Italian Restaurant Since 1991 in Orlando
Over 35 years. Same family. Same recipes. Same Westwood Blvd.
35 Years Is Not an Accident
In Orlando's restaurant industry, lasting five years is an achievement. Lasting ten is rare. Lasting over 35 years, in the same location, under the same family ownership, serving the same from-scratch Italian food, is something that only happens when a restaurant is doing nearly everything right.
Ciao Italia Ristorante opened in 1991 on Westwood Boulevard, and it has been there ever since. The Italian restaurant since 1991 in Orlando was founded by a family that immigrated from southern Italy, and the recipes on the menu today are the same recipes they brought with them. That kind of continuity is not a marketing angle. It is the foundation of everything that makes the restaurant work.
What Orlando Looked Like in 1991
When Ciao Italia opened, the area around SeaWorld and Westwood Boulevard looked very different. The tourist corridor was still developing. Many of the hotels and attractions that exist today had not been built yet. Opening an authentic Italian restaurant in that environment was a bet on the future, and the family made it work by focusing on what they could control: the quality of the food and the warmth of the hospitality.
Over the next three decades, Orlando grew into one of the most visited cities in the world. Restaurants came and went by the hundreds. National chains moved in. Trendy concepts appeared and disappeared. Through all of it, Ciao Italia stayed on Westwood Boulevard, doing exactly what it had done since day one.
The Food That Has Not Changed
The Risotto alla Pescatora at Ciao Italia is made the same way it was made in 1991. The Pappardelle with Wild Boar still slow-cooks in a rich ragu. The Vitello Piccata is still finished with capers and artichokes. The tiramisu is still made by hand every day. The sauces are still prepared fresh. The pasta is still handmade.
That consistency is not stubbornness. It is a statement about what matters. When a recipe works, when guests come back specifically because they trust that a dish will taste exactly the way they remember it, changing it would be a mistake. Ciao Italia understands that, and the 3,000+ reviews across Google, OpenTable, and TripAdvisor confirm it.
Still Here, Still Open
Ciao Italia Ristorante is located at 6149 Westwood Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32821, near SeaWorld, Aquatica, and the Orange County Convention Center. Free self-parking is available. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 5 PM to 10 PM. Reservations can be made by calling (407) 354-0770 or through OpenTable.
Practical Details
Cuisine
Zagat-rated Italian. Handmade pastas, fresh seafood, veal, lamb, and classic preparations.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Ciao Italia open?
Ciao Italia Ristorante opened in 1991 on Westwood Boulevard in Orlando, FL. The restaurant has been continuously operated by the same family for over 35 years.
Is Ciao Italia one of the oldest Italian restaurants in Orlando?
Yes. Having opened in 1991, Ciao Italia is one of the longest-running Italian restaurants in Orlando. It has remained under the same family ownership for its entire history, which is extremely rare in the Orlando restaurant scene.
Has the menu changed since 1991?
The core recipes at Ciao Italia are the same family recipes from southern Italy that the restaurant was built on. While the menu has evolved over the years to include seasonal specials and new dishes, the foundational recipes have remained unchanged.
Is the same family still running Ciao Italia?
Yes. Ciao Italia has been owned and operated by the same family since it opened in 1991. The next generation has continued the tradition, making it a true multi-generational family restaurant.
How does Ciao Italia compare to Olive Garden?
Ciao Italia is a single-location, family-owned restaurant — not a chain. Everything is made from scratch daily, from the pasta to the bread. It is a different dining experience entirely.
More From Ciao Italia
35 Years and Counting
Same family, same recipes since 1991. Open tonight, 5–10 PM.
Published by Ciao Italia Ristorante, family-owned by the Navarra family on Westwood Boulevard since 1991. Over 35 years of authentic Italian hospitality in Orlando, Florida.