Emily Eats Everywhere

If you’re in Naples, Italy—run, don’t walk to La Locanda Gesù Vecchio.

📌 TL;DR

⭐ This hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Naples has incredible pasta. 

🍝 What to order: Rigatoni al Ragù con Ricotta

⚠️ This restaurant is closed on Mondays.

The rigatoni al ragu pasta from La Locanda Gesù Vecchio was THE BEST pasta I had in Naples. Full stop. This place is a must try. 

The first day we arrived in Naples—after walking through the crowded San Gregorio Armeno street, looking at the adorable Christmas accessories, and visiting the San Giorgio Maggiore church—we arrived at this tiny, hole-in-the-wall restaurant. 

We both got the rigatoni al ragu con ricotta and it was THE first bite of Italy. The most shockingly delicious bite of perfection and culinary glory. Yes, this is the Italian pasta dreams are made of. 

The Vibes: 10/10 Hidden Hole in the Wall

La Locanda Gesù Vecchio is a tiny restaurant with an enormous wine selection that decorates the walls of the small but tidy space. If there was ever a restaurant that deserved the title “hole in the wall,” it’s this one. 

This restaurant is hidden on a narrow street in the heart of Naples. It’s a unique spot because it actually has two different locations—on the same street. The first location we walked to was full, so we walked just 2 minutes to the other, smaller location, and fortunately were able to get a table without a reservation. 

What to know: It’s Worth the Wait

We didn’t have a reservation, but were able to get a table soon after it opened at around 12:30 on a Wednesday. However, I recommend you get a reservation. 

If not, you’ll probably have to wait 30 minutes to an hour for a table. There are only about ten tables in the entire restaurant, and they fill up fast. (But, just so you know, it’s well worth the wait.)

What we ordered: Rigatoni al Ragu con Ricotta

Rigatoni al Ragù con Ricotta: 10/10 

This pasta dish has a divine meat sauce with both beef and pork (I got a huge chunk of the most tender, flavorful pork right on top of the pasta and everything combined delightfully). It also has an absolutely dreamy combination of ricotta cheese, onion, basil, grana padano parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Pasta al dente of course. 

Ricotta cheese is a staple ingredient of Neapolitan cuisine, and boy does it add a perfectly creamy touch to this pasta dish (and to the absolutely incredible pastry, sfogliatelle). 

They also bring you warm, freshly made bread that’s just delightful. Drizzle some olive oil on top and enjoy the soft, delightful taste of Italy. 

Final price tag: 33.50 euros 

The pasta dishes here are all between 10-18 euros, and the seconds are between 8-23 euros. (We found the restaurants in Italy to be very affordable throughout our trip.)

With the mandatory coperto, our lunch came out to a grand total of 33.50. And worth every single cent. 

The Best Pasta I’ve Ever Eaten (So Far)  

This was the best pasta—and possibly the best dish—I ate during our entire trip to Italy. I still dream about those absolutely perfect bites of rigatoni with ricotta cheese and that spectacular meat sauce. 

And yes, when I go back to Naples, La Locanda Gesù Vecchio will be my first stop. 

La Locanda Gesù Vecchio Information

Address: Via Santa Lucia, 78, 80132 Napoli NA, Italy 

Website: https://www.lalocandagesuvecchionapoli.it/ 

Menu: https://www.lalocandagesuvecchionapoli.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nuovo-menu-piatti.pdf 

Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 12pm – 3:30pm, 7pm – 11pm (Closed Mondays)

Average Cost Per Person: € 20 – 30