Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria – 1510 Avenue of the Stars, Orlando, FL 32830

Buongiorno! Today we’re wandering our way through Epcot’s World Showcase and into Disney’s version of the Piazza San Marco. Who else wants to climb this impressive replica of St. Mark’s Campanile?

Throughout Epcot’s Italy Pavilion you will find architecture reminiscent of some of Italy’s most famous cities such as Venice and Florence to name a few.  Although there are two dining options in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion, the anchor and pièce de résistance of Epcot’s Italy Pavilion is it’s authentically charming Italian table service, and our winner for (Walt Disney) World’s Best Pizza, Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria.

Mangia! This is not your average theme park restaurant.  Sit back, and let your server guide you on a culinary voyage (table-side) through Disney’s take on Southern Italian cuisine, and one of Walt Disney World’s Moust-Eats.  Inside these doors you will find all the hustle and bustle of a traditional Italian restaurant in a casual dinner setting where good times are had all around.

Travel Note: Via Napoli does participate in both the Annual Passholder & Tables in Wonderland discount program.

Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria serves both lunch and dinner daily.  Tables are available in the restaurants airy and oversize main dining room just off the open kitchen. The walls are lined with colorful murals of popular Italian destinations, and this location is the perfect spot for great meals with friends and family.  When traveling with our large group, we always make it a point to share a meal and good times at Via Napoli.  Their large and open main dining room offers a number of oversize tables which is the perfect solution to dining at Walt Disney World with a large number of people.

We love to grab a table near the restaurant’s open kitchen where we can oversee the prep work that goes into all of Via Napoli’s amazing creations. Alternatively, diners may prefer the seclusion (and more quiet of the two) of the enclosed patio which offers views of the Piazza perfect for Disney people-watching. For those who remember L’ Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante (“Alfredo’s”), the restaurant that preceded Via Napoli, you will remember this patio area was previously used for the restaurant’s al fresco dining but it has since been covered.

Via Napoli’s menu includes Neapolitan pastas and pizza pies fired in one of the restaurant’s three massive wood-fired stone ovens appropriately named after Italian Volcanos, “Stromboli, Etna, and Vesuvio.”

Given the choice of appetizer or dessert, 9 times out of 10 we’ll choose appetizer! Since we love to sample a variety of things when trying a new restaurant, a few small bites (think Tapas-style) is our preferred method of dining.  For our first trip to Via Napoli, we decided to dive into a few appetizers.

Travel Note: Via Napoli does participate in the Disney Dining Plan at one table-service credit per person.

On our very first visit to Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria, our server suggested we try the Calamari Fritti. The fresh calamari rings (which are thinly breaded in a crispy corn-crust) are obviously the star of this appetizer, but we could dip just about anything in their rich & spicy signature sauce.  Obviously, our server’s recommendation was right on, and this appetizer was the perfect introduction to the cuisine of Via Napoli.

Have you tried the Arancini? These ‘little oranges’ made popular in bars throughout Sicily are actually DEEP FRIED rice balls filled with fresh mozzarella cheese & a delicious meat ragu.  Yes, they are as delicious as they sound/look! This appetizer is truly TDF, and it is perhaps one of our favorite small bites in all of Walt Disney World! Our mouths are watering just uploading pictures of this fantastic appetizer. Maybe you aren’t feeling adventurous during your meal at Via Napoli, but for the love of food please do yourself a favor and try these fried balls of deliciousness.  In our opinion, the Arancini appetizer is the perfect addition to any meal at Via Napoli.

When it comes to pizza pies, we know our stuff and Via Napoli certainly has a PIZZA our heart!  Via Napoli’s most popular menu item, and our absolute favorite, would have to be one of their wood-fired pizza pies.  Choose between one of the restaurant’s specialty pies (we love the Quattro Formaggi, the Margherita, & the Prosciutto e Melone Pizza), a traditional Neapolitan pizza pie, or create your own.  Sizes range from personal/individual to large and extra large, a.k.a. “Mezzo Metro”.

These pies really are a PIZZA work, and we make it a point to try a different combination on each of our visits.  For us, Via Napoli easily has the best pizza in the (Disney) world! We’ve heard rumors from the staff at Via Napoli that the secret is in the restaurant’s water.

Via Napoli’s Family-Style House Salad is served exclusively with any pizza order.  The salad includes a bottomless serving of lettuce, diced tomatoes, roasted red peppers, marinated mushrooms, olives, and pepperoncini peppers dressed in a red wine vinaigrette.  It is a light and refreshing addition, and we often order this when sharing a pizza pie.

Travel Note: Try the Sangria!

Finally, relax with a refreshing glass of house-made Sangria made from traditional Italian wine & fresh fruit.  Both red and white varieties are available to guests 21 and over by the glass ($9.00 USD) or pitcher ($25.00 USD).  If sangria isn’t your thing, try a wine flight or one of the restaurant’s imported Italian beers!

Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria participates in the Walt Disney World’s Advanced Dining Reservation program, and we highly recommend you take advantage of this program during your booking window. This highly sought after restaurant can be difficult to procure a reservation at times, and there’s nothing worse than planning to dine somewhere only to be turned away.

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With so many food options at The Walt Disney World Resort, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you.  Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria truly is a PIZZA heaven and our winner for (Walt Disney) World’s Best Pizza.  It has easily become one of our favorite World Showcase dining locations, and hands-down our favorite spot to grab lunch on our afternoons in Epcot (and a “Moust Eat” on each of our trips).  The next time you find yourself in World Showcase, we hope you’ll consider Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria!

Have you had the chance to dine at or are you planning an upcoming trip to Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria in Epcot’s World Showcase? If so, we’d love to hear your thoughts!