By Ombretta Di Dio

Being born and raised in Naples, Italy, I’ve developed a strong and almost obsessive passion for a particular type of food that made my city famous all over the world: pizza. Even though it has been copied, changed and exported anywhere and everywhere, the pizza you will have in a Neapolitan pizzeria will always be the best there is. All those copy-cats cannot replicate local ingredients, the water, and wood burning ovens. If you happen to find yourself in the historic center of Naples, here is my personal list of the Top 5 Pizzerias that you must try:

Il Presidente

Via del Grande Archivio 24 - Napoli
Famous for having offered pizza to President Clinton, Il Presidente is located in the “Cavour” metro strop area. If you plan on going for dinner make sure to be there around 7:30 p.m to find a good spot and avoid waiting in an endless line.

Trianon

V. Colletta 44/46 – Napoli

Acclaimed actors from the Neapolitan tradition, such as Totò, used to love having pizza in this big pizzeria that is named after Trianon Theatre. They have been using the same recipe since 1923, the year they opened.

Di Matteo

Via Tribunali 94 – Napoli

Located in the heart of downtown, Di Matteo offers a top quality pizza in a very simple and domestic environment. Chances are, you will have to wait an hour to try its special pizza. I would recommend that you go at lunch time, around 12:30 PM, to make sure to be seated quickly.

Da Michele

Via Cesare Sersale 1/3 - Napoli

Michele offers the quintessential Pizza Napoletana in a unique pizzeria where you will probably sit next to strangers to try one of the only two kinds of pizzas that belong to the Neapolitan tradition: Margherita and Marinara.

Sorbillo

Via Tribunali 32 – Napoli

Luigi Sorbillo, founder of this pizzeria, had 21 sons , all of which became pizza makers. They sure haven’t forgotten how to please any kind of palate in this pizzeria, where more than 21 kind of pizza are offered, named under each and every one of Luigi’s sons. Lunch time is the best time to go in order to avoid lines here as well. Via Tribunali definitely has the best pizza in town.