Tutto Italia Review
Tutto Italia Ristorante is a table service restaurant in the Italy pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase, in Walt Disney World. It’s one of two table service restaurants in Italy, with the other being the (SPOILER ALERT!) superior (/spoiler) Via Napoli (read our Via Napoli review here). This review features photos of the food, our recommendations at Tutto Italia, and general thoughts on whether it’s worth doing.
As a restaurant participating in the Disney Dining Plan, Tutto Italia is a 1-credit table service restaurant, and one of the restaurants at Walt Disney World that offers the best value to guests on the Disney Dining Plan (meaning it has some expensive menu items). It also accepts the Tables in Wonderland card for a 20% discount.
Tutto Italia is themed with a bit of old world charm and superficial elegance, with a nice looking seating area and murals (some good, some okay) on the walls that are reminiscent of what you might find in a quaint Italian restaurant.
Let’s start with the theme and design of Tutto Italia before we further discuss the menu…
The look and feel of Tutto Italia work well. The restaurant looks nice and although the murals are cheesy, Tutto Italia doesn’t devolve into Italian kitsch like Buca di Beppo. Although to be fair, Buca di Beppo clearly goes for kitsch, whereas it seems that Tutto Italia is going for a more elegant look without any kitsch. Regardless of what Tutto Italia seeks to achieve, it works rather well and produces a relaxing environment where guests feel as if they’re in a nice Italian restaurant.
Tutto Italia’s menu offers a variety of different choices, mostly American takes on Italian cuisine. The menu is actually pretty thorough and varied, so you can’t really say it’s mostly _____ (chicken, seafood, etc.) with some other dishes tossed in. This is definitely works in its favor, especially for those traveling with picky eaters (although, despite some of the names, these are mostly simple dishes).
I suspect Tutto Italia, when busy, wouldn’t be as enjoyable of an experience. The dining area is, more or less, one large room. While there are some fabrics and other features that likely absorb sound, I suspect it could get quite loud. So if you visit during the the Free Dining promotion, don’t expect the relaxing restaurant that I describe above. When we visited, the restaurant was not crowded at all.
A meal at Tutto Italia starts with bread service. Our bread was soft and moist, and tasted pretty great when dipped in the accompanying oil. The olives were similarly good. This was actually some of the best bread service we’ve had at Walt Disney World, although I personally prefer a nice warm loaf of bread with some garlic butter.
For our appetizers, I ordered the Calamari Fritti and Sarah ordered the Prosciutto di Parma. Both of these appetizers were excellent. My calamari was nice and meaty, rather than being a little bit of meat covered with a lot of breading. I’ve yet to meet an order of calamari that I haven’t enjoyed, but this was especially good.
Sarah similarly liked her appetizer. The ham on her plate was quite good, as were the frittos. I will note that the combined cost of our appetizers was $31, which I consider to be expensive, even by Disney standards. If these were complex appetizers or something with a lavish presentation, I could have understood the price, but these appetizers were neither.
Next up was our main course. For all of the items on the menu, we both had a difficult time decided what to order. After much debate, I decided on the Spiedini di Spada (swordfish skewers) and Sarah got the Salmone. When our plates appeared, we decided to switch.
I can describe both of our dishes in one word: bland. Most of the richness and flavor you’d expect from a good Italian restaurant was absent. Our dishes were probably even a cut below a chain like Olive Garden, too.
It was as if they were prepared by a regular American restaurant (definitely not a seafood restaurant) that drew inspiration from Italian cookbooks as far as ingredients went. The garnishes (especially the chickpea fritters with the swordfish skewers) were pretty good, but overall, the main entrees fell really short.
As much as possible, Tutto Italia redeemed itself with dessert. I ordered the Mocha Tiramisu and Sarah ordered the Ricotta di Pecora con Insalata di Fragole e Miele ai Fiori (I think). Try to say that ten times fast. Unfortunately, I can’t really speak to her dessert (pictured below), as she consumed it so fast that I didn’t have a chance to try it…or, perhaps it’s because I refused to share my own!
