Award-Winning Italian Dining in Orlando

Awards That Were Earned, Not Bought

In the Orlando restaurant scene, plenty of places claim to be the best. Very few can back it up with decades of consistent recognition. Ciao Italia Ristorante is one of the rare exceptions. Since opening in 1991, this family-owned Italian restaurant has collected awards and accolades that reflect what guests have known all along: the food is exceptional, the atmosphere is special, and the service is genuine.

When people search for the best rated Italian restaurant in Orlando, they are usually looking for validation. They want to know that other people have been there, loved it, and said so publicly. With over 3,000 reviews and a 4.6-star rating, Ciao Italia has that validation in abundance.

The Awards and What They Mean

Zagat Rated means the restaurant has been evaluated by one of the most respected rating systems in the dining industry. Zagat does not just hand out ratings. They are earned through consistent quality across food, service, and atmosphere.

OpenTable Diners' Choice is awarded based on real diner reviews. It reflects what actual guests think about the restaurant, not what a critic thought on one visit. Ciao Italia has earned this recognition multiple times.

The Most Romantic Restaurant award speaks to the atmosphere. The candlelit dining room, the warm Mediterranean decor, and the unhurried pace of service have made Ciao Italia a destination for couples celebrating anniversaries, proposals, and date nights for over three decades.

The restaurant has also been named among the Top 3 Best Italian Restaurants in Orlando, a distinction that places it alongside the very best the city has to offer.

What the Reviews Actually Say

Awards are meaningful, but the real proof is in the reviews. More than 3,000 guests have taken the time to write about their experience at Ciao Italia, and the themes are consistent: the food is fresh and authentic, the service is warm and personal, the atmosphere is beautiful, and the restaurant feels like a genuine Italian dining experience.

Guests consistently praise specific dishes. The Risotto alla Pescatora, the Vitello Piccata, the Pappardelle with Wild Boar, and the homemade Tiramisu come up again and again. People notice that the food is made to order, that the ingredients are fresh, and that the flavors are different from what they get at chain restaurants.

35 Years of Consistency

Any restaurant can have a great night. What makes Ciao Italia special is that it has had great nights for over 35 years. The Navarra family opened the restaurant in 1991 with recipes from southern Italy, and those recipes have not changed because they do not need to. The kitchen makes everything from scratch, every night, for every guest.

That consistency is why the awards keep coming. It is why guests leave reviews years after their first visit. And it is why Ciao Italia remains one of the most recognized Italian restaurants in Orlando.

Visit at 6149 Westwood Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32821. Open seven days a week, 5 PM to 10 PM. Free self-parking. Reservations at (407) 354-0770 or through OpenTable.