Pizzeria, Italian, $ Movie director Vittorio De Sica put this historic pizzeria on the map in his 1954 love letter to Naples, L’oro di Napoli. The pizzas served up by Sophia Loren in the movie were made in the restaurant kitchen and they’re just as good today – hot, satisfying and heavy with local ingredients. Pizzas come fried, stuffed or flat and piled high with toppings such as speck, artichokes, porcini mushrooms, mortadella, pistachio pesto and zucchini flowers.

Starita’s cavernous no-frills interior brims with locals and visitors who flock to conquer their generously piled pizzas. The overflowing tables often seem an impossible challenge, but always end up conspicuously empty. Don’t miss their pizze montanara, where they double down with oven-baked pizzas built on their perfect fluffy fried dough.

Don Antonio’s pizzeria is an institution in the narrow streets of the Materdei district. It began in 1901 as a wine cellar and kitchen, becoming a pizzeria and friggitoria (purveyor of fried foods) in 1948. It featured in the 1954 film The Gold of Naples, with Sophia Loren as a young pizza maker.

The giant fork and ladle hanging on the wall at this historic pizzeria were used by Sophia Loren in L'oro di Napoli, and the kitchen made the pizze fritte…

After consulting our lengthy list of candidates (Fratelli di bufala, Pizzeria Sorbillo, Starita) we decided on Concettina ai Tre Santi (Via Arena della Sanità, 7 Bis), a place where FF had eaten last summer and still talked about with a dreamy look in his eyes. We weren’t disappointed: we split two pizzas, one a simple Margherita (always a good benchmark to judge a pizzeria by) and one called Il Sole della Sanita’. Both were divine, to die for, possibly the best pizza I’ve ever had; the ingredients were of the highest quality (Naples is the place to go for mozzarella and tomatoes, btw – will get to that) and ridiculously fresh, the crust was fluffy and tall and proud and delicious, and the yellow tomatoes on Il Sole della Sanita’ were a thing of true beauty, cooked in the oven until soft and collapsed and sweet.

If Da Michele is the Hollywood star of Naples’ pizza scene, Pizzeria Starita a Materdei is the local legend—the kind of place where you’ll find more Neapolitans than tourists, and that alone should tell you everything. Tucked away in the Materdei district, this historic pizzeria has been around since 1901, serving some of the best pizza in the city without the same blockbuster fame (or chaotic lines) as its more touristy counterparts. The menu here is a little more adventurous than the traditional spots—yes, the classic Margherita and Marinara are excellent, but Starita is best known for its Montanara, a lightly fried pizza before it’s baked to perfection, creating a crisp-yet-airy bite that is truly next level.

One pizza margherita, one pizza Montanara Starita, an order of fiori di zucchini fritte, 2 coca colas and one unbuttoned pair of jeans later… I became an extremely full believer in this restaurant’s mantra: “Io credo nella pizza Napoletana.” In English, it translates to “I believe in Neapolitan pizza.”. First things first, this restaurant is deceivingly huge. When Bryce and I walked in, we were escorted beyond the pizzaiolos and their wood burning ovens, through the first dining room, down another hall and then finally to our seat, reminding us of the underground labyrinth of catacombs we had explored the day prior.

Our first visit to Napoli in early October was marred by bad weather, and so it was soaked through and shivering with a hastily bought, wholly inadequate umbrella that we sought respite through the doors of Starita, one of the oldest pizzerias in Napoli. Family-run since its opening way back in 1901, Starita is famous for two reasons: firstly, it’s from here that Sophia Loren sells fried pizza in Vittorio De Sica’s classic1950’s movie L’Oro di Napoli, and secondly, well, they make a bloody good pizza. So good in fact that this was the pizzeria chosen by the Vatican to serve pizza to Pope John Paul II.

Starita (Materdei) – This longtime favorite in Materdei (it’s been open since 1901) is the stuff of cinematic fame; it was here in 1954 that they filmed L’oro di Napoli, starring Sophia Loren as a pizza seller. Now with a few locations across Italy’s major cities and one in Bangkok on the way, Starita is best at the source, where framed shots of the aforementioned movie and of local saints line the walls. La montanara–dough fried then baked and topped with tomato sauce (made according to a secret recipe), smoked provola cheese, Pecorino Romano, and basil–is fantastic.

Some of them are well known, like Pizzeria Starita, one of the city’s most famous pizzerias. Serious pizza eaters arrive from every corner of the region to try their exceptional pies, like the pizza with zucchini, zucchini flowers and provola cheese, the pizza with radicchio and Gorgonzola, and the baccalà pizza (our favorite). Others are not quite as popular but no less tasty, like Cantina del Gallo, an old country winery near the famous Fontanelle Cemetery that prepares the legendary pizzicotti (small rolls stuffed in six different salty ways).

Located between the exhilarating Sanità and Materdei neighbourhoods, with their fascinating catacombs and cemeteries, Starita is one of the city’s most beloved pizzerias. As if to prove its unimpeachable Neapolitan bonafides, hanging in pride of place on the wall are the giant fork and ladle used by local icon Sophia Loren in Vittorio di Sica’s classic 1950s film L’oro di Napoli. These days the fourth generation of the Starita clan continue the family business, serving up some of the best pizza in Naples.

