Best Calamari Near International Drive

Calamari That Is Actually Tender

Calamari is one of the most ordered appetizers at Italian restaurants, and one of the most frequently disappointing. At most places near International Drive, the calamari arrives rubbery, overcooked, and drowning in a generic marinara that tastes like it came from a can. It is the kind of dish that makes you wonder why you bothered ordering it in the first place.

At Ciao Italia Ristorante, the calamari is different. The squid is cut fresh in the kitchen, sautéed in olive oil until perfectly tender and golden. It is served with house-made marinara, and the difference between this and the frozen, frozen version you get at a chain is obvious from the first bite.

The Perfect Start to Your Meal

Calamari is one of the most popular ways to start a meal at Ciao Italia. It pairs well with everything on the menu, from the risotto pescatore to the chicken marsala to the pappardelle wild boar ragu. Many families order it for the table to share while they decide on their entrees. The portion is generous, and the dish arrives hot from the kitchen.

Beyond the calamari, the appetizer menu at Ciao Italia includes bruschetta with fresh tomatoes and basil, creamy burrata with house-made pesto, handmade meatballs in marinara, lobster bisque, and insalata caprese. Every starter is made fresh, and every one of them sets the bar for what follows.

A Quick Drive from I-Drive, a Different Experience

Ciao Italia is located at 6149 Westwood Blvd, just a few 2 minutes from International Drive. The restaurant has been owned and operated by the Navarra family since 1991. Over 3,000 guests have left reviews praising the food, the service, and the atmosphere. Nine culinary awards hang on the wall. Free self-parking is available, and the restaurant is open seven nights a week from 5 to 10 PM.

If you are staying near I-Drive and want calamari that is actually worth ordering, the short drive to Ciao Italia is the best decision you will make for dinner.

About Dining Near I-Drive

International Drive is the heart of Orlando's tourist corridor. Stretching over 11 miles through the center of the city, I-Drive is home to theme parks, attractions, outlet malls, and hundreds of restaurants. Millions of visitors walk this strip every year looking for somewhere to eat after a long day.

The problem with dining on International Drive is that most of the restaurants are chains. The same menus you can find in any airport or shopping mall. The food is predictable, the service is rushed, and the experience is forgettable. Visitors deserve better than that.

Ciao Italia Ristorante sits just off International Drive on Westwood Boulevard, where the Navarra family has been cooking authentic Italian food since 1991. The pasta is handmade daily. The sauces are made from scratch. The bread is baked fresh every evening. It is a fundamentally different dining experience than anything on the main strip.

Whether you are staying at one of the I-Drive hotels, visiting SeaWorld or Aquatica, or spending the day at the outlets, Ciao Italia is 2 minutes from the action. Free parking, walk-ins welcome, and open every night from 5 to 10 PM.

How to Get to Ciao Italia from I-Drive

From International Drive, take Westwood Boulevard south. Ciao Italia is at 6149 Westwood Blvd, on the right side, with a free parking lot directly in front. It is 2 minutes from I-Drive and on the same road as SeaWorld's main entrance.

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