Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano

Oct 23, 2020


Updated 6/16/22
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Tucked away in a corner of Disney’s Hollywood Studios near Grand Avenue sits a charming Italian restaurant that deserves a little attention and fanfare. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano is located in what appears to be a prop storage/equipment warehouse in an area that was utilized by the studios for shooting movies based in New York City’s Little Italy. The menu is a twist on California-Italian cuisine. 

The ambiance can be described as “homey Italian” with a mixture of movie memorabilia, Italian-American records, celebrity photos, and countless trinkets. There is nothing fancy about the restaurant and I believe that is what makes it a very unique dining destination. The seating varies from large comfortable booths to tables with mismatched wood chairs. It all rounds up to a very cozy and relaxed experience.

Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano is open daily for lunch and dinner. You will need a valid theme park admission to dine and reservations are highly recommended. It is family-friendly and theme park attire is welcomed. Mama Melrose participates in the Disney Dining Plan and requires 1 table-service credit (As a reminder, Disney currently is not offering Dining Plans). If you are paying out of pocket, you can expect to spend $20-$34.99 per person on entrees.

The Mama Melrose menu offers plenty of Italian favorites like Oven-baked Chicken alla Parmigiana, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Shrimp Campanelle, and Charred Strip Steak. The dessert options of Tiramisu, Cannoli, or Gelato are delicious. The restaurant also offers a children’s menu with plenty of offerings.

Mama Melrose’s also offers a Fantasmic! Dining Package, which includes lunch or dinner and reserved, VIP seating for Fantasmic! The dining package includes one entree, an appetizer of dessert, and a nonalcoholic beverage. Lunch and dinner are $54 per adult and $22 for children (age 3-9). Tax and gratuity are not included. 


My family has been eating at Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano for years. It has become a tradition of sorts for our family to dine at the delightful diner when visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios. For an appetizer, I recommend Mama’s Caesar Salad or the House-made Italian Meatball. When it comes to entrées, the oven-baked Chicken alla Parmigiana and Spaghetti and Meatballs have been fantastic (and filling). We enjoy the opportunity to dine inside the theme park at a restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere, delicious food, and a friendly waitstaff. We also treasure the opportunity to step away from the theme park crowds, rest for a bit, and prepare to conquer the remainder of the day.

If you are looking for a neighborhood-style Italian restaurant that is attentively prepared and family-friendly, head over to Mama Melrose’s!

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