Private Dining Near the Convention Center

Escape the Convention Bubble

After eight hours inside the Orange County Convention Center, the last thing your group wants is another meal that feels like it was planned by a committee. Hotel restaurant buffets, overpriced I-Drive chains, rubber chicken banquet dinners. You have done this before. You know how it ends. Private dining near the Convention Center does not have to mean settling.

Ciao Italia Ristorante is a 10-minute drive from the OCCC on Westwood Boulevard. The Navarra family has been hosting convention groups in their private dining room since 1991. Up to 60 guests in a separated private space, or up to 110 with a full restaurant buyout. Every dish is made from scratch. Every event is planned directly with the family who owns the restaurant.

Built for Convention Groups

Convention planners choose Ciao Italia because the logistics are simple. The restaurant is close but not stuck in I-Drive gridlock. There is free self-parking for everyone. The private room is ready by 5 PM every night, seven days a week. And the Navarra family has done this thousands of times. They know how to move a party of 50 through courses efficiently without making it feel rushed.

The prix fixe menu is customizable. Start with antipasti and salads, move through handmade pastas and entrees like Risotto alla Pescatora and Vitello Piccata, and end with house-made tiramisu and espresso. Wine pairings are available from an Italian-focused list. The staff handles everything so your group can focus on the conversation, not the logistics.

Location and Details

Ciao Italia Ristorante is at 6149 Westwood Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32821. It is approximately 10 minutes from the Orange County Convention Center, accessible via International Drive or the Beachline Expressway. Free self-parking is available for all guests.

The restaurant is open seven days a week from 5 PM to 10 PM. To book private dining for your convention group, call (407) 354-0770 and speak directly with the Navarra family.

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

Leaving the convention center, take International Drive south. Pass the hotels and attractions, and turn right on Westwood Blvd. Ciao Italia is 2 miles from the OCCC at 6149 Westwood Blvd. Free parking lot right in front. Five minutes from the show floor to your table.

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