Trattoria da Nennella — Attraction in Naples

Walked past on a Saturday and this place was quite busy. They were serving Spaghetti alle vongole so that caught my eye. Wasn't sure what to expect but pleasantly surprised by the staff here even though they were certainly busy.

The waiters here seem to enjoy their work and really fast and efficient. They take your order first for the main course and then again for the second course. Although they don't explain how it works, you'd have to ask. Looking at the reviews apparently the complete menu comes with the side but they didn't ask if I wanted a side (saw other tables ordering) and was too full to eat more! Dishes are on the large side though they don't seem to have the starter any more. Food wise the pasta with mussels and clams was just average, but the mixed fried fish and shrimps were pretty good! It was Italian street food, exactly what I was looking for the whole evening before chancing upon this place! (Italian websites call it cuoppo but none of those I went to had seafood).

Mid-way through there was music outside and sounded like a wonderful atmosphere but I was sitting inside and couldn't see what was happening, though I did enjoy the atmosphere. There was quite a lot of families with children here too.

When I arrived at 7:45 I got a seat almost immediately but when I left after 8:30, there was a number of people waiting outside to get a table.

There are a number of bars and drinking joints around the area with good prices (aperol spritz €1) that you can head to after dinner. Lots of young people hanging around on a Saturday night and definitely...

Terrible experience — a dangerous place for women!

I went to this restaurant at a friend’s invitation. Given the prices, we weren’t expecting much, but I agreed to go because I had seen videos on social media and the place was always crowded whenever I passed by. I thought it might be worth a try.

However, nothing prepared me for what happened at the end. As I was leaving — having already paid the bill — an older man grabbed me by the arm and arrogantly asked: “Dove vai senza pagare?” I was shocked and scared. I told him I had already paid, and, trembling with embarrassment, I showed him the receipt.

His response was even more absurd: “Perché mi hai fatto vedere? Già ti ho lasciato andare.” Let me go? I paid — I had every right to leave without being grabbed, accused, and humiliated in front of everyone!

Only afterward, as I was leaving the restaurant, did I fully realize how violent that situation had been — especially when two women came up to ask if I was okay, saying they had witnessed everything and were shocked. He is a man, I am a woman, and he grabbed me by the arm for no reason. That is completely unacceptable.

Later, I found out this man is the owner of the restaurant. Here’s my warning: women, do not go to this place alone. It is a hostile, aggressive environment, completely lacking in basic respect for customers — and for people in general.

I will never go back, and I do not recommend this...

I didn’t come here to write a review — I just wanted to check if the restaurant would be open tomorrow, since I’m in Naples and my son absolutely loves this place. But after reading some of the negative comments, I felt like sharing my own experience.

I’ve known Nenella since the days in the Spanish Quarters, when the real “Nenella,” the mother of the owner, used to cook her legendary pasta and potatoes with provola — a dish you couldn’t find anywhere else. Back then I would go during my office lunch break, and it was already famous for its unique atmosphere.

Yes, the staff can be loud, playful, even a bit rude — but that’s the whole charm! They’ll throw in a joke or even a curse word, and you end up laughing and having a carefree night. That, to me, is Naples. My son is English and I’m Neapolitan, and I explain to him that this is part of the show, part of what makes this restaurant so special.

I read a review where someone complained that the owner lifted her up in his arms after she paid the bill. To me, that’s classic Nenella — I’ve known the owner for years, and it’s always been part of the fun.

It’s a bit like “La Parolaccia” in Rome — where the insults are part of the dinner. You either get the spirit of it, or you don’t.

For me, Nenella remains a very special place, full of character and energy — and above all, my son adores it. I can’t wait to be...