Best Restaurant Near the Convention Center in Orlando

Better Than the Convention Center Options

The restaurants clustered around the Orange County Convention Center exist because of proximity, not quality. They know you are tired, you are on an expense account, and you will settle for whatever is closest. You do not have to settle. Ciao Italia Ristorante is 5 minutes from the Convention Center, and the difference between it and the nearby chains is the difference between a meal you forget and a meal you remember.

The Navarra family has operated Ciao Italia at 6149 Westwood Boulevard since 1991. The restaurant has earned 9 awards, a Zagat rating, and over 4,000 reviews. It serves handmade pasta, fresh seafood, and authentic Italian cuisine in a warm, intimate atmosphere. For convention visitors who want a dinner that matches the importance of their trip, this is the best restaurant near the Convention Center in Orlando.

Built for Business and Pleasure

Whether you are hosting a client dinner, celebrating a successful convention, or simply need a good meal after a long day on the trade show floor, Ciao Italia delivers. The menu features handmade Pappardelle with Wild Boar Ragu, Risotto alla Pescatora, Vitello Piccata, and an entirely Italian wine list curated over three decades. The tiramisu is made fresh daily.

For groups, private dining accommodates up to 60 guests with custom menus. Full restaurant buyouts are available for events up to 110. The staff is experienced with business groups and can handle everything from a dinner for four to a corporate event for fifty without missing a step.

Getting There

Ciao Italia is located at 6149 Westwood Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32821, 5 minutes from the Orange County Convention Center, International Drive, and most convention-area hotels. Free self-parking is available for all guests. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 5 PM to 10 PM.

Reservations are strongly recommended during convention season. Call (407) 354-0770 or book through OpenTable. Book early for private dining during major events.

About Dining Near the Convention Center

Attending a convention at the OCCC means long days, crowded exhibit halls, and overpriced hotel food. By the time the show floor closes, you want a real dinner, not another grab-and-go sandwich or a hotel restaurant charging $40 for mediocre pasta.

Ciao Italia is 5 minutes from the convention center and it is the opposite of convention food. The Navarra family has been cooking here since 1991, making everything from scratch. The pasta is handmade. The bread is baked fresh. The sauces are simmered daily. This is a family restaurant that happens to be perfectly located for convention crowds.

For exhibitors hosting client dinners or teams celebrating a successful show, the private dining room is ideal. It seats up to 60 guests with customizable group menus. The Italian wine list and beer selection pair well with everything on the menu. And the free parking means nobody has to pay convention center garage rates.

Open nightly from 5 to 10 PM, seven days a week. Whether you are in town for a three-day trade show or a week-long conference, Ciao Italia is the dinner that breaks up the convention routine.

How to Get to Ciao Italia from the Convention Center

Leaving the convention center, take International Drive south. Pass the hotels and attractions, and turn right on Westwood Blvd. Ciao Italia is 2 miles from the OCCC at 6149 Westwood Blvd. Free parking lot right in front. Five minutes from the show floor to your table.

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