Best Eggplant Parmigiana in Orlando

Eggplant Parm for People Who Know the Difference

Eggplant parmigiana is one of those dishes that separates a real Italian kitchen from one that is just going through the motions. Done poorly, it is soggy, oily, and forgettable. Done right, it is one of the most satisfying dishes in Italian cooking. At Ciao Italia Ristorante, the eggplant parmigiana is done right. Fresh eggplant is sliced, lightly salted to draw out moisture, hand-breaded with seasoned Italian breadcrumbs, and pan-fried until the coating is golden and crispy. It is then layered with the house marinara and fresh mozzarella, and finished in the oven until everything melts together.

The result is a dish that is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of flavor from the marinara that has been simmering since the afternoon. It comes with a side of spaghetti, and it is hearty enough to satisfy anyone, whether they are vegetarian or not.

A Vegetarian Option That Does Not Feel Like an Afterthought

At many Italian restaurants, the vegetarian options are limited to a plain pasta or a sad salad. Ciao Italia treats the eggplant parmigiana as a main event, not a consolation prize. The same care that goes into the veal parm and chicken parm goes into this dish. The breading is seasoned with herbs and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. The marinara is the same house-made sauce that anchors the entire menu. The mozzarella is fresh and melted to a perfect golden bubble.

Beyond the eggplant parm, vegetarian diners will find several other options on the menu. The pasta pomodoro lets the quality of the tomato sauce speak for itself. The pesto pasta is fresh and herbaceous. The mozzarella caprese and bruschetta make excellent starters, and the burrata is creamy and indulgent.

Family Recipes, Family Atmosphere

Ciao Italia has been on Westwood Blvd since 1991, run by the Navarra family with the same recipes and the same commitment to quality. The dining room is warm and inviting, the service is personal and attentive, and the food is honest Italian cooking that does not try to be anything else. That is why over 3,000 guests have left reviews, 9 awards hang on the wall, and the restaurant carries a Zagat rating.

Located 3 minutes from SeaWorld, Aquatica, and the Orange County Convention Center. Free self-parking, open seven days a week from 5 PM to 10 PM, with private dining for groups up to 60 and full restaurant buyout for 110.