Osteria Della Mattonella

The name of this historic, much-loved trattoria derives from the colourful tiles (‘matonella’) that jazz up the walls of the cosy dining room. Run by the Marangio family with mamma Antonietta in charge of the kitchen, it serves up text-book versions of the Neapolitan classics such as penne with dark, onion-rich Genovese sauce, spaghetti with cozze (mussels), salt cod and fried meat balls. There’s homemade rum babà to finish.

In the cinematic Spanish Quarter, make a date with Mamma Antonietta and her grown bambini, Massimo and Fatima, at Osteria della Mattonella. Vintage photographs and memorabilia, musical instruments and a gorgeous kaleidoscope of 18th-century majolica tiles create a cozy home vibe. The cuisine is equally old-school osteria (read: unchanged since 1978).

Meatballs with ragù sauce, served at the family-run Osteria della Mattonella in the Quartieri Spagnoli neighborhood in Naples.Credit...Roberto Salomone for The New York Times

A cozy setting with a few closely arranged tables, a beautiful original floor, wooden beams on the ceilings, antique Vietri-style tiles on the walls, shelves filled with bottles, now passionately managed by Massimo Marangio. From the kitchen, overseen by Mrs. Antonietta, Massimo's mother, come potato croquettes, smooth penne with Genovese sauce, spaghetti alla puttanesca, pasta and potatoes with provola and (plenty of) grated Parmesan, lentils and broccoli, Luciana-style octopus, and braised beef. The house wine is drinkable, or you can choose from a quality selection of regional labels.

Osteria della Mattonella is one of those Italian restaurants you’ll typically see in classic films or in old photographs, but you’re rarely lucky enough to experience it in real life. Close to the Teatro Sannazaro and a ten-minute (steep uphill) walk from Piazza Del Plebiscito, the restaurant began life in 1978 as a shop specialising in wine and olive oil before being turned into a traditional restaurant. It’s so traditional that it’s extremely difficult to snag a table past 8pm as the restaurant becomes very busy amongst locals, and you’ll struggle to find a translated menu.

Osteria della Mattonella sits quietly in the Quartieri Spagnoli (Spanish Quarter) and has absolutely no time for theatrics. The walls are lined with traditional majolica tiles, and display shelves full of wine, and the handwritten menu changes depending on what’s simmering in the kitchen that day. I came here for one thing — genovese — a sauce made from what felt like an entire field of slow-cooked onions and tender shreds of beef, served over rigatoni.

THE Osteria della Mattonella is a local characteristic which still preserves the original structure with basalt floor and above all with the "riggiole", traditional hand-painted tiles that cover the room. La management of the premises is familiar and you still follow the recipes of the grandmother of the current owners. Good i fish dishes, but the first ones are spectacular, including sovereign reigns the Genoese (6 euro).

A destination for tourists and Neapolitans, the Mattonella is an old family-run trattoria, founded in 1978 and located between the Spanish Quarters and Monte di Dio. Although the name derives from ancient hand-painted tiles from the late 18th century, the majolicas still crowd the tavern’s rooms today. Consequently, the menu offers only the best dishes of the Neapolitan tradition.

The epitome of the family-run Neapolitan trattoria Osteria della Mattonella is a Spanish Quarter institution. As soon as you step into this restaurant adorned with exquisite 18th-century majolica tiles and festooned with vintage musical instruments, you know what you’re getting. The La Marangio family makes you feel right at home.

In Quartieri Spagnoli take the hidden lift beside Ponte di Chiaia and step back in time at Osteria La Mattonella. Hand-painted tiles from the early 18th century line the walls of the Marangio family’s simple restaurant. Order the pasta alla Genovese; pasta with a beef and three onion - white, yellow and Tropea - sauce.

If you’re looking for traditional Neapolitan cuisine in classic family-owned trattorias, then the Spanish Quarter is the place to go to in Naples. Right on top of the list is Osteria della Mattonella, owned and operated by the La Marangio family. This eatery has been serving Neapolitan classics since 1978.

Osteria della Mattonella: Walls covered with ceramics framing the kitchen, painted plates and grandmother’s dishes. This is an old family-run trattoria between the Quartieri Spagnoli and Monte di Dio. With a cozy inside and cheap prices, you can taste any traditional Neapolitan dish here.

A sure bet is Mattonella with its lentil and friarelli soup and exceptional Genovese in Chiaia. Umberto, also in Chiaia, is a must. The team takes great care of the quality of the raw material (Slow Food snail), and also offers excellent pizza.

Osteria La Mattonella: in via Giovanni Nicotera, about 25 minutes walk from Napoliving. It is a room with an original structure covered with ‘riggiole’ – a typical ad historic kind of tiles. Do not miss the Genoese, Luciana octopus and ragù;

A really welcoming place, characterized by majolicas that cover the walls. The red tablecloth with big squares warms up the atmosphere, while the dishes warm up the hearts. Very good meatballs fried and then put in the tomato sauce.