La Pizzeria restaurant launches on US 41 in Naples

It’s not just another local pizza place; its Italian name translates to The Pizzeria. La Pizzeria launched Sept. 1 across U.S. 41 from Naples Comprehensive Health hospital in Old Naples. 

La Pizzeria features extended family roots in Naples. Five years ago, brothers Luca and Valerio Di Falco opened Mercato Italiano, an Italian market, in the Trinity Plaza unit next door. That’s the same retail strip on the southeast corner of U.S. 41 North and Third Avenue North that also is home to Grouper & Chips, Lavender Cafe & Bistro, Opa Greek Restaurant and Vito’s Famous Cheesesteaks. 

“We made the decision to take over the next-door business because it was so close. It was so easy to manage,” said La Pizzeria co-owner Luca Di Falco, a longtime restaurateur on Fifth Avenue South who is general manager of Acqua Bistecca at Saltleaf on Estero Bay. “And, we have passion for pizza. I was always involved in the restaurant business; my brother, too. He’s also actually the chef here, so, we said, ‘Let’s do it.’ It’s going to be a place for good food, good pizza, but mostly making friends and connecting with the community.” 

The majority of La Pizzeria’s menu is Neapolitan-style pizza. Diners will find 15 varieties of Pizze Rosse or Pizze Bianche — pizzas made with either red or white sauce — as well as a trio of gourmet pizza specialties and two calzone options. 

“We come from Sicily, so we have a different type of pizza there, but since I experience the Neapolitan-style pizza — that is completely different — I fell in love because it’s not heavy, it’s very light and I can eat it all completely myself,” Luca Di Falco said. 

Chef Valerio Di Falco’s favorite pizza is the Alessandro, named after his son. The white pizza features pistachio pesto, fior di latte, mushrooms, mortadella, stracciatella cheese and pistachio crumble. 

While only Neapolitan-style pies are served at La Pizzeria, Sicilian-style pizza — traditionally cut in thick squares — is available next door at Mercato Italiano, which also serves coffee drinks and gourmet panini. 

In addition to pizza, La Pizzeria’s menu selections include appetizers, a couple of pastas and salads. Pasta specialties feature lasagna and eggplant parmigiana, while appetizers include arancino, bruschetta and burrata. 

La Pizzeria’s unit at 304 Ninth St. N. has been vacant since Cāk’d vegan and gluten-free dough bar and treat shop closed there last October after operating there for more than three years. The Di Falcos hope to eventually knock out a doorway to internally connect their Italian market and pizzeria businesses. 

“We wanted to take out the wall and expand Mercato Italiano, but then we wanted the pizzeria, too,” Luca Di Falco said. 

For now, they operate as separate businesses. Mercato Italiano serves breakfast and lunch, while La Pizzeria opens for dinner in the late afternoon and remains open for night owls. 

La Pizzeria’s hours are 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The restaurant is closed on Mondays. Happy hours are 4 to 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. to closing with 50% off food.