Starita sits on Via Materdei in a residential pocket of Naples that most tourists only pass through on their way to the catacombs, and that's part of what makes it worth seeking out. This is not a pizzeria built for Instagram lines, even though it has its share of fame. Starita has been making pizza in this exact spot since 1901, and the Starita family has kept the ovens running through four generations. If you've seen Julia Roberts eating pizza in Naples in the 2010 film Eat Pray Love, you've already seen this place, even if the movie didn't bother to use its real name.

Antonio Starita, who runs the kitchen today, is one of the names Neapolitans bring up when the conversation turns to who actually defends the old way of doing things. He didn't invent the montanara, the fried-then-baked pizza that's become his signature, but he's one of the reasons it's still on menus at all. The pizzeria sits a few minutes from Materdei metro station on Line 1, in the Rione Sanità area, a neighborhood that rewards a slow walk before or after your meal.

Why Starita stands out

Plenty of pizzerias in Naples claim history. Fewer can back it up with more than a century of continuous operation on the same street. Starita isn't trying to be the most photogenic pizza in the city, and the dining room still feels like a neighborhood trattoria rather than a stage set. What sets it apart is technique passed down inside one family, specifically the frying step that goes into the montanara, a method that takes real practice to get right without the base turning greasy or dense.

The restaurant also holds a place in Neapolitan pizza history beyond the movie cameo. Antonio Starita has been active for decades in preserving and promoting traditional Neapolitan pizza-making, and the pizzeria is frequently mentioned alongside the handful of addresses that pizza historians point to when explaining how the craft evolved in the 20th century.

What the kitchen is known for

Start with the montanara, a small round of dough that's fried first, then topped and finished briefly under high heat. It arrives puffed and a little crisp at the edges, with the fried base giving it a richer, almost bread-like chew that a straight wood-fired crust doesn't have. It's usually dressed simply, tomato and basil, sometimes with fior di latte folded in after the second cooking.

Starita has also built a following for its pizza fritta, the fully fried stuffed pizza that's a street food staple in Naples, and for a zucchini flower pizza that shows up often enough that regulars ask for it by name. Classic Margherita and marinara are both on offer and done with restraint, no excess of toppings, just good tomato, good oil, and a crust that's blistered rather than charred. If you're trying to understand what separates a well-made Neapolitan pizza from an average one, ordering a simple margherita here alongside the montanara gives you a useful side-by-side.

Atmosphere and setting

The dining room is unfussy, with tiled floors, close-set tables, and photos on the walls that trace the family's decades in the business. It fills up with a mix of locals who've been coming for years and visitors who tracked the place down specifically. The noise level climbs on weekend evenings, which is part of the charm rather than a flaw. Don't expect quiet conversation over candlelight. Expect the clatter of a busy kitchen and the particular energy of a Neapolitan dinner service.

Service and experience

Service tends to be brisk and functional rather than attentive in the fine-dining sense. Staff know the menu and move fast, which suits the pace of the room. English is spoken to varying degrees depending on who's on shift, but pointing at the menu works fine if there's a language gap. Meals move quickly here, which makes Starita a reasonable stop if you're working around a tight schedule in the city, though nobody will rush you out if you want to linger.

Reservations and waits

Starita doesn't carry the same multi-hour queue reputation as some of the most famous pizzerias in the historic center, but it's popular enough, especially at dinner, that a wait is possible on weekend nights. Calling ahead or booking where possible is worth doing if you're set on a specific time, particularly for larger groups. Lunch tends to be calmer than dinner, and arriving right when the kitchen opens for either service is the simplest way to avoid standing around.

Price tier

Starita sits in the moderate range for Naples pizza, in line with what you'd expect from a well-regarded neighborhood pizzeria rather than a tourist-priced spot in the center. Pizzas are reasonably priced for the quality, and a full meal with a starter, pizza, and drink stays comfortably affordable by most travelers' standards.

Best time to visit

Weekday lunch is the quietest window, good if you want to eat without a wait and actually hear the conversation at your table. Early dinner, before 8pm, is a reasonable middle ground. If you want the full buzzing-room experience, go on a Friday or Saturday night, just budget extra time in case there's a short wait for a table.

Good to know before you go

• Starita is a short walk from Materdei metro station on Line 1, one of the city's decorated art stations.
• The neighborhood, Rione Sanità, is worth exploring before or after your meal, including the Catacombs of San Gennaro nearby.
• Cash is commonly used in smaller Naples pizzerias, so it's worth carrying some even if cards are accepted.
• The montanara is the dish most people come specifically to try, so order it alongside a classic margherita for comparison.

Neighborhood and location context

Materdei is a working residential district just north of the more heavily touristed historic center, bordering the Sanità neighborhood known for its Baroque churches and catacomb complexes. It's not where most visitors base themselves, which is exactly why a meal here feels less staged than dinner near Piazza del Plebiscito or Via Toledo. The area is connected by metro, making it an easy add-on to a day spent visiting the Sanità catacombs or the nearby Capodimonte museum and park.

Who this is for

Starita suits travelers who want to taste a specific, well-documented piece of Naples pizza history rather than just another wood-fired pie near the main tourist strip. It's a good fit if you're curious about the montanara and want to try it from a family that's been refining the technique for generations. It's less suited to anyone looking for a quiet, romantic dinner or an elaborate tasting menu. Go in expecting a loud, fast, satisfying neighborhood meal, and you'll leave happy.

FAQ

Is Starita the pizzeria from Eat Pray Love?

Yes, Starita is the pizzeria that appears in the 2010 film, though it was not identified by name on screen.

What should I order at Starita?

The montanara is the dish most associated with the house, alongside a classic margherita and, when available, a zucchini flower pizza.

Do I need a reservation?

It's not always required, but booking ahead is a good idea for dinner, especially on weekends, to avoid waiting for a table.

How do I get to Starita?

The closest metro stop is Materdei on Line 1, a few minutes' walk from the restaurant, in the Rione Sanità area of Naples.