Best Italian Food Near Dr. Phillips

Dr. Phillips Knows Real Italian Food

People in Dr. Phillips eat well. Sand Lake Road is lined with restaurants, and the competition for dinner dollars is fierce. But there is a difference between restaurants that talk about quality and one that has been proving it every night for over 35 years.

Ciao Italia Ristorante does not rely on gimmicks or trendy presentations. The Navarra family cooks the way their family has always cooked: fresh ingredients, traditional methods, and recipes that have been refined over decades. That approach has earned them 4,000+ reviews and the loyalty of Dr. Phillips families who have been dining here since the restaurant opened in 1991.

What Real Italian Food Looks Like

The menu at Ciao Italia is a guide to authentic Italian cooking. Start with sauteed calamari or the Antipasto Italiano with imported charcuterie and cheeses. Move to Pappardelle al Cinghiale with wild boar ragu and porcini, or Linguine alle Vongole with fresh clams in white wine garlic sauce. Finish with house-made tiramisu or gelato.

Every pasta is handmade. The veal is prepared piccata style with artichokes and capers, or parmigiana with fresh mozzarella. The lamb chops are Australian, served with mashed potatoes and asparagus. This is not the kind of Italian food you get from a chain. This is the real thing.

The Dr. Phillips Food Scene

Dr. Phillips is one of Orlando's premier residential communities, centered around the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center area and stretching along Sand Lake Road. The neighborhood is famous for Restaurant Row, a stretch of dining options that draws visitors from across Central Florida.

But many of the best meals near Dr. Phillips happen off the main drag. Ciao Italia is 8 minutes away on Westwood Blvd, tucked into the International Drive corridor near SeaWorld. The Navarra family has been cooking here since 1991, earning 9 awards and building a reputation that Restaurant Row chains cannot match.

With free parking, a relaxed atmosphere, and a menu that features everything from $13 kids meals to $44 Australian lamb chops, Ciao Italia delivers the best Italian food experience near Dr. Phillips. Beer and wine available. Open nightly 5-10 PM.

How to Get to Ciao Italia from Dr. Phillips

Head east on Sand Lake Road from Dr. Phillips. Take International Drive south, then turn right onto Westwood Blvd. Ciao Italia is at 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando FL 32821. About 3 miles and 8 minutes. Free parking available at the door.

More Questions About Best Italian Food Dr. Phillips

About Dining Near Italian Food Dr Phillips

When you are visiting Italian Food Dr Phillips 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 Italian Food Dr Phillips

Ciao Italia is about 8 minutes from Italian Food Dr Phillips. 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.

More Questions About Dining Near Italian Food Dr Phillips