Pepe In Grani

This restaurant had been on my list for quite some time, and I was excited to finally experience it. We opted for the medium tasting menu, which was truly delicious and lived up to the culinary reputation that precedes Pepe in Grani. The pizza sourdough in particular was perfect. However, I couldn’t help but feel let down by the service. Given the restaurant’s international acclaim and the fact that the small village of Caiazzo thrives largely due to the visitors drawn here, I had expected a more welcoming atmosphere. While the place clearly doesn’t aim to be pretentious or overly polished, the staff’s attitude came across as more than just the Italian nonchalance—it bordered on unfriendly. For example, plates were whisked away while one of us was still eating, and not once were we asked whether we had enjoyed the meal. The woman with dark hair and glasses, in particular, seemed to be having a very bad day—something she made no effort to conceal. Not a smile, not a kind word. There was literally no interaction throughout the entire evening. In the end, despite the effort it took to get here, we felt more like we were checking into a high-volume tourist stop than dining at one of Italy’s most celebrated pizzerias. Sadly, the magic we had hoped for was missing.

Came only for the pizza. Exceeded my already very high expectations. Every pizza was yet another favorite. If you have time to come here, definitely make the trip. You will not be disappointed. My personal favorite was the dessert pizza with orange preserve and dried black olive

Best pizza in naples and Franco Pepe is so sweet and kind. will never forget this meal. The basilico pizza a reverse engineered margeritha was exceptional. service was great. such a nice restaurant. all the staffed who served us were great. for me meeting the fabulous and great chef Franco Pepe was just the icing on the cake. I really understand why the restaurant is so popular and italians eat there not to mention the locals. that was my bucket list pizza and would love to come again.

huge disappointment. Don’t believe the hype. As a lifelong pizza lover visiting from Montreal, someone who lives for both eating and making pizza, Pepe in Grani was at the top of my bucket list. I even had my in-laws babysit our kids at the hotel so my wife and I could celebrate our 10-year anniversary here. I came in with high hopes, but what I got was one of the most frustrating dining experiences of my life. First, we were seated 30 minutes after our reservation time ,okay, that happens. But the service after that was completely unacceptable. Despite speaking Italian the entire time, our waiter showed zero warmth, zero engagement. Not a smile, not a hint of hospitality. We ordered the tasting menu, expecting a relaxed, celebratory evening with some of the best pizza in the world. Instead, we were rushed through seven pizzas, a cone, 2 fried pizzas, and two desserts in under an hour. Plates were pulled from under our hands literally mid-bite, pizza still in hand. No time to savour anything, no pause between courses. Just a relentless barage of trying to kick us out it seems. No one checked in on us once. I had to wave the waiter down across the room just to get a glass of wine. Yes, the pizza was good but what’s the point when you’re being herded through it like it’s fast food, actually ive gotten serve better at dast food places. This was supposed to be a special evening. Instead, it was a complete letdown. I won’t be returning, and I won’t be recommending Pepe in Grani to anyone. There are plenty of places in Italy where you can have truly memorable pizza — with actual hospitality. This isn’t one of them.

We didn’t stay at the hotel, but had dinner reservations for my partner’s birthday. We had one of their tasting menus (the evoluzione one), and we really loved it! After the first couple of pizza slices, I realized I should have gotten a smaller menu for myself, but we still really loved all the different types of starters and pizzas we got to try. We, of course, had our favorite — Margherita sbagliata 👌🏼😍 my partner also really loved nerano in collina. The service was slightly lacking to be honest, but more from the point of view of friendliness and cheerfulness — the staff was definitely doing their job well, they just didn’t make us feel like they were happy to have us, you know. And one guy who brought us several courses of pizza kept mumbling the ingredients and the description of the dish every time he brought something new and then he would go away just as fast as swooped in, and we of course did not even have a moment to figure out and ask him what it was that he said. But oh well, the all in all experience was definitely a good one — the pizza is worth coming for!

