If you’ve been following my Naples adventure on soacial media, you know that I definitely have to pair an 'outing' somewhere to eat- and that usually means a pizza. . But today, we’re stepping away from the wood-fired ovens and going straight to the bubbling fryers of Antica Pizzeria De' Figliole in the heart of Forcella.
I decided to head over for an early lunch (pro tip: they open around 11:00 AM, which is the absolute golden hour to beat the local rush), You can watch what went down here, but here is the lowdown on why this place needs to be on your bucket list.
A Quick History Lesson (With a Lot of Heart)
Before we talk about the food, we have to talk about the history. "De' Figliole" translates to "The Daughters" or "The Girls." Since 1860, this tiny, unpretentious spot in Forcella has been run by generations of incredible women—currently the Apetino sisters.
While the rest of the world fell in love with the classic baked Margherita, these women doubled down on the ultimate working-class comfort food: pizza fritta (fried pizza).
What is Pizza Fritta?
If you've never had it, don't panic. It is not heavy or excessively greasy if it's done right (and trust me, they do it right). They take two thin discs of pizza dough, stuff them with delicious fillings, seal the edges, and slide the whole thing into a vat of clean, bubbling oil. The dough instantly puffs up like a golden, crispy balloon, keeping all the steam and melted cheese trapped inside.
My Early Lunch Order
Because it was an early lunch, I had the space to chat with the staff and watch them work their magic close up. Here is what I ordered:
La Completa (The Complete): This is the holy grail. It’s stuffed with ricotta, provola cheese, cicoli (pork cracklings), salami, tomato, and a generous pinch of black pepper. It is rich, savory, and absolutely heavenly.
The Price (And a Honest Look at Naples Today)
Let’s talk about the bill, because this is where my jaw dropped. For a massive, beautifully prepared pizza fritta, you are looking at just €7 to €8 depending on the size and fillings you choose.
To be completely honest, seeing these prices is incredibly refreshing right now. Naples has historically been world-famous for its "low-cost, high-quality" food culture. It’s a city where dining has always been democratic—made for everyone, not just tourists. But lately, as overtourism sweeps through the historic center, some areas are feeling overrun. With that wave of high demand, we've naturally started to see menus get commercialized and prices creep up.
Finding a legendary, historic spot that refuses to exploit the tourist boom, keeping their food genuinely affordable for locals and travelers alike, is a beautiful reminder of what Naples is supposed to be.
Tips for Your Visit:
Go Early: Going around 11:00 AM or 11:30 AM means you bypass the heavy neighborhood crowd, and you get the freshest oil of the day.
Cash is King: Even though it’s incredibly cheap, keep some loose change on hand to make transactions easy.
Eat it Hot: Don't let it sit! Find a spot nearby or grab one of the few tables inside and dig in immediately while the cheese is beautifully melted.
Have you ever tried fried pizza, or are you team wood-fired? Let me know in the comments, and don't forget to check out the video to watch that glorious first steam-release cut!
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