After-Conference Dining
The Convention Dinner Restaurant in Orlando
Where convention attendees go when they want a real dinner. Ten minutes from the OCCC. Private room for up to 60.
The Conference Is Over. The Dinner Should Be Worth It.
You have spent all day in sessions, walking a trade show floor, or sitting through presentations. The last thing you want is another mediocre meal in a hotel lobby restaurant with overhead speakers playing soft jazz and a menu that reads like every other Marriott in the country. You want a real dinner. At a real restaurant. With food that makes the trip feel worthwhile.
Ciao Italia Ristorante is the convention dinner restaurant in Orlando that convention attendees discover and never forget. Ten minutes from the Orange County Convention Center, the Navarra family has been serving authentic Italian food since 1991. The private dining room seats up to 60, and a full restaurant buyout handles 110. Whether it is a team dinner for 12 or a client event for 50, this is where conventions end well.
What Makes This Different from Hotel Dining
Hotel restaurants near the convention center exist because they are convenient, not because the food is memorable. Ciao Italia exists because the Navarra family loves cooking and has been doing it in the same kitchen for over three decades. The pasta is handmade. The sauces simmer all day. The tiramisu is house-made every morning. The Risotto alla Pescatora is loaded with fresh seafood, not frozen shrimp from a bag.
When you book the private room for your convention dinner, the family builds a prix fixe menu with you. Multiple courses, wine pairings, and desserts. The service is paced so your group can decompress from the conference, have real conversations, and enjoy food that someone actually put thought and care into.
The Practical Stuff
Ciao Italia is at 6149 Westwood Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32821, a straight 10-minute drive from the OCCC. Rideshare is easy. Free self-parking is available for those who drive. The restaurant opens at 5 PM every day and closes at 10 PM, so even groups with late afternoon sessions can arrive with plenty of time for a full dinner.
Call (407) 354-0770 to reserve the private room or book a table for your convention group. The Navarra family handles every inquiry personally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Ciao Italia open for convention dinner guests?
Ciao Italia opens at 5:00 PM every evening, seven days a week. This timing works perfectly for convention attendees who finish afternoon sessions and want a quality dinner nearby.
Can a convention group walk in without a reservation?
Small groups may be accommodated, but reservations are strongly recommended, especially for groups of 10 or more. For private room bookings, advance reservations are required. Call (407) 354-0770.
Does Ciao Italia serve late dinner for convention groups?
Ciao Italia is open until 10:00 PM every night. Convention groups can arrive as late as 8:00-8:30 PM for a full dinner experience. Call ahead to confirm availability for your group size.
Is Ciao Italia better than hotel restaurants near the convention center?
Ciao Italia offers scratch-made Italian cuisine from a family-owned kitchen, which is a significant upgrade from typical hotel restaurant fare. With a Zagat rating, 9 awards, and 3,000+ reviews over 35 years, the quality speaks for itself.
