Places to Eat Near Orange County Convention Center

The Convention Dinner Spot Orlando Locals Already Know

You just spent ten hours on the convention floor. Your feet hurt. You are starving. The last thing you want is another hotel buffet or an overpriced chain on International Drive. Here is what locals do instead: they drive 5 minutes from the Orange County Convention Center to Ciao Italia, a family-owned Italian restaurant that has been making everything from scratch since 1991. No chains. No convention markup. Just homemade pasta, fresh sauces, bread from the oven, and a warm dining room where your group can actually relax.

Convention groups have been coming to Ciao Italia for over 35 years. The private dining room seats up to 60 guests, which makes it perfect for team dinners, client entertainment, and corporate events. Group menus are available so your entire party orders at once and the food comes out together. Over 4,000 reviews from guests who found us the same way you are finding us right now.

• 5 minutes from the Orange County Convention Center
• Private dining room for up to 60 guests
• Group menus available for corporate events and team dinners
• Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, bread baked daily
• Family-owned and operated since 1991
• Italian wine list and beer selection
• $13 kids menu with gelato included
• Free parking lot right in front
• Walk-ins welcome, open nightly 5-10 PM
• 4,000+ reviews from guests like you

Private Dining for Convention Groups

Planning a team dinner after your convention event? Ciao Italia's private dining room seats up to 60 guests in a dedicated space away from the main dining room. Group menus are available so ordering is simple and the food comes out together. Whether it is a corporate dinner, a client appreciation event, or your team celebrating a successful trade show, this is the place convention groups have trusted for over 35 years. Call (407) 354-0770 or visit our private events page to start planning.

The restaurant is casual and welcoming. No dress code, no pretension. Come straight from the convention floor. Bring the whole team. The Italian wine list and beer selection pair perfectly with everything on the menu. If anyone in your group has a SeaWorld, Aquatica, or Discovery Cove ticket from their trip, show it to the server and save 10% on the entire table's dinner.

About Dining Near the Convention Center

The Orange County Convention Center is the second-largest convention facility in the United States. Every year, it hosts hundreds of trade shows, conferences, expos, and corporate events that bring millions of attendees to Orlando. When those long days on the show floor end, everyone needs a place to eat.

The dining options immediately surrounding the OCCC are limited. Most are hotel restaurants with inflated prices and uninspired menus, or fast-casual spots designed for speed rather than quality. Finding a genuinely good dinner near the convention center takes a little local knowledge.

Ciao Italia Ristorante is 5 minutes south of the OCCC on Westwood Boulevard, just off International Drive. The Navarra family has operated this restaurant since 1991, serving handmade pasta, fresh seafood, veal, lamb chops, and authentic Italian cuisine every night. It is the dinner convention attendees remember.

The private dining room seats up to 60 guests with group menus available for corporate dinners and team events. Free parking eliminates the hassle of convention center garages. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended during major shows.

How to Get to Ciao Italia from the Convention Center

From the Orange County Convention Center, head south on International Drive for about 2 miles. Turn right onto Westwood Boulevard. Ciao Italia is at 6149 Westwood Blvd on your right, with free parking in front. The entire drive takes about 5 minutes, even during convention traffic.

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