Napulé — Restaurant in Tempate

A little hard to find, Napulé is above the CrossFit studio in Potrero. Be careful climbing the wooden stairs; they are uneven.

Brand new January 2023, this treehouse location provides a pleasant view and a welcome breeze. The Italian background music completes the atmosphere. It is a welcome addition to the neighborhood cuisine.

Most of all, the pizza is excellent. The owner and head chef, Memo (mē-mo) is the real deal. 100% Napolitano. See attached photos of him demonstrating his skill making pizza. Hands moving at a phot-blurring speed. Also see the photos of the imported wood-fired oven that he keeps lit as if it were an eternal flame at a site of worship. The aqua-colored oven may be the only part of this restaurant easily visible from street level. But it is a lighthouse-like beacon calling you to real pizza.

The pizza here is what I am told is Napoli style. It’s thin in the middle like a Roman style, but the edges are left slightly thicker making a tasty, slightly chewy bread finish to each slice. Think of the crust as a shallow bowl lovingly presenting the pizza toppings.

Memo uses only fresh ingredients. He hand-makes his dough and allows it it rest into perfection. See photos. He buys Italian-style cheese products from San Jose made by Italian-Ticos there. See photos. I knew the minute the pizza was set before me that the cheese was the real deal. Even before the first bite passed my lips. And need I mention the sauce? Combined, it is a thing of beauty. Que lindo.

Not a mere pizza joint, Memo offers daily specials from his homeland. I had a refreshing limoncello and traditional dulce from Napoli to end my meal. See photo. It’s ice cream on stuffed pizza dough, with crème Anglais and whipped cream drizzled with honey and dusted with cinnamon. Is this an Italian improvement on tres leches? (Dare I write that??)

Sorry, I didn’t take photos of my pizza. I had no idea I was going to write this review until I tasted it. The pizza was gone before I could fetch my camera.

Last and certainly not least, the service is friendly and attentive. Compliments to Tracy, the head waiter. She keeps the place running as well as providing Spanish-Italian-English translation services.

Open roughly 5-10pm most days. Plus or minus. (hey this isn’t a Swiss train, it’s an Italian restaurant in Costa Rica!). Arrive a little early, as there are only 8 tables. Just after a sunset on the beach is perfect. Or order ahead for takeaway.

Buon appetitio y...

If you’re looking for truly authentic Neapolitan pizza in Costa Rica, look no further than Napoli in Playa Potrero. Having enjoyed pizza in Naples itself, I can confidently say that this place is the real deal.

We had two pizzas (ham/mushroom, and the Rosso) both absolutely delicious, but the Pizzaiolo”Mimo” (sp?) (authentically certified) deserves special recognition—an outstanding creation that showcases the skill and passion of the pizzaiolo. The flavors, the perfectly blistered crust, and the balance of ingredients were spot on.

This guy knows what he’s doing, and it shows in every bite. If you’re in the area and craving top-quality Italian pizza, Napoli is a must-visit. Highly...

We visited Napule with a family of 6 right before Christmas, and it was an unforgettable experience. Napule is a fantastic spot for pizza and authentic Italian food. The chef-crafted pizzas are outstanding—we tried the Vegetarian, Hawaiian, Margherita, and Capricciosa, and each was perfectly cooked with fresh, flavorful toppings. The gnocchi was also rich and delicious, a true highlight of the meal.

The cozy atmosphere, fun music, and great service made the experience even better. The staff is super friendly, and the owner’s warm hospitality truly stands out. We can’t wait to come back! Highly recommend Napule for anyone craving amazing Italian...