Trattoria Romano Gaetano — Restaurant in Naples

I passed this restaurant several times. It had good ratings, but short hours. I didn't want to come back from the city, from sightseeing, to have lunch in the area where I rented a room. Now I know I made a big mistake.

This is a place that feeds friends and neighbors. And such people cannot be taken frivolously. People meet here for a meal, but also they join in conversations at other tables if they hear an interesting topic. They don't come to eat something in 20 minutes. They come here to live together.

I guess it should be written that there are no waiters here, only hosts. First you'll wait at the entrance if there's a line, but it's a good time to look around and see how real Neapolitans behave. And when you sit down at a table, you won't get a menu. A friendly guy in an apron will tell you what you can get. And then the magic behind the kitchen window begins. Because my gnocchi alla sorentina were conjured up by the hands of a real Italian mom, who cooked the way she would for her family. And it's casual. A head peeks out from behind the glass, from the kitchen, and asks if I want parmesan cheese for my gnocchi. I didn't hear the question, so the friendly crowd passed it to me in English, like a Mexican wave.

Believe me, I'm not a big fan of gnocchi. And these were perfect . The dough, the sauce, the spices, the tomatoes, the amount of cheese and the temperature - everything was just right. And just as you would serve them at home, when it's the taste that counts, not the pattern on the plate or the garnish of the dish. And then I ate some more mozzarella with carrots. For me - a cosmic combination. But this mozzarella was the best I've ever eaten in my life!

And when I spoke up to the gentleman at the table next to me, I was momentarily included in the conversation, offered a glass of wine, and if I hadn't been in a hurry, I probably would have stayed with these people at the table until closing time.

So get on the subway downtown, because in less than a quarter you can be in the real Naples. In addition, I paid less for a whole lunch than you pay for pasta on the...

Revisited the restaurant three years later and we’re still equally enthusiastic. Had again a delicious meal, super friendly family restaurant and value for money is the best I have experienced. We paid 11€ each for a starter, main and dessert. If you go to Naples, make the detour and have lunch or dinner here.

2020: We went here after visiting the Cimitero delle Fontanelle because we read good reviews. It’s really home-cooking, a few dishes to choose from, all delicious. We had scallopine al limone, pasta fagioli, the kids pasta bolognese. We ended up paying €22 for four persons. The owners, staff and the guests are really super friendly and they suggested us a nice bar to have coffee afterwards. I can highly recommend going here. It’s right in front of the metro stop...

Great home cooking! I walked past a few times and decided to stop in..very friendly to this solo tourist ..it must be difficult when you have a foreigner come into your local place. The fellow serving me used his phone to help ...after my starter he said come take a look at kitchen...much easier...and it was... I picked out my food and that was it. You dont come to a place like this for decor ...plastic cups and paper tableware ....the food is why you are here. It was very good too! Simple but well done. I started with the seafood spaghetti, then had a side of eggplant and mixed fried seafood. All good! I will be back before leaving Naples ... this is my favourite kind of place...delicious home cooking, friendly people, kind atmosphere. Worth finding! Thank you...