fbpx
Menu

Best Italian Food at Disney World

Credit: Disney

Ciao Bella! Today we are discussing the best Italian food at Disney World. And believe me, there is plenty to choose from. If you’re craving creamy gelato, decadent desserts, cheesy pizza, or indulgent pasta, you are in the right place. We’ve already explored the best Chinese food, Mexican food, and French food at Walt Disney World, so today let’s explore the incredible Italian cuisine you need to scope out on your next Walt Disney World vacation

Polpettine

Polpettine

Credit: Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante

Our first stop on this gastronomic adventure is going to be Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante at Disney Springs. Located in The Landing section of Disney Springs, this restaurant serves up incredible Italian food. Choosing which antipasti, second course, and dessert you want to enjoy at this restaurant is tough. By the way, we do recommend that you enjoy each course — it’s just that good. We are huge fans of Maria & Enzo’s Polpettine. This antipasti offering makes the perfect appetizer. Coming in at $16 this dish consists of braised meatballs with rich ricotta cheese and Parmesan cheese. As a cheese lover, I am in heaven noshing on this course.

maria and enzo's

Credit: D23

As far as main courses are concerned, you have delicious options like lasagna bolognese with beef veal and pork ragu available for $29. Or, enjoy the costume di manzo of braised beef short ribs served with creamy polenta fontina cheese and accompanied by roasted carrots and onions. This main course is $39. Of course, there are numerous entrée options at this restaurant, and you will want to browse. When it comes time for dessert, consider ordering gelato or enjoying a classic cannoli siciliano for $16.

Gelato

Vivoli-Storefront

Credit: Disney Dining

If you are looking to enjoy the most refreshing of Italian treats during an evening at Disney Springs, we recommend you visit is Vivoli il Gelato. This gelato shop is available from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day, making it an excellent stop for an afternoon break to help you beat the Florida heat or for a late-night sweet tooth indulgence. Located not far from Maria & Enzo’s restaurant at The Landing, this authentic gelato shop serves up artisanal flavors of this dessert. If gelato is too heavy for you, or you prefer a non-dairy treat, Vivoli il Gelato also serves up an array of sorbettos. In fact, for Guests 21+  the Froze flavor is an excellent choice. Other alcohol-flavored sorbettos are the Cabernet sorbetto and the Schofferhofer grapefruit sorbetto. Additionally, there are varying selections of sorbetto flavors like lime, mango, and pineapple, among other fruity flavors.

Gelato

Credit: Disney

If you are looking to indulge in gelato (which we highly recommend), you can choose from flavors like lemon bar, peanut butter, pistachio, cookies and cream, and raspberry cheesecake. The menu is updated regularly, so while your chosen flavor may be in flux, we assure you that alternate delicious flavors will be available at the shop. Gelato and sorbetto in a one scoop serving ring up at $7.50 each. If you’re looking to enjoy a larger portion, you can purchase a two-scoop cup for $8.75. We recommend you purchase your gelato or sorbetto in a cup because the heat melts these treats fast.

But, if you would prefer a waffle cone, they are available for purchase for an extra $1.50.

This shop also serves up traditional Italian desserts that you can enjoy. An ube tiramisu pop is a fun twist on a classic Italian dessert. The $7 dessert consists of an ube sweet cream with coconut and crushed graham crackers. A blueberry cannoli is another $7 dessert at this restaurant you should consider. This light pastry shell is filled with sweet cream avocado and fresh blueberries.

Vivoli-CannoliShake

Credit: Disney

If you are in the mood for a milkshake or a float, this is also a great spot. You can build your own milkshake for $10.50 and have your choice of traditional flavors for around $12 each. Don’t even get us started about the expanded cannoli bakery and cookie sandwiches menu. This shop is something you have to experience for yourself.

Roma Tomato Bruschetta

Trattoria-al-Forno-Sign

Credit: Disney Dining

One of the most underrated sections of Walt Disney World Resort in my opinion is Disney’s Boardwalk. Located near EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Boardwalk is an excellent place to spend an afternoon outside the Parks. From enjoying cocktails and eats to snapping photos, lounging in the sun or browsing beautiful resorts there is plenty to do at the Disney Boardwalk. It just so happens this area is also home to one of our favorite Italian dining options at Walt Disney World. Wander over Trattoria Al Forno on Disney’s Boardwalk to enjoy a traditional Italian dinner with a delicious glass of wine. Located near Flying Fish and AbracadaBar, Trattoria Al Forno provides a casual dining experience in a table service setting.

This table service restaurant is available for breakfast and dinner but we most enjoy visiting during dinner. There are so many hearty Italian dishes to enjoy. The Roma tomato bruschetta is only $13 and is one heck of a delicious and flavorful appetizer. This appetizer consists of grilled ciabatta bread stacked with basil and bright fresh Roma tomatoes drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Can you imagine an appetizer that is more delicious?

