Where to eat vegan and vegetarian in Naples: a guide to the best places

Naples is world-famous for its seafood and pizza, but the city also boasts an excellent vegan and vegetarian scene that's growing rapidly. From traditional restaurants offering plant-based versions of Neapolitan cuisine to gourmet plant-based restaurants, from vegan pizza places to cruelty-free street food, Naples has much to offer those who choose an animal-free diet. This comprehensive guide to Naples' best vegan and vegetarian restaurants includes addresses, recommended dishes, price ranges, and practical information.

Vegan Restaurants in Naples: Where to Eat Plant-Based

The Alternative – Via Carlo De Cesare 13 (Chiaia)

Naples' first vegan restaurant, a historic hub for the vegan community. It offers a completely plant-based menu featuring reinterpretations of traditional Neapolitan dishes. Must-try dishes include vegan eggplant parmigiana, lasagna with soy ragù, eggplant meatballs, and vegan tiramisu. Prices: €15-25 for a full meal. Hours: Closed Sundays, open for lunch and dinner. Phone: 081 764 7722.

Voodoo Vegan – Vico San Domenico Maggiore 8

A welcoming restaurant in the heart of the historic center, just steps from Piazza San Domenico Maggiore. Varied menu with vegan burgers, bowls, salads, soups, and desserts. Excellent value. Prices: €10-18 for a meal. Hours: Open daily, closed Mondays. Recommended: the chickpea burger and the vegan lemon cheesecake.

Vegan Workshop – Via Bernardo Cavallino 45 (Vomero)

Refined vegan restaurant in the Vomero neighborhood. Seasonal menu with organic ingredients. Creative cuisine combining tradition and innovation. Must-try: the mixed finger foods, porcini mushroom risotto, and chard parmigiana. Prices: €20-35 for a full meal. Hours: Closed Sunday evening and Monday.

Pizzerias with vegan options in Naples

In Naples, the home of pizza, even vegans can enjoy a true Neapolitan pizza. More and more pizzerias are offering vegan mozzarella and animal-free dough.

Sorbillo Pizzeria – Via dei Tribunali 32

The famous Sorbillo pizzeria offers a regular vegan pizza : the "Vegan Sorbillo" with San Marzano tomatoes, fried eggplant, basil, and vegan mozzarella. The crust is baked in a traditional wood-fired oven. Price: €9. Be warned: the queue is legendary; book days in advance or arrive at 19:00 PM.

Pizzeria Starita – Via S. Bartolomeo 55 (Materdei)

Starita, one of Naples' historic pizzerias, offers a "Vegan Margherita" pizza with homemade plant-based mozzarella. The dough is light and easy to digest. Price: €8. It's often a tourist hotspot, but the quality is excellent.

Pizzeria I Decumani – Via dei Tribunali 58

A lesser-known pizzeria than Sorbillo, but just as good. It offers vegan pizza with plant-based mozzarella and a choice of toppings. Price: €7-9. Shorter lines than at Sorbillo, a good option for a stress-free dinner.

Oliva Pizzeria – Via Vicaria Vecchia 26

Neighborhood pizzeria offering organic pizza dough and a vegan option with plant-based cheese. Price: €6-8. Excellent value.

Vegetarian and vegan street food in Naples

Neapolitan street food tradition offers many vegetarian and vegan options:

• Vegetarian wallet pizza: Da Matteo's (Via dei Tribunali 94) Ask for the Margherita pizza without mozzarella (marinara) or with grilled vegetables. €2-4.
• Vegetable zucchini: Da Fernando's Fry Shop (Via Toledo) and Pignasecca Fry Shop (Via Pignasecca). Mixed fried vegetables (courgettes, aubergines, artichokes, courgette flowers). 3-5 €.
• Vegetarian sandwich: Da Pignasecca Market o Porta Nolana Market, order cafone bread with grilled vegetables, eggplant in oil, and sun-dried tomatoes. €3-5.
• Vegan Pasta Frittata: It's rare, but some artisanal fry shops are starting to offer it. Ask around in Pignasecca.
• Vegan Baba: Not all babà are vegan (they contain eggs), but some artisanal bakeries are starting to produce them. Try them from Pastry Poppella (Via Arena della Sanità 31).

Vegan bars and cafes in Naples

• Green Bar – Via Santa Brigida 65: Café with vegan options for breakfast and brunch. Plant-based milk (soy, oat, almond), vegan croissants, cookies, and cakes. €5-10 for breakfast.
• Pure – Via Santa Lucia 67: Cafe with plant-based options. Smoothie bowl, avocado toast, salads. €8-15 for a light lunch.
• There is organic produce – Via S. Maria di Costantinopoli 12: Organic shop with a coffee corner. Vegan breakfast, smoothies, and juices. €3-8.

