Naples Shines in Global Culinary Rankings

Which city has the best food in Italy? British publishing giant ‘Time Out’ has no doubts: Naples. The Campanian capital is the only Italian city present in the global top 20 cities with the best food according to the magazine. Naples ranks fourteenth in the worldwide ranking led by Lima, the capital of Peru, Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, and Mexico City, the capital of the country of the same name. Naples is even ahead of metropolises like New York, Hong Kong, and Buenos Aires. And if we consider only the European cities included in the ranking, Naples is even fifth, with only London, Barcelona, Athens, and Lisbon ahead.

How was the ranking compiled? Time Out explains that it interviewed 24,000 local residents in 150 cities around the world, asking them questions about the quality of restaurants and food, prices, and the city’s food culture. Time Out’s editors and food experts evaluated the results and included only the highest-scoring city in each country. And for Italy, once again, Naples was chosen. Last year, the city also made the list, ranking 19th. This year, it improved by five places. What are the Campanian excellences according to ‘Time Out’? ‘A cuisine still deeply popular, accessible, and identity-defining. Pizza, fried foods, pasta, markets, street food, and pastries continue to represent a model of conviviality that, abroad, retains a charm that is hard to replicate.’ ‘Naples changes without ever ceasing to be Naples,’ the magazine reads. ‘This is also why it remains one of the world’s most beloved gastronomic cities. While historic pizzerias, family-run trattorias, and symbolic venues of popular cuisine remain mainstays of the city, a new generation is taking up the baton, introducing contemporary ideas without betraying their roots.’

Among the venues mentioned by the magazine is ‘Salumeria Malinconico,’ where ‘Alessio Malinconico is reinterpreting his family’s sandwich tradition.’ Another cited venue is ‘Mimì alla Ferrovia,’ where chef Salvatore Giugliano continues to highlight classics such as eggplant parmigiana and pasta alla genovese, alongside more contemporary offerings like taco bao buns. A dish not to be missed? According to Time Out, it’s the Genovese from Mimì alla Ferrovia.

The achievement is also celebrated by local institutions, particularly tourism officials. Enzo Maraio, the Regional Delegate for Tourism, says: ‘Neapolitan food and wine tradition confirms itself as one of the city’s strongest assets for international promotion. Food is not only an identity element of our culture, but also a powerful driver of tourism and economic growth. Recognitions like this demonstrate how the quality of our excellences, from pizza to local products, help strengthen Naples’ image worldwide, generating tourist flows, investments, and opportunities for the entire hospitality and restaurant sector.’ For city councilor Teresa Armato, it is ‘an acknowledgment that makes us proud and rewards the entire agri-food sector and the ability to offer quality products. In recent years, with the event “See Naples and then Eat,” we have promoted food and wine tourism and shared the history and culture of our beloved dishes all over the world.’