Recently, I visited one of the most famous pizzerias in the world, "Domenico," and my impressions were quite mixed. On one hand, the atmosphere of the place was pleasant, and the service was top-notch. I expected to enjoy delicious pizza with unique ingredients, and in this regard, the pizzeria did not disappoint. However, unfortunately, I wasn't lucky, and I seemed to have had a bit of food poisoning. This, of course, significantly tarnished my overall experience. I hope this was an isolated incident and that other guests won't face similar issues. Overall, I would recommend trying the pizza at "Pepe In Grani," but be cautious in your choice of dishes. And the desert was nice but extremely expensive

It is insane to me that people are even rating this place as the best pizza. The pizza was awful. I was so hyped to try this place as I seen it on chefs table. The flavors and ingredients used didn’t even go well together. We did the tasting of seven different kinds of pizza and three different pizza slices alone had a smoky flavor and all tasted exactly the same. The crust is nothing to even write home about. I’ve had better pizza in Napoli let alone the United States. Our reservation was at 11pm and waited 40 minutes past our time…THEN they literally rushed us through our tasting and tried getting us out the door. The staff literally runs around throwing food on peoples tables trying to get them out the door because it’s a horse show for getting money. IT’S A TOURIST TRAP. Then the staff is dropping stuff on the floors as they walk past your table. The pizza is awful and so is the service! DO NOT GO HERE!!! I was skeptical about the negative reviews but tried it anyways. WASTE OF MY TIME AND MONEY. If you see this and are like oh, just someone from the US being negative. No, I’m well traveled and a foodie, and this is real.

They made a tourist trap out of a great pizza creation. Still a bit of DNA from the start of the restaurant, but you can feel the place is more of a moneymaker now than a culinary hotspot. Not worth your time or money unless you just buy the famous margherita and leave.

What a great pizza dining experience it was. The fried pizza was delicious and atmosphere at the restaurant was bustling. I got the Fantasia pizza which was excellent. We're late 30 minutes for our reservation but the host was very accommodating and gave us our table. This is a pilgrimage having to drive through the mountains of Caiazzo to get to this gorgeous town with narrow alleyways and beautiful scenery.

Incredible. The best Neapolitan pizza of my life. I've always been disappointed by the pizza in Italy relative to the pizza in New York, but this is just in a class of its own. We started with the ciro cones and a half order (two pieces) of the fried pizza with tomato and anchovies (the sensazione di costiera). The cones made both of us want to cry -- the dehydrated black olives (which appeared in one form or another on later dishes as well) were beyond perfect, and not like anything I can remember tasting anywhere else. The fried pizza was excellent as well, with absolutely perfect dough and really delicious anchovies (another theme for later as well). We followed that up with four pies: the margherita (for our kids), the margherita sbagliata, la ritrovata, and the grana/pepe/fantasia. The sbagliata was excellent, as was the fantasia (albeit very heavy), but both were overshadowed by the ritrovata, which is maybe the best pie I've had anywhere. My wife even agreed, even though she normally hates almost all of its toppings (anchovies, capers, cooked tomatoes, fries basil). It's truly a flavor explosion, especially compared to the more understated sbagliata (which I think I would consider subbing out for the scarpetta next time). We finished with the excellent pistachio/ricotta cake, as well as the famous apricot jam fried pizza (crisommola del vesuvio), which I thought was incredible but was too much sweetness for my wife. For next visit, I think the way we did the apps was pretty spot on. On the pies, three is definitely a lot, but I'd have to get a ritrovata again, so maybe we'd get two and do a half/half for the second one, or get three but make the third less heavy than the fantasia. We could also consider the tasting next time. Also, my kids (4 and 2) absolutely loved the margherita and finished the whole thing. Being a New Yorker, my 4 year old likes picking up and folding her slice, and the fact that she was able to successfully do that with a Neapolitan pie is a sign in itself of how different these pies are from so many of the soupy ones you get elsewhere.

