Thrill out on Naples’ wild contradictions by following high-brow artistic opulence at pink-hued Palazzo Reale with lunch on the street with laborers and a cold beer from this get-real, fried pizza joint. Pizza maker Gino Sorbillo uses the same original recipe and kitchen kit that his aunt Esterina did after WWII to ensure the comfort-food staple and hangover cure is precisely as it should be: puffy, light and oozing ricotta, provola cheese and ciccoli (fatty pork lard) on first bite. Scoff immediately or watch the deep-fried half-moon of pizza dough deflate.

Ideal for a version of pizza that predates pizza as we know it…. Next up, Antica Pizza Fritta da Zia Esterina Sorbillo is a tribute to the rich tradition of Neapolitan street food and, more specifically, the fried pizza, which is believed to have predated the world conquering woodfired kind. Founded by Gino Sorbillo (a pizzaiolo with serious pedigree – more on that later) in honour of his Aunt Esterina, Antica Pizza Fritta da Zia Esterina Sorbillo specialises in the art of pizza fritta, producing deep fried pizzas in the heart of Naples’s historic centre that aren’t in the least bit oily.

Un altro caposaldo dello street food napoletano è sicuramente la pizza fritta, che viene proposta in innumerevoli varianti e versioni, dalle più classiche alle più innovative. In questo locale si trova un abile mix di queste due componenti, possibile grazie alla maestria del proprietario Gino, cresciuto nella pizzeria di famiglia e diventato a sua volta un abile Maestro pizzaiolo. L’impasto che viene utilizzato per creare queste opere d’arte culinaria è di agricoltura biologica e viene farcito con ingredienti selezionati di massima qualità.

At lunchtime, it’s essential to try its famous delicacy, pizza fritta, and no one does it better than Naples’ famous Sorbillo family. Antica Pizza Fritta da Zia Esterina Sorbillo was established in 2015 and is dedicated to Gino Sorbillo’s dear aunt Esterina, who supported and trained him as a child. It now has three locations in Naples, including Via dei Tribunali, busy Piazza Trieste e Trento and on a side street in leafy, upscale Vomero.

Located on Via Dei Tribunali, just beside the Gino Sorbillo Pizzeria, Zia Esterina Sorbillo stands as a beacon of traditional fried pizza in the heart of Naples. This esteemed establishment is steeped in history and has been a cornerstone of Neapolitan culinary art for generations. Zia Esterina Sorbillo’s legacy in crafting authentic, mouth-watering fried pizzas is renowned, making it a beloved destination for locals and tourists alike.

In Naples things to do are so many… But visiting Naples also means strolling through the streets with a traditional fried pizza in your hand, freshly made and piping hot, perhaps from the historic Antica Pizza Fritta di Zia Esterina Sorbillo. Neapolitans know how to make street food: between a “cuoppo” (a small bag full of fried snacks) and a frittatina di pasta, it is difficult to remain unsatisfied.

Fried pizza is the game you’re playing here and this restaurant is touted as one of the best fried pizzas in Napoli (they fry everything in this ancient city). We ordered two fried pizzas, one with smoked mozzarella, salami and tomatoes, the other with mozzarella and cheese. I’m a fucking puritan, so the OG mozz and cheese spoke my language.

This restaurant in Naples is well-loved by locals and tourists for the pizza dough stuffed treat. At Antica Pizza Fritta di Zia Esterina Sorbillo, pizza maker Gino Sorbillo uses the same recipe his aunt did after WWII. It's kept locals coming back ever since, so why change it?

One of the best fried pizzas in Naples is at Zia Esterina Sorbillo!. I recommend ordering the composition “Completa al Salame” with ricotta, provola, salami, tomato sauce and pepper. This golden, crispy crust combined with a wet, delicious filling creates a perfect duo!

As if pizza wasn’t fattening enough, someone woke up one day and decided to DEEP FRY a pizza!. And to my greatest surprise, it is delicious. They’ve got about 6 or 7 options, all with tomato sauce and ricotta, for the modest price of €4.90.

Antica Pizza Fritta da Zia Esterina Sorbillo is famous for serving some of the best fried pizza in the city.