Best Restaurant Near Epic Universe in Orlando

Dinner After Epic Universe

You just spent the day at Universal's Epic Universe. You rode every ride, walked every land, and ate a theme park pretzel that cost more than it should have. Now you want a real dinner. Not another tourist restaurant. Not another chain. A real meal at a place where the food matters and the atmosphere lets you actually decompress.

Ciao Italia Ristorante is the best restaurant near Epic Universe in Orlando. The Navarra family has been serving authentic Italian food on Westwood Boulevard since 1991. The restaurant is 10 minutes from Epic Universe, and it offers everything the theme park restaurants do not: handmade pasta, fresh seafood, a curated wine list, warm service, and free parking.

What to Expect

The kitchen at Ciao Italia works from family recipes brought over from southern Italy. The Risotto alla Pescatora features fresh seafood in a light tomato broth. The Pappardelle with Wild Boar is slow-simmered and rich. The Vitello Piccata is tender with capers and artichokes. And the tiramisu is made in-house every day, the way it has been for over three decades.

The atmosphere is warm and unhurried. After a day of crowds and noise, walking into Ciao Italia feels like walking into someone's home. The tables are spaced for conversation. The wine list is Italian-focused. The service is attentive but never rushed.

Practical Details

Ciao Italia is located at 6149 Westwood Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32821. Free self-parking is available, which feels particularly good after paying for theme park parking all day. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 5 PM to 10 PM.

Reservations are strongly recommended during peak season and can be made by calling (407) 354-0770 or through OpenTable. The restaurant accommodates families, couples, and groups of all sizes.

About Dining Near Epic Universe

Epic Universe is Universal Orlando's newest and most ambitious theme park, featuring immersive worlds inspired by beloved franchises. The park is massive, and most visitors spend the entire day exploring its themed lands, riding attractions, and watching shows.

Epic Universe is located south of the original Universal complex, in a part of Orlando that is still building out its dining and entertainment options. While the park itself has restaurants inside, the surrounding area is developing. Visitors looking for dinner after the park need to plan ahead.

Ciao Italia Ristorante is about 10 minutes from Epic Universe via International Drive. The Navarra family has been running this Italian restaurant since 1991, well before Epic Universe existed. The menu features homemade pasta, fresh seafood, veal, lamb chops, and a curated Italian wine list.

After a day of next-generation theme park rides, the quiet dining room at Ciao Italia feels like a reset. Free parking, walk-ins welcome, and kids eat for $13 with gelato included. It is the kind of dinner that turns a great park day into a great vacation day.

How to Get to Ciao Italia from Epic Universe

Ciao Italia is about 10 minutes from Epic Universe, roughly 5 miles south via International Drive. When you leave the park, head south on I-Drive toward the SeaWorld area and turn onto Westwood Boulevard. The restaurant is at 6149 Westwood Blvd with free parking. If you prefer a rideshare, the trip is quick and avoids highway traffic during most hours.

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