Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
The Neapolitan baba is a tall, mushroom-shaped yeast cake soaked in dark rum syrup until sodden and trembling, served cool with whipped cream or pastry cream alongside, the rum-to-cake ratio a point of civic pride.
The baba reached Naples in the 18th century via the French court (itself imported from Poland by King Stanislaw Leszczynski); Neapolitan pastry makers adopted it and over two centuries made it their own, increasing the rum soaking and shrinking the size until today's individual baba napoletano bears little resemblance to the original.
3 editor picks for Baba au Rhum in Naples, ranked by editorial score. All Naples signature dishes · Baba au Rhum across every city.
Scaturchio in Naples' Piazza San Domenico Maggiore has run the pastry-and-coffee counter since 1905, with the ministeriale (chocolate-rum disc) the house.
TipOpen daily 07:00-21:00. Ministeriale is 4 euros at the counter; sfogliatella riccia 2 euros 50.
Gran Caffe Gambrinus on Piazza Trieste e Trento in Naples (1860) is the city's defining morning ritual, with the counter espresso and hot sfogliatella.
OrderSfogliatella riccia hot from the counter, cioccolata calda in winter.
TipStanding at the counter is one-third the price of the seated terrace. Arrive by 09:30 on weekends before the tour groups.
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.
TipOpen Tue-Sun 07:00-21:00; closed Monday. The sfogliatella sells out by 11:00 on Saturdays.
Baba au Rhum makes more sense with someone from Naples explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Naples feeds you first and explains later. This small-group walk through the royal heart of the city and the Spanish Quarters turns a Sunday lunch's worth of flavor in...
Guided tour · 3 hours
From the birthplace of pizza to hidden gems of Neapolitan cuisine, this tour promises a delectable and unforgettable experience that you must not miss. Remember: in Na...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Experience the flavors of Naples on this guided street food tour and uncover the tradition of Neapolitan cuisine. Explore the Pignasecca market and walk the lively str...
