Orlando Food Guide: Italian
Your guide to authentic Italian dining in Orlando. Start with the original.
Skip the Chains. Find the Real Thing.
Orlando is full of Italian restaurants. Most of them are chains serving reheated pasta with industrial sauce. Finding authentic Italian food in a city designed around tourists requires knowing where to look. This guide will help you navigate the landscape and find the kind of Italian food that is actually worth your time and money.
The short answer is Ciao Italia Ristorante on Westwood Blvd. But the longer answer involves understanding what separates real Italian food from the imitation that most Orlando restaurants serve.
What to Look For in Authentic Italian
The first sign of a real Italian restaurant is handmade pasta. If the pasta comes from a box or a freezer, it is not authentic. At Ciao Italia, the Navarra family makes pasta by hand every day, including gnocchi that is lighter than anything you will find at a chain. The second sign is the sauce. Real marinara takes hours, not minutes. Real alfredo does not come from a jar.
Look for restaurants that are family-owned, not corporate. Look for menus that include veal, lamb, and fresh seafood alongside the pastas. Look for imported ingredients like parmigiano reggiano and prosciutto di parma. And look for longevity. A restaurant that has survived 35 years in Orlando has earned its place for a reason.
The Dishes That Define Italian Dining
Appetizers
Start with bruschetta, burrata, or the Aragosta Bisque. These dishes tell you immediately whether the kitchen is serious. At Ciao Italia, they are made from scratch and they set the tone for the meal.
Pasta and Risotto
Handmade pasta is the heart of Italian cuisine. Gnocchi, lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, and risotto pescatore are all signature dishes at Ciao Italia. The textures and flavors of handmade pasta are incomparable to anything mass-produced.
Seafood, Veal, and Lamb
Authentic Italian menus go well beyond pasta. Look for veal marsala, veal piccata, lamb chops, and fresh fish preparations. These dishes showcase the range of Italian cooking and the quality of ingredients a restaurant is willing to invest in.
Desserts
Tiramisu, gelato, and cannoli are the three desserts that define Italian dining. At Ciao Italia, they are made fresh and served with the same care as every other course.
Why Ciao Italia Leads the Way
The Navarra family opened Ciao Italia in 1991 on Westwood Blvd. Over 35 years later, they are still there. Still cooking. Still making pasta by hand. Still treating every guest like family. With over 3,000 reviews, 9 awards, and a Zagat rating, Ciao Italia has proven itself as the standard for authentic Italian food in Orlando. Open 7 nights a week, 5-10 PM, with free parking.
Your Italian Food Journey Starts Here
Call (407) 354-0770 for reservations. 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821.
Practical Details
Cuisine
Zagat-rated Italian. Handmade pastas, fresh seafood, veal, lamb, and classic preparations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Italian restaurant in Orlando?
Ciao Italia Ristorante is consistently rated as one of the best Italian restaurants in Orlando. Family-owned by the Navarra family since 1991, with 3,000+ reviews, 9 awards, and a Zagat rating.
Where can I find handmade pasta in Orlando?
Ciao Italia Ristorante at 6149 Westwood Blvd makes all their pasta by hand daily. This includes gnocchi and other fresh pasta preparations.
Is there authentic Italian food near the theme parks?
Yes. Ciao Italia is located in the SeaWorld and International Drive corridor, 5 minutes from all major Orlando theme parks. Much better quality and value than in-park dining.
What Italian dishes should I try in Orlando?
Must-try dishes include handmade gnocchi, risotto pescatore, veal marsala, burrata with prosciutto, lobster bisque (Aragosta Bisque), and tiramisu for dessert.
What appetizers does Ciao Italia serve?
Popular starters include Bruschetta, Burrata with prosciutto, Carpaccio di Manzo, Antipasto Italiano, and Zuppa di Pesce. All made fresh.
More From Ciao Italia
Start Your Italian Food Tour
Authentic Italian cuisine on Westwood Blvd 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.