Review and Food Photos: Tutto Italia in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion
If you’re looking for decent Italian food in Walt Disney World, you don’t have to look too far.
In every park (save Animal Kingdom) there are Italian restaurants — some better than others — and Disney Springs has several from which to choose (think: Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, Terralina Crafted Italian, Enzo’s Hideaway Tunnel Bar). Even the resorts get in on the action with one of our favorites — Il Mulino — located at the Swan Hotel.
And then, of course, there’s the Italy Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase, where food is celebrated in several forms: pizza at Via Napoli, gelato at a cart outside, wine in the Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, and classic Italian dishes at Tutto Italia.
Tutto Italia opened in 2013 in the space formerly occupied by Alfredo’s. And even though the name had changed, a lot of Alfredo’s remained. The overall styling of the restaurant was retained — murals, crystal chandeliers, and dark wood create an elegant atmosphere — while the menu satisfies with traditional Italian dishes.
It’s been a while since my last official review of Tutto Italia (see that review here!), so on a recent trip I decided it was time to return and see if this oft-forgotten spot is worth a more regular visit.
Outside Tutto Italia
Atmosphere
Tutto Italia’s design aesthetic features some classic, elegant elements. They combine to create a welcoming space that certainly doesn’t feel like you’re in the middle of Walt Disney World.
Main Dining Room
The crystal chandeliers cast warm light, highlighting the dark moldings on the ceiling. Murals depict Roman scenes with pillars, arches, and evergreens.
Atmosphere at Tutto Italia
Seating at Tutto Italia includes this beautifully upholstered banquette as well as padded chairs.
Banquette Seating at Tutto Italia
Seating toward the center of the main dining room also combines banquettes and chairs, and table settings are simple and functional.
Table setting
Adjacent to the main dining room is a bright, sunny space with several large windows letting in some natural light. This sun room is a lovely place to dine.
Sun Room Seating
Tutto Italia looks out over the courtyard of the Italy Pavilion, and on mild days, this outdoor patio seating is a treat. Shades and ceiling fans help to moderate the temperature, but when the shades are up, there’s plenty of people watching to enjoy.
Outdoor Seating
Patio seating is a more casual affair, with these slatted chairs and metal-footed tables.
Outdoor table setting
The overall feeling inside the restaurant may come off a bit stuffy for some, and those dining with children — while entirely welcome anywhere in the restaurant — may be more comfortable outside, where the vibe is more laid back.
Eats
One thing I’d prefer isn’t laid back: the food. Bring on the thoughtful plates of pasta, vegetables, proteins, and cheese! The lunch menu at Tutto Italia features fewer options than the dinner menu, omitting categories for Insalate and Panini, but it’s still got a good selection of dishes for a variety of tastes.
Dinner Menu
Whether you dine for lunch or dinner, you’ll receive bread and olives to start. The bread here used to be a nice, soft foccacia, but it’s seen a downgrade. The rolls were hard — literally hard — to eat. The sliced bread and breadsticks were fine but nothing special.
Bread, Olives, and Olive Oil
Green olives are large and fun for olive lovers. Not being a fan myself, I stick to the bread dipped in this high quality extra virgin olive oil.
Olives and Extra Virgin Olive Oil
I ordered two appetizers. The first — Prosciutto di Parma — featured some traditional prosciutto that was salty and rich. Fine but nothing special. But the Schiacciata Toscana it’s served with is outstanding!
Prosciutto di Parma
Schiacciata Toscana is an Italian flatbread, and this version is stuffed with dried figs. Between the texture of the bread and the subtle sweetness of the fig, it was awesome. I would happily have eaten a basket of this.
Fig Bread
The Tortino de Zucchine is a baked zucchini appetizer that’s made with pomodoro sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan. The cheeses were surprisingly strong, but I loved that about it. (Diners who don’t love strong cheese might want to skip this one.) As a starter, it’s a great portion and offers some freshness with the vegetables. Vegetarians: this is a satisfying appetizer or meal. This was easily my favorite part of my entire meal (including dessert!).
Tortino de Zucchine
For one entree I went with Gamberi — essentially shrimp scampi. As pasta dishes go, this might be considered a lighter one due to the lemon-infused butter sauce. But, you know, pasta and butter sauce. This dish was fairly flavorful and fine. Inspired? No. Exactly what I expected? Yes.
Gamberi
Tortellini Panna e Prosciutto came highly recommended by my server, and it was easy to see why as soon as the dish was put in front of me. Creamy, cheesy sauce coated al dente tortellini that was filled with even more cheese. The sauce was flecked with bits of prosciutto and peas, and the whole dish was dusted with grated Parmesan. It was incredibly rich and indulgent, and although it also wasn’t particularly inspired, it was satisfying.
Tortellini Panna e Prosciutto
Dessert was a slice of Mocha Tiramisu with mascarpone, espresso-soaked Savoiardi biscuits, and cocoa dusted on top. This wasn’t exciting, but it was well constructed and tasted as classic as it comes.
Tiramisu
And that’s essentially Tutto Italia in a nutshell: well-constructed and as classic, but nothing special or innovative (except maybe that fig bread and zucchini appetizer). If you’re looking for innovative cuisine or creativity, this is not the place for you. Italian food done classically and relatively well? Si.
Nosh or Not
Say buongiorno to Tutto Italia if:
- You’re looking for an Italian restaurant at Epcot that isn’t Via Napoli.
- You need someplace relatively quiet to escape the crowds.
- You love all things Italian: architecture, design, and food.
Row your gondola elsewhere if:
- You want really good Italian food at Walt Disney World (and don’t mind walking over to Il Mulino).
- Italian food really doesn’t appeal to you.
- You don’t have time for table service; Soarin’ awaits!
Overall
Tutto Italia is a perfectly passable Italian restaurant — good, even, by theme park standards. But with so many options in World Showcase, it’s hard to recommend regular visits to Tutto Italia. The food is good, not great, and it lacks a certain vitality that you can find elsewhere, even in elegant spaces like Le Cellier and more obviously energetic places like Via Napoli or Spice Road Table. Still, if you’re on a mission to try all of the Italian restaurants on property, you likely won’t be disappointed with the traditional experience you’ll find at Tutto Italia.
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