E Pizzeria Da Don Paolo

My husband and two friends of ours had been staying in the Greater Naples area for a weeks holiday. Part relaxation/part historical sites trip. In general, we had been largely disappointed with our meals out. I had researched all of our eateries on trip advisor prior to arrival and listened to what I thought were authentic and pleasing reviews of previous diners, who liked to get in amongst the locals and enjoy eating outside of tourist traps. In truth, we felt pretty darn robbed of any authentic Italian experience until we visited this charming Pizzeria, after our day at Hercalaneum, and on our way to the Airport. We arrived just after 5pm, very early for dinner and although the door was open to the restaurant, it was clearly not truly open for business. Sat just inside, and rocking her new baby, was the owners daughter and we asked if she was opening soon. Although covered in flour and clearly fatigued from the lunch time shift, she put on the largest of smiles and said....so so, I can make you pizza? Yes please we chorused. She then proceeded to clean an already clean looking table, lay fresh linen and took our drinks order, which she fetched again with her lovely smile while we chose our pizzas. Not once did she make us feel like we were going to cause her trouble, her english was very limited yes, but her body language was one of welcome. After ordering we watched her make our fresh bases and chatted amongst ourselves. Her little boy woke up and began to cry......and she sang soothing songs to him, but carried on her work. A little while after, another young woman arrived, her sister...and scooped up the baby....all was calm. After 15 mins, the first of four pizzas arrived, and then came a delay of 5 mins or so between the others...each delivered with an I'm so sorry. When we had all received our beautiful fresh amazing pizzas.....which tasted OUT OF THIS WORLD.......a gentleman arrived....the father, and he quickly took over making the bases for the evening rush. It was at this point, that our girl came to ask if we were enjoying our meal....we all were very much thank you! She then went on to explain, that her mother normally looks after her little boy, but had yesterday broken her arm. Her dad, is the normal pizza maker and her sister and she serve and run the bar....he had been visiting their mother quick after an operation between shifts when we arrived. They had also lost two pizza ovens that lunch time due to an electrical fault I think.... The poor lamb could have turned us away, but didn't and not only that, came out with complimentary home made cake after for us, our first complimentary anything of the week....despite spending sometimes €150 at lunch. With drinks our entire bill came to €43..... But far more important than that, we had finally had our Neapolitan welcome we had been promised. I cannot recommend this charming restaurant enough. Please, please take a detour out of your way to visit this authentic family eaterie if you are nearby.

Good for gluten free too! raw ham, rocket and Parmesan; great goto for a really light pasta. I wanted to take it away but then I opted to eat it there; courteous and professional staff despite the great amount of customers. for those who, like me, grew up in san giorno a cremano and then moved to Tuscany the pizzeria don paolo remains a guarantee!