Pizzeria Starita, Naples

Founded in 1901 in the Materdei district of Naples, Starita began as a small wine cellar created by Alfonso Starita, where locals gathered to enjoy simple food and conversation. Over time, the family business evolved into a fried food shop and eventually a celebrated pizzeria, becoming deeply rooted in the culinary identity of the neighborhood. By the 1950s, Pizzeria Starita had already earned a reputation beyond the city, even contributing staff and support to the filming of the classic movie L'oro di Napoli, where the family crossed paths with icons such as Sophia Loren and Vittorio De Sica.

Generations of the Starita family have preserved and refined the traditions of Neapolitan pizza-making. Under Antonio Starita, the pizzeria became a founding member of the Associazione de le Pizzerie Centenarie and helped support recognition of authentic Neapolitan pizza as a protected traditional specialty within the European Union. The philosophy remains rooted in simplicity: naturally leavened dough, hand-stretched bases, Italian ingredients, and baking in a wood-fired oven, regarded not merely as a cooking method but as an essential part of the craft.

Starita’s history also includes symbolic moments that reflect its connection to Italian culture. During the 2000 Jubilee, the pizzeria honored Pope John Paul II by delivering one of its pizzas in a traditional warming container once used for transport. Over the years, recognition from publications such as The Michelin Guide, The Guardian, and La Repubblica has reinforced its standing. Still family-run today, Starita continues to balance heritage and hospitality, offering a place where generations of experience meet the warmth of a neighborhood institution.