The Best Pizza Shop In The World Is Nestled In A Small Italian City
No self-respecting foodie would visit Italy and not get their hands on the best authentic Italian food. Of course, you already know that every region of Italy has its culinary specialty. For Naples, as far as many are concerned, that's pizza. Even if you've studied up on the little-known facts of pizza, to find the best pizza shop in the world, you may have to travel about 20 miles north of Naples to a small city called Caserta.
The pizza made at Pizzeria I Masanielli in Caserta starts with sauce made from San Marzano tomatoes — really, the only kind you should use for pasta sauce – and an array of cheeses that includes fresh buffalo mozzarella. This popular Italian cheese comes from the milk of water buffaloes that have grazed in the fields of Caserta — the very same place you'll find Pizzeria I Masanielli. Once the sauce and cheese are on the pizza, the fun begins.
On the menu at Pizzeria I Masanielli, diners can pick a dish with a myriad of unique toppings such as onion mayonnaise, black truffles, red turnip cream, or wild garlic pesto. The restaurant also has an upscale dessert selection thanks to award-winning pastry chefs. Meanwhile, the restaurant's wine list includes some of the best wines to pair with pizza and the rest of the drinks menu is vast, including two kinds of the Italian digestif grappa, best enjoyed sipped after having savored your meal.
Some say it's the future of pizza
The man behind Pizzeria I Masanielli's success is Francesco Martucci. His business started in 2001 as a takeout-only affair, but today boasts a restaurant with an enormous half-million-euro kitchen. In 2022, the visionary restaurateur told The New York Times that what they are doing at Pizzeria I Masanielli is simply "the future of pizza."
The pizza at Pizzeria I Masanielli is not made like your typical pizza. Each one undergoes a three-part process where it's steamed, fried, and then baked, giving the final pizza a unique texture and taste. Take one bite, and it's no wonder Martucci's pizzeria has garnered so much acclaim.
When you're done here, know that Caserta is recognized for more than pizza. The Reggia di Caserta, a sprawling 18th-century estate that's often counted amongst the largest palaces in the world, is located there. This UNESCO Heritage site is not far from the restaurant and was the location for the films "Mission Impossible III" and "Angels & Demons," among many others. Sounds like the perfect place to burn off those pizza calories.