Via Napoli lunch vs Via Napoli dinner

[mom2randj]

We are going to try Via Napoli this trip and can't decide between lunch or dinner. I realize the menu is the same, so I guess I am wondering which do you think would provide the best overall experience or atmosphere. We are going in late October and crowd levels are supposed to be very minimal.

We would either try for an dinner ADR around 7:00 ish before illuminations and then look for a spot for the show (we have never seen illuminations either)

or

We would do an early lunch on an EMH day at Epcot.

 

[SouthJersey]

The restaurants will still be filled. In off-peak season, there's still tens of thousands of people, but lines are much shorter and waits are shorter and the popular places will still be filled all day.
You could time it right for dinner and finish a little before Illuminations then go grab a drink and dessert for the show and go find good viewing spots.
We've always gone for lunch because we do signatures for dinner later in the evening, but the experience will be the same. Bright, lively place, often large family tables too.

 

[figment_jii]

I would probably go with lunch so you can enjoy the bright airy look of the restaurant with all the high windows that let in the sunlight. As you noted, the menu is the same at both meal times, so in that way it doesn't really matter which meal time you go. Ultimately, I would decide based on which works best in your schedule and whether you like sit down lunches or dinners.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Honestly, it makes no difference. I've been to both and not that different. If i had to pick thou, maybe i'd go for lunch as the pp had indicated. it'll be more bright and airy then...even thou the restaurant is bright and airy as it is.

Loooove the food here btw.

 

[darkwing818]

Honestly, it makes no difference. I've been to both and not that different. If i had to pick thou, maybe i'd go for lunch as the pp had indicated. it'll be more bright and airy then...even thou the restaurant is bright and airy as it is.

Loooove the food here btw.

Agree with thevPPs, we've also done both lunch & dinner & enjoyed both. We'd probably also go for lunch as a first pick.

 

[Vernie822]

We've done lunch and dinner. We like both and the menus are the same, from what I understand. I really did like lunch though, it's not too expensive so you could still do a nice dinner.

 

[pooh2001]

the pizza are delicious and large
Individual, Large (serves 2 - 3), & Mezzo Metro (serves 3 - 5)
But the Large was fine for our family of 4, two large slices of pizza each.
The Mezzo Metro is a very long rectangular shaped pizza

 

[ghoulardi]

We have enjoyed both times very much!

 

[jesswindsor]

I personally prefer Via Napoli around lunch time, like other poster have said, for lunch the place really is bright & airy. Via Napoli is a great restaurant, so really it shouldn't matter when you want to go.

 

[Terra Nova guy]

I've eaten at both lunch and dinner time. I really didn't think the experience was different because of the time of day (it will be fantastic either way!). I guess I would say your plan to see Illuminations after dinner is a good one, particularly if you can get a spot to watch on the "dock" area in front of the Italy pavilion. I've heard this is a good place to watch.

 

[mom2randj]

Sounds like we will be good either way. I am leaning toward trying for a lunch ADR on our morning/half day at World Showcase. We will probably go to MNSSHP later that night and are doing a QS at MK so a nice big lunch at Via Napoli might do us good.