Group Dining Near the Convention Center in Orlando

The OCCC Group Dining Solution

You have 25 people coming off a long day at the Orange County Convention Center. They are tired of hotel food, tired of chains, and someone needs to pick a restaurant that actually works for a group this size. That is where Ciao Italia Ristorante comes in. Located just ten 5 minutes from the OCCC on Westwood Boulevard, this family-owned Italian restaurant has been the go-to for group dining near the Convention Center in Orlando since 1991.

The Navarra family built this restaurant for exactly this kind of evening. The private dining room handles up to 60 guests. A full restaurant buyout takes that number to 110. Whether your group is attending a medical conference, a tech expo, or a trade show, the experience here is the same: real Italian food, real hospitality, and a room where your group can actually talk without shouting over a sports bar.

Prix Fixe Menus Built for Groups

For groups of 10 or more, Ciao Italia offers customizable prix fixe menus that eliminate the chaos of individual ordering. The Navarra family works with you before the event to select shared appetizers, a choice of entrees, and dessert. Everyone sits down, everyone is served together, and nobody waits 40 minutes while the kitchen tries to fire 30 different orders.

The menu spans handmade pastas, fresh seafood, chicken, veal, and vegetarian dishes. Dietary restrictions are handled with advance notice. The Italian wine list covers every price point, and the staff can recommend pairings that complement the group menu.

Why Convention Groups Keep Coming Back

The chains along International Drive can fit you in, but the food is interchangeable and the service is stretched thin. Ciao Italia is the opposite. Everything is made from scratch. The Navarra family is present. The private dining room is quiet enough for conversation and large enough for your entire group. After 35 years of hosting convention groups, the logistics are second nature.

Located at 6149 Westwood Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32821. Free self-parking. Open seven days a week from 5 PM to 10 PM. Call (407) 354-0770 to book your group dining event.

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

Ciao Italia is a straight shot from the OCCC. Exit the convention center and head south on International Drive. In about 2 miles, turn onto Westwood Boulevard. The restaurant is at 6149 Westwood Blvd with its own free parking lot. Five minutes, no highway driving required.

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