I first heard of this from my boyfriends family about a Netflix special and were happy we got a reservation! After watching the special, I was extremely intrigued and so curious if it would live up to the hype and it definitely did! Caiazzo is such a small and cute town that I'm happy Pepe in Grani put them on the map, but boy am I happy we went! You had an option of doing a €35 per person tasting menu - which we considered - but decided to each choose a pizza and share. This was the more economical version and we got just as much food! The only weird thing is, they didn't cut the pizza ahead of time since they didn't realize we were sharing and Italians cut their own pizza if ordered alone. We told them we were sharing, but they mentioned they would only cut for the tasting menu. Maybe because we didn't pay the upcharge? I'm not really sure. My favorite was the Margherita Sbagliata. The crust was so light and fluffy, including a sour dough starter which changed the flavor. The crust is also hand mixed and that is something that changes the fluffiness of the crust! I feel like no matter what you get here, it's absolutely wonderful and worth the hype! While I'm not sure I would make a special trip to this town for the pizza, if you're near the Naples and Caserta area, I would take the short drive and go! Make sure to make an appointment though because it's Italy and they have siestas! The whole town becomes super quiet from 13:00-15:00 and the restaurant even closes down for a bit to reset from lunch to dinner. Luckily, my boyfriend has family only 5 minutes away so I'll hopefully be able to enjoy the pizza again soon! Pizza was born in Naples so anything you get here will be delicious and well made.

We got a reservation at Pepe in Grani. I'd highly recommend getting a reservation, even on a Tuesday there was a queue to get in. Pepe greeted us in person with an interpreter which was a nice surprise. He's a friendly person and even recommended some restaurants from our hometown (San Francisco) where he's worked before. We had four people and ordered the Scooters option. We are big eaters and found ourselves pretty full at the end. You can also upgrade to Evoluzione mid-meal but that's meant for larger parties 8-12. With 9 different "pizzas" you do get kind of tired of them. The dough in every course was superb. The cono fritto was my favorite. The tomato was sooo fresh. The final course was like a churro with honey with sweet cheese sauce. It was delicious. I found myself savoring the bites of pizza but in the end it was a little too much pizza. I would recommend this to friends as a unique and tasty experience.

Pepe in Grani is the Mecca visit for Neapolitan pizza lovers. Not the easiest location to get to, but the small town where it's located is charming to enjoy before you go inside. Inside is rather upscale which is a plus. But here it's the food and they deserve all the credit they get. Consistently ranked or has been ranked at the top for many many years. The menu is diverse from starters to standard and season pizzas. Whatever your taste profile is, they have a pizza for it. The pizza cones are the bomb. Just deliciouso. The pizza is just as incredible. The dough is the best you will find anywhere in the Neapolitan pizza game. Ingredients equally top of what's available. Service was fast and efficient, with English easily spoken. This one will get repeat visits.

Reservation cancelled less than 5 hours before booking time, without any explanation and possibility to speak with a rappresentative. After many trials at the phone we were able to speak with someone, the reservation was cancelled because they were not able to reach my cell phone. It was odd it happened just hours before the dinner. Anyway, we rebooked and had a wonderful dinner. I strongly suggest the tasting experience, remember to save some room for the sweets, they are astonishing.

I went in to Pepe in Grani with sky high expectations. They are frequently named the best pizzeria in the world. The whole wide world, y'all. Unfortunately, they didn't quite live up to my expectations. The pizza itself was good, but I've had just as good at Acqua e Farina in Vicenza. Actually, Acqua e Farina is turning out consistently better pizza if I'm being totally honest. Pepe feel short in service, I'm afraid. We felt uncomfortable, unwelcome, and rushed the entire night. Timing of food delivery was horrible. Our pizzas arrived 5-minutes after our antipasti, before we had finished the starter. My pizza was room temperature upon delivery. It sat while we finished the antipasti, so was cold by the time I took the first bite. We had to flag a staff member down to order a 2nd round of drinks and they were clearly put out that we wanted another beer as that meant we'd be occupying the table longer. At the end of the meal, we ordered dessert and I'm guessing the server must have forgotten to key it in. We sat for almost 30-minutes, getting ugly looks from the staff for lingering at the table the entire time. We finally inquired about the dessert's whereabouts and it was out in under a minute. We ate quickly, feeling immense pressure to clear the table at this point, and went to the front to settle up. It's so un-Italian for a restaurant to want to turn over tables so quickly, it really took me off guard and kind of ruined the whole meal, sadly. We were also staying AT the restaurant that evening. That's right, sleeping above the dining room... Pepe in Grani rents two rooms for €90 per night. You can check in after 5pm. It's convenient to just stroll downstairs when you're ready for dinner and waddle back up after stuffing yourself with pizza, but was a pretty awkward experience overall. You have to push through the crowd waiting for tables at the front door any time you want to come or go from your room. There is also absolutely nothing to do in the small town, either. We had to leave at 6am Monday morning to catch an early flight in Naples, and felt like we were just a big headache to the restaurant as obviously no one wanted to be there to let us out at 6am. So, I guess all of that is to say... All in all, we didn't HATE Pepe in Grani. It was fine. We just wanted it to be so much better! I wouldn't go out of my way (it's about 45-minutes from Naples) again to visit, but I suppose I'm glad we went once. If nothing else, it confirms that our favorite, local pizzeria in Vicenza is as good as we always thought it was.

