This Disney Springs Restaurant Has All The Glamour Of The Golden Age Of Air Travel

When it comes to Italian food everyone has an opinion. With so many regions and specialty dishes to choose from, there's something for every palette. Over at Disney Springs, Maria & Enzo's is the spot to go for authentic Italian meals, with all of the glamour of the golden age of air travel.

1. Who Are Maria & Enzo?

Maria & Enzo's

Maria and Enzo are a couple who immigrated from Italy to Florida, where Maria would eventually open a small cafe in the long-closed Disney Springs Airport Terminal lobby. That small dream turned into something bigger than both Maria and Enzo could imagine.

2. The Back Story

Maria & Enzo's

When visitors to the cafe (which is what Disney Springs guests now know as Pizza Ponte) asked if they could walk into the rest of the terminal, Enzo took their curiosity to heart, and began to restore the terminal and make it a place for new and old guests to visit. During the restoration, Maria was dreaming of having an elegant dining room where she could serve guests the best foods from Southern Italy and her home in Sicily. Maria and Enzo’s dream soon came true, and they eventually purchases the entire building!

3. Nods to Walt Disney

Maria & Enzo's

When guests first enter the dining room, they see a giant silver globe above them with three drop pins. Those pins are landmarks that are significant to the Walt Disney Company, and the restaurant’s nod to Walt Disney himself. One pin is on Orlando, where Walt Disney World is located, one pin is on Anaheim, where Disneyland Resort is located, and the last pin on Marceline, Missouri, where Walt Disney was born.

4. Art Work Across Maria & Enzo's

Maria & Enzo's

All across the restaurant there is beautiful artwork depicting the locations the airport terminal used to take guests. Along the top of the restaurant there is a ribbon banner with cities and icons from around the world. Each location is geographically accurate to the direction it is facing. In the middle of the restaurant guests will see an olive tree, which is reminiscent of Maria and Enzo’s life in Italy.

5. Favorite Dishes

Maria & Enzo's

When it comes to food, Maria & Enzo’s is creating incredible dishes that all guests will enjoy! The menu covers favorites like three cheese ravioli, classic spaghetti, to amazing steaks and fish entrees. Everything is created by head chef Theo Schoenegger.

6. Sharing Is The Way To Go

Maria & Enzo's

The entrees at Maria & Enzo’s are easily big enough to share between two people, especially if you are getting an appetizer or salad to go with your meal. And with sharing, you get to try more things, which is always a bonus!

7. Be Sure To Get The Signature Dish

Maria & Enzo's

The signature dish at Maria & Enzo's is the chicken parmesan. There's no lack of flavor with this dish. The chicken comes out hot and crispy with bubbling melted cheese on top. This is THE dish to get when you go out to dinner.

8. Always End With Dessert

Maria & Enzo's

Maria & Enzo’s also delivers when it comes to dessert! Their cannoli is one of the best at Walt Disney World, and is made fresh every single day with sheep’s milk ricotta, chocolate chips, and candied orange. If you and your family are looking for an authentic way to end your meal, you aren’t going to want to skip this one.

9. Brunch

Maria & Enzo's

If you're looking for something for brunch Sunday morning after a long night at Enzo's Hideaway, Maria & Enzo's has you covered. They serve a delightful brunch, where guests can order an entree off of the menu, then go to a buffet line to get assorted salads, cheeses, meats, and breads to go with their meal.

10. Casual Family Dining

Maria & Enzo's

If you love Italian food, in a beautiful setting, and away from the hustle and bustle of the Walt Disney World theme parks, you’re going to want to make a reservation for Maria & Enzo’s! You’ll be glad you did.