Where to Find Great Italian Seafood in Orlando
Orlando is not exactly a coastal city, which makes finding great seafood a real challenge. Most of the fish you will find at chain restaurants along International Drive was frozen long before it hit your plate. That is what makes Ciao Italia Ristorante different. This family-owned spot on Westwood Blvd has been sourcing and preparing fresh Italian seafood since 1991, and their approach has not changed.
When the kitchen at Ciao Italia prepares a seafood dish, it follows Italian tradition. Simple preparation, quality ingredients, and flavors that let the seafood speak for itself. No heavy breading to hide behind, no overpowering sauces. Just clean, well-executed Italian cooking with fresh fish and shellfish.
The Seafood Menu at Ciao Italia
The star of the seafood menu is the risotto pescatore, a creamy Arborio rice dish loaded with shrimp, mussels, clams, and calamari. It is made to order, which means a short wait, but the result is one of the best seafood dishes in Orlando. The branzino, a Mediterranean sea bass, is another highlight. It is prepared simply, often with lemon, capers, and olive oil, and it is the kind of dish you would expect at a restaurant on the Italian coast.
The calamari fritti is a popular starter: lightly fried, tender, and served with a tangy marinara. The linguine alle vongole, pasta with fresh clam sauce, is a classic that Ciao Italia does exceptionally well. For shrimp lovers, the shrimp scampi is generous and flavorful, sauteed in garlic, white wine, and butter.