I have so much fun to say about Pepe in Grani but to actually be here and experience what eating pizza in Caizzo is like is just far to difficult to put into words. We were late for our reservation but after speaking to the host, we were asked to wait and Chef Franco Pepe personally greeted us! He brought us out to the terrace which has only 6 tables and a view of mount Vesuvius. We didn't opt to order anything and asked them to just do what they do so we could taste whatever they wanted us to. There's something about just leaving the choices up to the chefs. What started coming out of the kitchen was absolutely remarkable. They started with an appetizer of deep fried pizza dough with cheese and crushed dried black olives. Next came the fried pizza with mortadella, ricotta and pistachio along with anchovy and lemon pizza. We then had the Scarpetta which I believe was made with 4 kinds of reduced tomato. They then made a panzerotti with bitter herbs and olives right from their garden. Even the desert was made from pizza dough and had an apricot glaze accompanied with a rosemary/vanilla ricotta dip. If I were a billionaire and wanted pizza, I would fly here just for it. Pepe in grani was 45 minutes from our hotel near Naples and was absolutely worth the drive. This was by far the BEST pizza I've even eaten.

We had already booked our vacation to Napoli when we watched the Netflix documentary. My wife was very excited and we made a reservation very easily. Ease of access:***** (if you make a reservation, parking was not difficult at night) Price:***** (given the atmosphere, service and food, it's unbeatable) Athmosphere: ***** Service: ***** Quality of the pizza: **** The fried pizza appetizer is a killer, my favorite on the whole meal The dessert pizza was very good and something unique My wife took the ritrovarta that was delicious and the best pizza she ever ate. I took the fantasia but was disappointed. The initial smell was very enticing but the final taste is too heavy. I ate only half of the pizza.

