Essencia Restaurant

There are many great restaurants in Napoli, but no one creates the play of flavors and textures the way Essencia does. The nuanced, beautifully plated dishes that Dario sends forth from the kitchen are expertly served and described by Natalia and Marzia, two of the warmest, most accomplished hostesses I have ever known. I first visited Essencia before quarantena...but now that it is open again, I will go back many times for the fantastic cuisine and remarkable wines, but also for the staff, whom I love, love, love. Ragazzi, grazie di esistere, e ce verimm!

Food was some of the best we’ve eaten in Italy, if not ever! Super friendly staff, clean and modern restaurant and bar, great prices and a decent location off of the main busy roads of Naples. Our only regret was not visiting this place sooner! Photos show starter of Beef Tartar, main of Duck Ravioli, dessert of Torrija (which was amazing!)

We are left with conflicted feelings after our visit to Essincia a couple of weeks ago. On the one hand the food is phenomenal. The creative, playful, precise and delicious dishes that are composed in this kitchen can easily nominate this place for a Michelin star. On other hand, falsely inflated bill, the lack of a vegetarian tasting manu, the noticable lack of a sommelier and an over crowded dinning hall leaves us wondering how did it ever got a mention on that guide to begin with. We arrived at Essencia and were seated in the upstairs dinning hall that even though wasn't full still felt over crowded and so we had to whisper in order to retain some privacy in our conversation. After explained to us, by our wonderful waitress, that there is no vegetarian tasting manu option, we proceeded to order some dishes and a bottle of wine from a cumbersome online manu. The food, as written above was phenomenal. One dish in particular blew our minds. It is a roasted veggies with fruit, seaweed and cauliflower cream dish that is not in the manu and is nothing less than perfect. However to our great surprise, upon receiving the bill we noticed that the prices of some dishes are not consisted with their prices at the manu and are raised up. I don't know if this is the restaurant attempt to compromise for the 20% discount they offer us when we made our reservation but it is extremely disrespectful approach toward the customers. We can only hope that the staff and owners of this place will adopt something from this type of reviews so in our next visit the only thing we will write about will be the extraordinary food.

We had an opportunity once again to get service from the partner of the chef. On this evening, it was the chef's lovely girlfriend. Of course very friendly and very attentive. We both ordered the 7-course chef's special: one meat version and the other just the original. Food and wine-pairing are really good. My favourite was the ceviche and the ribs. The rissotto was also nice, but it was a bit too heavy (and salty) as a course. I liked the cured salmon. Nothing to fault on the desserts. Overall, we liked it! ?

Excellent food and super friendly, casual service. Try the Big Bang and La Matta wines! Would love to come back, thank you so much for a wonderful Christmas dinner.

Elegant restaurant in the center of Napoli. The service was very careful and elegant. The menu is small, but with good options. We got their home made bread and grissini, very tasty, lots of delicious bread. The scampi, 2 pieces grilled with some salad and sauce were just ok, too soft. The Guinea fowl ravioli with sauce were delicious. The pigeon was also finely done, good with miniature vegetables, the popcorn interesting for texture, not great for my taste. Drinks very good. Prices on the higher side a bit, especially for the appetizers, with portions medium sized at best - goes for the gourmet experience. Nice music and atmosphere. Still water on tap cooled and served at 3 euros per 750 ml is like a coperto in the end.

I would agree with the previous review: for us this was the best dining experience in a week of eating our way around Naples. We came across Essencia on the Michelin website - it did not disappoint. Stylish and nicely lit interior, charming service and delicious, beautiful and imaginative food. Even as a vegetarian, I ate well!

THE best dining experience in Naples! Owned and run by a young couple (chef and Front of House) every mouthful was a delight. Great attention to detail from tableware to cutlery to art and especially the food! Starting with "breakfast" of mushroom broth with tiny spiced tart and a mini croissant, to risotto with chocolate and nuts, and puddings to die for! Go!