Not only special for its pizza but for the fact that it’s still open on Sundays, Starita is known for its firmer but airy crust that contrasts to the more untidy, sloppy base of Sorbillo’s. A casual pizza place, Starita may miss out on interior awards but makes up for it with its yummy and cheap food menu. Rated 4.5 stars on TripAdvisor with almost 10,000 reviews, this pizzeria is loved by both locals and tourists, both equally eager to shout about its flavourful ingredients.

In the historic Materdei district, Starita a Materdei is a legendary pizzeria with roots dating back to 1901. Founded by Antonio Starita, this family-run establishment has been passed down through generations, with Don Antonio Starita currently at the helm. The Montanara Starita, a lightly fried pizza that’s topped (rather than filled) with tomato sauce, provola cheese and basil, is the signature here, and a feat of some engineering – light but crisp, and not oily at all.

Starita was chosen as the best on offer by the Serious Eats Guide, a guide that really helped with planning our pizza-eating-mission in Naples, so is certainly worth a visit if you have more time to explore in Naples. There’s also a little more to choose from on the menu beyond pizzas, so it is a great place to visit if your friend (whom you should question their friendship!?) doesn’t like pizza. Location: Via Materdei, 27, 80136 Naples, Province of Naples, Italy ( map).

Another place where you will eat one of the best pizzas in Naples (or maybe even the best?) is called Starita. The restaurant is famous for having a scene for the movie L’oro di Napoli, where Sophia Loren plays the role of a “pizzaiolo” while preparing a fried pizza. However, on the Internet you can find information that it isn’t true, which doesn’t change the fact, in fact, that you can admire many beautiful photos of this wonderful actress in the restaurant!

Pizzeria Starita, a gem in the heart of Naples, stands out as my top choice for gluten-free pizza and one of the city’s best pizzerias. Their gluten-free pizza is a delightful surprise, boasting a perfect balance of crispy crust and rich, flavorful toppings that mirror the traditional Neapolitan style. The meticulous preparation ensures that the gluten-free offerings lose none of the authenticity for which this historic pizzeria is known.

Our quest for authentic Neapolitan took us to Pizzeria Starita, a popular pizzeria in the arty Materdei neighbourood. It was established in 1901 by the grandfather of owner Antonio Starita and was immortalised by Sophia Loren who played a pizzaiola in the 1954 film L’Oro di Napoli. The menu is extensive compared to its purist peers and you can find some really interesting pizza, calzoni, pizza fritta and montanara (deep-fried pizza).

I have already written about the Pizzeria Starita, which is not only my favourite in Naples, but is also located in Stella, my favourite neighbourhood. It opened in 1901 as a tavern, then in 1948 it became a pizzeria and, since then, it has been one of the most popular in town (and so keep in mind that the wait can be long!). The pastry is soft, the crust edge is thick and crunchy, and the pizza is smaller than elsewhere in Naples.

Built as a military barracks in the 16th century, the National Archaeological Museum of Naples was transformed into a museum in the 19th century after undergoing restoration. It houses significant artifacts from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. For those seeking a genuine cultural experience in Naples, this museum offers some of its most prized possessions, including pieces rescued from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Over seventy specialties on the menu and many different pizzas including the very heavy but unmissable Montanara a pizza which is fried and then baked in the oven topped with tomato and provolone cheese and served on a wooden chopping board. The size of the pizzas are smaller than normal but stuffed into every corner with products of excellent quality. The Starita brand has also famous in the United States!

From its early 20th-century origins as a family-run wine cellar, Starita developed into a trattoria and friggitoria (fry shop), and subsequently the traditional Neapolitan pizzeria that operates today. In a bright space with exposed brick walls and vaulted stone arches, diners feast on delicious pizza with light, doughy crust that is prepared exclusively from the finest, carefully sourced local produce.

Another historic pizzeria in Naples, Da Starita opened in 1901 and has recently expanded to New York. Perennially listed amongst the best pizza in Naples, this eatery rests on the high quality of its ingredients. In addition to pizzas, Da Starita is known for its savory and sweet deep-fried specialties, including the delicious angioletti (strips of fried pizza topped with chocolate or pistachio spread).

Another can’t-go-wrong veteran of Naples's sprawling pizza landscape is this always-buzzy family joint run by third-generation owner Antonio Starita and made famous by Sophia Loren in the 1954 anthology-drama L'oro di Napoli. With 60-plus pizzas, the menu might err closer to international standards in terms of length but, even so, you’ll still see pious locals staying true to the classic marinara.

In case you can’t decide if you’d like your pizza traditionally cooked in the oven or deep fried, you can head to Starita and order a Montanara. This may be one of my favorite things in a city of favorite things. The pizza dough is first fried, then topped with a tomato basil sauce, and just a bit of parmigiano and fior di latte before being finished briefly in the pizza oven.

My favorite pizzeria in Naples is Pizzeria Starita, a healthy 25-minute walk from the downtown cluster of pizzerias. I’ve dined at Starita thrice and stand by my conviction that it serves the best pizza in Naples. Starita is one of the most beloved pizzerias in Naples and their enduring popularity has meant that they now have outlets in Milan, Turin, and New York City.

