Dinner Near Convention Center Orlando
Escape the convention food and enjoy a real Italian dinner
Group Dining Made Simple
Conventions mean group dinners. Whether it is four colleagues or forty clients, Ciao Italia makes it easy. Our private dining room seats up to 60 guests and comes with dedicated service staff, a customizable menu, and the option for beer and wine packages. For larger events, we can do a full restaurant buyout for up to 110 people.
Our group menus let everyone order from a curated selection without the chaos of 30 people trying to decide from a full menu. You pick the courses, we handle the rest. It is the kind of seamless dining experience that makes you look like you planned the whole thing months in advance, even if you called us yesterday.
Free Parking and an Easy Drive
Getting here from the Convention Center takes minutes. No tolls, no highway, no complicated directions. When you arrive, our parking lot is right there, and it is free. After a week of paying for hotel parking, rideshares, and convention center garages, free parking at a great restaurant feels like a luxury.
Open Every Night, All Convention Season
We are open seven nights a week, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and we never close during major convention weeks. Whether you are here for a medical conference, a tech expo, a food show, or any of the dozens of events the OCCC hosts throughout the year, we are ready for you. Reservations are recommended during convention weeks, especially for groups. Call (407) 354-0770 or book online at our reservations page.
Practical Details
Cuisine
Zagat-rated Italian. Handmade pastas, fresh seafood, veal, lamb, and classic preparations.
Hours
Open 7 days a week, 5 PM to 10 PM. Walk-ins welcome.
Parking
Free self-parking lot right in front of the restaurant. No meters or garages.
Location
6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821. Near SeaWorld, I-Drive, and the Convention Center.
Reservations
Book online through OpenTable or call (407) 354-0770. Walk-ins always welcome.
Private Dining
Private room seats up to 60. Full venue buyout up to 110. Custom menus available.
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
From the Orange County Convention Center, head south on International Drive for about 2 miles. Turn right onto Westwood Boulevard. Ciao Italia is at 6149 Westwood Blvd on your right, with free parking in front. The entire drive takes about 5 minutes, even during convention traffic.
More Questions About Dining Near the Convention Center
How far is the best Italian restaurant from the Orange County Convention Center?
Ciao Italia is approximately 2 miles and 5 minutes by car from the Orange County Convention Center, heading south on International Drive to Westwood Boulevard. Free parking at the restaurant.
What is the best restaurant near the OCCC for a team dinner?
Ciao Italia Ristorante is widely regarded as the best restaurant near the OCCC for team dinners. The private dining room seats up to 60, group menus simplify ordering, and the Italian wine and beer list pairs well with everything. Five minutes from the convention center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I eat dinner near the Convention Center in Orlando?
Ciao Italia Ristorante is one of the highest-rated restaurants near the Orange County Convention Center. We serve authentic Italian cuisine, offer free self-parking, and are open seven nights a week from 5 to 10 PM. We are 5 minutes from the OCCC on Westwood Blvd.
Does Ciao Italia accommodate large groups from conventions?
Yes. Our private dining room seats up to 60 guests, and we offer full restaurant buyouts for up to 110. Group menus and beer and wine packages are available to simplify ordering for large parties.
Do I need a reservation during convention week?
We strongly recommend reservations during major convention weeks, especially for groups of six or more. Call (407) 354-0770 or book online to secure your table.
How do I get to Ciao Italia from the Convention Center?
Head west on International Drive toward Westwood Blvd. The drive takes 5 minutes with no highway required. Free self-parking is available at the restaurant.
Does Ciao Italia offer group dining for convention attendees?
Yes. Ciao Italia has a private dining room for groups up to 60 and offers customizable group menus. Call (407) 354-0770 or visit the Private Events page.
More From Ciao Italia
Escape the Convention Food
Real Italian dinner, 5 minutes from the OCCC. Free parking, open every night.
Published by Ciao Italia Ristorante, family-owned by the Navarra family on Westwood Boulevard since 1991. Over 35 years of authentic Italian hospitality in Orlando, Florida.