It's generally said that while Rome is the heart of Italy, Naples is the soul. For most people that's true for one distinct reason: it's the birthplace of pizza, arguably the world's most iconic and best loved comfort food.

The first Italian pizza restaurant, Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba, began baking pizzas in 1738 as the dish grew in popularity, especially with tourists visiting Naples. Then, in 1889, modern pizza was born when pizzamaker Raffaele Esposito created the “Pizza Margherita” for the Queen consort of Italy, Margherita of Savoy.

An often recounted story holds that on June 11, 1889, to honour the queen consort of Italy, Margherita of Savoy, the Neapolitan pizza maker Raffaele Esposito created the "Pizza Margherita", a pizza garnished with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, to represent the national colours of Italy as on the Flag of Italy.

The origins of pizza, as we know it today, can be traced back to 17^th century Naples, and it was brought to America by Italian immigrants in the late 19^th century. From New York to Chicago to California, Americans consume more than three billion pizzas a year.