Tucked in a cozy corner of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano has been serving up rustic Italian cuisine with a hearty side of charm and nostalgia for decades. With its warm lighting, eclectic Hollywood memorabilia, and the aroma of simmering tomato sauce drifting from the kitchen, Mama Melrose’s wasn’t just a place to eat — it was a place to feel at home.
Now, as the beloved restaurant prepares to close its doors for the final time, we say goodbye not just to a theme park dining spot, but to a piece of Disney x Hollywood magic woven deeply into the hearts of countless guests.
This is your last chance to enjoy Mama Melrose’s. If you have been wanting to have one last meal here, make sure you stop by on Saturday, May 10th or before, as the restaurant is officially closing for good on Sunday, May 11th, 2025.
The restaurant is closing in Grand Avenue / Muppets Courtyard to make way for the new Monsters, Inc.-themed land, and this location is rumored to become a Harry Hausen’s sushi restaurant from the franchise (but it’s impossible to get a reservation there… NOT for googly bear). Eventually, the rest of Muppets Courtyard will also close, including PizzeRizzo and Muppet*Vision 3D on June 8th (the last day to experience is June 7th).
The Story Goes…
Once upon a time, a young girl from a small Sicilian village moved to Hollywood to become a star. However, she soon found that cooking was her true calling as she re-created her papa’s secret recipes for her starving actor friends.
At their urging, she opened a restaurant in a vacant backlot warehouse once used to store film equipment. Mama’s culinary talents soon attracted the patronage of film industry insiders, who dubbed her Mama Melrose, after the lively Los Angeles thoroughfare. Her establishment became known as the place “where Italy meets California in the heart of the Backlot,” and the rest, as they say, is history.
Mama’s restaurant became a hidden gem in the backlot, serving up comforting (and delicious!) Italian fare, filled with eclectic Hollywood memorabilia and string lights.
Some of my favorite details include the many photos featuring celebrities visiting Disney/MGM Studios in its hey day, as part of the “Star of the Day” program. You’ll also spot plenty of Italian film posters. I especially enjoy the ones paying homage to The Great Movie Ride (the ol’ heart of the park) including Aliens and Casablanca; as well as the elusive Empire Strikes Back one you could spot along the back of the restaurant.
I recently stopped in for a fresh wood-fired pizza pie, tiramisu, and some snapshots (featured here) to bid this precious place an arrivederci.
You won’t find wood-fired flatbread pizza like this anywhere else at the park. In fact, on my recent stop, some table neighbors were saying how “there’s no pizza like this in the Bronx anymore… it’s all here!” Same, Mr. New York, same.
I may have come here once as a child who often frequented Disney/MGM Studios (my family were/are big Sci-Fi Dine-In fans), but I recently visited Mama Melrose’s for the first time as an adult and instantly felt at home. I couldn’t miss enjoying one last indulgent slice of Tiramisu amongst the twinkle lights.
A Fond Farewell
What truly made Mama Melrose’s special was its soul. Its quirky, mismatched décor reflected the restaurant’s backstory and the charming chaos of a romantic Hollywood and pursuing a dream.
Cast Members greeted guests like old friends, shared menu favorites, and made every meal feel like a warm family gathering. Whether you were celebrating a milestone or simply taking a break from the Florida sun, Mama Melrose’s made you feel like you belonged.
As Disney continues to evolve, change is inevitable. But that doesn’t make this farewell any easier. We’ll miss the comforting clink of forks on ceramic, the smell of fresh garlic and tomatoes wafting through the air, and the way Mama Melrose’s wrapped you in its embrace the moment you stepped inside.
To the chefs, servers, and every Cast Member who brought this ristorante to life: Grazie. You’ve left a legacy of joy, flavor, and unforgettable moments.
Mama Melrose’s spirit will linger in every memory made, every photo snapped, and every guest who walked away with a full heart… and a fuller stomach.
Chloé Ferreira
Theme Park Correspondent for The DIS | Chloé loves kitschy dark rides, roller coasters, a good background area music loop, hot Butterbeer, and all things Halloween. You’ll mostly find her wandering around Orlando’s biggest theme parks snapping pics and sharing tips… or probably talking about The Great Movie Ride.
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