Family Dinner Near Universal Orlando

Better Than CityWalk for Families

CityWalk has restaurants. They also have Universal theme park pricing, long waits, and noise levels that make conversation impossible. When your family wants a real sit-down dinner after a day at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure, Ciao Italia is the better choice.

The Navarra family has been feeding post-park families since 1991. The pasta is handmade. The kids menu is $13 with gelato. The atmosphere is calm, casual, and welcoming. And the free parking means you are done paying Universal prices for the day.

A Real Dinner for Tired Families

After hours of rides, your family needs food that is worth sitting down for. Ciao Italia delivers: handmade sacchetti, fresh linguine with clams, chicken marsala, lasagna, risotto — all made from scratch. Kids eat spaghetti, ravioli, or chicken fingers and finish with gelato. Parents can finally relax with wine or beer and a real meal.

Open every night from 5 to 10 PM. Walk-ins welcome. Located on International Drive at 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando. The family dinner near Universal that does not feel like an extension of the park.

Why Families Choose Ciao Italia

Finding a restaurant that works for the whole family near the Orlando theme parks is harder than it sounds. Most places on International Drive are chains with microwaved food and 45-minute waits. The sit-down spots inside the parks charge resort prices for average quality. What parents actually want is a place where the food is real, the kids are welcome, and the bill does not require a second mortgage.

Ciao Italia has been that place for over 35 years. The Navarra family opened the restaurant in 1991, and they raised their own children here. The kids menu is $13 and includes gelato for dessert. Highchairs are available. There is no dress code — guests come straight from the parks in shorts and sandals. Walk-ins are welcome every night.

The difference is the food. While chain restaurants heat up pre-made pasta and pour sauce from a bag, Ciao Italia makes everything from scratch. The spaghetti and meatballs are handmade. The chicken parmigiana is breaded and fried fresh. The lasagna is layered and baked daily. Parents eat dishes like Risotto alla Pescatora or Pappardelle with Wild Boar while the kids enjoy pasta with marinara and finish with gelato.

What Is on the Kids Menu

The kids menu at Ciao Italia is designed for children 10 and under. Every kids meal is $13 and includes gelato for dessert. Options include Spaghetti Marinara, Spaghetti and Meatball, Penne alla Vodka, Kids Cheese Ravioli, Chicken Fingers, Fettuccine Alfredo, and Kids Steak Bites. Parents can add an extra meatball or side sausage for $4. Apple juice and orange juice are available for $4.

The portions are sized for children, not adults. The food is the same quality as the adult menu — handmade pasta, fresh sauces, real ingredients. This is not a kids menu designed to keep children quiet with fried food. It is Italian food made properly, in smaller portions, at a fair price.

Getting to Ciao Italia

Ciao Italia is located at 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821. The restaurant is on International Drive, 3 minutes from SeaWorld, and 5 minutes from the Orange County Convention Center. There is a free parking lot right in front — no garages, no meters, no valet required.

The restaurant is open seven days a week from 5 PM to 10 PM. Walk-ins are welcome. For groups of 6 or more, calling ahead at (407) 354-0770 is recommended. Reservations can also be made through OpenTable.