As a third-generation Baker and repeat recipient of "Best Pizza in the World" accolades the name Franco Pepe carries significant weight, and in the small town of Caiazzo, just one hour from Naples, he and his team showed precisely why gourmands travel globally to experience his skill and ideas plus the sort of service many Michelin-starred Restaurants would be lucky to have. A destination in Compania since 2012, Chefs and critics singing the praises of a three-story space located down a narrow alley, it is strongly recommended that guests secure seats up to sixty days in advance, because although walk-ins are available they are almost universally subject to a substantial wait. Made more popular recently by Netflix "Ugly Delicious," but largely unaffected according to regulars who suggest Franco Pepe has always chased faultlessness rather than fame, it was with reservations confirmed at 19h00 that two diners were led upstairs after a fifty-minute drive from Napoli, Pepe having taken a quick break to touch tables before returning to the kitchen made visible through closed-circuit television. A destination in the era of accessibility, names like Sorbillo and Da Michele expanding across oceans, Pepe's approach embraces both terroir and season, a hyper-attentive focus on sourcing virtually guaranteeing no two Pies are identical even though the kitchen works with speed, skill and precision. Honoring his father and grandfather with classic offerings, all while pushing forward with ideas that challenge conventional thoughts regarding "Neapolitan" Pizza, it is from a surprisingly affordable Food & Beverage list that diners are invited to self-select, though the Degustazione typically reserved for parties of four can be made available for two if rrequested. Promoting Slow Food ideals, and highly efficient in terms of service, it was with a €32 bottle of Bubbly poured that course one arrived, Pepe's now-iconic "Colpo Doppio" eating much like Montanara filled with a fragrant blend of Herbs and Cheese while a beautifully-leavened bits of Dough proved even better beneath a "rose" of Mortadella, Ricotta and Pistachio. An impassioned Chef, speaking fluently in both English and Italian when engaging with diners, it was as Franco stood tableside that his "Mystic" Margherita was delivered, the use of cooked Tomatoes and concentrated Basil better-focusing flavor while the Pie's "Scarpetta" half used similar Ingredients to achieve an effect that permeates the sinuses while treating the palate to a diversity of textures. Using only products from nearby farms, Bacon and Eggs from "just down the road" featured on the Pizza Grana Pepe e Fantasia which riffs on Carbonara while adding grated-Pecorino Romano to the Cornicione, it was from the "seasonal" Pizzas that Sausage and Broccoli was served, seasoned Pork from Caserta playing well off the smoked Cheese and lightly charred Crucifer. Asked about capacity at this point, and happy to say that Pepe's hand-blended Flour from Bari digests without making one feel overly full, a third Pizza focused on big flavors, "la Ritrovata" packing a ton of brine by way of Capers, Olives and Anchovies while an off-menu special described by Franco used the Sauce of Tomatoes stewed with Meatballs to impart an impressive degree of unctuousness to the half made texturally explosive with Pine Nuts and Bread Crumbs. Likely able to enjoy another Pie, but worried that Dessert might then be missed, it was much like the beginning that Pepe in Grani ended with a duo, Zeppole far lighter than any experienced prior and not overly-sweet while "La Crisommola Dal Vesuvio" replicated the Viandante's base with toppings that touched every part of the palate with lingering tartness.

Best pizza in the world!!! I've never had pizza like this in my life and every single pizza I had was amazing. The ambiance was so friendly, I got to meet Pepe himself, and it was all tied together with the most amazing pizzas. The flavors of the pizza are so unique and special. If you get a chance to come out here and eat at Pepe, do yourself a favor and do!

This was the highlight of our 2 week trip through Italy. Everything was perfect and incredibly well priced. We rented a room for the night, which we booked a month before and it was beautifully updated. The entire staff was beyond helpful and really made the experience something my wife and I will never forget. Now for the pizza - it truly is a step above. We consider ourselves pizza snobs and made the trip to Pepe in Grani to test the claims we've heard. The food more than lived up to the hype...the crust is really where the magic is and nothing we've had even came close. If you are near Naples and can get to Pepe, it is 100% worth the trip. Be sure to get a reservation far in advance because this place fills up fast, even on off nights. A lot of the bad reviews here seem to stem from the long line, which isn't really fair. Get a reservation and enjoy the meal of a lifetime...we'll be back every time we visit Italy.

This was the cuilinary highlight of my trip to Rome as my sister rented a car and drove us 3 hours to a destination many experts consider the greatest pizza in the world. The restaurant itself is a bit difficult to find as there isn't any signage on the adjacent streets but that's part of the charm in visiting an area that's several centuries old. The service and food are spectacular here. And make sure you make reservations well in advance as walk ins are very difficult due to the limited number of tables available. But once you get inside it will be a memorable experience. We had the opportunity to meet Franco Pepe and he is super engaging. He gave us a tour of the upstairs which includes a private dining area with its own pizza oven as well as a private bedroom for guests who wish to stay overnight. We ordered the tasting menu so had the opportunity to experience a wide variety of pizzas made from local ingredients. The crust on each pie was light and airy while the toppings are a work of art. We were lucky to get seated outside on the second floor balcony so were able to enjoy spectacular views. Pro Tip #2: as long as you're in the area then its short drive over to Caseificio Il Casolare where you can enjoy the same buffalo mozzarella that Franco Pepe uses. No ATM in the lobby so bring cash.

