Naples is home to many famous pizzerias, with long history of sharing this traditional dish with the world, but there’s something that makes Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba unique. This charming spot, located in the very heart of the city’s ancient historical center, is believed to be the oldest pizzeria in the world.
Flatbread dishes were extremely popular in Naples throughout the 18th century, and they eventually evolved into the pizza we know and love today.
When Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba first opened for business, it was just a tiny stand for peddlers looking for warm and quick meal.
Since its establishment in 1738, this tiny stand eventually transformed into an actual pizzeria. It opened its doors in 1830, and it’s still one of Naples’ top tourist attractions.
Historically speaking, many of Port’Alba’s regular customers were artists and poets, who were always short on cash. They often joked that pizzas at Port’Alba may be their last free meal, since unique payment system allowed them to pay up to eight days after eating there.
That system is no longer in place, but Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba is still safely tucked away between some of Napeles’ most charming bookstores, and its location is here to remind us of its rich history.