Best Risotto Pescatore in Orlando

The Dish That Brings People Back

If you have read the reviews of Ciao Italia Ristorante, you have seen the risotto pescatore mentioned over and over. It is the dish that first-time visitors order on a recommendation and then come back for every time they are in Orlando. Fresh shrimp, mussels, clams, and calamari over creamy Arborio rice, cooked slowly until every grain absorbs the flavor of the seafood broth.

This is not a quick dish. Real risotto takes time and attention -- constant stirring, gradual additions of broth, precise timing. That is why most restaurants do not attempt it. At Ciao Italia, the kitchen has been making this dish since 1991, and they have it perfected.

What Makes This Risotto Special

The Arborio rice is the foundation. It is a short-grain Italian rice that releases starch as it cooks, creating that signature creamy texture without adding cream. The seafood broth is made in-house, infused with the flavors of shellfish. Each portion is cooked individually, which means the rice arrives at your table at the perfect consistency -- neither too firm nor too soft.

The seafood on top is fresh. The shrimp are plump, the mussels and clams are briny and tender, and the calamari adds a subtle chew. A touch of white wine, garlic, and fresh herbs rounds out the dish. It is generous, satisfying, and unlike anything you will find at the chain restaurants nearby.

A Seafood Lover's Destination

The risotto pescatore is the crown jewel, but the seafood menu at Ciao Italia runs deep. The Linguine alle Vongole with fresh clams, the Grouper Puttanesca, and the Zuppa di Pesce are all excellent. The kitchen takes the same care with every seafood dish -- fresh ingredients, made to order, no shortcuts.

Open 7 days a week, 5 PM to 10 PM at 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando. Free parking. Reservations at (407) 354-0770.