Food destinations within easy reach of Naples, worth the early start.
Food destinations within easy reach of Naples. worth the train, the rental car or the early start.
Famous for: Fresh-grilled seafood at Marina di Corricella, limoncello di Procida (the island's own citrus variety) and lemon granita
Procida, the smallest island in the Bay of Naples, runs the pastel-hued Marina di Corricella waterfront where a lunch of grilled fish and linguine alle vongole is the entire purpose of the ferry crossing, best from June to September.
Famous for: Gnocchi alla sorrentina (potato gnocchi baked in tomato, mozzarella and basil), limoncello, and lemon-grove walks
Sorrento sits above a clifftop with views of Vesuvius, an hour from Naples by Circumvesuviana train; the gnocchi alla sorrentina (baked in a terracotta pot) is the canonical local dish, best at the old-town trattorias.
Famous for: Fresh anchovies in Cetara, sfusato amalfitano lemon granita, scialatielli ai frutti di mare pasta
The Amalfi Coast between Positano and Cetara is the source of the Cetara anchovies (colatura di alici) that flavour half the city's pasta sauces; a day trip combines UNESCO coast scenery with the fishing-village seafood counter.
Famous for: Buffalo mozzarella DOP fresh from Campania farms, buffalo ricotta and burrata, Greek temple ruins as backdrop
Paestum sits 90 minutes south of Naples in the mozzarella di bufala heartland; Tenuta Vannulo and the Barlotti farm both run on-site stores and restaurants where mozzarella is made to order and goes from curd to your plate in under an hour.
Famous for: Coniglio all'ischitana (rabbit stewed in tomato and wine), fresh sea bass, local Biancolella and Forastera white wines
Ischia, the largest island in the Bay of Naples, is the source of the coniglio all'ischitana, the rabbit-and-tomato stew the island's trattorias make in terracotta pots, alongside the local volcanic-soil wines.
Famous for: Insalata caprese with island tomatoes and fior di latte, totani in zimino (squid with greens), limoncello and caprese cake
Capri is an hour from Naples by fast ferry; the insalata caprese was invented on the island and the seafood trattorias above Marina Grande serve it with the original recipe alongside totani in zimino and the local limoncello.
Peak food season in Naples is year-round.
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Naples rewards trust.