San Angel or via Napoli?

Amelia :) · Jul 30, 2016

We have Via Napoli booked for our Epcot day, but I have just seen a reservation become available for San Angel. The decor at San Angel looks much more exciting to me, but I've heard questionable things about the food. I'm travelling with my partner and 8 year old, I'd say we love pizza and Mexican food in equal measures.

Magical2017 · Jul 30, 2016

We have eaten at both restaurants. Pros for San Angel: ambiance is cool, kids can ride the Three Caballeros boat ride while waiting for a table, if your kids enjoy Mexican food they will probably like the menu. Cons: tables are close together.

Some people say the food is not good, but we have eaten there three time and enjoyed it each time.

Via Napoli: Pros: Food is absolutely delicious, it is one of the more affordable restaurants if you are not on the dining plan, the pizzas are large.
I do not have any cons for Via Napoli.

Jadyreen1282 · Jul 30, 2016

We avoid Via now due to DDP restrictions. San Angel screams Disney.

Nancyg56 · Jul 30, 2016

Given a choice, and I like both, I would choose SAI. I love this restaurant, the ambiance inside that pyramid is really awesome. I think that all of you will like it, but the 8 YO will love it. It is dark, cozy, and romantic.

Via Napoli is good, and we dine there often, but in the end, it ithe interior is that of an Italian restaurant. SAI is kind of unique to Disney.

Amelia :) · Jul 30, 2016

Nancyg56 said:
Given a choice, and I like both, I would choose SAI. I love this restaurant, the ambiance inside that pyramid is really awesome. I think that all of you will like it, but the 8 YO will love it. It is dark, cozy, and romantic.

Via Napoli is good, and we dine there often, but in the end, it ithe interior is that of an Italian restaurant. SAI is kind of unique to Disney.

Jadyreen1282 said:
We avoid Via now due to DDP restrictions. San Angel screams Disney.

Kind of what I was thinking, it's our first family trip and we have the DDP, I'd like something with a bit of wow factor

Hopefully · Jul 30, 2016

Jadyreen1282 said:
We avoid Via now due to DDP restrictions. San Angel screams Disney.

The only DDP " restriction" I am aware of is that each person must use one credit. There are no menu restrictions. I think this is fair. Is this what you are referring to?

Amelia :) · Jul 30, 2016

Hopefully said:
The only DDP " restriction" I am aware of is that each person must use one credit. There are no menu restrictions. I think this is fair. Is this what you are referring to?

I think maybe pp is refering to not being able to get one of the huuuge pizzas? It's not as exciting if you can't put all your credits together and get a picture with the massive pizza!

zebsterama · Jul 30, 2016

We're going to both, but if I had to pick one, Via Napoli would win.

alex9179 · Jul 30, 2016

I would pick VN if I only had one. It's the only place I can get my prosciutto e melon pizza fix. We've always enjoyed our meals there. We haven't dined at SAI for any particular reason than time, as we like traditional Mexican food. I wasn't floored by the ambiance, though, while walking through and going on the ride. Looking at the museum area is fun but trying to read a menu in the dark, then eating in the dark. Eh. I understand that the tables are very close. Another "eh". We'd go if time permitted.

Keep in mind that it's not a Tex-Mex place that a lot of people seem to think is Mexican. I don't know your background. SAI serves dishes that reflect a more traditional Mexican culture. Look at the menu if it's a question for you and your family.

kastoney · Jul 31, 2016

I'd go with Via Napoli. if you are basing it on food Its our only must do every trip and the pizza is simply divine. San Angel is definitely a fun experience and would win if you were going for the ambiance over the food. Between the "outdoor indoors feeling", the ride boats going by, and the "volcano" the atmosphere really is great. The food is pretty good too (especially the avocado margarita) but no where near Via Napoli

tsme · Jul 31, 2016

I would pick SAI. We have been to both. The food is better IMO at SAI, I highly recommend the Tostados de Tinga & the Lomo de Puerco en Salsa Verde. I'm not a water snob by any means but for some reason the water taste like water out of a hose at SAI, so ask for bottled if you like water. Honestly, we've dined at most of the restaurants in WS & that's the only one with such nasty tasting water, so weird. We found the food at VN to not be good at all, the pizza was watery, DD refused to eat it & the pasta was so bland I couldn't make myself eat it. Again, this was just how we felt about both places.

Jadyreen1282 · Jul 31, 2016

Amelia :) said:
I think maybe pp is refering to not being able to get one of the huuuge pizzas? It's not as exciting if you can't put all your credits together and get a picture with the massive pizza!

Exactly Amelia. Pizza is cheap and I can't get a full size with DDP? Still good, not worth the DDP.

tb1972 · Jul 31, 2016

My kids aren't too fond of Mexican food but love Via. For that reason, Via is always our choice. But if your DD likes Mexican, I agree with other posters that SAI does have a unique ambience. The food is good - probably not as good as Via though.

tony67 · Jul 31, 2016

I really like Mexican food (as well as Tex Mex)
I've never been overly impressed with the food in SAI and although it seems like the atmosphere is something special..the tables are very small and too close together IMO ...I do like the food at La hacienda, but it lacks the atmosphere that many like at SAI.

I do enjoy the Pizza at Via Napoli..it not the best I have ever had..but it is much better than 90% of what passes for pizza these days.

I'd say look at the menu and decide if you 8 year old will enjoy it...it may not be the Mexican food you are used too

DizDaD7 · Jul 31, 2016

Amelia :) said:
We have Via Napoli booked for our Epcot day, but I have just seen a reservation become available for San Angel. The decor at San Angel looks much more exciting to me, but I've heard questionable things about the food. I'm travelling with my partner and 8 year old, I'd say we love pizza and Mexican food in equal measures.

Wow..2 totally opposite TS in WDW..LoL

What I will say is that both are very good. San Angel's ambience is 2nd to none. The food is typical food, but tasty. And the service was very attentive as well, both times we ate here.

Via Napoli has been a staple for us for the last 3 years/4 trips...We used to always do Tutto ( which we still enjoy ) but there's a different vibe/atmosphere at VN.

Tough choice, but I'd go with SA. :confused3

raddisneyfan · Jul 31, 2016

Frankly, of the two, I would choose San Angel purely for atmosphere--although it can get a little cramped in their dining room. However, if you are in the mood for pizza, then Via Napoli is your place. I know this didn't help you at all

, but have fun deciding and ......have a fantabulous time at the World!

Amelia :) · Jul 31, 2016

Thanks guys! I appreciate all the advice

Kricketnp · Aug 2, 2016

I'm torn between the same two. Last trip, I chose Via over SAI having never been to either. Via was SO delicious that I booked it again, but am contemplating changing over to SAI. Decisions, decisions.

steg · Aug 2, 2016

Having been to both, I can definitively say I'll be back to Via Napoli and won't be back to SAI.

SAI wasn't necessarily bad, but wasn't good enough to make the list for return visits, service was ok, food was ok, seating was really cramped, we were sat at the booth/table hybrid along the back of the restaurant closest to the shopping area, the tables were extremely close together to the point where it was difficult to get in and out of the booth portion. It was practically communal seating like at Biergarten or Teppan Edo. That's not really something I enjoy so it won't make the short list for a return visit.

addiln · Aug 2, 2016

We are going to San Angel this upcoming trip in the middle of August so not sure how good it will be yet. I will say that I thought Via Napoli was one of the worse meal we had on our trip last year. I thought the food was ok at best and the service was just ok as well. Everyone told me how great this place is and I just did not see it. I will not be heading back there any time soon.

San Angel or via Napoli?

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