Best Italian Restaurant Near Dr. Phillips

Dr. Phillips Residents Have Known About This Place for Years

The Dr. Phillips neighborhood in Orlando is known for its beautiful homes, top-rated schools, and residents who appreciate quality. It is also surrounded by some of the best dining in Central Florida. But when Dr. Phillips locals want genuine Italian food, many of them drive right past the newer restaurants and head to a spot that has been open longer than most of them have lived in the area.

Ciao Italia Ristorante, located at 6149 Westwood Blvd, is about a five-minute drive from the heart of Dr. Phillips. The restaurant has been family-owned and operated since 1991, which means it has outlasted just about every other Italian restaurant in this part of Orlando. That kind of longevity does not happen by accident. It happens because the food is consistently good, the prices are fair, and the experience feels personal.

Authentic Italian That Stands Up to Scrutiny

Dr. Phillips diners tend to be well-traveled. They have eaten Italian food in Italy, in New York, in San Francisco. They know the difference between reheated marinara and a sauce that was built from scratch that afternoon. Ciao Italia earns their repeat business because the kitchen does not cut corners.

Handmade pastas are a staple, not a marketing line. The veal dishes are prepared in the traditional Italian way. Fresh seafood shows up on specials throughout the week. And the desserts, especially the tiramisu, are made in-house. You can taste the difference, and with over 3,000 reviews backing that up, you do not have to take our word for it.

8 Minutes That Feels Like a Discovery

One of the things Dr. Phillips residents appreciate about Ciao Italia is that it does not feel like a tourist restaurant, even though it is near the tourist corridor. The dining room is intimate and comfortable. The staff remembers regulars. The wine list is thoughtfully Italian. And the free self-parking means you are not dealing with valet fees or garage headaches.

Open Every Night for Dinner

Ciao Italia serves dinner seven nights a week from 5 PM to 10 PM. Reservations are recommended on weekends but not required. Whether it is a Tuesday night craving or a Saturday celebration, the kitchen is ready. For private events and larger groups, call ahead and they will set up something special.

About Dining Near Dr. Phillips

Dr. Phillips is one of Orlando's most desirable neighborhoods, known for upscale dining along Sand Lake Road and a community that values quality over flash. Residents here have high standards for restaurants, and they know the difference between authentic cooking and a place that is just going through the motions.

Ciao Italia Ristorante is 8 minutes from Dr. Phillips on Westwood Boulevard, near SeaWorld and the International Drive corridor. The Navarra family has owned and operated this restaurant since 1991. Everything is made from scratch — the pasta, the sauces, the bread, the desserts. It is the kind of cooking that Dr. Phillips residents appreciate.

With 4,000+ reviews, 9 awards, and a menu that features handmade Pappardelle al Cinghiale, Risotto alla Pescatora, Australian lamb chops, and sauteed calamari, Ciao Italia holds its own against any restaurant on Restaurant Row. Beer and wine are available with dinner. Free parking. Open nightly 5 to 10 PM.

How to Get to Ciao Italia from Dr. Phillips

Getting to Ciao Italia from Dr. Phillips is easy. Take Sand Lake Road east, connect to International Drive heading south, and turn onto Westwood Blvd. The restaurant is at 6149 Westwood Blvd, about 8 minutes away with free parking.

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