Italian Restaurants in Windermere & Winter Garden

Windermere and Winter Garden Deserve Better Italian

If you live in Windermere or Winter Garden, you know the Italian restaurant situation. There are a handful of options along Plant Street and the 535 corridor, plus the usual chains. Olive Garden, Carrabba's, maybe a local spot or two. Some are decent. None of them make their pasta by hand every morning. None of them have been perfecting the same family recipes for over 35 years. None of them have 4,000+ reviews and 9 awards.

Ciao Italia Ristorante is about 20 to 25 minutes from Windermere and 25 to 30 minutes from Winter Garden. It is an easy drive down 429 or via the Western Beltway to the International Drive area. The Navarra family has been running this restaurant since 1991. It is the kind of Italian food you drive for, and the people in Windermere and Winter Garden who have discovered it already know that.

What Makes Ciao Italia Worth the Drive

There is a difference between an Italian restaurant and an Italian restaurant that a family from Italy actually runs. At Ciao Italia, the pasta is rolled and cut by hand every morning. The sauces are made from scratch, not poured from a bag. The veal is pounded fresh. The seafood comes in daily. The recipes are the Navarra family's own, brought over and refined over three decades of cooking in Orlando.

The menu is deep enough for a date night, a family dinner, or a celebration. Fettuccine alfredo, chicken parmigiana, veal piccata, lamb chops, seafood risotto, eggplant parmigiana, lobster ravioli. The wine list is thoughtfully curated for the food. And the portions are generous enough that you are usually taking something home. For Windermere and Winter Garden residents looking for a go-to Italian place, this is it.

Perfect for Date Night, Family Night, or Any Night

Windermere and Winter Garden are full of families, young professionals, and retirees who appreciate good food. Ciao Italia fits all of them. For date night, the atmosphere is warm and intimate without being stuffy. For families, the kids menu is $13 and includes gelato for dessert, available for ages 10 and under. For groups, there is private dining for up to 60 guests and full restaurant buyouts for up to 110.

How to Get There

From Windermere, take 429 South to I-4 East, exit at International Drive, and Ciao Italia is on International Drive at 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821. From Winter Garden, take 429 South the same way. The drive is 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic and time of day. Free self-parking right out front when you arrive.

Open Every Evening

Ciao Italia is open 7 days a week from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, including all holidays. Reservations recommended for weekends and special occasions. Call (407) 354-0770 or book online.