Places to Eat in Orlando

Orlando Has Thousands of Restaurants. Most of Them Are Forgettable.

You can eat at a chain on every corner in Orlando. Olive Garden, Carrabba's, Bonefish Grill. They are everywhere and they are fine. But nobody flies to Orlando and talks about the Olive Garden they went to. Nobody texts their friend a photo of microwaved breadsticks. If you are looking for places to eat in Orlando that actually matter, that you will remember after you go home, you need to step outside the tourist bubble.

Ciao Italia Ristorante has been at 6149 Westwood Blvd since 1991. The Navarra family opened it, and the Navarra family still runs it. Over 35 years, 4,000+ reviews, 9 awards. This is the kind of place where the pasta is made by hand every morning and the sauces simmer all day. It is the Italian restaurant that locals actually go to, which tells you everything you need to know.

What Makes Ciao Italia Different from Every Other Italian Place in Orlando

Chain restaurants follow a corporate playbook. The menu is designed in a test kitchen in another state, the portions are calculated by food cost analysts, and the garlic bread comes frozen in a box. Ciao Italia does not work that way. The Navarra family brought their recipes from Italy and they have been refining them for three decades. The fettuccine is rolled by hand. The sauces are made from scratch. The seafood is fresh, not frozen and shipped from a distribution center.

The menu is deep. Handmade pastas, veal piccata, chicken marsala, lamb chops, seafood risotto, eggplant parmigiana, and enough antipasti to build an entire meal from starters alone. The wine list is curated for the food, not stocked to hit a price point. And the portions are generous enough that you are probably taking something home.

Centrally Located for Tourists and Locals Alike

Ciao Italia sits near International Drive, 3 minutes from SeaWorld, the Orange County Convention Center, and the major resort hotels. If you are visiting Orlando for vacation, a conference, or a weekend getaway, this restaurant is easy to get to from almost anywhere in the tourist corridor. And unlike the theme park restaurants, you do not need a park ticket or a reservation made six months in advance.

Perfect for Families

Traveling with kids? The kids menu is $13 and includes gelato for dessert, available for children 10 and under. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Nobody is going to give you a look if your toddler gets excited about the breadbasket. This is a family restaurant run by a family, and it shows.

Private Dining for Groups

Ciao Italia accommodates private dining for up to 60 guests and full restaurant buyouts for up to 110. Whether it is a birthday dinner, a rehearsal dinner, a corporate event, or a family reunion, the space works. Call (407) 354-0770 to plan your event.