Dine on Authentic Wood-Fired Pizzas and More at Epcot’s Via Napoli

The Walt Disney World Resort is full of incredible food options and dining locations and that is especially true at Epcot. You can experience an exotic tapestry of flavors as you tour World Showcase, but one of the best is Via Napoli in the Italy Pavilion.

The restaurant sits in the back of the Italy Pavilion and has a rather grand facade in a stately looking building. Via Napoli is owned by the Patina Restaurant Group, the company the runs the other two restaurants in the pavilion, Tutto Italia and Tutto Gusto.

Once you enter the restaurant you'll be struck by the size of the very loud, but very lovely, dining room. The high ceilings are accented by an atrium skylight in the center and the vaulted ceilings are supported by beautiful columns.

One of our favorite things about Via Napoli is the large communal table in the center of the room. Guests can request to be seated here regardless of the size of their party. It is the perfect spot for a large group and it's also a lot of fun if you don't mind sitting with strangers while you dine.

Communal dining table inside Via Napolil

Another incredible feature of the restaurant is the pizza ovens, which is only natural since Naples is famous for its pizza.

You can't miss the three huge faces staring at you from the open kitchen. These wide-mouth wood-fire pizza ovens also have names (of course!). They are: Stromboli, Vesuvio, and Etna, and the names are derived from Italian volcanoes.

Wood-fired pizza ovens at Via Napoli

Of course, the food is the most important thing when one is talking about Via Napoli, so let's dig in.

You can get pizza at several locations around Walt Disney World, but when you order pizza at Via Napoli you're eating the best pizza on property.

The pizza at Via Napoli is wood fired pizza and it is created with caputo flour imported from Naples, water from the restaurant's wells that are identical to the water found in Naples, plus San Marzano tomatoes, and homemade mozzarella.

You can choose from Via Napoli's signature pies that include Quattro Formaggi, Prosciutto de Melon, and Pepperoni. Or you can create your own pie with a Margherita pizza as the base. The list of toppings for a create your own pie run from the basic (pepperoni) to the somewhat exotic (fresh broccoli rabe).

One of the delicious pizzas from Via Napoli

Via Napoli's menu also features pastas, parmagiana dishes (chicken, eggplant, and veal), salads, small plates, and appetizers.

The Fritto Misto is a plate of fried deliciousness featuring fried seasonal vegetables, cheese, and calamari. Our friends at the Disney Food Blog tell us the fried mozzarella is amazing. Our personal favorite is the Arancini. The fried risotto balls are filled with mozzarella cheese and it is so good you'll want to order more.

The Arancini from Via Napoli

Beverage options include Italian wines and beers (including wine flights and beer flights), craft Italian beers, soft drinks, and Acqua Fresca, a fruit water cooler that is a signature item. The Italian Margarita is also quite delicious.

And if you're a fan of dessert, you won't be disappointed at Via Napoli. One of favorite desserts are the Zeppole which are fried dough and ricotta cheese fritters served with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Of course you can't go wrong with the gelato either, especially if you go for the Gelato Frizzante.

From the great atmosphere to the incredible pizzas, Via Napoli is a must-dine-at location when visiting Walt Disney World. To learn more about Via Napoli and to check out some reviews of the food over the years make sure you visit our friends at the Disney Food Blog.

What is your favorite item on Via Napoli's menu? Leave us a comment and let us know.