Where to eat and drink in Napoli: Best pubs and restaurants for Arsenal fans

Naples is one of Europe's great football cities and one of the world's great destinations for food and drink.

The two are inseparable here, as both are expressions of the city's extraordinary civic passion, and Arsenal fans travelling for the Champions League opener on September 9 will quickly discover just how seriously Naples takes them.

There is one important consideration for travelling supporters. Arsenal fans should exercise caution around the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on matchday and avoid unnecessary confrontation with home supporters.

Fuorigrotta is firmly Napoli territory, particularly in the hours before kick-off, so the city centre is a better place to spend the afternoon before making your way to the stadium.

With that in mind, Football Ground Guide looks at some of the best pubs and restaurants for Arsenal fans visiting Naples.

Pubs welcoming to visiting fans

The Penny Black

The Penny Black (Via Enrico Alvino 134B, Naples) is one of the most obvious choices for English-speaking football supporters looking for a traditional pub atmosphere.

Located in Vomero, the venue offers an English-style pub setting with draught beer, live sport and multiple screens. Its position away from Fuorigrotta also makes it a more sensible base for Arsenal fans wanting to spend the afternoon in a lively neighbourhood before travelling to the stadium.

Vomero is well connected to the rest of Naples, allowing supporters to enjoy a few drinks before heading towards the Maradona. Given the expected demand around a Champions League fixture, arriving early is advisable.

Murphy's Law

Murphy's Law (Via Luca Giordano 156, Naples) is another Vomero option, located close to the area's restaurants, shops and bars.

The Irish-style pub combines a relaxed atmosphere with live sport and a food menu, making it a useful alternative for supporters who want somewhere to settle in for the afternoon rather than heading straight towards the stadium.

Its location also means Arsenal fans can easily combine a few drinks with a look around Vomero before travelling to Fuorigrotta for kick-off.

Frank Malone Pub

Frank Malone Pub (Via Tito Angelini 13, Naples) offers another traditional pub-style option in the Vomero area.

With a selection of beers, pub food and screens showing live sport, it is particularly suited to supporters who want a familiar football-bar atmosphere before the match.

Like the other central options, the key advantage is location. Arsenal fans can enjoy the build-up away from the immediate stadium area before using Naples' public transport network to reach the Maradona.

Kitebeer

Kitebeer (Vico Medina 15, Naples) provides something rather different.

Located in the historic centre, this craft beer bar is better suited to supporters who want to experience Naples' nightlife and beer scene rather than watch football in a traditional sports bar.

Its central location makes it particularly convenient for fans exploring the city's historic streets and sampling Neapolitan food before heading towards Fuorigrotta.

Where to eat

Naples is the birthplace of pizza, and sampling the city's famous Neapolitan version should be high on the list for any Arsenal supporter making the trip.

There are strict traditions surrounding Neapolitan pizza, from the dough and preparation to the ingredients and cooking process. The result is one of the city's defining culinary experiences, with pizzerias ranging from tiny family-run establishments to internationally famous institutions.

L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele

L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele (Via Cesare Sersale 1, Naples) is arguably the city's most famous pizzeria.

Established in 1870, the restaurant became internationally renowned after featuring in Eat Pray Love, although its reputation among locals long predates its Hollywood appearance.

The menu is deliberately simple, centred around the classic Margherita and Marinara pizzas. Expect queues, particularly around traditional meal times, so Arsenal fans should consider going for lunch rather than trying to squeeze it in before the match.

The pizzeria is in the historic centre, making it easy to combine with a day exploring central Naples before travelling to the stadium.

Trattoria da Nennella

Trattoria da Nennella (Vico Lungo Teatro Nuovo 103, Naples) offers a completely different experience.

Situated in the Quartieri Spagnoli, the restaurant is known for its lively atmosphere and traditional Neapolitan cooking. Expect communal tables, plenty of noise and a distinctly informal experience rather than fine dining.

The food focuses on traditional local dishes and is generally inexpensive by the standards of a major European city. It is a particularly good option for Arsenal fans who want to experience the character of Naples rather than simply eat near their hotel.

The restaurant is in the city centre, so allow plenty of time if eating here before the game.

O Murzillo

For supporters who would rather stay closer to the stadium, O Murzillo in Fuorigrotta is a more practical option.

The area around the Maradona has plenty of opportunities to sample local street food, including pizza fritta and other Neapolitan specialities. Arsenal fans should remember, however, that matchday crowds can make the area around the stadium extremely busy, particularly in the hours immediately before kick-off.

For that reason, supporters who want a relaxed meal are better off eating earlier in the day in central Naples and travelling to Fuorigrotta afterwards.

FGG Verdict

Naples rewards supporters who embrace the city rather than treating it simply as a place to sleep before the match.

The best approach for Arsenal fans is to spend the afternoon in Vomero or the historic centre, where there is a much broader choice of pubs, restaurants and attractions, before making the journey towards the Maradona.

For pizza, L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele is the obvious bucket-list choice, while Trattoria da Nennella offers a more boisterous introduction to traditional Neapolitan cooking. The Penny Black and Murphy's Law provide familiar surroundings for supporters wanting a few drinks before kick-off.

Most importantly, allow plenty of time for the journey to the stadium and exercise common sense around Fuorigrotta. A Champions League night in Naples is an experience to savour, but the best way to enjoy it is to arrive prepared.