The Best Pizza in Italy

On my last blog I gave you tips on how to get from Naples to Sorrento. While we were in Naples, we ate lunch at the best pizzeria in Italy, according to Conde Nast Traveler and a lot of locals. You cannot go to Naples and not eat at L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele. This pizzeria was featured in the movie Eat, Pray, Love. Julia Roberts asks where the best pizza was, and she was led to this Pizzeria in Naples. In this blog I’m going to give you some tips on how to beat the crowds and lines.

L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele first opened in 1870 in Naples. The address is Via Cesare Sersale 1/3, 80139, Naples Italy. L’Antica is known for its wood fired Neapolitan style pizza. To make things easier for everyone, they only serve two types of pizza, Margherita and Marinara.

Tip #1- Plan to be there at least 15 minutes before they open. My family of 7 went on a Saturday morning and showed up at 10:40. There were 10 small parties already in line before us. Around 10:55 am, a host opened the doors and let in the first 8 parties. He gave us a number and we waited for a table to open. At 11:00 am the line started to get long. We let people know to go inside and get a number, because a lot of people did not know what to do. Around 11:10 we were escorted to our table.

Tip #2- They seat people family style. Meaning if there are a couple of seats empty at your table, prepare to eat next to total strangers. That was not a problem for us. I know some people might have a problem. We were sat with a couple from Germany and they were very friendly. Everyone around us seem to be from other countries, tourists. We were all just happy to get a table and try the famous pizza.

Within 5 minutes we had our waters or coke and the server took our pizza order. While we sat there, a man came in to entertain us with his rapping skills. I don’t know if he’s there every day, but that Saturday he was there. He rapped two songs about pizza along to the beat from his portable karaoke type machine. He kept my toddlers distracted and they enjoyed the music while we waited for the pizza to show up.

Within 10 minutes of ordering, our pizzas were put in front of us. All six of them! I did not realize how big the pizza’s are. We ordered 6 margherita pizza’s, but three would have been enough. Two people can easily share a pizza. I have three boys in my family, so no pizza went to waste. The pizza is a classic Neapolitan style. Neapolitan style has a thin crust at the base, with dough that puffs up around the sides and has an airy crust. There is a tomato base sauce and topped with Mozzarella cheese. I ate my pizza with a fork and knife because it was so hot and fresh that it was almost impossible for me to pick up with my fingers. It was everything I thought it would be and more. The ingredients are so fresh and delicious.

Tip #3- Bring cash. After we were done with all six of our pizzas, our server gave us a ticket and told us to pay the cashier at the front. They only accept cash. The pizzas were only 5 euros each. I couldn’t believe how inexpensive it was. 35 euros is not bad for a family of seven to eat out. This is on my list of recommendations and places/restaurants I want to return to when I come back to Italy.

On our way out we noticed the line was about 40 people deep. Use my three tips and you should not have a problem with waiting, and you will know what to expect. After lunch we took the train to Sorrento for a day trip.

What is your favorite pizza that you enjoyed eating in Italy? Leave a comment below.