Neapolis Pie: The BEST Pizza in Naples?! (Mare Stanza, Italy)
Neapolis Pie: The BEST Pizza in Naples?! (Mare Stanza, Italy) - A Rambling Review (and a plea to your stomach)
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because we're diving headfirst into the pizza-obsessed heart of Naples and, specifically, Mare Stanza. My mission? To find out if Neapolis Pie really lives up to the hype. And, well, to eat. A lot. This is less a perfectly polished travel brochure and more a messy, honest account of my experience – the good, the slightly-less-good, and the absolutely mind-blowing delicious.
First Impressions:
Let's get this out of the way: Naples is intense. The energy! The chaos! The smell of deliciousness constantly wafting from every corner! Mare Stanza, and therefore Neapolis Pie, is a welcome (and frankly, necessary) haven. It's nestled in… well, I’m not gonna lie, I got a little lost on the way. (Pro-tip: Download an offline map. Trust me).
Accessibility (and my own klutziness):
Okay, this is important. For those needing it, Facilities for disabled guests are noted. I didn't specifically test all the accessibility features (I am, thankfully, reasonably able-bodied). But I did notice an elevator which is a blessing in a city where everything seems built on ancient cobblestones. Also, Car park [on-site] and car park [free of charge] offer convenience, and I certainly appreciated that. The CCTV in common areas and Security [24-hour] did make me feel safe wandering around in a new city.
The Pizza – The Holy Grail or Just Hype?
Here's the meat of the matter, the pizza itself. Neapolis Pie. Did it live up to the Everest-sized expectations?
The Answer: A resounding…mostly!
The crust. Oh, the crust. Perfectly charred, slightly chewy, with that signature corretto (the puffy, airy edge) that Neapolitan pizza is famous for. Seriously, I'm salivating just thinking about it. The sauce? Fresh, bright, and bursting with tomato flavour. The mozzarella? Melted into creamy, cheesy perfection.
I went with the classic Margherita first, because, well, you start with the basics. And it was divine. Simple ingredients, executed flawlessly. It was a moment. A moment I almost cried. (Okay, maybe I teared up a little. The emotion of finding something so genuinely, authentically delicious after a long day of travel is overwhelming!)
Then, because I'm a glutton and a reviewer, I ordered a second, maybe a third…I lost count. The Diavola, with its spicy salami, was a fiery delight. Each slice was a perfect symphony of textures and flavors.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking:
- Restaurants: Obviously, Neapolis Pie is the star. But honestly, the menu offers variety beyond pizza, including salads, soups and some Western Cuisine.
- Bar: A perfectly acceptable bar, perfect for a pre-pizza aperitivo or a post-pizza digestivo. I had a spritz. Two. Don't judge.
- Bottle of Water: Always welcome. Hydration is key, especially when dealing with pizza.
- Room Service [24-hour]: Thank God for this! Especially after a long day of exploring.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Essential for that morning pick-me-up.
- Coffee Shop: Perfect for a quick caffeine fix.
- Breakfast service: Breakfast [buffet]. It was good, standard hotel fare. But honestly, I was too busy fantasizing about lunch pizza to really pay attention. Still, the Asian Breakfast option was a nice touch.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Because You'll Need It After All That Pizza):
- Breakfast [buffet], Coffee/tea in restaurant, and the Coffee Shop are convenient.
- Pool with view is beautiful- great for snapping photos.
- Massage, Gym/fitness and Spa offers are good options, but I focused on digesting.
Cleanliness, Safety, and the Post-COVID World:
Mare Stanza seems to take safety seriously. Staff trained in safety protocol, Hand sanitizer everywhere, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Sanitized kitchen and tableware items filled me with confidence. The Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, felt comfortable. The Room sanitization opt-out available is a nice touch. Hand sanitizer made me happy to see.
Room Specifics and Amenities (Because You Need a Place to Pass Out After Pizza):
- Air conditioning (thank God for that! Naples heat is no joke)
- Free Wi-Fi (essential. For Instagramming my pizza, obviously.)
- Private bathroom (a luxury, especially after all that pizza)
- Daily housekeeping (necessary, let’s be honest.)