Until visiting Paris, the tiramisu I had at Tutto Italia was the best I had ever consumed. It’s taste was beyond words–it was rich with a light espresso flavor, airy and a bit gooey. The best dessert I have had in World Showcase and, if memory serves me correctly, the best dessert I’ve ever had at Walt Disney World. Sarah similarly gushed over her dessert. The downside: the desserts cost $22 total. A bit expensive, but arguably worth it.
We booked Tutto Italia because it’s one of the overall most expensive one-credit restaurants on the Disney Dining Plan (clearly this status is accomplished through its expensive appetizers and desserts), and we were engaging in a little experiment in value maximization on the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan. In retrospect, we should have looked at the menus when booking, as we would have been content eating here later and paying out of pocket for something cheaper. Live and learn, I guess.
This also demonstrates one of the problems I have with the Disney Dining Plan: I am very frugal so I always force myself to look at more expensive items on the menu to make it worth my money. For us, there is no benefit in purchasing the Disney Dining Plan to prepay or to budget. The only reason we ever use it is to save money, so we make a point of only using it when we’re going to be eating at cost-effective restaurants on the Plan. Usually, this is not a big problem as I naturally gravitate towards the more expensive items on the menu. At Tutto Italia, I naturally gravitated towards the cheaper items, and had we skipped appetizers and ordered what we actually wanted, the meal wouldn’t have been all that expensive.
Overall, Tutto Italia was decent, but it’s another restaurant with prices that I just couldn’t justify for its pricier items were we paying out of pocket. It seems to be another divisive restaurant, but we weren’t quite so polarized on it. It was decidedly “meh.” The desserts were great and the appetizers were good, but the entrees were so-so and fairly bland. Most of its fans seem to be Dining Plan users, and it offers great “value” on the Dining Plan, which could explain some of its popularity. We’re fans of Italian cuisine, and Tutto just didn’t deliver with the flavor we expect from good Italian food. If we weren’t on the Dining Plan, we would have ordered much cheaper sandwiches that looked pretty food. If we paid out of pocket, and if we ordered those sandwiches, and if they been as tasty as they looked, you might be reading a much more glowing review. But that’s a lot of “ifs.” The point is that you may like Tutto Italia a whole lot more than us based upon what you order for entrees and whether you perceive it as better value. But we can only review the experience we had. Consequently, Tutto Italia ranks as one of Walt Disney World’s mediocre dining options, and certainly not something we’ll give much thought to next time we’re in World Showcase.
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Your Thoughts…
Do you agree with us that Tutto Italia is overpriced and overrated? Planning on going? Share your thoughts in the comments!
It has been a few months since we have dined at Tuttu Italia at EPCOT. We noted your comment about the dining wall murals were “cheesy”. Just thought you would like to know that the murals were there on opening day for Alfredo’s. And since it was operating as one of the Alfredo restaurants in the US, the decor had to be coordinated with Alfredo’s. The chandeliers are also the same since opening day. The major difference is in the seating. Some of the tables were replaced with divided booths.
Tutto Italia is the most inconsistent restaurants in Disney I think. A few years ago we went there for dinner and had the best meal. The sauce for the calamari was amazing and so was everything else. Part of our group went back for lunch a few days later and said it was like they were in a different place. Everything they had was terrible and they regretted going there.
My family went back again last fall. I have 3 fairly picky kids and asked for pasta as a side for a couple of their meals. I was told it could not happen and that they didn’t have pasta as a side. At Disney I expected better. They have spaghetti on the kids menu surely they could have put some in a bowl instead of the potatoes. We will never be back.
Wow, I wanted to check the correct name of the restaurant so I came to your blog…here’s why. We arrived at Epcot late and I fully intended to snack my way around the world. But after rushing around for Fastpasses, I realized it was 5pm and I had not eaten all day! I was hot, tired and extremely grumpy. We stumbled into this place because they were able to seat us right away…the first table, on a patio, of sorts was in the sun and I asked to move and they were happy to do so. Now, maybe it’s because I was starving but the others had eaten and they all agree it was one of the best meals we’ve ever had!! Seeing the prices and heeding advice that portions are usually large enough to share, my daughter and I shared a ravioli with white sauce…MISTAKE…it was heavenly! I could have eaten a gallon and can’t wait until we return in a few years to have it again. My daughter and I watched my granddaughter like a hawk to finish her kids spaghetti and meatballs, knowing she wouldn’t finish it but she almost did. We did try what was left and it was soooooo good also. My husband enjoyed his meal too. The staff doted on us during our whole visit. Basically, we loved it. I wonder why there is this much inconsistency?
