13 Best Street Foods in Naples, Italy: Guide 2024

Are you looking for the best street food in Naples, Italy? Look no further! From sweet treats to savory snacks, some of the best food in Naples can be found on the city’s streets.

Indeed, every foodie visiting the capital of Campania will want to sample authentic Neapolitan cuisine. Amazingly, that doesn’t mean high-priced fancy dinners.

Quite the contrary, it means eating the local Campania foods, most of which have roots in “cucina povera,” or “cuisine of the poor.” So, you’ll likely find that Naples street food is actually very affordable, in addition to being delicious!

Eating on the streets of Naples will not only save you lots of Euros, but also loads of time—especially if you know what you’re looking for. And luckily, for both you and me, I know what to look for! I grew up eating it!

The last time I visited Naples, I only had one day. But I sure ate my fair share of traditional Neapolitan foods, and they were all delicious!

Street Food in Naples

This list is the best street food Naples has for sampling authentic Neapolitan cuisine from local street vendors and small shops on the narrow pedestrian streets.

1. Pizza Napolitana

The most famous Naples street food, pizza Napolitana

If there’s one food Naples, Italy, is known for, it’s Neapolitan pizza. After all, Naples is the birthplace of pizza!

Not only is the historic center of the city recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the traditions and art of making Pizza Napolitana have also been recognized.

The round shape is achieved by hand, so it will never be a perfect circle. And although it may not look perfect, I think this wood-fired oven pizza is the best in the world!

It’s all about the pizza dough and the crust. The rim is thick, chewy, and perfectly charred. The center of the crust is soft and thin.

Pizza chefs are so proud of their crusts that they often recommend the simplest of toppings, like those found on a Margherita pizza: just tomato, basil, and mozzarella cheese.

While pizza is usually thought of as a sit-down meal in Italy, grabbing a box to go and finding a spot to eat the delicious contents has also become common practice.

Demand continues to grow as some of the most popular pizza places in Naples have waits that far exceed one hour. It’s even legal to drink a cold beer with your pizza in a piazza.

One of the oldest and most famous pizzerias, Antica Pizzeria Da Michele is a great place to order your authentic pizza Napolitana. You’ll see their pizza boxes throughout the city. It’s definitely a street food Naples, Italy, adores!

2. Pizza a Portafoglio

The folded wallet pizza, a Neapolitan street food good enough for U.S. presidents

As with Roman pizzas, there’s more than one type of pizza in Naples.

A quintessential Neapolitan street food, pizza a portafoglio, or "wallet pizza," is perfectly designed to eat on the go. The history of wallet-style pizza, according to journalist Matilde Serao, dates back to 1738 and begins at the historic Port’Alba Pizzeria.

The pizza itself is slightly smaller than the Napoletana, but it’s cleverly folded into quarters, creating a portable meal that fits conveniently in your hand, much like a wallet.

Today, the most famous pizzeria for pizza a portafoglio is Antica Pizzeria Di Matteo, thanks to the former U.S. president, Bill Clinton. Legend has it that on a visit to Naples, Clinton followed his nose down Via dei Tribunali and ended up ordering a wallet pizza and creating a sensation.

The then pizza chef at Di Matteo was so excited, he went off to create his own pizzeria, La Figlia del Presidente.

3. Pizza Fritta

Pizza fritta, one of the best cheap eats in Naples, Italy

Pizza fritta simply means “fried pizza.” But that seems like a bit of a misnomer to me. Since it is folded in half, fried pizza looks more like a calzone than a pizza.

However, since I’m a lover of pizza, calzone, and pizza fritta, I’m not going to quibble about names. But to be perfectly honest, I really didn’t want to like fried pizza—isn’t pizza decadent enough?

Nonetheless, I really fell hard for this fried dough combined with melty fresh mozzarella. It’s really one of the most delicious foods in Naples. I add escarole or other greens to make me feel like I’m eating more healthy. 

Here’s the bonus: Fried pizza is one of the best cheap eats in Naples, Italy! Although these decadent treasures seem like more work to make than a pizza, they’re usually less expensive.

As you may expect, the pizzerias known for having the best pizza are also some of the best places for pizza fritta. But if you want a place that is known specifically for their fried pizza, try Sorbillo Esterina.

4. Frittatina di Pasta

Frittatina di pasta, the street food Naples has for pasta lovers

When I eat frittatina di pasta, I am reminded of the Italian food quote by Federico Fellini, “Life is a combination of magic and pasta,” because this is a pasta dish unlike anything you’ve probably seen before.

