Neapolitan seafood, classic€€€chiaia
La Cantinella in Naples' Santa Lucia waterfront has run the classic seafood carte since 1971, with the Bay of Naples view, spaghetti alle vongole and crudo di mare anchoring lunch.
Signature: Spaghetti con le vongole, Crudo di mare, Risotto alla pescatora
Order: Spaghetti con le vongole, crudo di mare, risotto alla pescatora.
Tip: Closed Sunday. Book three weeks ahead via the website. Bay-view terrace tables go first.
Neapolitan, upscale traditional€€€chiaia
Ristorante Caruso on Via Partenope in Naples sits on the rooftop of the Grand Hotel Vesuvio over Castel dell'Ovo, with a classic seafood carte and the city's named-table tradition.
Signature: Linguine all'astice, Spaghetti alle vongole, Tagliata di tonno
Order: Linguine all'astice with Bay-view service, spaghetti alle vongole veraci.
Tip: Book a fortnight ahead; the rooftop terrace tables face the Castel dell'Ovo. Jacket suggested for the dining room.
Neapolitan deli, contemporary€€vomero
Salumeria Upnea on Vomero in Naples is the deli-bistro hybrid pouring Campania natural wines, with salumi-and-cheese boards and a daily-changing pasta from the kitchen behind the counter.
Signature: Salumi e formaggi, Pasta alla genovese, Caciocavallo impiccato
Order: The salumi flight, pasta alla genovese, caciocavallo impiccato with grilled bread.
Tip: Closed Monday. Open daily 12:00 to 23:00 otherwise. Walk-in counter; bookings for the back room.
Modern Mediterranean, Michelin€€€€chiaia
George Restaurant at the Grand Hotel Parker's in Naples holds one Michelin star for Domenico Candela's modern Mediterranean tasting menu, with the Posillipo and Vesuvius view from the room.
Signature: Tasting menu, Seafood carpaccio, Pasta
Order: The seven-course tasting menu with the seafood and the modern lamb course.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Book three weeks ahead via the hotel. The 145-euro tasting is the entry point.
Italian-Japanese fusion, Michelin€€€€chiaia
Aragawa in Naples' Vomero edge holds one Michelin star for an Italian-Japanese fusion tasting menu by Pasquale Palamaro, with Kobe beef, modern crudo and Campanian seasonal vegetables.
Signature: Tasting menu, Kobe beef tartare, Risotto
Order: The tasting menu with the Kobe tartare and the cured fish course.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Book three weeks ahead via Resy or the restaurant phone line.
Neapolitan pizza€forcella
Da Michele in Naples' Forcella has baked margherita and marinara since 1870, the city's defining pizza counter. The Eat Pray Love queue still wraps the block at 13:00.
Signature: Pizza margherita, Pizza marinara
Order: Pizza margherita and pizza marinara, the only two on the carte for 150 years.
Tip: Take a numbered ticket from the door and wait outside. The classic margherita is 5 euros 50; cash preferred.