Agree completely. Had fish too. It was not that great. Way overpriced.
I’m really surprised at all the negativity around Tutto. I went in January and loved it! I went with my boyfriend and we ordered two pastas and shared them and they were so yummy! I would think that you would have a very different experience if you ordered pasta instead of fish.
This used to be one of our most favorite places to eat. They changed a whole lot of stuff here. The steak was HUGE and delicious. As well as the dessert I used to get. Both are gone or switched for something new.
Actually when this place was L’ Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante…I had one of the best steaks I ever had in my life there.
From what I’ve heard, it’s pretty much been on the decline since it was changed from being Alfredo. Really too bad…
We have a child diagnosed with a autism spectrum disorder who is 15 years old. We asked for a children’s menu and we were refused. Manager was adamant about the 9 and under policy. He was informed of her condition and still refused to provide her with a Children’s menu. She is a very picky eater and eats very plain food. She has a hard time making decisions even when presented with only 3 choices. She has a hard time with transitions. It took her several months of exposure therapy for her to accept that she was flying on Jet Blue instead of Southwest. On top of all that she also has food allergies.
I put average for food and value even though we didn’t actually end up eating there based on their refusal. So they would rather frustrate a child who will cry in public than to give her a children’s menu.
I read somewhere that it is a case by case basis. They can give someone over 9 the Children’s menu and provide adult size portions and charge adult dining charges to the Disney dining plan. The other restaurants at Disney gave her the childrens menu by request.
Sorry to hear about your experience. I would definitely contact Disney and let them know what happened.
1) Bread plate — We made the mistake of asking for a little balsamic on a plate with olive oil to dip our bread. The waiter then proceeds to fill a shallow dish with enough balsamic to pickle a whale. When we asked about this we were told that this was the “Italian way”.
2) My wife has a lactose intolerance problem. When asked the waiter went to get the “allergy specialist” to counsel us on the menu. He suggested a roast chicken and would substitute roasted potatoes for the dish in lieu of the risotto.
3) Others in our party ordered the gnocchi, shrimp risotto, lasagna, and another roasted chicken/risotto dish. No problem here.
4) The entrees come out and — Dinner is served minus my wife’s chicken. The allergy specialist returns to explain that the chicken was brushed with butter in the final preparation and ask for a another selection. My wife then selects a salmon dish and the resulting dish was brought out within 30 seconds. HMMMM….. the dish took no time to prepare? The server asks “Who’s the allergy problem” Wow, what a way to treat your customers.
5) The roasted chicken was completely dry — a supermarket rotisserie would have been 1000% better, the accompanying risotto was partially uncooked. And the 30 second salmon was way overcooked as well. The lasagna was about as good as a supermarket frozen fare. The Gnocchi was partially uncooked (not undercooked), al dente as it was later explained to us. The shrimp risotto dish was marginally acceptable but only came with 4 shrimp — not huge prawns, four 20 count shrimp on a bed of acceptably cooked risotto.
6) The response to our critique of the dishes was met with a condescending attitude by the maitre d’ that we don’t understand “real” italian cooking. Therefore we asked to talk to the chef then. We were told this is not possible. They did remove two of our dishes from the bill and we left without a tip.
In my opinion, the kitchen operation involves nothing more than heating up food prepared hours before. I seriously doubt any any dishes are cooked to order. Is that worth $30 and up per entree?
