Neapolitan-born expert pizza maker Daniele Uditi believes that to understand pizza, you need to eat it in the place it was invented. Here are his top places to eat pizza in Naples.

Neapolitan-born master pizzaiolo (pizzamaker) Daniele Uditi has lived in the US for more than 15 years. But, "it doesn't matter where in the world I am, I will always be from Naples," he tells the BBC.

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Daniele Uditi is the owner of the LA-based Pizzana pizzeria chain. His newest venture as chef and owner of the Lele Dinner Club in Los Angeles' West Adams neighbourhood has been praised by LA Times food critic Jenn Harris as "LA's hardest reservation". His Instagram account features regular 'Is it really Italian?' segments, dispelling myths about "Italian" dishes found overseas.

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Like Uditi, pizza was born in the famously chaotic seaside Italian city; its invention widely credited to chef Raffaele Esposito who is believed to have created the white, red and green dish in tribute to the colours of the newly unified nation's flag. Uditi, who served as a judge in Hulu's 2022 pizza competition show, Best in Dough, notes that though pizza is beloved – and found in many forms – worldwide, he believes you've never truly had it until you've had it in its birthplace.

"To understand [pizza], you go to Naples, and you eat pizza the way it's supposed to be, al portafoglio," says Uditi, referring to Neapolitan street pizza that is folded twice on its sides "wallet-style". "Eating a pizza in the place that it was invented with all the sounds of the city, seeing another Neapolitan eat it while on the phone and walking with an overflowing pizza in the box because it stretched too big."

Can pizza be too big? "It's not perfect," admits Uditi. "Neapolitan pizza is an artisanal product, so sometimes you don't find the perfect circle. I think it's a perfect representation of the city. Naples is not a perfect circle. Naples has good things and defects, but when you take a bite, everything makes total sense."

Here are Uditi's top six pizzas in Naples.

High up in Naples's leafy, green Capodimonte quarter, Pizzeria La Notizia 53, helmed by chef Enzo Coccia, is a magnet for visitors from every walk of life, says Uditi. "You can find a university professor, a lawyer, or you can find a student, you can find a couple they just want to enjoy themselves."

Insider tip:

"Go to places where the menu doesn't look familiar to you. Even if it's difficult, try to speak with Neapolitan people 'cause we will do everything [we can to make sure you] understand."

Despite Coccia's reputation for inventive pizzas like one of his recent springtime offerings, topped with courgette, tomatoes and thyme, Uditi says the humble pizzeria's biggest draw is undoubtedly their classic Margherita. "You go there for the Margherita," he says. "The Margherita is special, because he has the perfect balance between the three ingredients… Everything comes together, nothing overpowering."

Website: http://www.enzococcia.com/

Address: Via Michelangelo da Caravaggio, 53, 80126 Naples NA

Phone:........

© BBC