Best Risotto Near International Drive

Risotto That Takes 25 Minutes for a Reason

Real risotto cannot be rushed. It is not rice that was cooked in a batch three hours ago and reheated when someone orders it. Authentic risotto starts with toasting Arborio rice, then slowly adding warm broth while stirring constantly. The starch releases gradually, creating a creamy texture that has nothing to do with cream. This process takes about 25 minutes, and it is the only way to do it right.

At Ciao Italia Ristorante, every order of risotto is cooked from scratch. The kitchen does not pre-cook batches or take shortcuts. When you order the Risotto Pescatore, the chef begins toasting the rice at that moment. Saffron threads are bloomed in warm broth. Shrimp, mussels, clams, calamari, and fresh fish are added during the final minutes of cooking so the seafood arrives at your table perfectly done, not overcooked and rubbery.

The Signature Dish of Ciao Italia

The Risotto Pescatore has been on the menu since the Navarra family opened Ciao Italia in 1991, and it has remained the most talked-about dish in the restaurant for over three decades. The saffron gives the rice a golden color and an earthy, almost floral flavor that pairs perfectly with the brininess of the seafood. The texture is loose and flowing, not dense or sticky, which is the mark of risotto that was actually stirred properly.

The seafood itself is generous. This is not a rice dish with a few shrimp scattered on top. The Risotto Pescatore at Ciao Italia is loaded with jumbo shrimp, mussels in the shell, fresh clams, tender calamari, and pieces of fresh fish. It is a complete meal in one bowl, and it is one of those dishes that makes people come back to the restaurant specifically to order it again.

Just Minutes Off International Drive

You will not find risotto cooked to order at the chains along International Drive. Most of them do not even attempt it because it takes too long and requires too much skill. That is what makes the short drive to Ciao Italia worth it. The restaurant sits at 6149 Westwood Blvd, just minutes from the I-Drive corridor, the Convention Center, SeaWorld, and Aquatica.

Free self-parking, a warm dining room, and a staff that takes genuine pride in what comes out of the kitchen. Open seven nights a week from 5 to 10 PM. If you are near International Drive and want risotto that is made the right way, Ciao Italia is the only place in the area doing it.