Ouch, that’s a bit harsh. You have a right to be disappointed by the many aspects listed in your critique, but to totally stiff the waitstaff is not good foodie Karma & lacks integrity. I understand the allergy comment was out of line, but what else did the server(s) do wrong? Maybe you don’t realize he things they did right. Beside the work you see them doing (bringing food & beverages, cleaning up, etc.), there’s alot of other behind the scenes tasks. Most places have servers also preparing many things pre-shift, like cutting fruits, salads, cheeses, etc. Plating deserts. Making specialty drinks. Stocking supplies, heavy supplies. Shining all the plates, silverware and other service. Cleaning the linens. You’d be surprised of the other work possibly entailed. Anyway, a 10% tip would surely get your point across if the service was THAT unpleasant, which I’m not even sure it was. You border on theft of service, especially if your only other complaint beside the impolite comment was the food (& they did remove 2 entrees from the bill already). Additionally, servers have to tip the bar on the alcohol portions of their sales. Did your party have maybe around $100 in bar sales? Great, he had to tip the bar $5 or $10 out of HIS OWN pocket for YOUR drink service. Your action was more ignorant & crude than his comment… by far.
This can be summed up fairly simply…..”bring back Alfredo’s!”
This use to be a ” must dine” at restaurant…now…just walk by it.
This place is NOT worth the time or the money.
They use to serve authentic Italian food here with one dish better than another….now there isn’t one item on the menu you would come back here for.
Go next door to Via Napoli.
We just ate at Tutto this weekend and the lasagna was the best we have ever had. Chef Boyardee would never have crossed my mind. The calamari was also wonderful and the service was attentive and friendly. We can’t wait to go back!
The problem is that it ISN’T Italian, like its predecessor was. This is a California-based restaurant group that, as you said, has American food inspired by Italy.
I’d rather have the genuine thing in World Showcase than an American approximation of what Italian cuisine is like.
Tutto Italia is clear ‘meh’ for us. We’ve never had what I’d call a bad meal there, but I think it’s a shining example of the dark side to Disney dining. You can pay a lot of money for mediocre food and a forgettable experience. Mostly this doesn’t bother us, but the setting and ambiance of the World Showcase imply a higher standard that we wished permeated the exterior façade of the restaurants.
If this were a random resort restaurant (and had prices to match), I probably wouldn’t think twice about whether or not it misses the mark.
My family have enjoyed meals at Tutto Italia, and its predecessor, Alfredo’s of Rome, in the passed but I much rather prefer the food, service and style of Via Napoli! The décor of Tutto is very nicely appointed but I always feel underdressed when dining there. Via Napoli will always be my first choice at EPCOT’s Italy.
I’ve only eaten at Tutto once, and had a pork dish which appears to no longer be on the menu. It was quite good.
My wife is a tiramisu fan, and similary loved the dessert here. I personally love the ricotta fritters next door at Via Napoli!
Interesting discussion. I’ve also heard negative things about Tutto, but then tried it last August. I’m Italian from NY, and my mother is off the boat Italian, so I think we’re in some position to judge. We loved Tutto (although I do agree Via Napoli is better food wise and value wise). We both thought the lasagna was the best we ever had and was very traditional. My sister even loved her gluten free pasta and my mother declared her pasta dish (can’t remember what it was) was fantastic and just like “back home.”
Maybe most people just aren’t familiar with traditional Italian cooking and used to Olive Garden-type food, so Tutto isn’t quite what they’re used to?
Worst meal we had on our trip last week was at this restaurant. Lasagna was far from even okay, fettecine was meh, polenta with pork tenderloin bland and the meat was fatty and tough. Laughable entrees, but you’re right; bread and desserts pretty good, price not withstanding. I will not go back.
It’s interesting–people on Facebook seem to like Tutto a lot more than the three of us!
Yeah, we went at the insistence of our traveling companions who gushed about the place before, during and after the meal, so clearly there are some divergent opinions on it. We were really psyched to try it based upon their recommendation; bjectively, though, it just was not good.
This sums up my thoughts on Tutto Italia pretty much exactly. Desserts were great, but we waded through some pretty underwhelming food to get to that point. The name “Chef Boyardee” sprung to mind when I tasted my lasagna, and my wife’s food was no better. It was, as you put it, “decidedly ‘meh.'” Given that there are much better places that are quite a bit easier to get an ADR, I don’t see us returning to Tutto Italia any time soon.
I’ve heard a similar Chef Boyardee remark elsewhere, and that was precisely why we avoided the pasta/lasagna!