Best of Naples Street Food: Tradition Meets Taste

Local street vendors in Naples offer various food options, from savory to sweet treats. So whatever you’re craving for a snack or a meal, these delicious foods will satisfy your taste buds.

If you’d like to get to know Naples and its local culture, the best way to do that is through a foodie itinerary. Learn from this guide about the go-to Naples street food destinations and what delicious snacks await you there.

Before you go on the Naples street food tour, read this ultimate checklist on planning a trip to Italy. 

The Best Naples Street Food Spots

Where do you go to find the best street food in Naples? There’s no denying that going on a food tour is one of the best things to do in Naples, Italy. 

I highly recommend this Naples Street Food Tour to discover the city’s hidden gems and famous foodie spots. Or, better yet, you can try your hands at making the area’s favorite: Naples pizza. 

If you’d instead explore the best street food in Naples on your own, here are the spots for you:

• Mercato Pignasecca Market – It’s located within the Montesanto neighborhood in Naples and is the oldest marketplace in the city. Today, it’s known as the best destination for anyone looking for the best street food in Naples.
• Mercato Borgo Sant’Antonio Abbate – It’s a lively street food market where locals come to buy fresh produce. You can also find many stalls selling ready-made meals here.
• Fuorigrotta Market – It’s a famous street food market among locals and tourists alike. Aside from street food vendors, stalls serve cheeses, pastas, fruits, meats, and vegetables. 

12 Must-Try Naples Street Food

Now that you know where to find the best street food in Naples, it’s time to discover what to eat. You’ll have many choices to try with these must-try delicious snacks!

12. Sfogliatelle

If you’re into sweet breakfast treats, you’ll love Sfogliatelle. It’s a shell-shaped Italian pastry originating in the Campania region of Italy, where Naples is. It’s an iconic Neapolitan pastry and dessert, which makes it a must-try! 

It’s got a gorgeous, golden crisp exterior that gives a great crunch when you bite into it. You’ll find this pastry treat at almost every bakery in Naples.

11. Deep-Fried Rice Balls

You’d discover two things about Naples street food once you wander its streets. First, it’s that food is available at affordable prices, and second, they’re often deep-fried. 

Arancino Napoletano, or deep-fried rice balls, are a staple in the Naples street food scene. They’re small balls stuffed with rice, cubed meat, cheese, tomato, and peas. It’s a savory snack that will keep you full!

10. Cuzzetiello

Cuzzetiello is Naples’ version of a sandwich. But it’s not just any sandwich. It’s made with a rustic bread loaf filled with Neapolitan ragu and meatballs. It’s another filling snack that has become part of Naples’ culinary tradition.

9. Buffalo di Mozzarella

Since Italy is known for its cheese, you can’t visit without trying this famous Naples street food. The specific mozzarella cheese variety originates in this region. And there’s nothing like it in the world! Look for the DOP on the label to guarantee that your cheese is from this region!

8. Naples Pizza

No list of must-try food in any Italian city would be complete without pizza! If there’s one food that shot Italian cuisine into a global phenomenon, it’s pizza.

You’ll find many street food vendors in Naples selling all kinds of traditional pizzas. A traditional Naples pizza comes with a puffy crust. The absolute must-eat flavor is Pizza Margarita since it was invented in Naples. 

You should also try the folded pizza, another beloved snack in Naples. And then there’s pizza fritta, which is fried pizza. It resembles a calzone with delicious fillings like tomato, cured meat, and cheese!

7. Taralli

If you can’t decide whether you want something sweet or savory, sample Taralli. It’s a traditional snack served by many street food vendors in Naples. It’s a combination between a cracker and a cookie. It can come with a sweet or savory filling, and it’s got a crisp and crunchy texture.

6. Cornetto

Meet the Italian version of a croissant. Like most Italian pastries, it’s got a puffy and crunchy exterior, but the inside of it is soft and pillowy. They’re made with various fillings, but the most popular ones are chocolate and fruit jams. 

Enjoy it with hot chocolate or your favorite Italian coffee!

5. Panuozzo

Panuozzo is another mash-up of a snack popular on the streets of Naples. It’s ideal if you can’t decide between a pizza or a sandwich. The traditional street food in Naples consists of baked bread stuffed with tomatoes, meat, cheese, and vegetables. ‍

4. Panzarotti Napoletani

Potato lovers, listen up! Panzarotti Napoletani is a deep-fried potato bite snack with bread crumbs for an ultra-crunchy bite!

The mashed potatoes are mixed with eggs before it’s formed into balls, and this combination creates the perfect heavenly bite. It’s also filled with cheese, so you have a surprise in the middle.

3. Pasta Cresciuta

Pasta Cresciuta is another beloved affordable eats in the Naples street food scene. It’s made with a mixture similar to pizza dough but with a more liquid consistency. Every bite is surprisingly light and tasty, and it’s yet another one of the deep-fried goodness you’ll find all over the city!

2. Gelato

No, gelato wasn’t invented in Naples. But you’re in Italy, so you might as well try their gelato while you can!

Luckily, all Italian gelatos are consistent in their creamy and smooth texture and delicious flavors. So how to find the best gelato kiosk in Naples? Look for a shop with a queue! 

1. Rum Cake

Naples will spoil you when it comes to dessert treats and sweet pastries! Rum cake is another to add to your must-try Naples street food list.

Known locally as Baba, the Naples rum cake is a delicious sponge cake soaked in rum syrup. It’s a traditional Italian dessert in Naples, which you’ll find in most bakeries and pastry shops. 

Need more of the street food in Naples? Consider including Rome in your travel itinerary since it’s another foodie destination in Italy. For those looking for cultural experiences, try Milan or Venice. 

Eat Your Way Through Naples With Pilot!

Enjoying the best street food is just one of the things that Naples has to offer. Be sure to explore other attractions and things to do. With Pilot, you’ve got a travel planner that makes it easy to build your travel itinerary.