- Mini bar (for those late-night cravings)
- In-room safe box (to keep my pizza-money safe from… myself?)
- Non-smoking rooms (a plus, especially for sensitive noses like mine)
- Wake-up service (because even pizza-induced comas can’t last forever)
Services and Conveniences:
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always helpful.
- Luggage storage: Essential when you check-out full of pizza from the night before.
- Elevator: Essential in a city with lots of hills and stairs.
- Dry cleaning: Good to have.
The "Meh" Bits (Because Nothing's Perfect):
- My room was nice, but not exactly wow. A little more personality would be welcome.
- The location is a bit outside the main tourist drag. (But again, that means fewer crowds, which is mostly a good thing.)
The Big Reveal: Is Neapolis Pie the BEST Pizza in Naples?
Look, that’s a bold claim. Naples is pizza-central. There are a million places vying for that crown. But… Neapolis Pie is definitely up there. It's damn good. Seriously, incredibly good. It's the kind of pizza you dream about. The kind you'll spend the rest of your life trying to replicate (and failing).
The Verdict: Go. Eat. Be Happy.
BUT WAIT! You know what would make this experience even better?
A SPECIAL OFFER JUST FOR YOU (Because You Deserve Pizza Nirvana):
Book your stay at Mare Stanza through [Your Booking Link Here] and get:
- A complimentary Margherita pizza AND a glass of local wine at Neapolis Pie! That's right – a free taste of heaven!
- Early check-in (subject to availability) so you can start eating pizza sooner!
- A late check-out (also subject to availability) so you can avoid the post-pizza bloat rush!
- Free Wi-Fi so you can broadcast your pizza-fueled joy to the world! (Use #NeapolisPie #MareStanza #PizzaObsessed)
- The opportunity to discover your own favourite pizza in Naples!
Don't delay! This offer is only valid for a limited time. Book your pizza pilgrimage NOW!
In Conclusion… (And a final plea to my stomach):
Neapolis Pie at Mare Stanza is a winner. Go. Experience it. And prepare to be utterly, gloriously, and deliciously stuffed. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll cry a little too. It’s okay. We understand. It's the pizza talking. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm suddenly craving a pizza…
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Domaine de Roquerousse, Salon-de-Provence!
Alright, strap yourselves in, buttercups. This ain't your grandma's color-coordinated, pristine itinerary. This is ME in Naples, Italy, and it's gonna be a glorious, chaotic mess.
NEAPOLIS PIE: A Neapolitan Nightmare (and Dream) Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, Pizza, and the Existential Dread of a Tourist
Morning (ish): Land at Capodichino Airport. Pray my luggage actually makes it. They're always throwing bags into the cargo hold like they're playing a particularly aggressive game of pin the tail on the donkey. The taxi ride into the city? A white-knuckle rollercoaster. Horns blaring, Vespas weaving through traffic like caffeinated bees… I'm already in love. And possibly, slightly, terrified.
Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Check into my (hopefully) charming, (definitely) small Airbnb in the Spanish Quarter. Immediately realize I booked a place with… a shared bathroom. Deep breaths. Okay. This is character-building. And probably also where I'll catch some form of exotic Italian illness.
Lunch: Pizza. Obvious, right? Da Michele. The OG. The lines, the chaos, the sheer weight of pizza history… it's overwhelming. I almost chickened out. Almost. But that first bite… Oh. My. God. I have truly tasted heaven. And I may have accidentally eaten an entire pizza. Did I even chew? Who knows. Pure, unadulterated, cheesy bliss. Now I understand why people cry.
Afternoon: Wander aimlessly through the Spanish Quarter. Get lost. Delight in not being found (for a good 30 minutes, anyway). Witness a screaming match between two incredibly passionate Italians. Try to understand what's happening. Fail miserably. Appreciate the passion. Feel profoundly, beautifully, foreign.
Evening: Basilica di San Domenico Maggiore. The architecture is breathtaking. I mean, seriously, it's enough to make you question your entire existence. Is this real life? Is anything real? Existential crisis activated. Grab a gelato to combat the despair. Pistachio. Obviously. The perfect antidote to the meaninglessness of it all.
Night: Collapsed in bed. Already dreaming of pizza. And maybe a slightly less claustrophobic bathroom.
