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Friends and neighbors,

A blazing summer is finally churning to a close, and the heat has not let up. With kids returning to school and season fast approaching, this is one of the best times for locals and summer visitors alike to try out favorite local restaurants before the deluge of car carriers pour into town. 

In this edition of the Naples Florida Review, we’ll cover our five favorite Italian restaurants in Naples along with the opening of Tap 42, an exciting new restaurant in Mercato. We know that there is a lot of competition when it comes to Italian food in Naples, and that most of the food is in the American-Italian style (truly authentic is difficult to come by). In preparing this list we kept an eye towards location, presentation and, most of all, taste. 

Tap 42, a concept from the east coast of Florida, opened a couple of weeks ago in the former AZN location in Mercato. We visited there a few days after opening night and enjoyed the experience. You can read all about the highlights of our visit in the article below. 

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📰 Upcoming in this issue

• Top Five Countdown: Best Italian Restaurants in Naples

• Tap 42 Opens at Mercato

• Tim Aten Reveals: New Owners for Local Eateries

Top Five Countdown: Best Italian Restaurants in Naples

We are wading into dangerous waters this week and publishing our Top 5 Italian restaurants in Naples, Florida. Ask a group of Naples locals about which Italian restaurant is best and you’d better hope you have a nice bottle of red nearby to relax with while they fight it out. Maybe it’s the wide variety of Italian restaurants? Maybe the fact that some lean more Italian-American, while others try to keep more traditional? Whatever the reason, when it comes to Italian food in Naples, people seem peculiarly passionate about their top choice. 

What were the deciding factors for us? Top of the list was taste. Whether the restaurant wanted to stick to more traditional dishes or modern Italian-American fare, the first concern was quality of ingredients and taste. Taste was so much a factor that one of our selections is just over the line in Bonita, but we think it’s underrated and worth the drive. After several weeks of eating more Italian food than I ever have, here’s a quick roundup of the best choices. 

5) Molto Trattoria

Molto Trattoria is the most authentic Italian food that you will find in downtown Naples. Nestled in a small space on 5^th Avenue South (don’t blink and look for the columns), no gimmicks, just pure Italian soul food. The place is small, intimate, and perfect for people watching from the patio seating.

Like clams and mussels? Vongole and Cozze are both featured on their Antipasti menu. I prefer the vongole (clams) which is sauteed in garlic, white wine, parsley, crushed red pepper and served with toasted bread.  Their homemade pasta is the star of the show. Whether it's the rich, creamy, carbonara with the perfect amount of pancetta, or the homemade lasagna, there’s an ample selection of dishes at Molto for everyone in your party. The wood-fired pizzas are also great, but to get the most bang for your buck, make sure to dine-in when ordering them. 

4) Enzo’s Italian Restaurant and Bar

Enzo’s is a quick drive over the Naples/Bonita border, but trust me—it’s worth every damn mile. Enzo’s is that classic, old-school Italian-American restaurant where the portions are generous, the vibe is casual, and the décor will remind you of the traditional Italian-American restaurants of your youth.

The menu is packed with all the usual suspects—lasagna, veal parm, spaghetti and meatballs—but each dish is crafted with care, and a whole lot of love. I tend to favor the baked clams (very solid, if a bit on the smaller side) and the fried artichokes as appetizers. One of their homemade pasta dishes that you can’t beat is their Osso Buco Agnolotti, which consists of pasta purses filled with braised osso buco and herbs and plated with a mushroom espagnole consommé. I had it earlier this week and it was divine. 

Enzo’s has been a local favorite since 1985, which is quite a legacy for a town where restaurants seem to open and close every week. So, hop in the car and make the short drive up to Bonita Beach Road! 

3) Osteria Tulia

If you're looking for something with a little more flair, Osteria Tulia is the place to be. Imagine a rustic Italian farmhouse dropped smack dab in the middle of downtown Naples on 5^th Avenue, and you've got the vibe of this trendy hotspot. The interiors are as warm and inviting as the food, with exposed wood beams, vintage decor, and a lively (sometimes plain-old-loud) atmosphere that aims to make you feel like you’ve stumbled out of Naples and into Tuscany. 

But the real magic happens on the plate. Start off with their aptly name, “Study of Mozzarella”, which includes bufala di caserta DOP, burrata DOP and figliata DOP. No clue what DOP is supposed to mean? Neither did I, DOP mozzarella is a type of mozzarella cheese that has been awarded the Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP) certification, which translates to "Protected Designation of Origin." I’m still not 100% sure how that makes it better, but I’m a believer. Hand me all the mozzarella and bread. 

Then, dive into the house-made Bucatini Cacio e Pepe. Unlike the showy cheese wheel presentation, this cacio e pepe is the real thing and the best in town. Simple recipe but the ingredients really make it. I also highly recommend the Veal Rib Chop Parmigiana. You’ll see plenty of the traditional chicken parm you’re used to on this list, but this veal chop version is special and it is served with bufala mozzarella (don’t forget to ask if it’s DOP or not). 

Executive Chef Vincenzo Betulia has a slate of excellent restaurants on 5^th Avenue (The French, Bar Tulia and Rouge), but Osteria Tulia is one you shouldn’t miss. The pricing – this is 5^th Avenue in Naples, so $$$ – is on par with other restaurants on the block.  Pre-game with a craft cocktail next door at Bar Tulia and enjoy!

