La Taverna di Santa Chiara — Restaurant in Naples

I find myself surprised (and especially disappointed) at having to write this review, but I do feel negatively empassioned to do so. Prior visiting this restaurant we scrolled through the reviews - all 4-5 stars - brimful of praise and then just one poor experience published. Well here's another...

The service is polite yet the strained smile and awkward manner conjure the opposite effect of what a taverna in the heart of Naples should inspire. The menu reads well but delivers something quite different ... We ordered two small carafes of house red and white to accompany our menu reading. The red was sour, vinegary and likely beyond its use by date. We told the waiter, he looked confused. He said - and with some authority - when wine has been chilling and is returned to room temperature - it can taste sour but this is normal. I retorted - this wine is at room temperature and tastes like vinegar. Like what sorry?? Like vinegar; here I said, let me poor you a glass to try some. Which he did - inhaling through it like a well seasoned sommelier, then smiled and told me it was fine. The white ... like an applie infused household detergent. Onto the antipasti - the "julienne of seasonal vegetables served with marinated cod" is in fact a generous plate of cold soggy bread (once focaccia maybe?) topped with sundried tomatoes, some well oiled roasted aubergines, smashed green olives and cod marinated in vinegar ... Julienne? Seasonal? Nope. Actually not bad but not what it said. The bruschetta ... Similar to the previous dish - sliced crusty bread with roasted oiled Mediterranean vegetables; not bad either but not bruschetta. The primi pati ... we ordered the zitti "brigante" (whatever that means) with Genovese pesto and conciato romano ("the worlds oldest cheese" according to a google search). The bowls arrived. Their contents was warm but not hot (I won't mention the "m" word but it does spring to mind). The pesto - passable, the conciato romano - fine - a few strokes of pecorino romano on the grater and voila ... Everything was passable and edible except for the wine (which in retrospect we really shouldn't have paid for). I wish Id given a full resume of feedback in person at the time, but so off put by the experience, "il conto per favore" was all I...

La Taverna di Santa Chiara is more than just a restaurant — it’s a sanctuary of warmth, integrity, and soul. From the first bite to the last sip, every visit is a reminder of how food can nourish more than just the body. The dishes are consistently delicious, clearly crafted with care and rooted in authentic Italian tradition. You can taste the freshness, feel the love, and see the pride in every plate. Whether it’s the perfectly balanced sauces or the tender handmade pasta, every meal is a celebration of honest, heartfelt cooking.

But what truly sets this place apart is the remarkable woman behind it. The owner is not only a gifted chef and gracious host, but also a courageous human being — someone who is unafraid to speak up for what is right. In a time when silence often feels safer, she has boldly and compassionately used her voice to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Her public support for Palestinian rights — expressed with dignity and clarity — is a rare and powerful gesture in today’s world. It reflects a deep sense of justice, humanity, and moral conviction. Taking such a stance, especially as a small business owner, is not easy. It can come with risks. Yet she has done so without hesitation, proving that true character is not only revealed in the kitchen, but in how we stand for others.

In showing compassion and moral clarity, she reminds us that food and community are inseparable — that restaurants can be places of resistance, unity, and love. La Taverna di Santa Chiara is a place where you don’t just eat well — you feel seen, respected, and inspired.

I will continue to return here not just because the food is outstanding (it truly is), but because supporting a place with this much heart and courage feels like the most natural thing to do.

Bravo — for the food, the service, and the spirit. May your table always be full and your voice...

You know how when a restaurant is a really great experience you think back on it for years to come? That was my experience after eating at Taverna Santa Chiara back in 2019 with my parents. I still remembered my gamberetti and my dad's pasta dish 5 years later! So naturally, when I visited Napoli again this summer, I had to find it. I couldn't remember the name, but had a sense of the location, so I spent some time before the trip on Google Street view and thought I may have located the scene of the mythical delicious lunch from 2019...once I arrived in Napoli and showed up at Taverna Santa Chiara, I recognized the interior and knew I really had found it! The next test was whether the food would be as good as I remembered....in short, yes. Every bite. This place is amazing, run by a family, the food made with care, a true example of Italian slow food/slow cooking. Everyone who works there is very nice and hospitable - I was traveling solo and was never made felt rushed when eating alone and reading my book at my table. This is absolutely my favorite taverna in Napoli, I visited twice on this past trip and will most certainly be back next time I am in town. Cannot recommend enough - on this recent visit, I especially enjoyed the selection of house fish marinades, the napoletan ragu (best I've ever had), a perfect lemon tart, and always the housemade finnochio at the end of the meal - so so delicious I really wish I could teleport...