The staple Napolitana food frittatina di pasta has many versions. The name translates literally to “pasta omelette,” but these pasta omelettes are more like the Spanish tapas type rather than the American breakfast kind.

One of the great culinary traditions of Italian cuisine is not to waste anything, and this local street food embodies that spirit.

Created as a way to use up leftover pasta, frittatina di pasta can vary from place to place. The recipe can be as simple as eggs and pasta. To that humble base can be added such traditional ingredients as peas, buffalo mozzarella, ground meat, Provola cheese, or potatoes.

Like Spanish omelettes, frittatine di pasta are cooked in round skillets and then cut into pieces. Although, in addition, individual pasta fritters, sometimes called “pasta fritta,” can be made from the same ingredients.  

When you order your pizza a portafoglio from Di Matteo, throw in a frittatina di pasta too!

5. Cuoppo di Pesce Fritto

Cuoppi di pesce fritto, fish is a street food in Naples, Italy. — Cuoppi di pesce fritto is a street food in Naples, Italy.

Fried fish in a cone is one of the most popular street foods in Naples.

This Neapolitan tradition started in the 1800s on the local waterfront. The poor would buy scraps from the fish market. The scraps were battered, fried, and served in a paper cone, and the payment was deferred for 8 days.

The current standard within the local culture is to pay upon receipt. However, instead of scraps, you’re rewarded with your choice of fried calamari, shrimp, anchovies, or other small fish.

Il Cuoppo – Friggitori Napoletani is one of the best havens of fried street foods in Naples, and it’s the perfect place to get your cuoppo di pesce fritto. Keep an eye out for their food truck too!

6. Sfogliatella 

The number one pastry in Naples, sfogliatella

For those with a sweet tooth, sfogliatella is a definite must-have among Neapolitan street food standouts.

Sfogliatella is one of my favorite Italian pastries of all time. Some of that love comes from a place of nostalgia, as they were often part of Sunday dinners at my grandparents’ home. But you certainly don’t need to be Italian to become enthralled by these delights.

However, I never knew there were two kinds of sfogliatelle in Naples, where these amazing pastries originate.

Sfogliatella riccia is the shell-shaped pastry made up of flaky layers filled with sweet ricotta cheese. Sfogliatella frolla has the same filling but uses a shortcake dough and looks like a bun.

Sfogliatella riccia is hands down the most popular Napoli pastry, and with good reason. It is so popular that not only can you find it in the surrounding areas, it is even featured in the bakeries of Rome.

The best way to treat your taste buds to a sfoliatella is to pop into one of the local pasticcerias.

7. Pasta Cresciuta

Fried dough balls are a great Napoli snack.

Don’t let the word “pasta” confuse you, pasta cresciuta is not made with macaroni.

“Pasta” also happens to be the Italian word for dough, and this Naples food is a deep-fried dough ball.

These fried fritters are most often made with zucchini or zucchini flowers, but they can also use other fresh vegetables.

Sometimes I find it hard to tell what exactly is inside the fritters I order, but they are always very tasty. Of course, my nonna made the best zucchini fritters, but in Naples, your best bet is to try a “friggitoria,” an eatery that specializes in fried street foods.

Friggitoria Fiorenzano is a good place for pasta cresciuta and all things fried.

8. Panzerotti Napoletani

The original “Hot Pocket” the the Napoli street food, panzerotti. — The original “Hot Pocket,” the Napoli street food panzerotti.

Americans, think Hot Pocket—that’s panzerotti. But, unlike Hot Pockets, panzerotti are freshly made and delicious.

They’re basically a mini version of a calzone. But whereas calzones are often too huge to fit on a plate, panzerotti fit perfectly in your hand.

However, the concept of panzerotti is similar to that of calzone: dough filled with tomato sauce, some kind of delicious Italian cheese, and toppings.

Panzerotti can be baked or fried. The most important thing to remember about this Napoli food is to poke it with your knife or fork to let the steam out before digging in. Otherwise, you may get burned.

Stop at a friggitoria on Via San Gregorio Armeno to give this Naples street food a try.

9. Frutta Fresca

Fresh fruit, a popular street food in Naples

Italians are obsessed with all kinds of fresh produce, especially fresh fruit, or “frutta fresca” as the Italians say.

I remember decades ago, my first time in Italy, I saw fresh fruit on a restaurant menu in Rome. I thought, “Who’s going to order fruit instead of these incredible Roman dishes?”  

