Wildwood favorite Napolinos has spent the past decade carving out its own identity after parting ways with the Chefs of Napoli group. Host Tony Pesci reimagined the restaurant with his welcoming spirit and vision, and though his passing left a deep void, the community continues to embrace the place he helped shape.

The milestone also comes with new leadership and a refreshed look, setting the stage for the restaurant’s next chapter. The philosophy remains simple: keep the favorites that locals love while listening to regulars and adding new dishes by request.

General Manager Madison Raber, recently promoted to her role, says she is eager for high season and the return of snowbirds.

“We’re testing out dishes for our daily specials now so they’ll be ready for season,” she explains. “Of course, we’ll still have all the classics like grouper Francese, veal Marsala and spaghetti Bolognese.”

Scratch-made dishes remain the restaurant’s calling card. The calamari are butchered fresh then dredged and fried to order. The creamy garlic dressing and herb dipping oil are made in-house daily and the bread is baked fresh every morning, courtesy of pizza maker “Papi,” who has been with Napolinos since day one. Papi’s pies are legendary and are ordered weeks before the Super Bowl every year.

Specialty pizzas include the Meatzza, veggie, crudaiola and house. The legendary garlic knots are some of the best in the area because they are knotted by hand, then baked and smothered in fresh minced garlic.

For those craving something comforting, the popular pasta fagioli is served daily. Chef Nina is known for her famous handmade soups and rotates daily recipes like lentil, Italian wedding, minestrone or sausage potato leek.

From the bar, guests can sip premium spirits, housemade sangria and enjoy a curated yet approachable wine list that pairs easily with both pizza and pasta. Specialty cocktails include Italian margaritas, chilled limoncello or tiramisu martini. Napolinos is one of the rare places in the area to pour Peroni on draft while you order delicious takeout. Bottles of wine are half off on Wednesdays.

They also have great desserts which include lemon blueberry cake, cannoli and the bomba, ice cream covered in a hard chocolate shell. A kid’s menu is also available.

Napolinos versatility has helped cement its place in the community. Large parties, catering orders and takeout through DoorDash are always welcome. The restaurant also proudly extends a military discount to show appreciation for those who serve.

As Napolinos looks ahead to the next decade, the entire staff is focused on honoring tradition while continuing to refresh the menu, the atmosphere and the guest experience. Ten years in, the Wildwood favorite is embracing change while holding onto the recipes and hospitality that made it a local mainstay.

Check it out!
9811 US Hwy. 301, Wildwood
352.399.6825
napolinos.com