2) Parmesan Pete’s

Parmesan Pete’s is the kind of place that makes you want to settle in, order a bottle of red, and stay for hours. While the food leans more towards the “Italian-American” category, the vibe is actually closer to hole-in-the-wall places in Tuscany than the glitz of downtown Naples. Plentiful plates are served atop long wooden tables with questionably-comfortable chairs. This is Tuscany-ish. You’ll find yourself packed into a long table (use the bathroom before) and shoulder to shoulder with other guests. If the atmosphere makes you feel like you are at a family dinner, it’s no mistake: Parmesan Pete’s is family-owned and operated, and you can feel the love in every dish. 

This place is no-frills, no-fuss—just damn good Italian food served up with a side of warmth and charm. The chicken Parmesan here is legendary (I’d say the only place that gives it a real run for its money is our #1 Limoncello), with a crispy, golden crust and house-made marinara sauce that’s been simmered to perfection. But don’t miss out—Pete’s Linguine with clam sauce is salty, garlicky and satisfying. They don’t skimp on the clams. And if you’ve got room for dessert, the cannoli is a must—crispy, creamy, and just sweet enough to make you consider ordering another.

1) Limoncello

And now, ladies and gentlemen, our favorite of the Naples’ Italian dining scene—Limoncello. This place is an excellent mix of authentic Italian and Italian American. The vibe is surprising based on the location.  Limoncello is located at the corner of U.S. 41 and Old 41 in North Naples in the same space where I frequented Table 82 with my grandparents as a kid. There is a warm, welcoming wooden bar where you will frequently hear live music. The walls are covered with frescos, which give off that classic Italian-American vibe, but this is also a white table cloth type of joint, so it feels elevated. It is also far enough away from 5^th Avenue South to make the prices more palatable. 

The menu? Delicious. Start out with the Pasta Fagioli Soup – truly a classic that you won’t find many places in town. I am very partial to the clams oreganata, but if you’re sharing with a large group of friends, the Charcuterie Board and the Oysters Della Rocca are delicious and easy to pass around. For dinner, do not miss the chicken parmesan. It is the best in town, and I’ve tried many. The Veal Milanese is also excellent. Don’t miss the chance to try their pasta when you are there – the carbonara is great. 

So, there you have it—the Top 5 Italian Restaurants in Naples. Now I’m going to have to start looking over my shoulder as I make my way around town and dodge the naysayers. Joking aside, summer is the perfect time to visit a great local spot like Parmesan Pete’s that has limited seating and gets packed in season.  Buon appetito!

Tap 42 Opens at Mercato

Tap 42, a new restaurant concept that has had plenty of success on the east coast of Florida, recently opened in Mercato in the old AZN location under the newly rebranded Alamo movie theatre. We had a chance to visit and sample the food just a few days after opening and were impressed by how well food and beverages were flowing out of the bar and kitchen. I actually commented on this to our server, who explained that he and some other staff from their Palm Beach location had come over to help with the opening weeks.

The space feels a lot more open than the AZN design, with a large central bar and several types of seating. We were there early, and had the kids with us, so we opted for a cozy booth in the corner and checked out the menus. I thought the selection was great. Appetizers range from the excellent Truffle Street Corn Guacamole to the very solid calamari. I watched the Drunken Goat Burger go to another table (lamb and beef blend patty with whipped goat cheese, arugula, tomato, onion, dijonnaise and Purple Haze Raspberry Jam) and I’ll be sure to try that next time. The southern-fried chicken and waffles also looked delicious.

Kid-free and looking for some adult time? Tap 42 has one of the best Happy Hours in Naples. Stretching from 4-7 PM in the bar area (4-7PM is great for Naples and for people who work), the Happy Hour features a $35 bottomless option. You read that right. All you can drink for $35 (the “Millionaire Margarita” is not included). They also have a bottomless brunch option if you want to start earlier, that goes from 11AM - 3PM. For $30, you can drink as many mimosas, Bloody Mary’s, truly seltzers and assorted local beers.  

While Tap 42 certainly sounds like an adult-centric joint, it was great for an early dinner with my family. The interior was loud enough so that the kids weren’t bothering the next table, but quiet enough so that I could hear my husband across the table. If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, make your way over to Mercato for a fun night out. 

Tim Aten Reveals: New Owners for Local Eateries

This fall, the former Stoney’s Steakhouse at Bayfront Naples is getting a fresh new face. The spot, parked where Goodlette-Frank Road meets Fifth Avenue South, will soon be home to Soluna Restaurant & Bar. With a chef-inspired menu crafted by new owner William Andraca, a seasoned local country club chef (we will see how that goes – country club chefs have always been great or terrible in my opinion), Soluna promises to bring a new culinary vibe to the area.

P.S. I got the info from Tim Aten’s column on Facebook: Read more here. If you don’t follow “Tim Aten Knows” on Facebook, I highly recommend it. 

Take this edition’s poll:

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Why It Matters

As we wrap up this edition, we hope you’ve found some new favorites to try out or rediscovered some old ones. From the best Italian spots in Naples to the latest dining ventures, there’s always something exciting happening in our vibrant local food scene.

Keep exploring, keep tasting, and remember—whether it’s a classic dish or a new spot on the block, the best meals are the ones shared with good company.

Until next time, buon appetito!

Carolyn Cervoni
Editor-in-Chief
Naples, Florida
The Naples Florida Review

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