But people did, and then I noticed fresh fruit was everywhere—there were even fruit trucks on the streets!

And just as fruit is an important Roman street food, it’s also a big part of the street food scene in the city of Naples.

In a land where there are so many must-eat fried foods, fruits can be a great thing to eat in between more decadent treats. It’s like drinking water in between glasses of wine. Saluti!

10. Arancino Napoletano

Arancini, an Italian street food that varies from region to region

The street food in Italy varies from region to region, just as all Italian cuisine does. So, even if you’ve had arancini in Sicily, or supplì in Rome, you should try these rice balls in Naples.  

Neapolitan arancini may also be called palle di riso (balls of rice). What makes them different from the other Italian versions is the lack of tomato sauce. The recipe for this Napoli street food just adds parmesan cheese to risotto.

They are a great food when you’re on the move, and not as messy as those with tomato sauce.

All of the friggittori and pizzerias on this list will have the local arancini, and some will even offer their own creative twists.

11. Taralli Napoletani

A traditional Napolitano food, taralli sugna e pepe

I always thought of taralli as being from Puglia, and could not understand why they were a popular street food in Naples.

Turns out, they originated in Puglia, and are now popular throughout southern Italy. Some areas, like Naples, have their own version too.

Taralli are eaten like a chip, but they look completely different. Picture a breadstick made into a ring, or something more lopsided depending who is making them.

Taralli Napoletani are often served like chips when you order a drink at a bar, but you can buy bags of them for eating on the streets.

The most common taralli in Campania are taralli sugna e pepe, or suet and black pepper. OK, I admit, not all Naples snacks sound appetizing. But like chips, I find taralli addictive.

At Taralleria Napoletana you’ll find all kinds of sweet and savory taralli—it’s the perfect place to load up!

12. Babà al Rum

Babà Napoletano, a popular sweet treat on the street

In Naples, Italy, street food can often mean a sweet treat, and babà al rum is one of the most popular in Naples.

The original baba au rhum was a Parisian dessert invented in the 1700s. The rum cake made its way to Naples when French chefs came to the city to cook for wealthy families in the 19th century.

The babà Napoletano is a dry yeast sponge cake soaked in rum. They range from this most simple version to the more fancy offerings filled with fruits, creams, or chocolate.

For those craving a sweet treat on the street, bakeries and bars are good places to pick up a babà. To find out why bars would be selling pastries, read my article on the different types of Italian eateries.

13. Montanara

Montanara, a famous food of Campania from the mountains

Did you think we were done with pizza? Nope! No list of Naples street foods would be complete without montanara. It is unquestionably a food of Campania that you must try, and you’ll love it!

Montanara is what you get when you fry normal pizza dough and top it with tomato sauce and cheese. The dough tastes like pizza fritta, but montanara is not stuffed or folded.

The name means “from the mountains.” So, it’s not surprising that most food historians believe that this style of pizza originated in the mountains around Naples near Mount Vesuvius.

Pizzeria Starita on the north side of town is known for its fried pizza pies. The more centrally located 50 Kalò has one of the best montanara pizzas in Naples. Actually, I’ve been impressed with everything I’ve ever ordered from 50 Kalò, even their private-label beer!

Street Food in Naples FAQs 

The most famous street food Naples has is at Antica Pizzeria Da Michele.

1. What are the best food tours in Naples?

Why not leave your Naples street food menu to a local guide? Food tours are a great way to explore the city, learn about its history, and eat lots of good food.

The best Naples street food tour in which you will enjoy 10 food tastings and 4 beverages is this one: Street Food Tour Naples.

For a Naples market tour and pizza making class, this 5-star tour is the best: Pizza Making Class.

2. Which is better, New York-style pizza or Naples pizza?

Even though I’m a native New Yorker, I’ll pick Neapolitan pizza every time! And I’d choose it over every other kind of pizza I’ve ever had, from deep-dish in Chicago, to gourmet Californian, to the sweet-crusted Colorado pizza.

3. Which are the best streets in Naples for street food?

You’ll find lots of pizzerias and friggitori (the plural of “friggitoria”) on the old Napoli streets Via dei Tribunali and Via San Gregorio Armeno. They actually intersect, so it’s very convenient to explore these crossroads for a day of grazing on street food.

4. Do they have Naples street food on the Amalfi Coast? 

Yes! If you can’t make it to Naples and are visiting the Amalfi Coast, you can still find many Napoli street foods like sfogliatella, montanara, pizza fritta, and, of course, pizza Napoletana.