Day 2: Pompeii and the Ghosts of Yesterday (And a Terrible Bus Ride)
Morning: Wake up with pizza regrets. Get in the wrong bus. Realize I’m going the wrong way. Cuss. Reschedule Pompeii for the afternoon.
Lunch: Quick grab of pizza for lunch.
Afternoon: Pompeii. Holy. Mother. Of. God. The scale of it, the history, the sadness… It’s absolutely soul-crushing and awe-inspiring all at once. I spent hours wandering around the ruins, imagining the lives of the people who lived there. I even saw a… well, let's just say it's a "preserved" man.
Late Afternoon: Escape the burning sun of Pompeii. Attempt to navigate the public transport back to Naples. Trapped on a bus with a gaggle of screaming toddlers and a man who absolutely smelled of garlic. My "calm and collected" persona disintegrates. Start muttering to myself in poorly-formed Italian.
Evening: Dinner at a tiny, family-run trattoria. Ordered something I couldn't pronounce. It was delicious. The Nonna gave me a look that said, "You're messy, but we love you." Probably. I don't speak Italian. But the food was so good, I didn't care. Ended up chatting with two tourists and we talked about the meaning of life or something.
Day 3: The Capodimonte and the Madness of Markets
Morning: Attempted to visit the Capodimonte Museum. Got hopelessly lost in the maze of streets leading up the hill. Eventually found it, huffing and puffing and drenched in sweat. But the art, the views… worth it. Totally worth it.
Late Morning: The National Archaeological Museum. If Pompeii didn’t get to me, the museum did. So much history and artifacts!
Lunch: Back in the Spanish Quarter, because… why stray from pizza? Decided to try the fried pizza (pizza fritta). It's like a pizza donut. Yes, it's as glorious as it sounds.
Afternoon: The "Mercato Orientale". Prepare to have your senses assaulted. The sheer volume of stuff is mind-boggling. Everything from fresh seafood to knock-off designer handbags to questionable… certain… medicinal remedies. I almost bought a bag of something that looked like dried worms. Almost. Bought some incredibly delicious oranges instead. Probably should have bought both.
Evening: Farewell pizza. Because, duh. Found a random pizzeria down a narrow alleyway with no tourists. (Shocking!) It was better than all the big names. I swear. Or maybe it was just the desperation for one last slice of heaven before leaving. No regrets, only pizza crumbs.
Day 4: Goodbye, Napoli (For Now, at Least)
Morning: Wake up. Realize I haven't packed. Panic. Throw everything into my suitcase. Probably forgot something essential. Probably left a trail of chaos behind me.
Late Morning: Final cappuccino. Stare longingly at the bay. Vow to return.
Afternoon: Airport. Pray my luggage makes it. Again. Reflect on the glorious, chaotic, pizza-fueled whirlwind that was Naples.
Evening: Flight home. Begin planning my return. Already dreaming of pizza.
Neapolis Pie: The BEST Pizza in Naples?! (Mare Stanza, Italy) - Your Head's Gonna Explode... Or Maybe Just Your Stomach. A FAQ.
Okay, Okay, I'm Going. But Seriously, Is the Queue *REALLY* That Long?
Oh. My. GOD. The queue. The queue is a thing. Let me paint you a picture. Imagine the longest line you've ever seen. Now, triple it. Then add a healthy dose of Italian shrugs, the aroma of simmering tomato sauce, and a healthy dose of "I'm starving!" desperation from everyone involved. Yeah, that's the queue at Neapolis Pie. I've heard tales – *whispers* – of two-hour waits. Two hours! My feet started aching just HEARING those stories.
The first time I went? Total rookie mistake. Didn’t get there early. Rookie. The sun was beating down, the air was THICK, and I swear I thought I'd melt into the cobblestone. I considered turning back. Actually, I *did* consider it. The thought of pizza was the only thing keeping me going. I practically hallucinated marinara.
My recommendation? Get there early. Like, before the gods wake up early. Pack water. Bring a book. Mentally prepare yourself to become one with the queue. And maybe, just maybe, bribe the person in front of you with a gelato for their spot. Just kidding... probably.
