L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele — Restaurant in Naples

We came at 11:00 after we read somewhere one can walk in without a line at that time, but we were very wrong as it was July and the city was packed with tourists like us who apparently had the same plan :) There are two ways to get your pizza. If you want to sit inside you take a piece of paper with a number and you have to wait until you number shows up on a display above the entrance or a lady yells out your number. If you don't respond within a few seconds your number will be skipped, so you really have to be there and wait. Since you have a number you at least can wait in the shade. The much worse experience is waiting in line for takeaway, as there are no numbers, but a line stretching over the sidewalk with no shade at all. The takeaway process starts official at 11:30, but in reality it was around 11:40, so I was doomed to stand in direct sun for 40min minimum. If you are at the end of the line it can take much longer. Then they let some people (like 6) in to make an order, you tell them your name and wait for the pizza, but this time at least on the shady side of the street. That took me another 15min. I have to mention it was faster to get a table with a number to dine in then waiting for takeaway. So dining in is the much better option as it starts at 11:00 and you don't have to stand in a line in the sun and you will probably get in faster. A very stupid system IMO, as anyone would guess the takeaway route is the faster one. Now the pizza. I took 1 Margherita to share with my family just to try taste it, as we wanted to eat other things after that as well. I will give the pizza a 5/5 as it is a really good pizza, but no way this is the best in Napoli. I have to give the owner a shout out as the price of 5.5€ is very reasonable as they could ask the double or tripple amd people would still be coming. There are other place wiht much less waiting time that are better than this one. The waiting in line doesn't pay off at all and you will notice there are almost no Italians in the line let alone any locals, as they know better. Generally I wouldn't recommend this pizza as there are other better and more convenient options. PS: There is another branch of this pizzeria in Salerno with almost no waiting lines, so try it there but only if it's "on your...

A shadow of its former self – still iconic, but lacking soul

I had been to Pizzeria da Michele a few years ago and remembered it as one of the most breathtaking pizza experiences I’d ever had. Sadly, this time around, the magic was gone. While the pizza itself is still good in essence, the love and care that once defined it seem to have been lost – perhaps due to the brand’s massive success and expansion.

My pizza was one-third badly burnt – far beyond what could be considered a typical char. When I pointed this out at the end (after leaving a significant part uneaten), the staff simply shrugged and said “oh”… and that was it. No apology, no compensation. Ironically, the only time we were directly addressed was at the end of the meal, when they made sure to remind us that the tip wasn’t included and that we were welcome to leave one. Unbelievable.

Even the setup felt careless. Two flimsy paper cups and just one napkin for two people – not exactly welcoming. The menu was minimal and barely readable, scratched onto a board on the wall. The online menu wasn’t working either. It all felt hastily put together and lacking charm.

Service-wise, the wait was short – about 10 minutes – which was a plus, but unfortunately, our pizzas didn’t arrive at the same time. Again, it felt disorganized and rushed.

That said, the atmosphere in the kitchen is still lively and positive. The pizzaiolos work with a smile and there’s a certain energy to the place. It’s just a shame that the rest doesn’t match that vibe anymore.

My personal tip: If you do decide to go (despite the shortcomings), don’t queue outside for takeaway. Instead, walk up to the entrance and take a number – this is the faster way in. With about 23 people ahead of us, the wait was just around 25 minutes – enough time for a quick espresso on the main street.

Recommendation: I’d suggest visiting Sorbillo instead. The pizza is even better, the setting more refined, and if you’re lucky – as I was – you might even run into Gino Sorbillo himself in front of the restaurant for a handshake and a photo. An experience worth...

I had been looking forward to visiting L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele for quite some time, especially after hearing so much about its legendary reputation and traditional Neapolitan pizza. While the taste lived up to the hype, unfortunately, the overall experience was overshadowed by poor customer service and a very long wait time.

Let me start with the positive: the pizza itself was absolutely delicious. The dough was perfectly light and chewy, the sauce fresh and flavorful, and the ingredients had that authentic simplicity that defines true Neapolitan pizza. It’s clear that the kitchen takes pride in preserving the traditional flavors and technique, and I really appreciated that. If you're a pizza lover, it's worth trying at least once for the taste alone.

However, everything else about the visit left much to be desired. From the moment we arrived, the staff seemed disorganized and uninterested. There was no warm greeting or effort to make guests feel welcome. We waited a very long time to be seated—much longer than necessary considering there were several open tables. Once seated, it took a while before anyone acknowledged us or brought menus. When we tried to ask questions or request simple things like water, the staff seemed rushed and curt, as if we were bothering them. There was no attention to detail or hospitality.

The long wait could have been understandable if we were given updates or treated kindly during the process, but the lack of communication and inattentiveness made the experience frustrating. It felt like the restaurant was relying too heavily on its fame and not putting enough effort into providing a pleasant dining experience.

In summary, the food is undeniably good, but the customer service was below expectations. I truly hope the management pays more attention to training staff and improving hospitality, because the quality of the pizza deserves to be matched by a better overall experience. Would I go back? Maybe—for takeaway. But as a dine-in experience,...