Hi all,
I searched the site and found only 1 review for pizza that was not 6-8 yrs old! I LOVE pizza (could eat it every day) but don't care for pizza that has a soggy middle. And I have had pizza in Venice and Florence. Can't recall if I had pizza in Rome.
My question is: Is the pizza in Naples the soggy middle variety or not? Does it depend on where you go? Looking for any recommendations within walking distance of the cruise port. I will be there in Sept 2024.
Thanks in advance.
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I did that. Maybe my search terms were too vague? I entered "pizza reviews for Naples". I don't recall if I entered "soggy crust".
Yes, it’s generally soggy in the middle. The crust is thin and is baked for only about 90 seconds and fresh mozzarella has a high moisture content. But it may change your mind about soggy pizza. It is so good. Like one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.
Pizza in Napoli (the original and best pizza in the world) is soggy in the middle.
I am a pizza aficionado and I dislike most Neapolitan pizza for that very reason: a soggy crust. We found acceptable pizza in nearby Sorrento, where perhaps they have learned most visitors don’t like that wet center. We had great pizza made by a Neapolitan in Maranello and another in Haarlem, Netherlands. For the most part, we gravitate to Roman-style pizzas. Sorry, this is not very helpful to your quest. You might want to pull up Google maps and look at pizzerias in the vicinity and click on their icons to read reviews.
Well, as Rick often puts it, one of the reasons for travel is to experience things you don't normally experience. Is your objection that you can't pick it up and eat it like John Travolta, or that it's physically unpleasant for your mouth? There are hundreds of Certified Neapolitan® ovens in use in the U.S. Maybe next time you're near one, you should give it a try, just to certain if you don't want to have the "real thing" in Naples. I'd also point out that reviews of hotel rooms can cite facts; Reviews of food are about opinons, which are much harder to translate reliably to words. As they say in Burlington: "de gustibus non est disputandum"
I might have also said the same thing you did, but, first of all, by the time I finished the pie, it wasn't soggy anymore; That is, it arrives at the table much hotter than pizza does in the U.S., and the pies tend to be personal-sized. Secondly, the ingredients (including the botanical variety of wheat/wheats in the flour), are much better (and as in the first paragraph, "different") from in the U.S. It's worth a try. We had to wait an hour for a seat at Gino Sorbillo in the last week of May, some years ago!
You could have worse problems than this; I have no data of my own, but there have been "internet" reports of a few restaurants in Rome serving factory pasta to Americans, while serving home-made pasta to locals.
Most visitors don’t like soggy crust? I’m not sure that’s at all true given the huge popularity of Neapolitan pizza, but I also doubt that Italy’s various pizza styles revolve around tourists’ tastes.
You can get pizza a taglio in Naples. This may be more to your taste.
Steer way from pizzas that have toppings that are wet. Such as artichoke. And the more such things are piled towards the middle of the pizza, the more it is soggy. Pizza is one of those things you want to actually see before you buy it. Best to see if anyone else already has a pizza on their table so you can eyeball it before you even sit down.
Having eaten at the famous Antico in Naples, good pizza, I would say if that is the best, it is matched easily in places outside Italy. I have had superlative pizza in Croatia, Bulgaria, and even in Edinburgh.
Nothing worse than soggy pizza. But there must be a market for it since pizza places keep serving it.
@Retired
Three weeks ago, Saturday 11th May, my family group drove our cars from Agerola above Amalfi into Napoli for the day. Selected a private car park on Via Santa Lucia, about four hundred metres from the Royal Palace that leads into the back streets of Naples.
As it was Saturday, my DIL made sure we went to intersection of Vico Concordia and Via Emanuele De Deo. (At least I think that is where it was.) To join in the Diego Maradona Song. Did not know the words, just made out we did. Enjoyed the fun and as a bonus, none of us got pickpocketed. Maybe we looked like the type that would send would be pick pocketers to the local hospital.
So, what else does one do at Saturday lunchtime in Naples. Local pizza! My DIL picked out one nearby. Had to wait for a table as was full of locals. Head waiter initially indicated he could not fit us in. We spoke to him in our rudimentary Italian, and he asked where we were from. Then with a big smile on his face he said we would have the next table.
The pizza and Sicilian beer were most enjoyable. No idea if the crust was soggy. Did not care in the least. I was in the middle of the back streets of Naples enjoying their food and ambiance. Had no preconceived ideas on how a Neapolitan pizza maker should prepare and serve his pizza. In my eyes he is the expert.
Had a wonderful time walking the back streets, weaving in and out of the crowds and responding to Vespa and little Fiats honking for me to get out of their way. Exchanged a few hand signs with the riders and drivers. Got a few smiles when I gave the reverse two fingered, middle and first fingers, with a smile on my face.
