vera Pizza Napoletana must be prepared in a wood-burning oven where it bakes at temperatures near 800°F (420°C) for less than two minutes. The toppings are San Marzano tomatoes grown in Campania around the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius and the Bufala Mozzarella (produced from water buffalo milk) or the Fior di Latte Mozzarella (from cow’s milk) also produced in the region of Campania.

The first pizza to gain widespread success was the classic and original Pizza Margherita. The food history books tell us how this pizza was first made for Queen Margherita, who visited Naples in 1889 and was intrigued by the popular street food called pizza. Raffaele Esposito was summoned to prepare pizza for the queen to sample at the royal palace. Esposito honoured the queen by creating a new pizza topped with tomatoes, mozzarella and a few sprigs of fresh basil—the red, white and green celebrating the flag of recently unified Italy. The queen enjoyed her special pizza above all the others he prepared, and since then the famous Pizza Margherita has been the most popular pizza in Naples. Today when you pass by the Pizzeria Brandi in Naples, you will see a sign celebrating Raffaele Esposito and the birth of the Pizza Margherita.

The Pizza alla Marinara is another classic Neapolitan favourite. This is the oldest and simplest pizza, topped only with crushed tomatoes and sprinkled with chopped garlic, olive oil and a generous pinch of oregano. This pizza is often served before meals along with other appetizers.

When you see pizza bianca on a menu, that means the pizza does not include tomatoes. Instead, you’ll find mozzarella, olive oil and other cheeses, vegetables and meats in simple and tasty combinations.

After a few visits to pizzerias in Naples, you’ll soon join the Neapolitans in offering your tips for finding the best pizza in the city. The true challenge is picking just one as your favourite pizza!