Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria: A Disney World Dining Review

Think you know pizza? Think again. Find out why Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria is NOT just a regular “pizza joint”. Check out Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria: A Disney World Dining Review and see if you KNOW pizza!

Picture it…

Southern Italy, 1940, no, this is not an introduction from an episode of the “Golden Girls”. This is an intro for one of the most fabulous and authentic dining experiences you will ever encounter at Walt Disney World. Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria is the place you want to be for Southern Italian food and charm.

We KNOW pizza!

My family KNOWS pizza. Let me rephrase this. My family thought we knew pizza and Italian dishes. Little did I know, my palate would forever be changed after dining at this authentic pizzeria. This little Italian piece of Heaven is tucked away deep in Southern Italy. Well, deep inside the Italy Pavilion in Epcot. Right as you walk in the door, you are greeted by nothing but Italian charm! You are also greeted by the strong and sensational aroma of Italian sauces, breads and more being made fresh right there! Even the water used to make your perfect pizzas comes from a spring similar to Italy’s Campania region.

Italian Ambiance

As you are seated, you will notice bright and beautiful scenery, such as colorful hand painted floor tiles and murals, lots of Southern Italian artwork and of course the huge wood-fired pizza ovens just waiting to cook your pies right to perfection! These three ovens are actually named after active Italian volcanoes, Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius and Stromboli. Italy is BIG on la famiglia (family), hence the large communal tables. Don’t worry, just request something a little more private if you would like to dine without the extra guests! Who knows though, you might just meet your next best Disney friends!

Now, let’s get straight to the menu…of course, there are lots of great choices here, but my children LOVE pizza, so we couldn’t wait to see what the fuss was all about. Remember, we KNOW pizza!

Dinner at Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria

Picture it again, two adults, three always hungry teenagers and one 5 year old. Now comes the fun part! Actually ordering this beast of a pizza! Yes, I say “beast” because you can actually order a whole entire pizza for yourself. So, NO…you DO NOT have to share! But, if you do share a pizza with your group, it will still be 1 table service on the Disney Dining Plan deducted per person (your drinks and dessert will still come with it.). The kids all decided to customize their pies and my dad decided on the Spaghetti e Polpettine (hand-made veal meatballs and tomato sauce.)  I, on the other hand, decided to try something different. We will get back to that hilarious outcome shortly. As you are waiting on your authentic  dinner to arrive, you are brought out a delectable bread tray. You get to sample those freshly made breads as you wait on dinner.  

Imagine being quite surprised when four “personal size” pizzas came to our table. Now, this is not your regular personal size. I am convinced that “personal size” in Italian means to feed at least 14 people. Ok, maybe not 14, but close! Those 3 teenagers and even the 5 year old had no problems finishing their pies, though. The crust was light and airy and the sauce…the sauce was packed full of flavors that I am sure I have never experienced. Of course, being the good mother I am, felt the need to sample everyone’s-just to make sure it was safe for them to eat! Never have I tasted such flavor!

Back to my hilarious choice in dinner selections. I chose the lasagna verde. OK, I KNEW better than to order without asking questions. Totally my fault, that I received “veggie lasagna” packed with greens and white sauce instead of the meaty,  flowing tomato-y sauce lasagna that I expected. I just couldn’t eat it. Our waiter was most sympathetic and worried that it was not up to par when he noticed I did not eat. I kindly explained to him that it was completely my fault and I was not going to say anything because the food was absolutely AMAZING! But as most of you may know, you CAN NOT, let me repeat that, CAN NOT argue with an Italian man. I honestly believe it’s the accent that gets me every time. I asked him not to worry about it, our dinner was perfect! Five minutes later the manager of the restaurant comes to our table concerned because I did not finish my lasagna verde. I explained to him that it was my fault, I should have asked questions. We laughed and teased for a bit and I thought all was well until I received our bill. They had taken my meal off completely and credit my dining plan back my dining credit. I almost cried.

Birthday Surprise

A little magical uccello (bird) told the waiter we were celebrating my son’s 15th birthday, so towards the end of dinner, right before desserts were brought out, several waiter’s came to our table with a little birthday prize, singing “Happy Birthday” in Italian!! It was a birthday surprise he will never forget!

Best for last…DESSERTS!

As always, I saved the best for last. Oh, you didn’t think it could get any better? Oh My! Not only do Italians know pizza and drinks, they KNOW desserts! Having six people in our party, we got to see quite a few of those mouth watering desserts. I chose the Coppa Brutti Ma Buoni-translated into “Ugly, But Good”! An Amarena cherry and vanilla gelato sundae. The name does not do it justice. It is actually a very beautiful and delicate looking dessert.  Almost too delicate to eat…yes, I did say ALMOST! Also added to our table was the Zeppole de Caterina (Ricotta cheese fritters with fresh whipped cream and chocolate sauce) and their famous Tiramisu (mascarpone cream, espresso coffee, lady fingers and of course, chocolate).

Now that we have tasted authentic Italian cuisine, I feel the need to book a trip to Southern Italy. Nah, I will just go visit the best little Italian Ristorante (restaurant) in the “World” and never have to leave the United States!

Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria: A Disney World Dining Review

Thank you for checking out Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria: A Disney World Dining Review! Let us know what you think about this fabulous little Italian eatery!

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photo credit: The Italian Pavillion at Epcot via photopin (license)

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