The world is in love with pizza. Unlike the confusing origins of pasta, people recognize its clear ties and history to Italy. This iconic dish is well-received by an array of foodies from all walks of life. Not many people can deny the pizza, whether it’s because of its rich tomato-based sauce or its vibrant melange of toppings. The pizza is also a portable food that can be eaten on the go with much ease.
Foodies with a real love of pizza may want to book a trip to Naples. This famous Italian city is not only known for its ancient city of Pompeii, but is also home to the world’s oldest pizza joint. Take a look at the pizzeria that’s still serving up pies to customers centuries later after its inception!
Check Out The Oldest Pizzeria In The World Is In Naples
There’s many restaurants that love to claim that they have the best food around. At the same time, some may unofficially claim the title as an establishment with a unique dining concept. However, not many restaurants can claim that they’re over 100 years old without some sort of proof. Specifically, there’s even less amount of restaurants that can claim they’ve been serving the same pizza menu for over a century. That’s what makes the Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba so special, unique, and alluring to the hungriest of foodies.
- Did You Know?According to Smithsonian Magazine, in Naples, there are over 15,000 pizzaioli or pizza chefs in Naples, an Italian city regarded as the "spiritual homeland of pizza." The locals are passionate about their pizza, with the city housing over 8,200 pizzerias.
What’s On The Menu At The Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba?
- Address: Via Port'Alba, 18, 80134 Napoli NA, Italy
- Hours of Operation: Monday to Sunday from 11:30am - 1:30am
- Price Range: $$
Pizza lovers must take the pilgrimage to Naples to come face-to-face with an authentic, traditional, Italian-style pizza at the Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba. Located nearby the University of Naples and the Museo Cappella Sansevero, the ancient pizzeria is still serving up traditional pizza to both locals and tourists. The pizzas on the menu are signature Neapolitan-style pizzas. Just like the Chicago-style deep dish pizza, Neapolitan pizzas are equipped with their own signature toppings and flavors. When it comes to this traditional style of pizza, there are several signature traits:
- Tomatoes used for the pizza are to be the San Marzano or Pomodorino del Piennolo variety
- The cheese to use as a topping must be the Mozzarella di Buffalo Campana and the Fior di Latte di Agerola
Those who make the trip out to this 18th century pizzeria can choose from a variety of items off their menu, including their classic pizza Margherita. Though the restaurant is known for its traditional Neapolitan pizzas, Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba also offers diners a variety of seafood and pasta dishes as well. Otherwise, pizza lovers can choose pizza varieties such as:
- Pizza Marinara rivisitata
- Pizza Belledonne
- Pizza Pomodorino Giallo
There’s an array of food available at this ancient pizzeria, so visitors are bound to find something to enjoy and savor!
A Brief History Of The Pizzeria
The birth of the Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba goes back to the 18th century, specifically in 1738. Originally, the pizzeria was a simple stand, where peddlers kept store-bought pies warm by balancing small copper stoves on their heads. The brand is associated with the origins of Naples’ pizza, where pies varieties like marinara or anchovies were bought from the street peddlers. The actual restaurant was born in 1830, where the menu items expanded to other dishes with pasta or seafood.
Visitors who flock to this historic pizzeria can sample a little flavor of one of the most iconic (and famous) dishes in the world. Infact, this restaurant is a real hotspot tourist destination for travelers eager to try the pizzeria's world-renowned pizza.
Dining At Some Of The World’s Oldest Restaurants
The Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba is not the only old restaurant still functioning today. Infact, there's a handful of restaurants around the world that are able to claim similar fame. These establishments are a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, which include:
- Madrid, Spain: Sobrino De Botín (built in 1725)
- Kyoto, Japan: Honke Owariya (built in 1465)
- Salzburg, Austria: St. Peter Stiftskulinarium (built in 803)
- Paris, France: La Tour d’Argent (built in 1582)
- Westmeath, Ireland: Sean's Bar (built in 900)
- Llangynwyd, Wales: The Old Houst 1147 (built in 1147)
The world's oldest pizzeria still serves up some of classic dishes and (most importantly) pizza pies for visitors to enjoy today. Thus, passionate pizza lovers from across the globe ought to make a journey to Naples, Italy to sample this classic, yet lovable pie.
