When you stroll down Crown Street in Surry Hills — one of Sydney’s most vibrant dining precincts — you’ll find restaurants serving every global cuisine imaginable. But for an authentic taste of Neapolitan pizza, Italian classics and wood-fired hospitality, locals and visitors alike keep returning to Via Napoli Pizzeria — the slice of Naples right here in Sydney.
At Via Napoli Surry Hills (628 Crown St), the focus has always been on tradition, authenticity and atmosphere, crafting pizza and Italian favourites the way they’ve been made in Naples for generations.
Bringing Naples to Crown Street
“At Via Napoli, our customers don’t just come for the fantastic food, they come for an experience,” says owner and head chef Luigi Esposito, born and raised in Naples.
Esposito brought his family’s wood-fired pizza craft to Sydney, importing ovens from Italy and using many Italian-sourced ingredients like flour, tomatoes, olive oil, prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella to make the pizzas true to their Neapolitan roots.
👉 Experience authentic Italian dining → Book a Table at Surry Hills
👉 Explore our traditional Italian menu → Via Napoli Menu – Dine-In
Authentic Wood-Fired Pizzas That Stand Out
One of the biggest draws to the Surry Hills pizzeria is the wood-fired oven — a technique championed by Esposito. As he explains, the high oven temperature and fast cooking time replicate the way pizzas are made in Naples, producing a crust that’s tender, lightly smoky and perfectly charred.
Highly recommended by Luigi himself:
- Margherita Pizza — classic San Marzano tomato, buffalo mozzarella and basil.
- Pizza Fritta — Neapolitan-style street food: deep-fried, folded and filled with mozzarella, ricotta and cacciatore for a delightful contrast of textures.
👉 Discover all pizza options → Pizza & Pizzeria Menu
More Than Pizza: Italian Plates for Every Occasion
While the wood-fired pizzas are the star attraction, the Surry Hills restaurant also offers other Italian classics that pair beautifully with wine, antipasti and good company:
- Zucchini Flowers Stuffed with Buffalo Ricotta — a favourite starter recommended by Luigi.
- Fresh pasta dishes and seasonal Italian favourites curated to reflect classic flavours with a modern Sydney twist.
👉 See antipasti and pasta highlights → Antipasti & Pasta Menu
These shared plates make Via Napoli a perfect choice for relaxed dinners with friends, date nights or special celebrations in the heart of Surry Hills.
A Space Full of Character & Hospitality
The Surry Hills location isn’t just about the food — it’s about atmosphere. Esposito designed the pizzeria to feel simple and rustic with a festive ambience, complete with hanging cured meats and a cheese counter, creating an experience that’s both lively and welcoming.
✔ Perfect for casual lunches or dinners
✔ Great for group meals and shared Italian banquets
✔ Authentic Italian hospitality at Crown Street
👉 Find out what’s on at Via Napoli → What’s On / Events
More Italian Flavours Around Crown Street
Via Napoli has become a local institution on Crown Street — a spot that reflects Sydney’s love of Italian food and convivial dining. Its success also inspired more Italian ventures from Luigi, including spin-offs like the deep-fried Pizza Fritta concept and Roman pizza projects nearby.
This cluster of Italian dining options helps make Surry Hills one of the best places in Sydney for pizza lovers and Italian cuisine fans.
👉 Explore all our Sydney locations → Our Locations
Why Surry Hills Diners Keep Coming Back
Whether you’re exploring the Crown Street restaurant scene or you already live nearby, Via Napoli Surry Hills stands out because it:
- Serves authentic Neapolitan pizza cooked in imported wood-fired ovens.
- Offers Italian classics that deliver genuine flavour and craftsmanship.
- Creates a lively, welcoming dining experience that’s perfect for sharing.
👉 Reserve your table tonight → Reservations – Surry Hills
Ready for Your Italian Night Out?
From first-timers to seasoned pizza lovers, Via Napoli’s Surry Hills location has something for everyone — from wood-fired signature pizzas to antipasti, pastas and excellent wine pairings. With a rich Italian heritage and a flagship presence on Crown Street, this is one Italian restaurant and pizzeria experience you won’t want to miss. 🍷🍕🇮🇹
Frequently Asked Questions
“Naples on Crown” reflects the idea of bringing the spirit, flavours and traditions of Naples to Crown Street in Surry Hills — from wood-fired pizza and Italian ingredients to the lively, social dining culture Naples is known for.
Crown Street in Surry Hills has long been one of Sydney’s most vibrant food precincts, known for independent restaurants, late-night dining and European food culture. Its atmosphere makes it a natural home for authentic Italian restaurants and pizzerias.
Via Napoli on Crown Street specialises in authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza, cooked at high temperatures in traditional ovens to produce a soft, blistered crust with simple, high-quality toppings.
Neapolitan pizza is defined by naturally fermented dough, minimal toppings, and extremely fast cooking in a wood-fired oven. The result is a lighter texture, delicate crust and balanced flavour that’s distinct from thicker or heavily topped styles.
Luigi Esposito is a Naples-born, third-generation pizzaiolo and the founder of Via Napoli. His background and training in Naples heavily influence the restaurant’s approach to pizza, ingredients and Italian hospitality.
No. While wood-fired pizza is central to the experience, Via Napoli Surry Hills also offers classic Italian antipasti, pasta dishes, salads and desserts, making it a complete Italian dining destination on Crown Street.
The experience is lively, social and relaxed, inspired by traditional Italian trattorias. Meals are designed for sharing, conversation and enjoying food together — much like dining in Naples.
Yes. Via Napoli Surry Hills is well suited to group dining and celebrations, with share-friendly menus, a vibrant atmosphere and Italian dishes designed for the table.
From imported wood-fired ovens to Italian ingredients and traditional recipes, Via Napoli focuses on authentic techniques and flavours that reflect everyday dining in Naples — not modernised or overly complicated versions.
Via Napoli Surry Hills is located at 628 Crown Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010, placing it in the heart of one of Sydney’s most popular Italian dining strips.