A CITY in Europe has been named the best food city in the world – and flights there are cheap.

Beating destinations like Thailand’s Bangkok and Mumbai in India, Naples was named the top spot for food-lovers.

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The study, conducted by Time Out, analysed a number of criteria such as the must-visit restaurants and affordable eats, as well as recommendations from locals.

Combining both quality and affordability, they said: “What makes a great food city? It isn’t its number of plaudits and Michelin stars, but something a bit more simple: options. Good quality meals at reasonable prices. 

“So we asked thousands of city-dwellers to tell us exactly how good – and how affordable – it is to eat out in their hometown right now.”

Taking the top spot was the Italian city of Naples, the birthplace of pizza.

The city was praised for its “old school pizzerias” where slices can be found for as little as €1.

Local Gabriela Proietti told Time Out: “‘This rich food culture can be found everywhere in the city.

“It’s in the piping hot plates of pasta alla genovese and Neapolitan ragù, the morning sugar rush from ricotta-filled sfogliatella or rum-soaked babà.”

One of the highest rated restaurants in Naples is Pizzeria Starita a Materdei, with more than 6,000 five-star reviews.

Previous guests have said it was the “best pizza they have ever eaten” on Tripadvisor.

Other food highlights include Mennella II Gelato for the city’s ice cream, as well as Gran Caffe Gambrinus for a fancy coffee.

With Naples taking the top spot in the Time Out study, it was the only European entry in the top 10.

It was was followed by Johannesburg (2), Lima (3) and Ho Chi Minh City (4).

The top 20 includes Liverpool (11), as well as other European spots such as Seville (13), Porto (14) and Lyon (16).

Not only is Naples just two hours from the UK, but flights start from £12.99 each way with Ryanair.

And you can fly there from a number of UK airports, including London Luton, London Stansted, London Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol and Edinburgh.

What it is like to visit Naples

The Sun’s Travel Reporter Ryan Gray recently visited Naples – here’s what he thought.

“Diego Vitagliano’s ­pizzeria has been named the best in the world by online network 50 Top Pizza, ‘the first guide of the best pizzerias in the world’.

“It would have been rude not to see what he had to offer, and took just five minutes to polish off a classic margherita.

“But it wasn’t my favourite pizza in Naples – that was found at the magnificent Pizza 3.0, where people queue around the block for a taste.

“I stood in line for 40 minutes, and it was more than worth it.”

“The quality of competition is so high it’s hard to find a bad slice anywhere.

“I was shown around some lesser-known spots by food tour guide Stefano, with highlights being cuopo — a paper cone filled with fried salty goods, including aubergines, pizza dough and deep-fried balls of pasta called frittatini.”

But even pizza fans will be impressed by the food – with experts explaining why food tastes better on holiday.

Professor Spence, leading gastrophysicist from the University of Oxford, said: “The reason is that when we are on holiday, we are likely to be relaxed and in a better mood, and food simply tastes better when we are in a better mood.”

“Research shows that being close to and viewing the blues of water has a beneficial effect on our social, cognitive, and emotional well-being.”

And Naples isn’t the only city claiming to have some of the best food in Europe.

Swizterland’s Lugano has the “best choices” according to local guide Patricia Carminati.

She said the city has the the best of the north with Swiss chocolate and Alpine strudel as well as the best of the south with Italian cheese and pasta.

The Sun’s Carina Murphy recently visited – here’s her verdict.

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