Pizzeria Starita a Materdei is a family-owned pizzeria that has been serving delicious pizzas since 1901. The pizzeria gained international fame after appearing in the movie “Eat, Pray, Love“, starring Julia Roberts. Starita offers a wide variety of pizzas, including the famous “Montanara Starita,” a lightly fried pizza topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella.

Other pizzerias I can wholeheartedly recommend (without the crazy queues) include Starita (get the mortadella and pistachio with smoked provola – one of the best pizzas I have ever had), Pizzeria Da Attilio and Diego Vitagliano (recently voted the best in Italy!). Be sure to try a pizza fritta too while in Naples. Yep, that’s a deep-fried stuffed pizza.

Just nearby in the Materdei neighborhood lies Starita, my other go-to pizzeria. The pizzeria is famous for being the setting of L’Oro di Napoli starring Sofia Loren and for its 100 year old history. Starita first opened in 1901 as wine bar and then began serving local foods and today is well known for its Neapolitan pizzas and fried variations.

Luckily, the best pizza I tasted in Napoli happens to be available right here in New York as well. Starita is run by Antonio Starita, a legendary pie-maker who loves to chat with customers as his team makes his fantastic pies (that he doesn't speak any English and we speak no Italian, but that didn't stop him from trying to engage us).

The montanara pizza as served by Starita, up in the ancient, hilly streets of Materdei, is a reprehensible and addictive number (currently wowing them in NYC, so expect it on these shores soon). Its fried dough base is covered in finest mozzarella and San Marzano tomatoes, then shunted into fierce, wood-fired heat for the final blast.

Starita a Materdei is famous in Naples as the inventors of Montarana: deep-fried pizza dough. This legendary Neapolitan pizzeria first opened in 1901 and today it's still owned by the Starita family. You'll find it close to the Museu Acheologico and, although the restaurant is large, it's always very busy, so queueing is inevitable.

Pizzeria Starita is not just another pizzeria in Naples; it's an institution. Having been around since 1901, it has built a reputation for serving some of the best fried pizza (pizza fritta) in the city. This deep-fried delight is stuffed with cheese and various fillings, offering a unique twist on the classic pizza.

My favourite pizzeria is Starita which has been open for over 100 years and serves the classic domestic beers as well as a decent selection of German beer. Other great pizzerias around the city centre are Sorbillio and Da Michele. You might need to line up but I promise that it’s worth the wait.

Now in the fifth generation of pizza makers, Starita is a pizzeria that has it’s roots as the familiar local joint to grab a slice of the famous fried pizza in Naples. Despite immense success, time has not changed their menu drastically. With the main attraction being the fried pizza.

Starita is a family-run pizzeria that combines tradition with innovation. It’s known for its creative pizza toppings and excellent dough quality, baked to perfection in a wood-fired oven. The cozy ambiance and attentive service make it a memorable dining experience.

Starita was the first place I had gluten free pizza in Naples and for that it will always have a place in my heart. It’s authentic, real deal Neapolitan pizza. I’ve seen them bring the dough from the back so I know they are extra careful with cross-contamination.

For lunch, savor the authentic flavors of Naples at Starita a Materdei, a historic pizzeria. Afterward, visit the iconic Castel dell'Ovo, a seaside castle offering stunning views of the Bay of Naples. Spend the afternoon exploring the picturesque Posillipo area.

One of the only pizzerias open on Sundays, when most others are shut for family affairs, this monster of a legend in Materdei is 100% worthy of all the accolades. It might not be in the top 3, but it deserves to be on any itinerary of joy that you may have.

Without a doubt the best gluten free pizza dough I have ever tasted. There is a really extensive menu so loads of different options – however it’s all in Italian, so you might need google translate for this place. I went for the Marinara Starita pizza.

With three locations in Italy and one in New York, Starita is a popular pizzeria that constantly wins awards for its incredible pizza. Your first choice should be its Naples location, where the lines are long but the pizzas 100% worth the wait.

Starita - One of the oldest pizzerias in Naples, Starita has been owned and operated by the same family for 110 years and four generations. It continues to be successful thanks to the high quality of its pizzas, including the fried version.

The well known, famous names are even known here in the UK having branched out outside of the realm of Naples: Gino Sorbillo, the Salvo brothers, Starita, Brandi and so on.

Di Matteo on Via dei Tribunali or Starita on Via Materdei will welcome you in like you’re a regular and you’ll not be disappointed they did as you leave fully satisfied.

Beloved by locals, Starita is known not only for its classic pizzas but also for the "montanara," a fried pizza topped with tomato sauce and cheese before being baked.

Starita: you can find it in Materdei (half an hour on foot). It is one of the most famous in Naples. It makes both traditional pizzas and more innovative ones.

Starita a Materdei is the one non-touristy place where you will eat a fantastic Neapolitan pizza. One of the absolute best, if you ask me.

Sadly, some of those on my list were closed for their August holidays (Starita and 50 Kalò being the most notable examples).