Pro Tip: Look for locals. If they're there, it's worth the wait. They KNOW what they're doing.
Alright, Fine, I Waited. Was it Worth the HYPE?? Spill the Beans!
Listen, let's be real. There's a lot of pizza in Naples. A LOT. And a lot of *claims* about the "best" pizza. Neapolis Pie? Okay. Okay. Yes. It was… pretty damn good. Maybe even… amazing. I stand by that *maybe* because I’ve had pizza in this city that... well, let's just say it didn't make me weep with joy. But this… this was another level.
The crust? Oh, the crust. It’s got that perfect combo: crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, with those gorgeous little charred bubbles, the kind that make your pizza dreams come true! The sauce? Bright, flavorful, not too acidic, just… perfect. The mozzarella? Seriously milky, melting, and oozing with deliciousness. The basil? Fresh, vibrant, and adding that final touch of perfection.
I had the Margherita. Classic, I know. But sometimes, you just gotta stick with the tried and true to truly appreciate the art. And this Margherita? It was an art piece. A glorious, edible masterpiece. My first bite? My eyes rolled back in my head. I think I may have moaned. I'm not ashamed. It was *that* good.
BUT... and there's always a but, right? Expectations are a killer. After waiting in that queue, I built this pizza up in my mind to be the second coming of… well, pizza. So, it wasn't *miraculous*. It was just, undeniably, fantastic. It did change how I think about pizza. That’s the truth.
Speaking of Ordering... What's the Vibe Inside? Any Tips for a Clueless Tourist?
The Vibe? It's... intense. Like, a glorious, delicious kind of intensity. The place is small, buzzing with chatter in Italian, the aroma of wood-fired ovens mingling with the energy of a hungry crowd. It’s chaotic, but in the best possible way. Think a slightly messy, very friendly pizza-making symphony.
My Tip Number One: Learn a little Italian. Even just the basics. *Un altro, per favore* (another one, please) is your friend. The staff may or may not speak English (depending on the day, and how busy they are), so be prepared. Smiling goes a long way.
Tip Two: Don't expect a leisurely dining experience. This is not fine dining. This is fast-paced, authentic pizza bliss. You eat, you savor, you leave (happily stuffed, and probably wearing a little tomato sauce), making room for the next lucky person. The speed is part of the charm.
Tip Three: Observe the locals. See what they’re getting. Order the same thing. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, point at things on the menu and hope for the best. It's all going to be delicious anyway.
The Menu Sounds Amazing... What Should I ORDER?! I'm Overwhelmed!
Okay. Deep breaths. The menu *is* pretty solid. But don’t get analysis paralysis. I'm going to tell you what *I* got, and you go from there…
Listen, that Margherita is a must-try. If you're a pizza purist, start there. It is the litmus test, the standard by which all other pizzas must be measured. After you get the classic under your belt go wild! I've heard raves about the other options. Some folks are HUGE fans of the one with the sausage and friarielli (broccoli rabe). Others swear by the special that the chef has that day.
My Recommendation (Beyond the Margherita): Ask for the special of the day! Be brave! Be adventurous! That's where the magic happens. And wash it all down with a local beer or, even better, a Coke. Trust me. It's perfect.
Alright, Pizza Done. What Else is Good in Naples? (Besides Pizza... I Know, I Know...)
Okay, okay, fine. Neapolis Pie isn't the *only* reason to visit Naples. (Though, let's be real, it's a BIG reason.). Naples is a city that assaults your senses in the BEST ways possible.
First, Pastries! Babà! Sfogliatella! They're everywhere and an absolute MUST. Get a coffee at a local café and enjoy a little slice of heaven served up on the side.
Then, Gelato! Seriously, the gelato in Naples is unbelievable. It's a crime to visit and not sample as many flavors as your stomach can handle.
The Culture! Explore the historic center (Unesco World Heritage Site) Get lost in the narrow streets. Marvel at the art, the churches, the vibrant street life. Visit the National Archaeological Museum. Get a boat to Capri. Check out Pompeii. It's all amazing!
But always, always, leave room for more pizza.
So, the Big Question. Is Neapolis Pie the BEST Pizza in Naples??? Final Verdict.
