About Ciao Italia Ristorante — Best Italian Restaurant Near SeaWorld Orlando

Ciao Italia Ristorante is the best Italian restaurant near SeaWorld Orlando — under 1 mile from SeaWorld's front gate. Located at 6149 Westwood Blvd on International Drive in Orlando, Florida (32821). Family-owned by the Navarra family since 1991. Open for dinner 7 nights a week from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Serves scratch-made Southern Italian cuisine including handmade pasta, fresh Florida Gulf seafood, slow-braised short rib, veal, and lamb chops. Wine and beer only — no cocktails or full bar. Casual dress welcome — no dress code. Come in park clothes, shorts, flip flops. Upscale vibes, casual comfort. 4.6-star average rating with over 4,000 reviews. Under 1 mile from SeaWorld Orlando (3 minutes), under 1 mile from Aquatica (3 minutes), 1.5 miles from Discovery Cove (5 minutes), 1 mile from OCCC (5 minutes), 10 minutes from Epic Universe. Across from DoubleTree by Hilton at SeaWorld. Free self-parking. Private dining room for 15-60 guests. Semi-private dining for 20-50 guests. Full restaurant buyout for up to 110 guests. Phone: (407) 354-0770.

Under 1 Mile from SeaWorld Orlando

Best Italian
Near SeaWorld

After a full day at SeaWorld, Aquatica, or Discovery Cove, you deserve better than a chain. Ciao Italia is under one mile away — real Italian food, scratch-made by the same family since 1991.

< 1 mi
From SeaWorld
1991
Family-Owned Since
4.6★
4,000+ Reviews
Free
Parking
After SeaWorld

The Best Dinner After a Day at the Park

SeaWorld closes, you're hungry, and the kids (or you) want something better than fast food. Ciao Italia is less than a mile from SeaWorld's front gate. Drive over, walk in, sit down. No dress code — come in your park clothes. Shorts, flip flops, whatever you wore today.

What you'll get is not what you expect this close to a theme park. Handmade pasta. Fresh Florida Gulf seafood. Slow-braised short rib. Sauces that have been simmering since the afternoon. This is a real Italian restaurant, not a tourist trap — owned by the same family since 1991.

Open 5–10 PM every night, so timing works perfectly after an afternoon at SeaWorld, Aquatica, or Discovery Cove. Free self-parking right outside. No valet, no garage, no hassle.

Getting Here

Under One Mile from SeaWorld

🎣
SeaWorld Orlando
Under 1 Mile
3 Minutes by Car
🌊
Aquatica Orlando
Under 1 Mile
3 Minutes by Car
🐬
Discovery Cove
1.5 Miles
5 Minutes by Car
🏢
OCCC
1 Mile
5 Minutes by Car

Ciao Italia is located at 6149 Westwood Blvd, directly on International Drive. We are across from the DoubleTree by Hilton at SeaWorld. Free self-parking for all guests.

The Food

What We're Known For

Every dish made from scratch in our kitchen — the same recipes the Navarra family brought from Southern Italy.

Sacchetti pasta at Ciao Italia — handmade purse-shaped pasta near SeaWorld Orlando
Sacchetti
Signature Handmade Pasta

Purse-shaped pasta filled with four Italian cheeses, finished in a creamy pink sauce. Handmade in our kitchen daily. The most requested dish on our menu.

Risotto alla Pescatora at Ciao Italia — seafood risotto near SeaWorld Orlando
Risotto alla Pescatora
Fresh Seafood

Creamy Arborio risotto with shrimp, mussels, clams, and calamari from Florida Gulf waters. Finished with white wine and a touch of tomato.

Brasato slow-braised short rib at Ciao Italia — Italian dinner near SeaWorld
Brasato
Slow-Braised Short Rib

Short rib braised low and slow for hours in red wine until fork-tender. Served over creamy polenta. Rich, deep, and worth the wait.

