Cibi Cotti

We were staying nearby and discovered this hole in the wall gem, by luck. It is tucked in the back of a public mercato, past fruit and fish stands. The food is basic classic Napolitano, cooked just like ''la Nonna'' No tourist trap locals only, lots of take out and cramped seating area but just great soul food. Now also discovered by David Rocco.

It was our first take away in Naples, only pasta was available, it was very tasty, I believe it was good priced although I did not see any price list.

I found this hole-in-the-hole gem favored by locals from a YouTube video. It's hard to find from the main road. You have to go under an arch door into a courtyard market where the restaurant is located in a corner. I was the only foreigner there. You order by pointing to the food laid out behind the glass counter. I had prawns, spinach and grilled zucchini & bread. The total came to €15. It was delicious. The older gentleman sitting across from me (you share a table with others because there aren't too many) told the waiter to bring more paper napkins for me once he saw I was licking my finger eating the prawns. When you finish, you ask the waiter to bring the bill (remember, everyone orders from the counter, so I don't know how he sorted them out) and you then bring the bill to the entrance to pay an old lady. This is a real taste of local food.

This type of restaurant is the kind I love. Authentic flavors, no tourist traps, small amounts of English being spoken. This place is the real deal. After going up to the counter wading through plenty of locals (receiving “why/how are you here” looks) I ordered whatever was good/traditional. I was told if we wait 10 minutes, pasta with mussels will be ready. We patiently waited for one of the best and most simple meals I’ve had in Italy. Perfectly cooked and seasoned pasta, tomatoes, and mussels, accompanied by bread. You won’t find this place on accident, and if you are considering going: go right now! €13 for two entree sized pastas and bottled water. Run don’t walk here!

Rustic and delicious food served with a smile in a buzzy local atmosphere. We discovered this spot at the back of the municipal market and we knew we were on to a winner. Despite my awful Italian, the lady of the house greeted us with a smile and told us the English were welcome. She pointed out to me that we should order from Enzo at the counter and then we sat down to one of the most memorable meals during our stay in Naples. There wasn't a menu, no waiters were fussing over us and no pretence was made. Locals came in calling hellos to their friends and to the staff behind the counter. We couldn't quite understand but they seemed to be asking for what they fancied or what was fresh. For our daughter a pasta baked in tomato sauce topped with a smoked cheese that was delicious. For us a baked fish and the braised octopus accompanied with a couple of vegetables. The food was banging and we washed it down with lashings of cold red wine from an unmarked bottle. This is a proper Italian cantina, serving fresh local produce covered in lashings of olive oil. It was a challenge even as experienced food tourists to understand what was going on but it was a brilliant experience. Thank you so much to the team here for the kind welcome and patience. A meal we remember with fondness for years to come.

Such an enjoyable and authentic experience! Lots of locals. Highly recommended. There isn’t a fixed menu, so you can simply choose from whatever is available on the day. We shared a delicious octopus dish and two pastas (including one vegetarian) that came out very quickly. Service was super friendly and accommodating, even for a couple of non-Italian speaking tourists. Cash preferred.

Easily our best meal in Naples, lovely hearty food with a home-cooked feel to it in the best sense of the word. Staff and regulars all so lovely. This place is so good we are considering staying in the area the next time just to be able to have lunch here every day. Thanks guys, you are brilliant!

Tucked away in a corner of a covered market hall, having a meal at Cibi Cotti feels eating in somebody’s kitchen for lunch. It is extremely authentic, frequented mostly by locals, and whilst the food might not be the most delicious, this is definitely one of the most memorable meals you’ll have in Naples! The dishes change on a daily basis depending on the available produce. A certain fixed amount is cooked (cafeteria style) so sadly most of the dishes ran out by the time we came. If you do decide to visit this quaint little restaurant, come earlier ~1pm. 100% recommendable experience!

An English-speaking local whose dog I met on a Naples beach recommended I try Cibi Cotti Nonna Anna (CCNA) for lunch, a place she described as having "simple, traditional food". Were it not for her recommendation, I'd never have discovered CCNA and even with her recommendation I needed help finding it. It sits inside a building at the very rear, in a place no tourist would ever uncover even though they should. It's a hive of activity at lunch and I'd certainly have returned if I'd not discovered it on my last day in Naples. Upon arrival of my party of 4 the woman at the helm of the operation took over, pointing us out to the one worker who spoke English. What a gem. We got everything we desired and more. Here at CCNA, a different pasta dish is prepared every few minutes and if you aren't interested in the current offering just wait a few. They came out with 3 or 4 during my lunchtime visit and I sampled two. But there was other stuff to sample here too - eggplant dishes and whatnot - and I did. Delicious food, extremely casual, and clearly beloved by the locals, the place closes when they run out of food and I could already feel the lunch rush waning by the time I left. The cost of this fabulous lunchtime meal - all in, alcohol included - ran about 32 euro for 4 diners who each left the table completely sated. Miss this lunchtime experience and you'll be missing not only a great meal but a true slice of Naples.

The reviews are right and I'm so glad we had lunch here. Everything was like grandma used to make - not over seasoned, extremely fresh and simple (in a good way). The one note I would like to add is that you should go early as they cook for the day and that's it so the best things run out.

Probably best Neapolitan restaurant in Naples. Small restaurant in a local market. Lunch time is very crowded, if you arrive at 11am your chances of finding table to sit more likely.