Pizzeria de Michele

When you hear the name “Pizzeria da Michele,” you immediately think of Naples. It’s one of the oldest and most famous pizzerias in the world, a place of pilgrimage for pizza lovers. So when I found out they had opened a location in Bari, I knew I had to try it while I was in town. Let me tell you, the reputation precedes it. This place gets super crowded, especially for lunch. My advice is to get there early, but even if you find yourself in a line, I promise the wait is worth it. I will say, the crowd seemed to be made up of more tourists than locals, but don’t let that deter you—the pizza was still absolutely delicious and lived up to the hype!

The menu features a fantastic array of Neapolitan-style pizzas, but the first thing you’ll notice when your order arrives is the sheer size. These pizzas are absolutely massive! I mean, just look at the photo with my hand for a size reference—it’s almost unbelievable. I have to confess, I definitely committed an Italian crime because there was no way I could finish this pizza. Most of it had to be taken to go. In my defense, I had basically been eating my way through Italy all day, so I was never truly hungry!

But the pizza itself? Stunning. The crust was thin and crispy, with that perfect Neapolitan chew. The mozzarella was creamy and salty, and the tomato sauce was so fresh and bright. It was a simple, perfect execution of a classic.

If you’re a pizza enthusiast, a visit to Pizzeria da Michele in Bari is a must. It’s a chance to taste a piece of culinary history, and even with its worldwide fame, the quality still shines through.