Outside Disney World
Best Orlando Restaurants Outside Disney World
Orlando's best independent Italian restaurant. 20-25 minutes from Disney parks.
Orlando's best independent Italian restaurant. 20-25 minutes from Disney parks.
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.
Ciao Italia has served handmade pasta since 1991. 4,000+ reviews. 20 min from EPCOT. Open nightly.
Orlando has incredible restaurants outside the Disney bubble. Ciao Italia Ristorante at 6149 Westwood Blvd has been family-owned since 1991, serving handmade pasta with 4,000+ reviews and highly awarded. The real Orlando dining scene is off-property.
Kids menu with gelato included. Homemade pasta. Free parking. Open every night.
Most Disney visitors never discover Orlando's real restaurant scene. They eat inside the parks, grab dinner at Disney Springs, and go home thinking that is what Orlando food is about. But Orlando has a vibrant independent dining culture that has been thriving for decades, and some of the best restaurants are within 20 minutes from Disney of every Disney park.
Ciao Italia Ristorante is a prime example. Located on Westwood Blvd near SeaWorld and International Drive, this family-owned Italian restaurant has been open since 1991. The Navarra family makes everything from scratch. The pasta is handmade daily, the sauces simmer for hours, and the recipes have been passed down through generations. With 4,000+ reviews and highly awarded, it has earned its place among Orlando's best.
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.
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"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 |
| Disney World (EPCOT) | 12 miles / 20 min via I-4 |
| 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 among Orlando's highest-rated independent restaurants, with 4,000+ reviews, highly awarded, and 35+ years of family ownership. Handmade Italian pasta 20-25 minutes from all parks.
Many locals frequent restaurants along International Drive and Sand Lake Road. Ciao Italia on Westwood Blvd has been a local favorite since 1991.
Many food critics and visitors find that Orlando's independent restaurants offer more authentic and creative cuisine than on-property Disney options, often at lower prices.
Ciao Italia Ristorante at 6149 Westwood Blvd is a family-owned Italian restaurant about 20 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 20 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.
Off-property restaurants offer better value, more authentic food, shorter waits, and a chance to experience Orlando's real dining culture beyond the theme park bubble.
20 minutes from EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, 25 minutes from Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom via I-4.
With 4,000+ reviews, highly awarded, and 35+ years of continuous operation under the same family, Ciao Italia is among Orlando's most established and highly rated Italian restaurants.
Reservations are recommended on weekends but not required. Walk-ins are welcome every night. Call (407) 354-0770.
Top dishes include Pappardelle al Cinghiale, Risotto alla Pescatora, Australian lamb chops, sauteed calamari, and homemade tiramisu.
On International Drive, near SeaWorld and the Convention Center. Free parking right in front.
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20-25 minutes from Disney World. Family-owned since 1991. Open tonight.