Good Places to Eat near Napoli Centrale for 2 Hour Layover

As I remember there is very little around the station other than parking lots and bus parking. And the station itself is limited. Personally I would grab the next circumvesuvianna and have lunch in Sorrento. Assume that is where you are heading.

As noted, the renovated station area is rather barren. You can't have a good meal in 1 to 1.5 hours in a Slow Food country like Italy. Walk out to the first cafe you find and order a single course, or the displayed antipasti if they look good. Forget about pizza within sight of the station.

Edit: Aside from Slow Food, we waited over 30 minutes outside Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo until our name was called for lunch. Not complaining, just reporting.

L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele and Pizza Trianon are close to the station. They are both highly regarded, but at noon will probably be quite busy. The pastries everywhere are pretty good, it’s just something they do universally well there. Honestly, even a pastry and coffee at the Circumvesuviana platform managed to be excellent (and cheap.)

Since you also asked about pastries, there is a great pastry shop across the street from the train station called Cuori di Sfogliatella. They have a huge assortment of delicious pastries, beverages, and some nutritious items you can get to take-away.

We stayed in a hotel close to the train station for three nights in 2016 as our base of operations for sight-seeing and found the neighborhood lacking in options for restaurants.

I agree with Frank. Just take the next Circumvesuviana train, drop your luggage at your hotel in Sorrento (presumably) and have a late lunch when you can relax and enjoy it. I spent several days at a hotel quite near the train station, so I checked out the reviews of nearby places. Nothing that is close sounded good.

I hit the 'add' button by mistake. L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele is about a 15 minute walk, and you could easily snarf down one of their pizzas in about 45 minutes (baking time + eating time), but you could stand in line for 45 minutes before getting a seat and still have to wait for someone to take your order. And you will have to spend time storing your luggage at the station, then retrieving it and a few minutes to get to the train platform. There's nothing wrong with taking the 'regular' Circumvesuviana train, though you may have to stand for part of the journey if it's crowded.

I just was at Napoli Centrale two days ago. The brst kept secret there is the Binario Calmo pizzeria and restaurant. It is actually adjacent to the station itself. Walk through the station to Binario 1, just past that turn right, walk past a Bar on your left and then cross a small coutyard to the well marked back entrance to the Hotel Stelle. Go in and you will find the Binario Calmo on your left inside. They will do great sandwiches to go, but if you hsve time, order from the menu. They have a daily menu with several choices of pasta, fish, and meat, but I recommend the pizza, cooked in a wood fired oven. Pizza Margharita and a glass of prosecco will run about 10 euros. Also worth knowing is thry hsve their own bathroom there, whereas at the station you have to pay a euro for it.

I just was at Napoli Centrale two days ago. The brst kept secret there is the Binario Calmo pizzeria and restaurant. It is actually adjacent to the station itself. Walk through the station to Binario 1, just past that turn right, walk past a Bar on your left and then cross a small coutyard to the well marked back entrance to the Hotel Stelle. Go in and you will find the Binario Calmo on your left inside. They will do great sandwiches to go, but if you hsve time, order from the menu. They have a daily menu with several choices of pasta, fish, and meat, but I recommend the pizza, cooked in a wood fired oven. Pizza Margharita and a glass of prosecco will run about 10 euros. Also worth knowing is thry hsve their own bathroom there, whereas at the station you have to pay a euro for it.

Also, while not Italian, on the streets directly adjacent to the station are kebab shops all over where you can get a quick meal.

Also as you exit the station turn to your left and walk. Follow the buildings and the structure that covers the Metro...there is a line of Cafes along here.

The station area is definitely not barrren of places to eat.