Best Lamb Chops Near International Drive
Herb-seasoned, grilled to perfection. Tender, flavorful, served the Italian way.
Lamb Chops Done the Italian Way
Lamb is one of the pillars of Italian cooking. In Italy, lamb chops are treated with respect, seasoned simply, and cooked over high heat to develop a beautiful crust while keeping the inside pink and juicy. It is an approach that requires restraint and confidence in the quality of the meat. At Ciao Italia Ristorante, that is exactly how the lamb chops are prepared.
The lamb chops at Ciao Italia are seasoned with fresh rosemary, garlic, and olive oil, then grilled to your preferred temperature. The meat is tender and rich, with the kind of clean, distinctive flavor that only quality lamb delivers. They are served with seasonal vegetables and arrive at your table sizzling from the grill. It is one of the most popular entrees on the menu and a dish that regulars order again and again.

Beyond the Lamb: A Full Italian Menu
While the lamb chops are a standout, they are just one part of a menu that covers the full range of Italian cooking. The veal piccata is another popular choice for guests who want something beyond pasta, prepared with capers and lemon in a light butter sauce. The braised short rib is slow-cooked until it falls apart. The chicken marsala is made with real Marsala wine and fresh mushrooms. Every dish is prepared to order with fresh ingredients.
For guests who want to start with pasta before their lamb chops, the handmade pappardelle with wild boar ragu and the lobster ravioli are two of the most popular choices. And the appetizer menu includes sautéed calamari, burrata with pesto, and bruschetta that sets the tone for everything that follows.
2 Minutes Off I-Drive, a Completely Different Experience
Ciao Italia is located at 6149 Westwood Blvd, just a few 2 minutes from International Drive. The restaurant has been owned and operated by the Navarra family since 1991. It is not a chain, not a steakhouse, and not a tourist trap. It is a family-owned Italian restaurant that happens to serve some of the best lamb chops in the Orlando area.
Free self-parking, a warm dining room, and a staff that treats every guest like family. Open seven nights a week from 5 to 10 PM, with over 4,000 guest reviews and nine culinary awards. If you are near I-Drive and want lamb chops that are prepared with care and cooked with skill, Ciao Italia is where you need to be.
Practical Details
Cuisine
Zagat-rated Italian. Handmade pastas, fresh seafood, veal, lamb, and classic preparations.
Hours
Open 7 days a week, 5 PM to 10 PM. Walk-ins welcome.
Parking
Free self-parking lot right in front of the restaurant. No meters or garages.
Location
6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821. Near SeaWorld, I-Drive, and the Convention Center.
Reservations
Book online through OpenTable or call (407) 354-0770. Walk-ins always welcome.
Private Dining
Private room seats up to 60. Full venue buyout up to 110. Custom menus available.
About Dining Near I-Drive
If you have spent any time on International Drive, you know how it works. Bright signs, loud music, and restaurants that look better from the outside than they taste on the inside. The tourist corridor is designed to keep you spending, not to give you a memorable meal.
That is why the best dining near I-Drive is not actually on I-Drive. Ciao Italia Ristorante is tucked on Westwood Boulevard, 2 minutes from the main strip, in a quiet plaza where the Navarra family has been serving authentic Italian cuisine since 1991.
Everything at Ciao Italia is made fresh daily. The pasta is rolled by hand. The sauces simmer for hours. The tiramisu is made in-house. With over 4,000 reviews and 9 awards, it is one of the most consistently praised restaurants in the Orlando area.
Visitors staying at I-Drive hotels, attending conventions at the OCCC, or spending the day at nearby theme parks all converge here for the same reason: it is the real thing. Free parking, open nightly, and no tourist-trap pricing.
How to Get to Ciao Italia from I-Drive
From International Drive, take Westwood Boulevard south. Ciao Italia is at 6149 Westwood Blvd, on the right side, with a free parking lot directly in front. It is 2 minutes from I-Drive and on the same road as SeaWorld's main entrance.
More Questions About Dining Near I-Drive
Is there free parking at Ciao Italia?
Yes. Ciao Italia has a free parking lot directly in front of the restaurant. No meters, no garages, and no validation needed. It is one of the few restaurants near I-Drive with its own free lot.
What kind of Italian food does Ciao Italia serve?
Ciao Italia serves authentic southern Italian cuisine including handmade pasta, fresh seafood, sauteed calamari, veal, lamb chops, and braised short rib. Everything is made from scratch daily by the Navarra family, who have owned the restaurant since 1991.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are the lamb chops prepared at Ciao Italia?
The lamb chops at Ciao Italia are seasoned with fresh herbs and garlic, then grilled to your preferred temperature. They are served with seasonal vegetables and traditional Italian accompaniments. The lamb is high-quality, tender, and cooked to order every time.
What other entrees does Ciao Italia serve besides lamb chops?
Ciao Italia serves a full Italian menu including handmade pasta, fresh seafood like the Risotto Pescatore, chicken marsala, veal piccata, braised short rib, eggplant parmesan, and shrimp scampi. All dishes are made to order with fresh ingredients.
How far is Ciao Italia from International Drive?
Ciao Italia is 2 minutes from International Drive at 6149 Westwood Blvd in Orlando. It is near SeaWorld, the Convention Center, Aquatica, and the I-Drive tourist corridor. Free self-parking is available for all guests.
Can I make a reservation at Ciao Italia near I-Drive?
Yes. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends and holidays. You can call (407) 354-0770 or book online through the website. Walk-ins are also welcome. Open 7 days a week from 5 PM to 10 PM.
What is the best Italian restaurant on International Drive?
Ciao Italia has been the go-to Italian restaurant near International Drive since 1991. Family-owned, Zagat rated, 4,000+ reviews, and everything made from scratch.
More From Ciao Italia
Try the Best Lamb Chops Near I-Drive
Reserve your table at Ciao Italia Ristorante. Walk-ins welcome, reservations recommended.
Published by Ciao Italia Ristorante, family-owned by the Navarra family on Westwood Boulevard since 1991. Over 35 years of authentic Italian hospitality in Orlando, Florida.