Café€vomero
Pasticceria Mennella on Via Scarlatti in Naples' Vomero is the family-run pasticceria-gelateria with 18 Campania branches, with the babà, the sfogliatella.
Signature drink: Espresso, gelato cone, babà
Tip: Open Mon-Fri 10:00-21:00, weekends to 23:00. Counter and gelato window; the panettone is the December special.
Café€toledo
Gran Caffè Gambrinus on Piazza Trieste e Trento in Naples has poured espresso since 1860, the city's belle epoque salon where Oscar Wilde, Hemingway.
Signature drink: Espresso, cioccolata calda
Tip: Standing at the counter is the local way; sitting at a marble table runs three times the price. Try the cioccolata calda in winter.
Café€centro-storico
Caffè Mexico in Naples' Piazza Dante has poured the city's strongest espresso since 1956, with five locations across town and the trademark pre-sweetened cup.
Signature drink: Espresso, caffè zuccherato
Tip: Order the caffè 'normale' (already sweetened) or 'amaro' (no sugar). Standing room only at the original Piazza Dante counter.
Café€toledo
Gambrinus in Naples is the historic literary cafe with the city's first marble counter (1860). Located in Toledo. Order the espresso, sfogliatella.
Signature drink: Espresso, sfogliatella
Tip: Pay at the till first, then take the receipt to the bar. Counter price 1.50 euros vs 4 euros for a seated terrace table.
Café€centro-storicoDaily 07:00-21:00
Scaturchio in Naples' Piazza San Domenico Maggiore has run the pastry-and-coffee counter since 1905, with the ministeriale (chocolate-rum disc) the house.
Signature drink: Espresso, ministeriale
Tip: Open daily 07:00-21:00. Ministeriale is 4 euros at the counter; sfogliatella riccia 2 euros 50.
Café€chiaia
Moccia in Naples' Chiaia (with the Vomero branch) has run the pastry-and-coffee counter since 1936, with the sfogliatella riccia and the babà au rhum.
Signature drink: Espresso, sfogliatella riccia
Tip: Open Tue-Sun 07:00-21:00; closed Monday. The sfogliatella sells out by 11:00 on Saturdays.