The Best Pizza in the World

Piazza Garibaldi is the hub in Naples. Everything goes through Garibaldi. Just a couple of blocks west of this . . .
. . . is this, L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele, from whence comes the best pizza in Naples, locals will tell you, and therefore in the world.
It isn't much to look at, and its pizzas are fairly cheap. You'll pay just a little more than any other pizzeria in Naples.
Pizzeria da Michele serves only the two classic Italian pizzas, marinara . . .

. . . and margarita.

You can, however, opt for double mozzarella on the margarita, but in my opinion this throws off the balance of the pizza--why mess with perfection? My informal taste test indicates that the difference is in the sauce. Michele apparently slow cooks theirs for the long hours necessary to tone down the zest of the tomato and draw out its sweetness. For taste tests of 365 different Naples pizzerias (one every other day for two years) check out my friend Sale's website Pizzas for Sale. He's up to 314 as of this printing.

The pizzaiolo prepares it and puts it on the board.

Another one puts it in.

Wait a couple of minutes . . .

. . . one in the oven . . .

Another pizzaiolo tends the pizza (union rules, you know), turning it once or twice.

That's Michele, standing watch over the operation.

It comes out fast and hot after just a couple of minutes. The whole process takes 5 minutes or less. Naples pizza is the original fast food.
Looks like a couple of margaritas.
The seating area is austere. Pizzeria da Michele turns the tables over rapidly to give everyone a chance. You take a number, your number is called, you take a seat, you order, you eat, you pay, you leave. No frills.

Another satisfied customer.

Pizzeria da Michele is about 72 meters from the Central Train Station at Piazza Garibaldi. It is very nearby Pizzeria Condurro, the B destination on this map. Da Michele doesn't advertise with Google. They don't have to.

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