Ice cream shops with vegan ice cream in Naples

• Monkey Ice Cream Shop – Via Caravaggio 82 (Vomero): Artisanal gelato with vegan options (dairy-free, egg-free). Flavors: dark chocolate, seasonal fruit, sorbets. €2-5.
• Gay-Odin (some flavors only): This historic pastry shop offers several flavors of vegan (fruit) ice cream. Try the lemon sorbet. €2-4.
• Mennella – Via Toledo 231: Artisanal ice cream shop with vegan flavors listed on the menu. Cone or cup, €2-5.

Vegan grocery stores in Naples

If you prefer to cook or stock up on vegan products:

• NaturaSì – Via S. Maria di Costantinopoli 12 and Via Scarlatti 100 (Vomero): Organic shop with a full vegan section. Plant-based cheeses, tofu, seitan, tempeh, plant-based milk, and vegan snacks.
• There is organic produce – Via S. Maria di Costantinopoli 12: Smaller but well-stocked organic shop.
• Ecor – Via Caravaggio (Vomero) and Via De Giaxa (Fuorigrotta): Organic chain with vegan section.
• Vivi Verde Coop – Campania Shopping Center (Marcianise): Large surfaces with a wide vegan selection.

FAQ

Is Neapolitan pizza vegan?
The pizza Margherita traditional immense It's vegan because it contains mozzarella. The pizza Marinara (tomato, garlic, oregano, oil) is vegan. Many pizzerias now offer vegan mozzarella (usually made with cashews or potatoes), and you can order it on any pizza. Pizzerias like Sorbillo, Starita, and I Decumani have vegan options on their menus.

Are Neapolitan babas vegan?
Traditionally the babà contains eggs and butter, so it's not vegan. However, some artisanal Neapolitan pastry shops are starting to produce vegan versions. Ask at the pastry shops in the center (Poppella, Scaturchio) if they have babà without animal ingredients. Alternatively, the sfogliatella (the curly one, without cream) can be vegan if made without lard, but always check.

What's the best vegan restaurant in Naples?
L'Alternativa (Via Carlo De Cesare 13, Chiaia) is the most historic and renowned, serving traditional dishes with a vegan twist. For a more refined experience, Vegan Workshop (Vomero) offers creative cuisine with organic ingredients. For value, Voodoo Vegan (historic center) is unbeatable.

Is there vegan mozzarella in Naples?
Yes, several Neapolitan pizzerias offer vegan mozzarella, usually made with cashews, potatoes, or coconut. Pizzerias like Sorbillo, Starita, and I Decumani offer homemade plant-based mozzarella. You can also buy vegan mozzarella at organic shops like NaturaSì (about €5-8 for 200 grams). Don't expect the same flavor as buffalo mozzarella, but the quality has improved significantly.

Where can I find vegan street food in Naples?
Neapolitan street food is rich in plant-based options: vegetable cuoppo (fried shops in Via Toledo and Pignasecca), marinara pizza (red pizza without cheese, vegan), sandwich with grilled vegetables (local markets), fried courgettes and auberginesMarkets like Pignasecca and Porta Nolana are great for low-priced plant-based street food (€2-5).

Do traditional Neapolitan restaurants have vegetarian options?
Most traditional restaurants have at least a couple of vegetarian options: eggplant parmigiana (may contain cheese; ask for it without), grilled vegetables, salads, pasta with tomato sauce, and eggplant mushroom sauce. For vegan options, specify "without cheese and eggs." Touristy restaurants and those in the city center are now accustomed to vegan requests.

How much does it cost to eat vegan in Naples?
Prices are comparable to traditional cuisine: a vegan dinner at a restaurant costs 15-30 € per person (appetizer + first course + dessert). A vegan pizza costs 7-10 €Vegan street food costs 2-5 € per portion. Organic shops have slightly higher prices than traditional supermarkets for products like tofu and plant-based cheeses.

Are there vegan food tours in Naples?
Yes, some local agencies offer street food tour with vegan optionsSearch GetYourGuide or Viator for "vegan food tour Naples." Alternatively, you can plan your own tour by following this guide: start at Pignasecca for street food, continue to Sorbillo (vegan pizza), stop at Mennella for gelato, and finish at Friggitoria Fernando for vegetable cuoppo.

Is ice cream in Naples vegan?
Not all Neapolitan artisanal ice cream is vegan, but many ice cream parlors offer dairy-free and egg-free flavors. fruit (lemon, strawberry, peach, melon) are generally vegan. Even the sorbets They are vegan. Ice cream shops like Monkey Ice Cream Shop e Mennella They clearly indicate vegan flavors. Other ice cream shops may use animal-based thickeners; always ask.

Which traditional Neapolitan dishes are naturally vegan?
Several Neapolitan specialties are naturally vegan: marinara pizza (tomato, garlic, oregano, oil), tomatoes with rice (tomatoes stuffed with rice, basil and garlic), Neapolitan ciambotta (summer vegetable stew: aubergines, peppers, courgettes, potatoes, tomatoes), Eggplant A Mushroom (sautéed eggplant with tomato and basil), fried vegetables, reinforcement salad (cauliflower, olives, capers, pickled peppers, typical of the Christmas period).