Immediately after dumping my luggage at the hotel, my family and I headed straight for L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele. I’ve heard and read so much about this simple pizzeria and was not disappointed. Plastered on the walls are pictures of famous personalities, including Julia Roberts from the time she filmed “Eat, Pray, Love” at this very location.
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele serves only 2 pizzas and, to me, the Margherita is the superior one by far. When served, the pizza was glistening with oil. Topped with only tomato, mozzarella, cheese and basil, the simple pizza went back to basics. The dough was chewy and springy, and took slightly longer to chew so many times, each piece was swallowed with eagerness. The pizza had a slight saltiness to it, probably thanks to the cheese. While it sounds plain, each forkful was spectacular precisely because of the rich taste of each ingredient and how well they blended together.
The pizza marinara was topped with tomato sauce, garlic, origin and oil. Although significantly less oily, the dough had the same springy texture. However, after eating the Margherita, the Marinara paled in comparison. The only exciting parts of the tomato sauce covered dough was the onion pieces, which were few and far between.
Since the pizzeria has only 2 flavours, I would recommend you try both if you have the stomach capacity. However, if you had to make a choice, the Margherita is a clear winner in taste and colour. Naples, the origin of pizzas, take their pizzas back to basics and L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele does it right. The bright and airy restaurant with a wood fired stove definitely leaves a lasting and fantastic fist impression on hungry travellers.
When I went at 5pm, an awkward timing for a meal, there was only a short 5 minute queue. However, at supper time (about 11pm), there was a snaking long queue. If you intend to go during popular hours, be prepared for 30-60 mins wait on the average.
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele
Via Cesare Sersale, 1, 80139 Napoli
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