Restaurant Spotlight: Spacca Napoli, Wood-Fired Neapolitan Pizza in Ravenswood
An artistic illustration of the wood-fire craft; not a photograph of Spacca Napoli.
DRAFT, for Sal’s approval
Illustration, not a photograph.
Some meals are about more than what’s on the plate. They give you a reason to slow down, gather around the table, and enjoy the company as much as the food. For this Restaurant Spotlight, we’re heading to Ravenswood to celebrate Spacca Napoli Pizzeria, a Chicago destination known for wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza.
Whether you’re already a fan or have been meaning to stop in, Spacca Napoli is a wonderful reminder of how a classic Italian tradition can find a welcoming home in a Chicago neighborhood.
A Ravenswood destination
Spacca Napoli Pizzeria is at 1769 W. Sunnyside Avenue in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood. Its location makes it a fitting stop for a neighborhood outing, a dinner with friends, or a chance to introduce someone to Neapolitan pizza for the first time.
The restaurant’s official website describes its approach as faithful to Neapolitan style: dough is tended daily, ingredients are carefully sourced, and the pizza is baked in a wood-fired oven built by artisans from Naples. That focus on craft is part of what makes the experience distinctive. The details are simple to explain, but they take care and consistency to bring together.
Illustration, not a photograph.
A little about the Neapolitan tradition
Neapolitan pizza has a character all its own. Rather than aiming for a crisp, firm base throughout, this style is known for a thin, tender center and a soft, raised edge. A very hot oven cooks the pie quickly, helping create those signature browned and blistered spots on the crust.
The toppings tend to be simple, too. A traditional Margherita brings together tomato, cheese, and basil, with each ingredient contributing to a balanced whole. There’s nowhere for a good crust or carefully chosen ingredients to hide, and that’s part of the pleasure. The best bites let the texture, warmth, and flavors speak for themselves.
It’s a style made for sharing, though “just one more slice” can be a persuasive argument for keeping the pie close. At Spacca Napoli, the wood-fired oven is central to the experience, bringing the defining Neapolitan touch to the table here in Chicago.
The featured pie: Margherita DOP
The pie highlighted in this Restaurant Spotlight is the Margherita DOP. A Margherita is a natural place to begin if you want to appreciate Neapolitan pizza in its classic form: a straightforward combination of familiar flavors, with the dough and oven doing as much of the talking as the toppings.
“DOP” refers to Denominazione di Origine Protetta, or Protected Designation of Origin, a designation used for products whose origins and production standards are protected. Because menus and ingredient details can change, we recommend checking Spacca Napoli’s current menu before you visit. For this feature, the Margherita DOP is the featured pie; the restaurant’s official website is the best place to confirm what is currently available.
Illustration, not a photograph; this is an artistic depiction, not a photo of Spacca Napoli’s specific pie.
Recognition on the local and global stage
Spacca Napoli’s reputation has reached well beyond Ravenswood. In 2023, the international guide 50 Top Pizza ranked the pizzeria No. 93 on its list of the 100 best pizzerias in the world. NBC Chicago’s coverage noted that Spacca Napoli was the only Midwest pizzeria on that year’s global list.
Then, in 2025, Spacca Napoli took home the Best Pizza honor at the Jean Banchet Awards. Eater Chicago’s report on the awards identified it as the winner of the awards’ first Best Pizza category, decided by audience votes. It’s an outstanding recognition for a Chicago pizzeria and another reason local diners have put Spacca Napoli on their list.
Awards offer a helpful introduction, but the best way to understand a neighborhood restaurant is still to experience it for yourself: step inside, enjoy the meal, and see what brings people back.
Planning a visit
Before heading out, visit Spacca Napoli’s official website for the latest menu, hours, and practical details. You can also check the restaurant’s reservation page. Restaurant information can change, so it’s always a good idea to confirm directly, especially if you’re planning around a particular menu item or gathering.
The address is 1769 W. Sunnyside Avenue, Chicago, IL. Check the restaurant’s website for current details before making the trip.
Illustration, not a photograph.
A taste of community
At CIAP, we love sharing places that bring people together around food, heritage, and conversation. Spacca Napoli is a fitting spotlight for readers who appreciate Italian traditions and the independent neighborhood businesses that help make Chicago special. It’s a lovely choice for a relaxed meal with friends, family, colleagues, or someone who is discovering Neapolitan pizza for the first time.
If you're exploring Italian American traditions in Chicago or looking for a club where professional connection and cultural community go hand in hand, CIAP welcomes Italian-American professionals, entrepreneurs, organizations, and businesses across Chicagoland. You can browse our Business Directory to discover member businesses and learn about membership.
Our monthly breakfast meetings resume in January 2027, and our weekly Italian wine features continue. We’re always happy to hear about local restaurants and community businesses you think deserve a spotlight. Send your suggestions to Salvatore at salvatore@chicagolanditalians.com, and if Spacca Napoli is already one of your favorites, tell us what you’d recommend to a first-time visitor.