The creator of the pizza Margherita
The exact history of pizza may be shy on details, but the origin of the traditional Neapolitan pizza Margherita is well-known. According to legend, the pizza with tomato, mozzarella and basil – the colours of the Italian flag – was first prepared in 1889 by a pizzaiolo at restaurant Brandi in honour of the Italian queen Margaretha. Pizzeria Brandi is still around: royalty and celebrities such as Prince Albert of Monaco, opera king Luciano Pavarotti and conga queen Gloria Estefan have all come here to feast on the house specialty. Salita Sant’Anna di Palazzo, brandi.it
Head to Mexico for the best espresso
The name, the vintage interior and the senior baristas may not inspire confidence, but the best espresso in Naples is served at Bar Mexico – sip it standing at the steel counter, just as the locals do. When ordering an espresso, which in Italian is just a caffè, choose from various blends of the house brand, Passalacqua, named after the man who in 1960 inaugurated the first café on the Piazza Dante. Today, the cafés are run by the fourth generation of coffeemakers. Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza Dante, barmexico.it
An ice cream parlour and chocolate shop: a double treat
Gay-Odin is world famous in Naples for selling the best chocolate and ice cream in town. This shop has been creating homemade chocolate bars, milk or dark, with almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachio, orange, raisins, cinnamon, coffee or chili pepper since 1894. But you can also buy fine chocolates, pralines, chocolate liqueur and chocolate paste. And of course ice cream. All twenty four flavours are delicious, but the various chocolate flavours are truly outstanding. Via Toledo and Via Carducci, gay-odin.it
