Date Night
Date Night Near International Drive in Orlando
Skip the tourist traps. An intimate, Zagat-rated Italian restaurant five minutes from I-Drive. Family-owned since 1991.
A Date Night That Actually Impresses
International Drive has dozens of restaurants, and most of them are designed for families with kids who just left a theme park. That is not a date night. A date night is two people, great food, a good wine list, and a room where you can actually hear each other talk. Ciao Italia Ristorante is the date night restaurant near International Drive that locals have known about for years.
Just five minutes from I-Drive on Westwood Boulevard, Ciao Italia has been the Navarra family's restaurant since 1991. The lighting is warm. The tables are spaced so you do not feel like you are part of someone else's dinner. The wine list is Italian-focused and curated with care. And the food is made from scratch every day, the way it has been for over 35 years.
What to Expect
Start with the Burrata or the Bruschetta Classica. Share the Risotto alla Pescatora or the Pappardelle with Wild Boar. Order a bottle from the Italian wine list. Finish with the house-made tiramisu, which has been on the menu since the restaurant opened. The entire dinner is unhurried. The staff knows when to check in and when to leave you alone. That is the difference between a restaurant that has been doing this for 35 years and one that opened last season.
Ciao Italia is Zagat rated with over 3,000 guest reviews and 9 awards. It is not trying to be trendy. It is trying to be excellent at something specific, and it succeeds.
Better Than the I-Drive Options
The restaurants on International Drive serve a purpose. But when the evening matters, when you want your partner to look across the table and think you really put thought into this, you drive five minutes off the strip to a quiet street where a family has been cooking Italian food for three decades. That is the move.
Located at 6149 Westwood Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32821. Free self-parking. Open seven days a week from 5 PM to 10 PM. Reservations recommended on weekends. Call (407) 354-0770.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ciao Italia a good date night restaurant?
Yes. Ciao Italia is one of Orlando's most intimate Italian restaurants. Warm lighting, spaced tables, a thoughtful wine list, and handmade food create the ideal setting for a date night.
How far is Ciao Italia from International Drive?
Ciao Italia is about 5 minutes from International Drive, located at 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821. Free self-parking is available.
Do I need a reservation for date night at Ciao Italia?
Reservations are recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. You can reserve by calling (407) 354-0770 or through OpenTable.
What should I order for a date night at Ciao Italia?
Start with the Burrata or Bruschetta, share a Risotto alla Pescatora or Pappardelle with Wild Boar, and finish with the house-made Tiramisu. The wine list features Italian selections to pair with every course.
