Words: Dan
Photos: Hark
Honorable mention: Tom

Travel & Food: Eating & Drinking in Naples Part.1
23 Photos: 36 hours in Naples, Italy

The next day we headed to Stadio San Paolo to watch Napoli vs Empoli. Napoli have always been a big and well supported team in Italy and the passion for the cities football team is evident throughout Naples with many stalls selling the light blue shirt and nearly every place we went in to had a picture of Diego Maradona on display. Even at their lowest in the late 90’s and early 00’s they were still attracting bigger crowds in Serie C1 than teams in Serie A. Of course one of the sleeping giants of Italian football arose and are now challenging at the top with a team of world stars.

On the walk up to the stadium we came across many food trucks to get some food and drinks. Instead of stale burgers and anaemic hot dogs, you have a full on selection of sandwiches from porchetta (roast pork) to prosciutto (Italian cured ham) it really was a tough choice. In the end we ended up getting some Luganica sausage and spinach sandwiches with some Peroni Red and continued to the stadium. The atmosphere in the stadium although not full was very boisterous and loud. Flags and scarves waving and passionate chanting. That soon turnt to anger as Napoli conceded two goals either side of half time. Napoli began to attack with more conviction and eventually levelled the scores. The buzz of watching a team and seeing everybody go crazy after a goal is a site to behold. Eventually the game ended a draw and of course we were peckish and went in search of some food for our last meal before heading back to London.

As we got back to the centre of the city we saw a few trattorias that caught our eye but unfortunately they were closing up. Eventually we came across Pizze e Baba down a small cobbled street just off via Toledo. As we sat down we noticed many pictures on the wall which we assumed were famous Italians who had dined there.

With Naples being by the sea we went all in on the seafood. Crispy baby squid, mussels and seafood linguini. Everything we ate was simply cooked and well presented. Our taste-buds experienced how truly fresh seafood should be prepared. When ingredients are that fresh it doesn’t need much else on the plate. Whatever was on the plate was there to enhance the natural flavour of these ingredients.

On our way back to pick up our things to head to the airport we quickly popped into a bakery to have a little something sweet called Sfogliatelle. Thin layers of pastry filled with almond paste. Again another simple thing that tasted amazing. As you bite into it the pastry you hear the crunch and feel the almond paste ooze out. A great way to end our culinary trip to Naples.

As much as we love visiting places with things to see, it was refreshing to go to a place where that wasn’t a priority. It was far more enjoyable taking in the culture and being amongst the locals. Naples’ passion for food is quite possibly unrivalled throughout the world. The best way to get to know Naples is through the palate.

Travel & Food: Eating & Drinking in Naples Part.1
23 Photos: 36 hours in Naples, Italy

Words: Dan
Photos: Hark
Honorable mention: Tom