Favorite Italian Restaurant - I really need your opinions!

[Lisa F]

I'm the only one in my family that really likes marinara sauce. The others prefer alfredo. So we're out of luck unless we want to go to Pinocchio's Village Haus.

il mulino has alfredo on the kid's menu so they have it. i am sure you can get it as an adult too.

 

[traci]

leaning towards Via Napoli....

 

[Disney Mom 7272]

My family enjoys Via Napoli!

 

[L&Lfan]

Since your family seems to prefer Olive Garden style food, I think Il Mulino would be a waste for you. So another suggestion here of Mama Melrose or Trattoria al Forno.

 

[mn51]

During our trips we sometimes go to Via Napoli a couple of times. Guess we really like it.

 

[Recca135]

My mom and I ate at Via Napoli a few weeks ago and was highly disappointed. The bottom of the pizza was completely burnt. When we told our waiter, his response was that it's oven cooked and that's how it is. We have ate at tons of over cooked pizza places and never had the issue of the pizza being burnt. We prefer Tutto Italia over Via Napoli.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

We did ViaNapoli, and it was good for our kids too. We did pizza, spaghetti and meatballs and salads. Everyone was happy.

 

[Coach]

Our favorite Italian restaurant in Disney World is Trattoria al Forno on the Boardwalk! I'm Italian and I have to say the food at Trattoria reminds me of when I was a youngster and going to Grandmas on a Sunday afternoon. The food is that good! They also have pizza for the younger ones. My brother-in-law takes his family, along with his grand children, to Trattoria's every time they visit Disney and they all love it. It's their favorite Italian restaurant and one of their favorites overall.

 

[punkin712]

Since your family seems to prefer Olive Garden style food, I think Il Mulino would be a waste for you. So another suggestion here of Mama Melrose or Trattoria al Forno.

Can I ask why you assume that this family prefers "Olive Garden style food"? Maybe I missed something in one of the OP's later posts, but I didn't get that from the original post.

 

[L&Lfan]

Sure, basic pasta dishes with either marinara or alfredo sauce indicate Olive Garden style to me. Also s/he said they weren't adventurous eaters. Another indication of an Olive Garden style menu to me. I am familiar with Il Mulino's menu and I would think it's not the type of dishes they're looking for. Just my opinion....and we all have them. I'm not a fan of Olive Garden but I wouldn't turn down their salad and breadsticks.

 

[boxer]

We just ate at Portobello's this past weekend, and had a GREAT meal!! I think this place flies under the radar a bit--as this is our favorite right along with Via Napoli and Tutto. I never really liked Il Mulino, so that has always not been an option for us.

I had the Chicken Parm (excellent), wife had the Bolongnese (best I've ever had), and my son had the gnocchi's with pork red sauce (excellent). Very happy with our dinner, and plan to go back next month for sure.

 

[coup2516]

IMO Tutto Gusto easily has the best Italian food in Epcot. However, since it's more of a wine bar, they don't take reservations and serve small plates. Not really the place to sit down for a full meal, but definitely worth checking out for some delicious Italian.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Can I ask why you assume that this family prefers "Olive Garden style food"? Maybe I missed something in one of the OP's later posts, but I didn't get that from the original post.

I did.

 

[DieHardJoe]

We recently returned from a short trip and ate at 3 different restaurants, none of which we had ever been to. We ate lunch at Portobellos and thought it was very good. My wife had a pizza and I had the Rigatoni Calabrese which was delicious. Another day we ate at Il Forno. My wife had the Risooto and said it was good and I had the Braised Short Rib Bolognese. I may never get anything else when we go there again. It was so good! And we ate at Via Napoli and split a pizza which was excellent. The dessert, though, was even better. It was Ricotta cheese fritters with separate dipping bowls of whipped cream and cholcolate sauce. Those were sinfully good!! We would eat at any of these three again. A few years ago we ate at Tutto Italia and remember it was good, though I can't remember anything being great. Enjoy your italian feast!!

 

[MinnieMSue]

So Mama Melrose has an alfredo-ish sauce? I thought it was all tomato based. Might have to check it out.

Yes they do. My daughter ordered the cheese sauce and the waitress made sure Alfredo was ok because that was basically what it was. She loved it.

 

[traci]

Since your family seems to prefer Olive Garden style food, I think Il Mulino would be a waste for you. So another suggestion here of Mama Melrose or Trattoria al Forno.

If those 2 suggestions of yours are like OG I think I will have to pass thank you for the response!

 

[traci]

Thank you again all for the insight! It's much appreciated!

 

[punkin712]

We really enjoy Il Mulino. We got at least 2 or 3 times every trip. As others said, they aren't on the dining plan and don't accept magic bands for payment. Take a look at their menu - I'm sure even the pickiest eater can find something

http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/menus/restaurant_menus/ilmulino/dinner.html

DH usually gets the pollo fra diavolo and I usually get the rigatoni con funghi, but they have a great basic tomato sauce on the pappardelle and a cream sauce with the tortellini. You can get half portions of any pastas or split any full order into 2 for sharing. Bread service is good and the staff is very nice. I have a feeling they would mix and match pastas and sauces if you ask.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[L&Lfan]

If those 2 suggestions of yours are like OG I think I will have to pass thank you for the response!

You're welcome! Always glad to help!

These are the best Italian rankings for 2017 according to the "official" Birnbaum guide....although I can't say I agree!

1. Via Napoli (Epcot)
2. Il Mulino (Swan)
3. Portobello (Disney Springs)
4. Trattoria al Forno (Boardwalk)

 

[Uncleromulus]

I can't say I agree either---