Credit: DisneyDining.com

Flavorful calamari is a guest favorite coming in at $17, as is the insalata caprese for $13. The insalata caprese is served with house made burrata, vine ripe tomatoes and delicious extra-virgin olive oil. When it’s time for entrĂ©es, we recommend the grilled swordfish. This dish consists of delicious swordfish grilled to perfection and served with cannellini beans, zucchini, onion, bell pepper and pancetta for $32.

If you are craving steak, we recommend the oak-grilled steak Florentine. This $39 entrĂ©e serves up a steak grilled to your liking and served with hearth-roasted vegetables, succulent olive oil potatoes and Amarone butter. When it’s time for dessert, you should indulge in affogato al cafĂ©. This $8 dessert combines frozen coconut vanilla bean milk with chocolate hazelnut ribbons and amaretti cookies. Delicious!

Insaccati Misti

Il-Mulino

Il Mulino (Credit: Disney)

Just a short stroll more around the Disney Boardwalk, you’ll find our next Italian cuisine recommendation at Il Mulino. Located in the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, this Italian restaurant provides an upscale and delicious signature dining experience. As with any signature dining experience, you will see a pricier menu that ranges from $35-$60 per adult. Il Mulino New York Trattoria was the original home of this restaurant and Il Mulino at The Swan Hotel serves up traditional Italian fare with the same precision and excellent flavors. An antipasti that we are especially fond of at this restaurant is the prosciutto and melon. Coming in at $14 this appetizer of aged prosciutto and seasonal melon is unique and flavorful.

Il Mulino

Credit: Caravan Sonnet

If you were looking for something a bit more traditional, try the polpette al forno. This appetizer of Italian meatballs is served with tomato basil sauce and sprinkled the Parmesan cheese. Our top recommendation is hands-down that you share one of the antipasti that are designed for two people. The insaccati misti offers a platter of Italian delicacies like prosciutto, mortadella, sospressata, Parmesan Reggiano, roasted red peppers, spicy cherry vinegar peppers and buffalo mozzarella to name just a few components. This decadent and delicious appetizer allows you to taste so many flavors of Italy for $26.

Chicken Fettuccine

Tutto-Italia

Credit: Disney Dining

Of course, we can’t talk about incredible Italian dining at Walt Disney World and not travel to the Italy Pavilion in EPCOT. This World Showcase pavilion serves up some incredible food, a quick-service and table service restaurants. From cocktails and pizza to espresso, you can’t make a bad choice in this pavilion. If you were looking for a table service dining experience to satisfy your Italian cuisine craving, we recommend Tutto Italia Ristorante. Open each day for lunch and dinner, this restaurant is my go-to for pasta on a Disney trip. I recommend you begin your lunch or dinner with calamari fritti. At $23 you can purchase this shareable size of this delicious appetizer that is served with a marinara piccante.

If salmon sounds like an excellent entrée to you, we recommend the pan-seared fillet of salmon served with asparagus and herb sauce. This dish rings in at $34 and really is a light, fresh and delicious main course. As I said, my favorite dish at this restaurant is pasta. The ravioli, fettuccine, and gnocchi are all delicious, but when in doubt I always opt for the fettuccine and add grilled chicken breast.

Alfredo

Credit: Tutto Italia Ristorante

The fettuccine is bathed in a Parmesan cream sauce that is heavenly. I have loved the shrimp and chicken breast addition each time I ordered this dish and alternate the protein I choose on each visit. As you know, there are quick service dessert options that you could pick up at quick service stops in the Italy Pavilion if you would rather wait awhile to enjoy dessert after leaving the restaurant. However, if you choose to indulge in dolce (dessert) at Tutto Italia Ristorante the tiramisu makes for a big finish. I love the coffee flavor of this dessert, but never find the espresso flavoring to be overpowering or bitter. Do yourself a favor and order dessert, you won’t be sorry!

Tiramisu

Credit: Pinterest.com

What is your favorite Italian food to eat at Walt Disney World?

About Katie Chapman

Hey There! I am a Georgia native with a passion for writing, traveling, cooking, decorating, pugs and of course all things Disney. Growing up in South Georgia just a few hours from Walt Disney World made for a magical childhood. Some of my best memories were made on Main Street U.S.A. with my sister watching SpectroMagic nighttime parade or beside my grandparents, parents and extended family at Chef Mickey’s celebrating on a family vacation. Epcot was my favorite park from a young age and I credit it with my interest in and love for international travel. As a kid I loved meeting characters and watching films around World Showcase and could spend hours exploring each of the countries in Epcot. These days, my husband and I get away to explore a new country whenever we can and even incorporate trips to The Disney Store and Disney Parks around the world in our travels. One of our travel goals is to visit every Disney Park in the world. I love writing about Disney restaurants, park tips, Disney outfit inspiration and Disney history. Pocahontas is my favorite Disney Princess (90s kid here!) but Mr. Toad is my spirit animal. When I’m not at Disney I’m reading about park history, watching Disney documentaries and shopping vintage Disney merch for park outfits. I never pass up a reservation to Ohana, an empty seat on Living with the Land or a Violet Sake.