Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria is a table service restaurant serving a variety of Italian dishes though primarily pizza in Epcot‘s Italy pavilion. With the recent openings of multiple new Italian restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort, we think Via Napoli still holds up. That being said, Via Napoli isn’t necessarily our favorite restaurant in World Showcase, but it is our go-to place to bring the whole family, or make a reservation when we’re dining with a group with varied or picky tastes.
Theme
Located right in the back of the pavilion, Via Napoli’s decor is classic Italian, with wood-burning pizza ovens personifying Italy’s volcanoes, Etna, Vesuvio, and Stromboli. The restaurant is very open with only a couple of separate alcoves and rooms, and this layout combined with Italian food typically being a popular option for families with kids can make it on the louder side. For a quieter meal in the Italy pavilion, look to the wine bar at Tutto Gusto next door,or ask the host if a table is available outside. Pizza is the star of the menu here, but before we get to what we’ve ordered, let’s check out the rest of the menu…
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Starters
Warm bread with oil and seasonings kick off all meals at Via Napoli–the bread here is addicting and easy to fill up on! Starting with Antipasti, there is plenty of variety on the menu and something to please every taste. The arancini at Via Napoli is some of the best I’ve had, and I would happily recommend any of the fried calamari or stuffed artichoke dishes as well (though if you like tentacles note that the calamari here is rings only). On the lighter side for a starter, the balsamic dressings on the salads is delicious and the mozzarella caprese is always fresh and makes a wonderful pre-cursor to the main course.
Pizzas
For entrees, a selection of pasta and meat dishes are available, and while I’ve tried a couple of them and they would make a quality dinner, the pizza is really where the hype is deserved for Via Napoli. These pies are made with the freshest ingredients and cooked to perfection in the wood-burning ovens. If you’re having lunch or dinner with a couple of other people, splitting some small pizzas is the best way to sample more of the specialty toppings.
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Via Napoli’s pepperoni pizza is always a crowd pleaser with my family and friends! The pepperoni adds just enough kick to the pizza and it crisps up perfectly in the restaurant’s ovens.
My personal favorite pizza at Via Napoli is the Carciofi, a white pizza topped with artichoke, fontina, mozzarella, truffle oil. If you love truffles and artichokes, this is the pizza for you!
Of course, you always have the option to order a pizza a la carte and just add whatever toppings you like as well. Creating your own pizza is a smart option for picky eaters or if you’re not sure about some of the topping combinations (for instance they have one pizza with melon and prosciutto which is certainly an acquired taste). You can also add a family style salad for $7 per person to go with the pizzas.
Drinks & Dessert
Via Napoli has an extensive drink menu that includes a variety of signature cocktails, Italian beer flights, and sangria. For cocktails, the Limoncello Mule and the Sicilian Sunset are the best choices in my opinion, but be warned–they are both STRONG. They’re also delicious and refreshing, but perhaps not the best option if you’ve already been drinking around the world. (The Limoncello Mule is a mix of Grey Goose l’orange vodka, limoncello, peach purée, orange juice, pineapple juice, and ginger beer, and the Sicilian Sunset is made with vodka, orangecello, and pineapple juice over shaved ice.
For something equally as delicious but less boozy, go with the Via Napoli Sangria (in white or red, but I prefer red!). I LOVE sangria, and Via Napoli does it right. It’s $13/glass or $39 for a pitcher, and with a pitcher pouring about 5 glasses, that tends to be the better deal.
Unfortunately I almost never have room for dessert at Via Napoli, but a looonngggg time ago I had a couple of bites of tiramisu and Zeppole di Caterina (ricotta cheese fritters served with whipped cream and chocolate sauce). I’ve since been tempted to order both of these desserts again, but I know it’s never worth it because I’m always too full. If you do happen to have room for dessert, I’m sure anything here is delicious so I’d definitely give the menu a look!
Value
The only real ‘downside’ I see to dining at Via Napoli is the price, though in terms of theme park dining it’s not really unexpected. You could certainly find similarly delicious thin crust pizza outside the theme parks for probably half the price, but at Via Napoli you’re really paying for the whole experience of dining in Epcot’s Italy pavilion while munching on high-quality pizza with fresh toppings. Because the price points are on the higher side (for pizza), it can be a decent value on the Dining Plan.
Have you tried Via Napoli? I really love the Carciofi pizza and could probably eat it every time I go to Walt Disney World if given the chance! Share your thoughts in the comments and let me know how Via Napoli compares for you to the other World Showcase restaurants.
