In the Vomero district of Naples, Archivio Storico is a cocktail bar and restaurant where the House of Bourbon history and the glories of the Grand Tour meet creative Neapolitan cuisine and flair.

Crossing the threshold of Archivio Storico, past the gigantic painting “Triumph of Don Charles of Bourbon in the Battle of Gaeta against the Austrians” is like immersing yourself in a suspended atmosphere, where every detail tells a story: that of the Bourbon kingdom, the splendor of Naples in the past, the refined cafés that played a key role in the Grand Tour, combined with touches of contemporary design and an international mixology and cuisine program.

An eclectic mix that reflects the passions of its founder, Luca Iannuzzi, who opened Archivio Storico in 2013, a profound connoisseur of Bourbon culture and a visionary entrepreneur who has revolutionized the Neapolitan social and gastronomic scene with several successful venues, such as ScottoJonno.

This project is another dream come true: to revive not only the flavors, but also the spirit of discovery and wonder that animated the travelers of the Grand Tour in Naples.

(Luca Iannuzzi)

The “sliding door” painting at the entrance leads to five rooms dedicated to the kings and queens of the Two Sicilies. Decorated with soft lighting, furnishings reminiscent of the imperial style, and reproductions of the most famous works of the Bourbon era, they create a salon where art, culture, and good taste meet.

The scenic touches, such as the ceiling covered with paintings hanging near the bar, primarily hark back to the 18th century, when Naples experienced a culturally vibrant period and saw the birth of such masterpieces as the Teatro San Carlo, the first opera house tout court, and the Royal Palace of Caserta, the largest royal residence in the world by volume. And just reading the artwork hanging in the room, listing all the records of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, is enough to be fascinated and perhaps even “rethink” the official history of southern Italy as it has been passed on to us.

Chef Emanuele Esposito takes charge of the cuisine, celebrating Campania and Italian traditions, elevated to a new level. Each dish is a stop on an imaginary culinary Grand Tour, where ancient flavors embrace new nuances and local ingredients meet innovative techniques.

As in the “Mare a Corte” dish, a bruschetta bread that is an ode to the Mediterranean, with anchovies, tomatoes, capers, and the unexpected sweetness of sultanas; or the “Mescafrancesca pasta with squid, potatoes, and Caiazzane black olives,” or the “Grand Tour potato,” baked under ash and accompanied by a velvety chickpea hummus and chimichurri sauce.

At the Archivio Storico bar, the bartenders Mirko Lamagna and Antonio La Pietra create cocktails that each tell a story, like “Brigante,” not just a drink, but a statement: a bold blend of gin, smoked mezcal, velvety olive oil, sweet raspberries, and deep cocoa.

The venue organizes numerous events, such as the “Archivio Storico: Food and Wine Chronicles of the Grand Tour” project, a series of meetings that immerses participants in Bourbon culture and the culinary excellence of Naples, including a tasting of Falanghina wines from the Campi Flegrei.

Open in the evenings from 7 pm, Archivio Storico is one of the places richest in meaning and “flavor” in Naples.

The Secret

During the era of the Grand Tour, Naples and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies were essential stops for European aristocrats, fascinated by the artistic wealth, ancient history and natural beauty, such as Vesuvius, the Phlegraean Fields and the Amalfi Coast, narrated by writers such as Goethe and Byron who immortalised these experiences in their works.

Useful Info

Archivio Storico
Via Alessandro Scarlatti 30
80129 Napoli
Tel. +39 081 18482048

Starters: from 12 euro
First courses: from 14 euro
Secondi courses: from 24 euro
Cocktails: from 15 euro