Mama Melrose vs. Via Napoli

[NHKristy76]

We LOVE Mama Melrose - (chicken parm!) but are planning to try Via Napoli for the first time on Saturday. We don't have ADRs for Mamas this trip but we might try to squeeze in a quick lunch there but we'll see...

[hutch0830]

Via for sure! The pizza is amazing and SO authentic!

[jimmytammy]

Pizza at Via better, pastas at MM better, you cant go wrong with either IMO

[danceintherain]

Thanks everyone!
I know this goes against the majority, but I cancelled Via and we're going with MM.
Even though I'm almost positive we'd prefer Via, we simply don't have any other options at DHS.

DH convinced me that we should do a TS at Epcot too, and he decided on Restaurant Marrakesh. My little sister probably won't like it, but it will be fun to try something different, and we can always get her something else before or after.

I'll just have to save Via Napoli for our next trip *sigh*

[wdwpirates]

We prefer Mama Melrose. I don't know, our experience at Via just didn't live up to the hype. The pizza is not that great. The restaurant itself is beautiful. The Carne d'italia flatbread pizza at Mama Melrose's is fab!

We're going to give it another stab on our upcoming trip.

I suppose at the end of the day it all comes down to personal taste. I think you'll enjoy either choice!

[alex9179]

Yes! Save it for next time. We had a wonderful meal at VN (pizza!) but our server, Andrea, really made the experience special. He was so personable and engaging, and made an effort to spend time entertaining the kids. They loved him!

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Originally Posted by wdwpirates

We prefer Mama Melrose. I don't know, our experience at Via just didn't live up to the hype. The pizza is not that great. The restaurant itself is beautiful. The Carne d'italia flatbread pizza at Mama Melrose's is fab!

We're going to give it another stab on our upcoming trip.

I suppose at the end of the day it all comes down to personal taste. I think you'll enjoy either choice!

Not to get all "Spelling police", but you misspelled Wild Mushroom flatbread.


In all seriousness, this poster is right that that flatbread is very amazing. I have loved all of the flatbreads at Mama's, though. I'm biased, of course, as Mama's is very special to my husband and me, but I have yet to have a bad meal there.

[tb1972]

Via pizza is great! I don't think you could go wrong there.

[goofyintoronto]

Yes I agree! Its no contest really. Via is where its at. The most amazing pizza in Disney!

Originally Posted by hutch0830

Via for sure! The pizza is amazing and SO authentic!

[rgf207]

Mama Melrose = The worst meal we've ever had at Disney. I think they just dump a pound of salt in everything and try to pass it off as italian food

Via Napoli = One of the best meals we've had. The pizza is delicious and the Arancini appetizer is delicious.

[princessallegra]

Originally Posted by Kwaschitz

It depends on what type of Italian food you like. Via Napoli has (to my palate) a more authentic "Italy" taste (Mediterranean flavors, not as heavy), whereas Mama Melrose is more "Italian-American" like a lot of the family-owned places in the NY/NJ area (heavier sauces/cheese, less of the "crisp" flavors of VN).

That said, I like them both but you can't go into either expecting a similar experience.

Perfect description of both places. We really liked both. At MM we had lunch, table for two, and got a caesar salad and the cold antipasto. It was pretty authentic and very yummy. The antipasto was great cured meats and cheeses, and some nice marinated mushrooms. At Via we had dinner, we shared a shrimp caesar salad and a margherita pizza. The casear salad was $22. I was a little shocked at the price, but it was big enough for 2. We liked our experience at Via a lot. Our server was fun, and the zeppole were amazing! It was very loud though.

[danceintherain]

Originally Posted by rgf207

Mama Melrose = The worst meal we've ever had at Disney. I think they just dump a pound of salt in everything and try to pass it off as italian food

Via Napoli = One of the best meals we've had. The pizza is delicious and the Arancini appetizer is delicious.

Extra salt is actually a perk for us. DH has a condition that is remedied by a high salt intake.

I really do want to try Via Napoli, I just don't think it will fit into our trip this year. We're only doing 4 days in the parks (AFS tickets) and I doubt we'll spend more than a half day at Epcot. It's good to know that everyone seems to love it though. That will make the decision easier when I actually make it there.

[rgf207]

Originally Posted by danceintherain

Extra salt is actually a perk for us. DH has a condition that is remedied by a high salt intake.

I really do want to try Via Napoli, I just don't think it will fit into our trip this year. We're only doing 4 days in the parks (AFS tickets) and I doubt we'll spend more than a half day at Epcot. It's good to know that everyone seems to love it though. That will make the decision easier when I actually make it there.

You should be just fine there because I think salt is the main ingredient for everything at MM

[angelbear425]

Via Napoli hands down.

[DVCMikey]

I have to say that I like both of these resturants. We trid Via Napolli on our last trip.

Mama's has a cool place, and sometimes they send in people pretending to be hollywood directors or starlets and they walk around and talk with guests.

I really love the pizza at via. We have great pizza here in NJ, but the pizza there had such a great taste. They also have some good menu items

I like them both, if you have never tried Via, I would try it.