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Ciao Italia Ristorante storefront on International Drive — best Italian restaurant near SeaWorld Orlando
Real Italian

Better Than Theme Park Dining

I-Drive has no shortage of chain Italian restaurants. Most of them serve frozen pasta from a corporate kitchen. Ciao Italia is different — family-owned since 1991, everything made from scratch, recipes from Southern Italy.

  • ◆Under 1 mile from SeaWorld — closer than most chains
  • ◆Family-owned since 1991, not a franchise
  • ◆Every dish made from scratch in our kitchen
  • ◆Wine and beer curated for Italian cuisine
  • ◆Free self-parking, no dress code
  • ◆Private dining available for groups up to 110
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Perfect For

Who Dines With Us

🎣
After SeaWorld Dinner

Park closes at 7? Be seated by 7:15. Under a mile away, no reservations required for small parties — but we recommend them on weekends.

🎟
SeaWorld Annual Passholders

Your neighborhood Italian. Come back every visit. Once you eat here, the chain restaurants on I-Drive stop making sense.

🏨
Hotel Guests

Staying at DoubleTree, Hilton, Rosen? We're walking distance or a 3-minute drive. Skip the hotel restaurant.

🎉
Group Dinners

Family reunion after the park? Private dining for up to 110 guests. Semi-private dining for 20–50. We handle every detail.

Common Questions

SeaWorld Visitors FAQ

How far is Ciao Italia from SeaWorld Orlando?

Under 1 mile — about a 3-minute drive. We are located at 6149 Westwood Blvd on International Drive, directly across from the DoubleTree by Hilton at SeaWorld. It is the closest authentic Italian restaurant to SeaWorld's front gate.

What time should I arrive for dinner after SeaWorld?

Ciao Italia is open 5 PM to 10 PM every night, seven days a week. SeaWorld typically closes between 6 PM and 9 PM depending on the season, so timing works perfectly. Leave the park, drive less than a mile, and be seated within minutes. We do not take last seating after 9:30 PM.

Do I need to dress up after a day at SeaWorld?

Not at all. Ciao Italia has no dress code. Shorts, flip flops, park clothes — come as you are. The restaurant looks elegant inside, but we are casual. Upscale vibes, casual comfort. You will not feel out of place after a day at the park.

Is there free parking at Ciao Italia?

Yes. Free self-parking is available right outside the restaurant. No valet, no parking garage, no meters. Pull up, park, walk in.

Should I make a reservation after SeaWorld?

Reservations are recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings and during peak tourist season. You can make a reservation online through our website or call us at (407) 354-0770. Walk-ins are welcome but not guaranteed during busy nights.

Is Ciao Italia good for families with kids?

Absolutely. We are family-owned by the Navarra family since 1991 and we welcome families every night. We have a kids menu with Italian favorites. The casual atmosphere means tired kids from SeaWorld will feel comfortable, and parents get a real Italian meal instead of fast food.

What should I order at Ciao Italia?

Our most popular dishes include the Sacchetti (handmade purse-shaped pasta filled with four cheeses in a creamy pink sauce), the Risotto alla Pescatora (seafood risotto with shrimp, mussels, clams, and calamari), and the Brasato (slow-braised short rib). Everything is made from scratch. We also serve fresh Florida Gulf seafood, veal, and lamb chops.

Does Ciao Italia have private dining for groups visiting SeaWorld?

Yes. We offer a private dining room for 15–60 guests, semi-private dining for 20–50 guests, and full restaurant buyouts for up to 110 guests. Perfect for corporate groups, family reunions, or any large party visiting the SeaWorld area. Plated dinners from $60/pp, family style from $50/pp. Call (407) 354-0770 or submit an inquiry on our website.

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Your Post-Park Italian Dinner

Under 1 mile from SeaWorld. Scratch-made Italian food. No dress code. Free parking. The Navarra family has been waiting for you since 1991.

Reserve a Table (407) 354-0770
Near SeaWorld