Best Dinner Near Restaurant Row Orlando

Why Ciao Italia Beats Restaurant Row for Dinner

Restaurant Row has options. That is its strength. But having options and having good options are two different things. Most of the restaurants along Sand Lake Road are corporate-operated chains with standardized menus. They serve their purpose for visitors who want something recognizable, but they do not offer the kind of dinner that people remember.

Ciao Italia, located one block south on Westwood Boulevard, is the kind of restaurant people do remember. The Navarra family has been running it since 1991. The menu has not been designed by a committee. The pasta is made by hand, not shipped in frozen. The service comes from a team that knows the regulars by name. That kind of experience is what makes dinner worth the drive.

The Dinner Menu at Ciao Italia

The menu covers the full range of Italian dinner. Start with Burrata and prosciutto di Parma, the house-made Zuppa di Pesce, or the sauteed calamari. For the main course, the Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna Bolognese, and Fettuccine Alfredo are perennial favorites. The Tortellini con Brasato with braised beef and truffle cream is one of the more distinctive dishes on the menu.

Seafood options include the Linguine alle Vongole, Penne alla Vodka con Salmone, and the Risotto alla Pescatora. Veal comes in three preparations: parmigiana, marsala, and piccata. For dessert, the house-made Tiramisu and gelato finish the meal properly. The wine and beer selection is designed to pair with every course.

Restaurant Row Dining: The Bigger Picture

Restaurant Row, the stretch of Sand Lake Road between International Drive and Apopka-Vineland Road, is one of the most restaurant-dense corridors in Florida. It serves the massive tourist population of the I-Drive resort area as well as residents of Dr. Phillips, Bay Hill, and surrounding communities.

During peak seasons, dinner at popular Restaurant Row spots can mean 45-minute to 90-minute waits. Parking can be a challenge, especially at multi-restaurant plazas. Ciao Italia's separate location on Westwood Boulevard eliminates both problems. The restaurant has its own free lot, and reservations help manage the flow.

Ciao Italia has been serving dinner in this location since before most current Restaurant Row establishments existed. Its longevity speaks to quality that goes beyond trends and marketing. Over 4,000 reviews and 9 awards confirm what regulars already know.

Directions from Restaurant Row to Ciao Italia

From Restaurant Row (Sand Lake Road), head south toward SeaWorld on Westwood Boulevard. Ciao Italia is at 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821, about 5 minutes away. Free parking in the private lot.

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About Dining Near Dinner Restaurant Row

When you are visiting Dinner Restaurant Row in Orlando, finding a genuine Italian dinner can feel impossible among the chains and tourist traps. Ciao Italia Ristorante has been the answer since 1991 — a family-owned Italian restaurant on Westwood Boulevard where everything is made from scratch.

The Navarra family runs the kitchen personally. Handmade pasta, fresh sauces, bread baked daily, and housemade desserts. The menu includes classics like lasagna and chicken parmigiana alongside refined dishes like pappardelle with wild boar ragu and risotto alla pescatora.

With 4,000+ reviews, 9 awards, and over 35 years of service, Ciao Italia is one of the most trusted Italian restaurants in the Orlando area. Italian wine and beer are available with dinner. Kids eat for $13 with gelato. Free parking. Walk-ins welcome nightly 5 to 10 PM.

How to Get to Ciao Italia from Dinner Restaurant Row

Ciao Italia is about 5 minutes from Dinner Restaurant Row. Head toward International Drive and continue to Westwood Boulevard. The restaurant is at 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821, with free parking right in front. Open nightly 5 to 10 PM.

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