Introducing a young Harry Potter – or at least a Harry Potter look-alike – to Neapolitan pizza on one of our Hand Crafted Tours in 2006

One of the tidbits of advice that I give travelers heading to Italy is to avoid pizza north of Rome. Pizza is universal to a certain extent, but serious pizza is Neapolitan and Roman (want to start an argument – tell a Roman that pizza is Neapolitan, or vice versa). The distinctions between the two schools is not relevant here. If you order pizza anywhere else it should at least be cooked in a wood burning oven in a proper pizzeria (preferably by a native Neapolitan).

Probably the most famous pizza place in Naples right now is Antica Pizzeria da Michele, thanks in large part to it being featured in a very famous book and movie (which shall remain nameless). They only have two choices: Marinara (sauce, oil, oregano) or Margherita (sauce, oil, cheese, basil), but there is perfection in their simplicity. There's no question that the pizza at da Michele is one of the best, if not the best I've ever had. Even before becoming a star of print and screen, locals would stand in line for an hour or more to get a table, and a constant stream of boxes were being strapped to Vespas for delivery to local office workers. If you plan to eat at da Michele, arrive early (by 11:00), or during the lull around 16:00.

If you get to da Michele and find the look of the line unbearable, just around the corner is Pizzeria Trianon da Ciro. With multiple levels there is far more seating, and you can usually get in quickly. They have a more expansive menu, too. Not quite as good, but it will do in a pinch.

Both of these are a short walk from the main train station, and even closer to the end station of the Circumvesuviana, the train line that connects Naples to a string of villages along the bay, including Pompeii, and Sorrento. If you are visiting the National Archaeology Museum, the best option is Pizzeria da Sorbillo Gino. Sobillo's pizza goes head to head with da Michele as the best in Naples, and you're likely to find a line here, too. Be careful, though. There are several pizza places in the area masquerading as 'Sorbillo'. The one you want is at Via dei Tribunali 32.

Also nearby, Antica Pizzeria Porta d'Alba frequently is mentioned as one of the oldest, if not the oldest pizza places in Naples. While their pizzas are decent, I've never been very impressed with the quality, with the atmosphere, or with the service. I'd stick to one of the three listed above.

Tags: Naples, Pizza