Having the "best pizza in the world" and having good service apparently do not go hand in hand. This establishments motto is a "you eat here because we let you" and my motto is "your food can be alright", but if your service is rude or seemingly annoyed by my patronage you will never see me again. It started with the club like atmosphere at the door and got worse from the moment I was seated. Yes the pizza was good, no question but unless you are looking for a Seinfeld "soup nazi" sort of vibe this place will not be to your satisfaction. I would also like to go on the record of saying the rude service I experienced at this establishment is by no means indicative of the level of service that you would receive at most establishment in Italy. Italy is know throughout the world as having the finest cuisine and service. Pepe In Grani good luck, there is a reason there is no mention of you in the respected guides and why your local rating is only 4 stars.

Loved Pepe so much I wrote an article on it: https://www.thedailymeal.com/eat/discovering-world-s-best-pizza-and-onions-caiazzo-italy "One thing that isn't minimal is the level of distinctiveness in each bite of Franco's pizzas. His "Margherita Sbagliata" is not your mother's margherita. The pizza goes in the oven white with Mimmo's bufala mozzarella and then is coated with raw tomatoes from La Sbecciatrice in Campania once out of the oven. Franco's "Sfizio a Pomodori" is an explosion of flavor. With both sundried tomatoes and juicy cherry tomatoes, each bite is truly unique, sweet and tangy. Then there's the Scarpetta, with a 12-month-old Grana cheese cream and shavings of 24-month Grana. The strength of the flavor, when washed down with beer produced solely for the use of Franco, is unlike anything you have ever tasted. Once you finish your meal at Pepe In Grani, disappointment will sink through your spine as you realize that you will likely not have another as special as the pies you just finished."

Horrible service. 10 of us went and since there was a line outside they treated us horribly. We ordered one appetizer to share , the pizzas and a desert because it was a birthday. We didn't stay extra or anything. The waiters, manager and owner looked at us bad the whole time. As if we were doing the them a favor. They made us feel so uncomfortable. We went once but never going again. I wouldn't suggest this place. Go to downtown Naples. Much easier to reach and that's where the pizza is the best anyway. And cheaper...

I found this pizzeria by watching a tv show starring the famous cook Emeril. He defines Franco Pepe's pizza the best in the world so I decided to try it on my next trip to Italy. I'm Italian and I know about pizza and I can tell you that this IS the BEST pizza I ever had ! The 5 stars are well deserved for the quality of the ingredients but not only: the service and attention you receive complete the amazing experience you get at this hidden gem!

The best meal we had in Italy. Situated in a small town with a beautiful view of the surrounding area. The wait staff is exceptional, and recommends a perfect culinary experience for whatever size your group may be (formal tasting menu requires 4+). If you're a foodie, this is a must-visit!

Combine breathtaking views with some of the best pizza you will ever eat and that's what you get at Pepe In Grani. Make sure you ask to be seated on the balcony.

Simply the best pizza possible. An artisanal masterpiece not to be missed. Make reservations ahead of time or expect a long wait or to be turned away.

For the past 2 years or so, I had been hearing all about the "best pizza in the world" and how it was made in a little place in Italy called Pepe in Grani. I decided that I had to stop here during this European business trip I had been planning for so long. I showed up last week and I waited in line (with 40 other people in a tight alleyway) for about 40 minutes or so, even those with reservations had to wait, because the place was so packed. When I was seated, it took them 10 minutes or so to realize I was even there. In the mean time, I looked at the kitchen livefeed. I noticed that Franco Pepe wasn't there once, and surely, 5 minutes later, I saw him walking out with 2 women, apparently showing them around the place :/ . I ordered the Tuna pizza and I was saddened to discover that it was mostly all bread and the tuna itself was dry and lacking texture. For a place that prides itself in its fresh ingredients, I was disappointed in the quality of the ones I received. It was not worth the 3 hour drive from Sorrento (oh yeah, the town where the pizzeria is located is really well-hidden and well-off the beaten path) and certainly not worth coming back again. I didn't hate the place, but to call it the best pizza in the world is an insult to all the other much better pizzerias in the world that don't get any recognition due to geographical locations and lack of monetary resources to advertise themselves as "the best pizzeria in the world".