The Best Pasta in Orlando
Handmade fresh pasta served every evening from a kitchen that has been doing it the same way since 1991.
Handmade Pasta Worth Driving For
Whether you are staying near SeaWorld, visiting the Convention Center, or coming from the other side of Orlando, Ciao Italia's pasta is worth the trip. The pappardelle al cinghiale, a wide ribbon pasta with slow-braised wild boar ragu, is one of those dishes that guests talk about for weeks afterward. The fettuccine Alfredo is made to order, creamy and rich without being heavy. The linguine with fresh clam sauce is simple and perfectly balanced.
What makes it different from the tourist-facing chains along International Drive? Every dish is made fresh. No shortcuts, no pre-made sauces from a bag. The kitchen runs the same way it did in 1991, and the consistency shows in the more than 3,000 guest reviews that back it up.
A Pasta Menu That Covers Every Craving
Ciao Italia offers a wide range of pasta dishes. If you want something hearty, the rigatoni Bolognese delivers. For seafood lovers, the linguine alle vongole or the pasta with shrimp and garlic are standout choices. Lighter appetites can go for spaghetti pomodoro, where the quality of the tomato sauce speaks for itself.
Portions are generous. That is something reviewers mention over and over. You will not leave hungry, and you will probably be taking something home. The prices are fair for the quality you get, especially compared to the resort-area restaurants just down the road.
The Setting Matches the Food
Ciao Italia feels like walking into an Italian family's dining room. The atmosphere is warm, the service is attentive but not rushed, and the whole place has a comfortable, lived-in quality that comes from more than three decades in the same location. There is free self-parking, no valet hassle, and the restaurant is open seven days a week from 5 PM to 10 PM.
If you are visiting Orlando and want a real Italian meal instead of a chain restaurant experience, or if you are a local who has somehow not tried it yet, Ciao Italia's pasta belongs on your list. Over 35 years of doing it right speaks louder than any advertisement.
Practical Details
Cuisine
Zagat-rated Italian. Handmade pastas, fresh seafood, veal, lamb, and classic preparations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of pasta does Ciao Italia serve?
Ciao Italia serves a wide selection of handmade and imported Italian pastas including pappardelle, fettuccine, linguine, rigatoni, and spaghetti. Many dishes feature sauces made from scratch daily using traditional family recipes passed down for generations.
Is the pasta at Ciao Italia made fresh?
Yes. Ciao Italia prepares many of its pasta dishes with fresh, handmade pasta. The kitchen follows traditional Italian techniques that have been part of the restaurant since it opened in 1991.
What is the most popular pasta dish at Ciao Italia?
The pappardelle with wild boar ragu (pappardelle al cinghiale) is a guest favorite, along with the fettuccine Alfredo and linguine with clam sauce. The risotto pescatore, while technically not a pasta, is also one of the most-ordered dishes.
Where is Ciao Italia located?
Ciao Italia Ristorante is located at 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821 — 3 minutes from SeaWorld, Aquatica, and the Orange County Convention Center. Free self-parking is available. Open 7 days a week from 5 PM to 10 PM.
Are Ciao Italia dishes made fresh?
Yes. Every dish is made to order using recipes the Navarra family has perfected over 35 years. Pasta, sauces, and bread are prepared fresh daily.
More From Ciao Italia
Ready for the Best Pasta in Orlando?
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.