Caffè Mexico in Naples' Piazza Dante has poured the city's strongest espresso at 1 euro 20 since 1956, the pre-sweetened cup the local rule, with a cornetto from the counter running under 3 euros total.
Tip: Espresso is pre-sweetened unless you order 'amaro' (no sugar). Standing counter only; no seats at the original Piazza Dante branch.
Address: Piazza Dante 86, 80135 Napoli, Naples
Passione Napoletana on Via dei Tribunali in Naples sells pizza al portafoglio (folded pocket pizza) at 2 euros from the window, the one-handed street lunch of the working quarter.
Try: Pizza al portafoglio
Tip: Pizza al portafoglio 2 euros at the window; no plates issued and no sit-down required. The queue moves in under 2 minutes.
The friggitorie clustered along Via Pignasecca in Naples sell the cuoppo di mare (mixed seafood in a paper cone) to the morning market crowd, the city's most affordable fresh-fried seafood.
Try: Cuoppo di mare
Tip: Cash only at most counters. Best from 12:00 to 14:00 when the fryers are hottest.
Attanasio near Naples Central Station fries sfogliatelle since 1930 at 2 euros apiece, the city's cheapest standing breakfast and the closest pastry shop to the train station.
Try: Sfogliatella riccia
Tip: Closed Monday. Cash only. The queue moves quickly; sfogliatella riccia 2 euros, frolla 1 euro 80.
Tandem on Via Paladino in Naples runs a generous plate of paccheri al ragu napoletano for 6 euros, the city's best-value sit-down lunch, with bread included for mopping the sauce.
Try: Paccheri al ragu napoletano
Tip: No bookings; arrive 12:30 or 19:30. Three Tandem rooms across the centro storico share the carte.
Passione Napoletana on Via dei Tribunali in Naples sells pizza al portafoglio (folded pocket pizza) at 2 euros from the window, the one-handed street lunch of the working quarter.
Try: Pizza al portafoglio
Tip: Pizza al portafoglio 2 euros at the window; no plates issued and no sit-down required. The queue moves in under 2 minutes.
The friggitorie clustered along Via Pignasecca in Naples sell the cuoppo di mare (mixed seafood in a paper cone) to the morning market crowd, the city's most affordable fresh-fried seafood.
Try: Cuoppo di mare
Tip: Cash only at most counters. Best from 12:00 to 14:00 when the fryers are hottest.
Da Michele in Naples' Forcella has baked margherita and marinara since 1870 at under 6 euros. It is the city's greatest eat-for-nothing proposition: two pizzas, four euros per person with water.
Try: Pizza margherita
Tip: Take a numbered ticket at the door. Cash only at the counter; the margherita is 5 euros 50.
Nennella in Naples' Quartieri Spagnoli runs a 12-euro three-course lunch with shouted orders, pasta e patate con provola and the daily Quartieri Spagnoli antipasto in a no-frills room.
Try: Three-course working-class lunch
Tip: Cash only. Arrive by 12:00 for lunch or 19:00 for dinner; no bookings.
Attanasio near Naples Central Station fries sfogliatelle since 1930 at 2 euros apiece, the city's cheapest standing breakfast and the closest pastry shop to the train station.
Try: Sfogliatella riccia
Tip: Closed Monday. Cash only. The queue moves quickly; sfogliatella riccia 2 euros, frolla 1 euro 80.
Tandem on Via Paladino in Naples runs a generous plate of paccheri al ragu napoletano for 6 euros, the city's best-value sit-down lunch, with bread included for mopping the sauce.
Try: Paccheri al ragu napoletano
Tip: No bookings; arrive 12:30 or 19:30. Three Tandem rooms across the centro storico share the carte.
