Home to Italian fare dreamed up by Mama Melrose, a fictional proprietor who came to Hollywood to “make it” and ultimately opened up a restaurant, Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano is a table-service restaurant located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
In keeping with the park’s Hollywood-inspired theming, this American-Italian spot serves what Disney calls Italian food with a California twist. While the menu won’t wow you, it is a relatively safe spot for kids with varying tastes to dine, thanks to staples like spaghetti and cheese pizza.
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano Location
Mama Melrose’s is located in the Grand Avenue area of Hollywood Studios. It’s set at the very back of the area, past PizzeRizzo and Muppet*Vision 3D.
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano Menu
You can head to Mama Melrose’s for lunch or dinner, and the menu will be the same. Salads, pasta dishes, and more are available for kids and adults, and the portion sizes are decent for the price.
Take a look at what you can expect to find at this Hollywood Studios restaurant below.
Appetizers
- Burrata Salad
- Fried Mozzarella Sticks
- Tomato Bruschetta
- Marinated Olives
- Mushroom, Artichoke, Cheese Dip
- Fried Calamari
- House Garlic Bread
- Minestrone Soup
- Mama’s Caesar Salad
Entrées
- NY Strip Steak
- Braised Pork Osso Bucco
- Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp
- Rigatoni Bolognese
- Mushroom and Goat Cheese Pizza
- Mama’s Italian Pasta with Chicken
- Prosciutto and Honey Pizza
- Margherita Pizza
- Polenta Cake, Mushroom, and Herbed Cauliflower
- Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Oven-baked Chicken alla Parmigiana
- Chef Selection of Fresh Fish
Desserts
- Tiramisú
- Gelato
- Mini Cannoli Trio
- Goat Cheese Mousse Tart
- Pasticciotti Cream Tart
- Flourless Chocolate Cake
- Cherry-Chocolate Cake
- Lemon Sorbet
Kids’ Appetizers (a la carte)
- Garden Salad
- Minestrone Soup
Kids’ Create-Your-Own Entrées (choose one)
- Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
- Grilled Chicken Breast
- Cheese Pizza
- Chicken Parmigiana over Spaghetti
- Spaghetti or Penne
Kids’ Create-Your-Own Selections (choose two)
- Green Beans and Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Sautéed Zucchini
- Apple Slices
- Ice Cream Sundae
- Spaghetti and Meatball Cupcake
Disney Dining Plan
You can use the Disney Dining Plan at Mama Melrose’s, though only the Disney Dining Plan is accepted (the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan is not.)
It’ll cost one table-service meal credit per person to dine here.
Advance Dining Reservations
Like all Disney World table-service restaurants, Mama Melrose’s does offer advance dining reservations (ADRs). It’s highly recommended that you make an ADR if you’d like to dine here.
However, while Disney technically recommends ADRs for every table-service spot, in our experience, it’s not too hard to get one for Mama Melrose’s, even at the very last-minute. If your plans change or you need a day-of reservation, you’ll likely be able to find one here without issue.
Is Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano Kid-Friendly?
If your kids love pasta or Italian food (like a decent, universally loved pizza), Mama Melrose’s is a solid choice. It’s not a fussy table-service restaurant, so you won’t need to worry about your kids being on their best fine dining behavior – and the food isn’t adventurous, so there are plenty of options for picky eaters.
Just note that while kids may find the food and atmosphere just fine, this restaurant may not be the most exciting for adults. It’s pretty underwhelming, but if you’re focused on getting the kids fed, it’ll serve its purpose just fine for the whole family.
