Dining and Night Life
Naples is one of the essential cities of Italian cooking; the "Pizza" is the famous food and symbol of Italy
worldwide. Pizzas are accessible in most restaurants in Naples, where they are offered in a thousand varieties.
You should enjoy the most typical pizza in Naples, the one with true Campania-made mozzarella di bufala: remember
that you will only eat a pizza like this in Naples! One of the pizzerias we recommend is Brandi, a traditional
pizzeria that dates back to 1780.
Knowing Naples also implies tasting its wonderful delicacies, being attracted
by the strong tastes of the city's cuisine. These tastes are the result of "contamination" by other cultures: over
the centuries, the Arabs, Normans, Spanish and French all ruled the city, each contributing to the city’s
gastronomic culture. The result is a unique type of cooking that continues to be halfway between refined and
popular folk style, in which the local produce of this fertile area is prepared using elaborate recipes that often
take a long time to prepare. The importation to Italy of the "New World" products in the sixteenth century:
potatoes, peppers, beans, coffee and especially tomatoes, ingredients that are frequently used in Neapolitan
cooking, was fundamental for the creation of the city's traditional dishes. The principal protein source is seafood
including clams, mussels, octopus, squid, shrimp, and a wide variety of locally caught fish. The bland Mozzarella
cheese obtained from buffalo milk is renowned all around the world.
If you wish to taste a good Neapolitan pizza
head for:
Cantina della Tofa - 71, vico della Tofa Tel: 081 406 840, closed on Sunday.
La Vecchia Cantina - 13/14, via San Nicola alla Carità Tel: 081 552 0226.
Cantina della Sapienza 40, via della
Sapienza Tel: 081 459 078, open for lunch and closed on Sundays.
Il Castello 38, via Santa Teresa a Chiaia
Tel: 081 400 486.
La Stanza del Gusto 21, vicoletto Sant’Arpino Tel: 081 401 578, or 348 339 6161, closed on
Sundays.
Da Umberto 30, via Alabardieri Tel: 081 418 555, closed on Mondays.
If you want to taste traditional
Neapolitan home-cooking, head for:
Cantina della Tofa - 71, vico della Tofa Tel: 081 406 840, closed on Sunday.
La Vecchia Cantina - 13/14, via San Nicola alla Carità Tel: 081 552 0226.
Cantina della Sapienza 40, via della
Sapienza Tel: 081 459 078, open for lunch and closed on Sundays.
Il Castello 38, via Santa Teresa a
Chiaia Tel: 081 400 486.
La Stanza del Gusto 21, vicoletto Sant’Arpino Tel: 081 401 578, or 348 339 6161,
closed on Sundays.
Da Umberto 30, via Alabardieri Tel: 081 418 555, closed on Mondays.
Naples Nightlife
You can do many different things in Naples when the sun disappears. You can choose to have a
moment romantic walk along the beach of Santa Lucia and appreciate the beauty of nature as the sun sets. It can be
restful and is excellent for those who come to Naples to get away from the stress of their normal life.
Naples
presents quite a few bars and clubs on its cabaret and club circuit, but a word of caution, please. You will find
quite a lot of action in these places, but you need to beware of the fact the bars, they will try to charge you for
everything imaginable. If they thought they could get away with it, they would charge you for the very air you
breathe. There is almost always a overcharge so either bring lots of cash with you or pay attention to what is
being offered to you.
The Chez Moi nightclub is the favorite for the cream of society and as such is run with by
a very careful management. It is run with an iron hand, so to speak. When approaching its doors, if you even so much
as look as if you are trouble on legs they will turn you away in short order. This nightclub is basically
frequented by clothing designers, government officials and socialites looking for a good time. Occasionally there
is a cabaret or a live pianist, but more than likely the music will be Disco piped from a sound system. The Chez
Moi is open Friday and Saturday from 10.30 PM to 5 AM. Via del Parco Margherita 13 Ph. 081/407.526.
Madison Street,
the largest disco in Naples, is frequented specially by the younger set on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and
Sundays who subscribe largely to a hedonistic point of view. Plenty of drink, dancing, and even video taped films
and rock concerts are offered in abundance at Madison Street. Fridays are generally reserved for the older, more
sedate set. Hours are Tuesdays, Thursday through Saturday from 10 PM to 3 AM, and 8 PM to 2 AM on Sundays. Via
Sgambati 47 Ph. 0338 /6175.071.
Regardless of the bad reputation Naples has obtained over the years, you will
find the city itself charming to say the least. With all its beauty and friendly locals, Naples is quite a lot
like a homecoming of sorts. Naples is a place where you can relax, have a great time, and forget about the pressures
of the outside world.