Forget Margherita: Why Naples’ Best Pizza Might Be Fried
If you’re expecting the usual Neapolitan pizza, crisped quickly in a blazing wood-fired oven, you’ve come to the wrong place. At La Masardona, tucked away on Via Giulio Cesare Capaccio, just steps from Naples’ bustling train station, the star isn’t the classic Margherita—it’s pizza fritta, the city’s golden, bubbling hidden treasure.
Founded in 1945 by Anna Manfredi (nicknamed La Masardona), this legendary friggitoria started life as a humble street stall frying pizza dough to feed hungry Neapolitans post-World War II. Today, Anna’s grandson Enzo Piccirillo and his sons have not only maintained the tradition but elevated it to iconic status.
The Taste of History, Deep-Fried
Pizza fritta isn’t just street food; it’s edible history. Born out of necessity when ovens and ingredients were scarce, these fried pizzas were the affordable luxury of their time. But at La Masardona, they’ve become a refined indulgence. Imagine this: a perfectly golden, lightly blistered dough that crunches delicately with each bite, giving way to a pillowy interior bursting with rich fillings like fresh ricotta, cicoli (pork cracklings), mozzarella, and black pepper.
The signature “Completa” is non-negotiable on your first visit—it’s the benchmark by which all pizza fritta should be judged. Another standout is the “Zia Tatina,” elegantly simple with tomato, mozzarella, and fresh basil. For the adventurous, the “Pummiello” is a gourmet surprise featuring octopus salad—a creative spin that somehow feels perfectly at home in this humble setting.
A Slice of Naples You Won’t Forget
Walking into La Masardona feels like stepping into a cherished local secret. The dining area is stripped-back and functional; it doesn’t distract from the main attraction. You’re here for pizza fritta, not Instagram aesthetics. Yet, the authenticity makes it strangely photogenic, capturing a slice of real Naples that many tourists miss in their rush toward the city’s flashier pizzerias.
This place doesn’t pander to trends or chase after fleeting culinary fads. Instead, Enzo and his family maintain a fiercely proud devotion to what they do best. Watching them at work is almost hypnotic: dough stretched expertly by hand, filled generously, sealed, and fried until perfection.
Beyond Pizza Fritta
Though pizza fritta is the undisputed hero, La Masardona has wisely expanded its menu to accommodate more tastes and appetites. Recently opened branches at Piazza Vittoria in Naples and even in Rome demonstrate how their humble fried pizzas have won hearts beyond the neighborhood.
What You Need to Know Before Visiting
- Original Location:
- Address: Via Giulio Cesare Capaccio, 27, 80142 Naples, Italy
- Phone: +39 081 281057
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 7:00 AM–4:00 PM; Saturday also 7:00 PM–12:00 AM; Sunday: Closed
- Piazza Vittoria Location:
- Address: Piazza Vittoria, 5, 80121 Naples, Italy
- Phone: +39 081 245 2243
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00 AM–11:30 PM; Sunday: Closed
- Rome Location:
- Address: Piazza dell’Oro, 6, 00186 Rome, Italy
- Phone: +39 06 8698 1973
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 12:00 PM–3:30 PM and 7:00 PM–11:30 PM; Sunday: Closed
Don’t Miss: The Completa and Zia Tatina pizzas.
Pro tip: Arrive early, or be prepared to queue—locals know exactly how good this place is.
Final Bite
La Masardona isn’t just a meal; it’s an essential Neapolitan experience. Forget everything you thought you knew about pizza and discover why Naples’ best-kept secret might just be its fried one.