Regards Ron
PS Never really liked Maradona after his hand goal.
Whether one is in New York, Chicago, Detroit, London, Milan or Naples, taste in pizza is an entirely individual thing. Personally, so long as neither the crust nor the cheese is extremely thick, I'm usually happy. (I don't like either Chicago or Detroit style pizza.) But a New York slice is my favorite, even the 99 cent variety.
I'm looking forward to genuine Napolitano pizza once we hit town!
As others have said, it's supposed to be slightly soggy in the middle but after the first bit of two, you are into chewy leopard spotted crust. Go with it and do as the Burlingtonians.
I wonder if you would like the classic street food "pizza fritta" in Naples? Crispy because deep fried, but not greasy. We ate ours there at Antica Pizza Fritta da Zia Esterina Sorbillo. You eat it standing around outside. Less than a 20 minute walk from the port, according to Google.
Otherwise, yeah, avoid toppings including fresh tomatoes.
In Rome, we always go to Bonci's Pizzarium on every trip, and that's the kind of pizza we make at home --- never soggy despite all kinds of toppings.
Thanks everyone. For clarification-I always eat pzza in Europe with a knife and fork. I avoid veggies that exude water when cooking. I am sure I will eat pizza in Naples. I am certain I will enjoy it. But the big question remains: will it be the best I have ever eaten? Can't wait to test-taste.
If anyone asks about my pizza preferences I too would say I would not prefer a soggy crust. My tastes lean more towards Roman pizza thin and crisp.
However if I was traveling to Naples as you are I would go with the flow and make sure you try Naples pizza. I am so glad I did on my 2 visits to Naples. Very yummy. Was it THE best pizza I ever had? Not really . But I so enjoyed the experience. Each meal,pizza or other doesn't have to be THE best in my option. Too much pressure. I value the total experience and the more the better. When in Naples, enjoy it all and it will be one of your best experiences no matter where it ranks .
This article gives some suggestions for pizza restaurants and mentions some pizza places that have a less soggy crust.
hey hey retiredinVT
can't really tell you who has the best. years ago my travel friend found the oldest pizza shop on a day trip to naples was L'Antica Pizzaria da Michele (damichele.net). can just remember it was good.
timeout.com/best pizzarias in naples
travelingdany.com/traditional neapolitan desserts
stop by a bakery and have their iconic sfogliatella, (yummy) and other pastries
we walked down some back alleyways (spaccanapoli street) with shops, produce/grocery stores, street food.
fratellicapuanodal1840.com (on via s. gregorio armeno 28) 15 to 30 minute walk from port.
you will see many carved nativity scenes & figurines during your walk if interested.
saw someone's nonna ringing a bell from second floor about small market, drop down a basket using a pulley with euros and slip of paper. owner filled "order" rang bell and up went the pulley with her groceries.
roamed down to the water, sat and had a glass of wine, people watching. that day was interesting: had cops at every street corner, sitting on top of tanks with their guns and uzi's, a sight to see.
gpsmycity.com/naples
few self guided walking tours to check out
naples is gritty with garbage around, it is what it is. took taxi back to train station (no hailing get a taxi if neede from taxi stop all over) for our ride back to rome. we had a great long day and saw another area of italy before boardling our transatlantic cruise to fort lauderdale. so many things to see and do, enjoy your time, we loved it.
aloha
@retiredinVT
Soggy middle is authentic, so please try it anyway for you should be getting a much tastier mozzarella since the pizzaiolo has not succumbed to the low-moisture mozzarella 'innovation' which is the aged pizza cheese usually used in the US. Soggy outer crust can be avoided by looking for a crust with burned spots indicating a properly hot oven - hopefully coal (the best) or wood fired.
You should also know that pepperoni as a meat is not known in Italy, and that the sausage most like the Italian sausage of American usage is called fresh sausage in Italy.
Had to wait for a table as was full of locals. Head waiter initially indicated he could not fit us in. We spoke to him in our rudimentary Italian, and he asked where we were from. Then with a big smile on his face he said we would have the next table.
HA, Made me laugh as this has happened to me a few times in Italy, as well as in Bavaria looking for a Zimmer Frei (room overnight, speaking German). Gotta check out the clientele to decide they are worthy!
OK, As to your question, I have seriously considered taking the train to Naples while visiting Rome just to have pizza there again, so IMHO yes, it's the best pizza I've eaten, but frankly don't recall a soggy center. I hate to rave about it in case next time it's not as good.... but it really was great. Lots of good ideas above about how to check out least soggy ones, or do pizza by the slice, but personally I want that classic sit down, noisy lunch filled with some tourists but seemed like mostly young Italians. Hope you have a fabulous meal! Would love to hear what you think. Now I want Neapolitan pizza!!
