Italian Dinner Near Avanti International Resort

Why Leave the Avanti for Dinner?

The Avanti International Resort is a solid base for an Orlando vacation. It is right on International Drive, close to everything, and the rooms are comfortable. But when dinner rolls around and you start looking at the hotel restaurant options and the chain restaurants lining I-Drive, you realize that convenience and quality are not the same thing. Most of what surrounds International Drive is designed for volume, not for a meal you will remember.

Ciao Italia is a 7-minute drive south from the Avanti, tucked away on Westwood Blvd in a quiet neighborhood near SeaWorld. It is close enough to be easy but far enough from the tourist strip that you will feel like you discovered something the crowds missed. The Navarra family has been running this restaurant since 1991, and it has the kind of warmth and consistency that only comes from a family cooking together for more than three decades. The pasta is made fresh. The sauces are made from scratch. The bread comes out warm. This is not the kind of Italian food you get from a chain with a microwave and a freezer in the back.

Getting There from the Avanti

From the Avanti International Resort on International Drive, head south on I-Drive toward SeaWorld. Turn right onto Westwood Blvd. Ciao Italia is on the left at 6149 Westwood Blvd. The drive takes about 7 minutes depending on traffic, and the restaurant has its own free parking lot. No valet, no parking garage, no meters. You pull in, park, and walk to the front door.

If you prefer a rideshare, the trip from the Avanti is short and inexpensive. Either way, you are trading a few minutes of travel for a completely different dining experience than anything on International Drive itself.

What to Order on Your First Visit

If you have never been to Ciao Italia, there are a few dishes that give you the best introduction to what this kitchen does well. The lobster bisque is rich, creamy, and deeply flavorful, the kind of soup that makes you stop talking mid-sentence. The burrata with prosciutto di Parma and arugula is another strong opener, light and fresh with just the right amount of richness.

For your main course, the risotto alla pescatora is the restaurant's signature. It is a generous portion of Arborio rice loaded with shrimp, mussels, clams, and sauteed calamari. The chicken parmigiana is a classic done right, with a thick, crispy coating and real mozzarella melted over the top. For pasta lovers, the fettuccine Alfredo is silky and rich, and you can add shrimp or chicken to make it a full meal. The veal piccata is excellent too, with artichokes, capers, and a bright lemon-butter sauce.

Pair any of these with a bottle from the Italian wine list. The Chianti is always a safe bet, but if you want something lighter, ask your server about the Pinot Grigio. Finish with tiramisu or cannoli and a coffee, and you have yourself the kind of dinner that hotel restaurants do not come close to delivering.

Traveling with Kids?

The kids menu at Ciao Italia is $13 per child (10 and under) and includes gelato for dessert. Spaghetti and meatballs, fettuccine Alfredo, chicken fingers, cheese ravioli, penne alla vodka — there are plenty of options that even the pickiest eaters will enjoy. The dining room is relaxed and the staff is friendly with children. You do not need to worry about your kids being too loud or too restless. This is a family restaurant in the truest sense.

The Neighborhood Around Ciao Italia

Ciao Italia sits on Westwood Blvd, a quiet residential street just south of the International Drive tourist corridor. The area around the restaurant is calm and easy to navigate, with none of the traffic congestion that makes I-Drive frustrating during peak hours. SeaWorld and Aquatica are both within a few minutes' drive, and the Orange County Convention Center is nearby as well. After a long day at the parks or walking the I-Drive strip, the short drive to Ciao Italia feels like an escape to a neighborhood spot where locals actually eat.

The restaurant has been a fixture in this neighborhood since 1991. The Navarra family lives nearby and treats every guest the way you would treat someone coming to your home for dinner. That kind of personal touch is something you will not find at the large chain restaurants on International Drive, no matter how much they charge.

Hours, Parking, and Reservations

Ciao Italia is open seven days a week from 5 PM to 10 PM. Free self-parking is available in the restaurant's private lot. Reservations are recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings and during peak tourist season. You can book online or call (407) 354-0770. Walk-ins are always welcome, but a reservation guarantees your table is ready when you arrive.

About Dining Near Avanti Resort Orlando

The Avanti Resort sits right on International Drive, which means guests have dozens of restaurants within walking distance. The problem is that most of them are chains or tourist traps with average food and above-average prices.

Ciao Italia Ristorante is about 5 minutes south of the Avanti on Westwood Boulevard. It is a family-owned Italian restaurant where everything is made from scratch every day. The Navarra family has been running it since 1991, and the consistency shows in over 4,000 reviews.

Avanti guests tend to be tourist families exploring I-Drive, the attractions, and the outlets. After a full day of walking and spending, a real home-cooked Italian dinner hits differently than another burger joint. The kids menu is $13 and includes gelato.

Free parking right in front. Open nightly 5 to 10 PM. Walk-ins welcome. It is the kind of restaurant that makes guests wish they had found it on night one instead of night three.

How to Get to Ciao Italia from Avanti Resort Orlando

From the Avanti Resort, head south on International Drive and turn onto Westwood Boulevard. Ciao Italia is about 5 minutes away at 6149 Westwood Blvd, with a free parking lot right in front. No complicated directions — it is a straight shot.

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