Sfogliatelle Attanasio — Restaurant in Naples

When in Naples, a visit to Attanasio is an absolute must. Conveniently located right in front of the station, this renowned sfogliatella maker is a mandatory stop for anyone returning from this vibrant city.

Attanasio’s sfogliatelle are nothing short of legendary. The history behind these delightful pastries adds to their charm. According to their website, King Ferdinand of Bourbon first tasted a crispy sfogliatella made by Sister Matilde from the ancient Convent of Santa Rosa on the Amalfi Coast. He realized that he had discovered the key to winning over the courts of Europe. However, Sister Matilde was cloistered and unable to accompany the king on his diplomatic travels, nor would it have been proper for the king to invade the kitchens of those courts with his own chefs. King Ferdinand had to abandon his plan, knowing all too well that sfogliatelle must be eaten crispy and fresh.

This historical anecdote is reflected in the quality and flavor of Attanasio’s sfogliatelle. Each bite is a perfect harmony of crunchy layers and creamy filling, a testament to centuries of tradition and craftsmanship. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, stopping by Attanasio is like taking a delicious step back in time, experiencing a piece of Naples’ rich culinary heritage.

If you find yourself in Naples, make sure to visit Attanasio. The combination of convenience, history, and, most importantly, the exquisite taste of their sfogliatelle makes it an...

Update: it's not often you get to taste the epitome of something, so I went back for another. I realised it's not that it loses it's crisp, but it's that the perimeter of the pastry is much more crispy than the centre.

I also had the roccoco, but that thing was V hard. Flavour was ok but no need to try honestly

The ordering system really is complex, near the door you take your tickets(doesn't help that a lot of people are standing by the door and there's no queue), then you shove your way inside and pay before waiting for your number to be called.

It's a 15min wait at 930am on sat, best to come early at 730am or sth before people wake up if you don't want to queue.

However the pastry is the real deal. I got the sfogliatella frolla and it's almost the epitome of what it could be. The pastry itself is slightly crumbly and quite crunchy but a little doughy at the same time. It's perfect when you take it but because of the weather it cools very quickly and loses it's crisp a little bit. The filling was great too, the ricotta is mixed w something to give an almost custard like texture, perfumed by orange zest.

The thing about their crowd flow is that it guarantees they can keep baking and thus the sfogliatellas are always fresh and still warm.

Must try, I think once you've had this you can skip all the rest of the sfogliatellas, even the...

Fellow English speaking visitors - DO NOT PASS on this little bakery spot located just off the center square near the train station in Naples. They specialize in authentic Sfogliatelle, but they have many other delicious Italian pastries like baba and more traditional fare. What are Sfogliatelle? They're either a shortbread or croissant-like pastry filled with a mixture of semi sweet ricotta cheese and citrus. They are the most unique food I've ever eaten, and unlike anything I've encountered in the states. They're a very interesting combination of sweet and savory and they are so so good. You can find them all over Italy from Naples down to Sorrento and Rome and everywhere in between, but this place makes them THE BEST. Hands down, no contest, it's not even really a competition. They're delicious everywhere, but this spot is where to go to get them fresh out of the oven and really taste the full experience. It's equivalent to getting a fresh morning croissant in Paris.

This is a very small spot so don't be put off if there's a line, the interior can only fit about 1-2 people at a time. The line also comes in waves, so if they're too busy, pop around the corner to one of the three excellent cafe's in the square (all less then 500 ft walk) grab a cappuccino, and come back! The line will probably be gone and you'll be very...