Restaurant Row's Best
Best Italian Restaurant Near Sand Lake Road
Family-owned since 1991. Handmade pasta. 4,000+ reviews. Five minutes from Restaurant Row.
Family-owned since 1991. Handmade pasta. 4,000+ reviews. Five minutes from Restaurant Row.
When the Navarra family opened Ciao Italia on International Drive in 1991, Orlando looked nothing like it does today. But the mission was simple: serve real Italian food, made from scratch, every single night.
35 years later, that mission hasn't changed. The pasta is still handmade. The sauces still simmer for hours. Over 4,000 guests have left reviews. Zagat rated, highly awarded, and the same family still greeting you at the door.
This is not a chain. This is the real thing.
Handmade pasta • Fresh seafood • Prime cuts • Every plate from scratch
Ciao Italia Ristorante is a family-owned authentic Italian restaurant located at 6149 Westwood Blvd on International Drive in Orlando, Florida (32821). Established in 1991 by the Navarra family. Open for dinner 7 nights a week from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Serves scratch-made Southern Italian cuisine including handmade pasta, fresh seafood, veal, chicken, and classic Italian dishes. Wine and beer only — no cocktails or full bar. Casual dress welcome — no dress code. 4.6-star average rating with over 4,000 reviews. SeaWorld Orlando is 1.4 miles away, Orange County Convention Center (0.9 miles / 3 minutes), and Epic Universe (10 minutes). Free self-parking. Reservations recommended. Phone: (407) 354-0770.
Best Italian Restaurant Sand Lake Road. Ciao Italia — Family-owned Italian since 1991. Handmade pasta, fresh seafood, wine & beer. 4,000+ reviews.
Looking for the best Italian restaurant near Sand Lake Road? The Navarra family has been serving Orlando since 1991 with handmade pasta, sauteed calamari, fresh seafood, and traditional Italian recipes. Located on International Drive at 6149 Westwood Blvd — five minutes from Restaurant Row with free parking.
Kids menu with gelato included. Homemade pasta. Free parking. Open every night.
Sand Lake Road has no shortage of restaurants. It is one of the busiest dining corridors in Central Florida, packed with chains, steakhouses, and fast-casual concepts. But the best Italian food near Sand Lake Road is not on the road itself. It is one block south, on Westwood Boulevard, at a family restaurant that has been here since 1991.
Ciao Italia Ristorante has been serving the same neighborhood for over 35 years. While chain restaurants along Restaurant Row rotate through ownership changes and menu overhauls, the Navarra family has kept things consistent. The pasta is made fresh daily. The sauces are slow-cooked from scratch. The bread is baked every evening before service. That level of consistency is what separates a neighborhood institution from a corporate concept.
Ciao Italia looks elegant — arched columns, Italian pottery, wine racks. But there's no dress code. Shorts and flip-flops are welcome. Kids are welcome.
$13 kids menu with gelato included. Highchairs available. Walk-ins welcome every night from 5 to 10 PM. Free parking lot right in front.
Reserve a Table
"Best Italian we've had in Florida. The lasagna was unreal and the staff made us feel like regulars on our first visit."
"A hidden gem near SeaWorld. Skip the tourist traps. The veal piccata and pappardelle are incredible."
Zagat-rated Italian. Handmade pastas, fresh seafood, veal, lamb, and classic preparations.
Open 7 days a week, 5 PM to 10 PM. Walk-ins welcome.
Free self-parking lot right in front. No meters or garages.
6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821. On International Drive, near SeaWorld and the Convention Center.
Book online via OpenTable or call (407) 354-0770.
Private room seats up to 60. Full venue buyout up to 110.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando — across from the DoubleTree by Hilton |
| Aquatica | 0.5 miles |
| OCCC | 0.9 miles / 3 min |
| SeaWorld | 1.4 miles |
| Discovery Cove | 2 miles |
| Hours | Open nightly 5–10 PM |
| Parking | Free on-site |
| Dress Code | Casual — no dress code |
Ciao Italia Ristorante is widely regarded as the best Italian restaurant near Sand Lake Road. Family-owned since 1991, it serves handmade pasta, fresh seafood, veal, and sauteed calamari. Located on International Drive at 6149 Westwood Blvd with free parking, five minutes from Restaurant Row.
Yes. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends and during convention season. Call (407) 354-0770 or book online. Walk-ins are always welcome when tables are available.
Ciao Italia Ristorante at 6149 Westwood Blvd is a family-owned Italian restaurant about 5 minutes away. Handmade pasta, fresh seafood, veal, and lamb since 1991. Over 4,000 reviews. Open nightly 5 to 10 PM.
Ciao Italia is about 5 minutes away and serves authentic Italian food made from scratch. Italian wine and beer with dinner, free parking, kids menu with gelato. Walk-ins welcome.
Ciao Italia serves a wide variety of Italian dishes including handmade pasta, fresh seafood, veal, chicken, appetizers, salads, and homemade desserts like Tiramisu and gelato.
Yes. The kids menu is $13 and includes an entree plus gelato for dessert. All ages are welcome.
Ciao Italia is on International Drive at 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821, 3 minutes from SeaWorld, 4 minutes from Aquatica, and 5 minutes from the Convention Center. Free parking available.
Yes. Ciao Italia is available on Uber Eats and DoorDash. You can also call (407) 354-0770 for takeout.
The Fettuccine Alfredo, Chicken Parmigiana, and Lasagna Bolognese are consistent favorites. For seafood lovers, the Risotto alla Pescatora is a standout.
On International Drive, near SeaWorld and the Convention Center. Free parking right in front.
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Handmade pasta, fresh seafood, and 35 years of family tradition. Open tonight, 5–10 PM.