Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Taktsang Lhakhang, also known as the “Tiger’s Nest”.
Bhutan • 11 days, 10 nights
Festivals & Temples of Bhutan
from
Macchu Picchu
Peru • 10 days, 9 nights
Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The sign declares this the number-one gumbo shop in town.
Gumbo Hut Shioya
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
The truth is out there—somewhere.
The Truth Is Out There at the Dreamland Resort (or Should We Say ‘Area 51?’)
18 days ago
Edward Payson Weston
How the 6-Day Race Became an American Spectator Obsession
19 days ago
Alresford Spy Toilet
This Public Bathroom in a Sleepy English Village Was an Epicenter for Cold War Espionage
21 days ago
Manhattan Well
The Manhattan Well: How Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton United to Solve a Murder Mystery
22 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Naples Birthplace of the Pizza Margherita Plaque
Gastro Obscura

Birthplace of the Pizza Margherita Plaque

A popular legend claims that the famous pizza was invented at a restaurant in this alley.

Naples, Italy

Added By
StepYoshi
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
  Los Vegas
  Los Vegas
A pizza Margherita.   stu_spivack
  Gaggia
August 2010   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
August 2010   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
August 2010   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
August 2010   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The pizza Margherita is considered to be the classic Neapolitan pizza. While it has come to be a famous dish all over the world, some say its story began in a narrow alley in Naples.

According to the popular legend, the pizza Margherita was invented in 1889 by Raffaele Esposito, chef at Pizzeria Brandi. The pizza was allegedly created in honor of Italy's unification, with the three toppings—basil, mozzarella, and tomato—respectively representing the green, white, and red of the Italian flag. The story also claims that Esposito named the pie after the Queen of Italy, Margherita of Savoy. Today, a plaque near the Pizzeria Brandi marks the location as the birthplace of the pizza Margherita. It was unveiled in 1989, on the 100th anniversary of its invention.

This story is most likely fiction, however. The pizza was probably really served at Pizzeria Brandi, but the use of these three toppings had already been fairly widespread in Naples for decades, and it is described in a 1866 book. It might've been christened the "Margherita" at the Pizzeria Brandi, but some sources claim the name could also stem from the arranging of mozzarella slices like the petals of a daisy (margherita in Italian).

No matter the Margherita's exact origin, you can still order one at Pizzeria Brandi and enjoy a fresh slice of Neapolitan pride.

Related Tags

Pizza Restaurants Unique Restaurants & Bars Food History
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

StepYoshi

Edited By

ccesare

  • ccesare

Published

November 11, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.italymagazine.com/featured-story/pizza-margherita-history-and-recipe
  • https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2018/03/15/pizza-margherita_a_23386193/
  • https://campaniaga.com/the-story-of-pizza-margherita/
Birthplace of the Pizza Margherita Plaque
Salita S. Anna di Palazzo, 1/2
Naples, 80132
Italy
40.836684, 14.246805
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Bourbon Tunnel

Naples, Italy

miles away

Funicolare Centrale

Naples, Italy

miles away

Cavalli di Bronzo

Naples, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Naples

Naples

Italy

Places 28
Stories 5

Nearby Places

Bourbon Tunnel

Naples, Italy

miles away

Funicolare Centrale

Naples, Italy

miles away

Cavalli di Bronzo

Naples, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Naples

Naples

Italy

Places 28
Stories 5

Related Places

  • The heated lava rocks bake the pizza.

    San Vicente Pacaya, Guatemala

    Pizza Pacaya

    For this chef, an active volcano is his oven.

  • Mesa, Arizona

    Organ Stop Pizza

    Come for the pizza, stay for a performance on the world's largest theater pipe organ.

  • Queens, New York

    Luna de Xelajú

    Deliciousness abounds at a Guatemalan restaurant masquerading as a pizzeria.

  • Pizza al taglio is done right here.

    Rome, Italy

    Fratelli Trecca

    Roman-style pizza al taglio arrives here with magnificent, crackly crust.

  • The Margarita here needs no additional adornment.

    New York, New York

    Una Pizza Napoletana

    One man’s obsessive, 30-plus-year quest is behind the pies at this spot on the Lower East Side.

  • All kinds of curious bric-a-brac decorates the space.

    Winter Park, Colorado

    Hernando’s Pizza Pub

    The walls, tables, and much of the ceiling in this pizzeria are covered with $40,000 in $1 bills.

  • These meat substitutes come close to the real thing.

    Queens, New York

    Bodhi Village

    Get to know the plant-based fare of Chinese Buddhist monks.

  • Kurdish cuisine shares some dishes, like meat kebabs, with other Middle Eastern cuisines.

    Tokyo, Japan

    Mesopotamia

    The only Kurdish restaurant in Japan invites you to learn and feast.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.