Adversity breeds innovation, and that’s something that Naples proves true. Rising out of the ashes of Vesuvius, Campania’s capital really marches to the beat of its own drum: here, there’s an entirely new set of traffic laws, religion (and curses) are taken very seriously, and the culinary canon is so strong and flavorful that I was forced to up Italy Segreta’s usual 20 Foods list to 30. 

When it comes to food, Neapolitans have major bragging rights. They invented pizza, are responsible for the adoption of tomatoes into Italian cuisine, and single handedly launched the production and consumption of dried pasta in this country. If these three things don’t promise a superb cuisine, we don’t know what to tell you.