Best Italian Restaurant Near Epic Universe

Real Italian After Epic Universe

Universal's Epic Universe has transformed Orlando's theme park scene. But when the gates close and your feet are tired, you do not want to stand in another line for food. You want to sit down at a real restaurant, with real tablecloths, where someone brings you handmade pasta and a glass of wine. That is Ciao Italia Ristorante.

The best Italian restaurant near Epic Universe has been on Westwood Boulevard since before Epic Universe was even a concept. The Navarra family opened Ciao Italia in 1991 with recipes from southern Italy and a commitment to doing things the right way. Over 35 years later, the pasta is still handmade every day. The seafood is still fresh. The tiramisu is still made in-house. And the 4,000+ reviews speak for themselves.

What Sets Ciao Italia Apart

Theme park Italian food is designed for speed. Ciao Italia is designed for quality. The Risotto alla Pescatora is loaded with fresh shrimp, mussels, clams, and calamari. The Pappardelle with Wild Boar simmers for hours. The Vitello Piccata is delicate with capers and artichokes. The Sacchetti pasta is filled and folded by hand. Every sauce is built from scratch. Nothing comes from a bag or a freezer.

The wine list is curated with Italian selections that pair with every dish. The atmosphere is warm and unhurried. The Navarra family and their staff treat every guest like they are sitting in their own dining room. That is the difference between a restaurant that exists to serve tourists and one that exists to serve great food.

Getting Here

Ciao Italia is located at 6149 Westwood Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32821. The restaurant is 10 minutes from Epic Universe and easy to reach from any of the major Orlando corridors. Free self-parking is available for all guests. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 5 PM to 10 PM.

Reservations are recommended, especially during peak season when Epic Universe draws enormous crowds. Call (407) 354-0770 or book through OpenTable.

About Dining Near Epic Universe

Epic Universe represents the future of theme parks. The scale, the theming, the technology. It is the kind of experience that stays with you. But after 8 or 10 hours of walking, riding, and exploring, everyone needs to sit down and eat a real meal.

The dining scene near Epic Universe is still catching up to the park itself. The in-park restaurants are good but expensive, and the surrounding area offers mostly chains and hotel dining rooms. For visitors who want a genuine, independent restaurant with character, the options are limited unless you know where to go.

Ciao Italia Ristorante is a 10-minute drive from Epic Universe, located on Westwood Boulevard near International Drive. Since 1991, the Navarra family has been making fresh pasta, slow-cooking sauces, and baking bread every single day. The restaurant has earned 9 awards and over 4,000 reviews.

It is the kind of place where you can show up in park clothes, order a bottle of Italian wine, and enjoy a meal that actually feels special. Free parking, no dress code, and a kids menu with gelato for $13.

Directions from Epic Universe to Ciao Italia

Ciao Italia is approximately 5 miles south of Epic Universe on Westwood Boulevard, near International Drive. The drive takes about 10 minutes along I-Drive, heading toward the SeaWorld corridor. Free parking is available at the restaurant. A rideshare from Epic Universe typically costs around $10 to $15 depending on traffic.

More Questions About Dining Near Epic Universe

How to Get to Ciao Italia from Epic Universe

The drive from Epic Universe to Ciao Italia takes about 3 minutes. Head toward International Drive and continue to Westwood Boulevard. Ciao Italia is at 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821, with free parking right in front. Open nightly 5 to 10 PM.