Dinner Near Cabana Bay Beach Resort

The Family Dinner You Actually Deserve

Cabana Bay Beach Resort is one of Universal's best value hotels, and families love it for good reason. But value on the room does not always mean value at dinner. The food court gets old fast, and CityWalk prices add up quickly when you are feeding a family of four or five. Ciao Italia Ristorante is the solution: real Italian food, a kids menu that includes gelato, free parking, and prices that make sense for families.

The Navarra family has been running Ciao Italia since 1991. That is over 35 years of feeding families who are visiting Orlando for the first time and locals who come back every week. The food is handmade, the portions are generous, and the staff knows how to make kids feel welcome without making parents feel rushed.

Kids Eat Well Here

The kids menu is $13 and includes gelato for dessert. That covers children 10 and under, and the options are real Italian food, not chicken fingers from a freezer bag. Your kids eat well, they get dessert, and you do not need to sell a kidney to pay the bill. Compare that to what CityWalk charges for a kids meal and the math is obvious.

Meanwhile, the adults get to enjoy handmade pasta, fresh seafood, veal, lamb, or chicken prepared by people who have been doing this for decades. The wine list is solid, the service is warm, and nobody is rushing you out the door.

Easy Drive, Free Parking

Ciao Italia is at 6149 Westwood Blvd, about 10-12 minutes from Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Parking is free. No resort parking fees, no garage charges, no hassle. Drive up, park, walk in. Simple. The way dinner should be after a long day at the parks.

Better Than the Food Court, Better Than CityWalk

After a full day of Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay, the last thing a tired family needs is another crowded, overpriced tourist dining experience. Ciao Italia is a real restaurant run by a real family. The dining room is comfortable, the food is made from scratch, and the atmosphere is the kind of place where you can actually have a conversation without shouting over theme park music.

Open Every Night

Ciao Italia is open 7 days a week from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, including all holidays. Reservations are recommended for families during summer and holiday seasons. Call (407) 354-0770 or book online.

About Dining Near Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure draw millions of visitors every year. Between the two parks and CityWalk, there is no shortage of things to do. But by the end of the day, most visitors want to eat somewhere that is not inside a theme park.

CityWalk has its own dining options, but they tend to be loud, crowded, and priced for the tourist market. The hotels around Universal have restaurants too, but they are often generic and overpriced. For visitors willing to drive a few minutes, much better options exist.

Ciao Italia Ristorante is a family-owned Italian restaurant about 12 minutes south of Universal on Westwood Boulevard, near International Drive. The Navarra family has been serving homemade Italian food here since 1991. Everything is made from scratch, from the pasta to the bread to the desserts.

The restaurant is casual and welcoming. Families, couples, and groups of all sizes come in after park days. There is no dress code, parking is free, and walk-ins are welcome every night from 5 to 10 PM. With 4,000+ reviews and 9 awards, it is one of the most trusted Italian restaurants in the Orlando tourist corridor.

How to Get to Ciao Italia from Universal Studios

Ciao Italia is about 12 minutes from Universal Studios Orlando, roughly 7 miles south via International Drive. Head south on I-Drive past the convention center area toward SeaWorld, then turn onto Westwood Boulevard. The restaurant is at 6149 Westwood Blvd with free parking. The drive is straightforward and avoids I-4 during peak hours.

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