Private Events Near the Convention Center

The Best Private Event Venue Near the Convention Center

When you are hosting a private event during a convention or trade show in Orlando, the last thing you want is to take your clients or team to another generic hotel restaurant. The food is predictable, the atmosphere is sterile, and nobody remembers the dinner the next morning. Ciao Italia Ristorante is five 5 minutes from the Orange County Convention Center, and it delivers a private dining experience that actually makes an impression.

The restaurant has a dedicated private dining room that seats up to 60 guests in a space that is genuinely separated from the main dining area. For larger groups, a full venue buyout gives you the entire restaurant for up to 110 guests. The food is authentic Italian, the wine list is curated, and the Navarra family has been hosting events like these since 1991. This is the kind of dinner that people talk about after the convention is over.

Built for Convention-Week Events

Ciao Italia understands the pace of convention week. Your event needs to start on time, the food needs to be excellent, and the logistics need to be simple. The restaurant is located at 6149 Westwood Blvd, which is a straight shot from the OCCC without fighting through I-Drive traffic. Free self-parking on site means your guests do not need to budget for valet or parking garages. And because the restaurant is open seven days a week, your event can be scheduled on any night that works for your group.

The event coordinator will work with you to design a custom Italian menu that fits your group size, dietary needs, and budget. Options include plated multi-course dinners, family-style service, and buffet arrangements. Beer and wine packages are available, and the wine list features Italian and domestic selections that pair with every course.

Corporate Events That Impress

Ciao Italia hosts corporate dinners, client appreciation events, networking dinners, team celebrations, and holiday parties for businesses from across the country who are in town for conventions. The private dining room provides a professional but relaxed setting where real conversations can happen without competing with restaurant noise. The food creates a shared experience that elevates the entire event beyond the standard conference dinner.

The restaurant's 9 awards and Zagat rating are not just for show. They reflect 35 years of consistent quality that translates directly into your event. When your guests sit down to handmade pasta, fresh seafood, and traditional Italian entrees, they know they are eating at a real restaurant, not a catering operation. That distinction matters when you are trying to make an impression.

Five 5 minutes from OCCC

The Orange County Convention Center hosts some of the largest trade shows and conferences in the country. After a long day on the expo floor, your guests want a restaurant that is close, easy to find, and worth the trip. Ciao Italia checks all three boxes. Call (407) 354-0770 to start planning your convention-week event.

About Dining Near the Convention Center

The Orange County Convention Center draws business travelers from around the world. Medical conferences, tech expos, home shows, food industry events — the OCCC calendar is packed year-round. And every one of those events creates thousands of people searching for dinner nearby.

What most of them find is disappointing. The restaurants closest to the convention center tend to be chains or overpriced hotel lounges. The food is adequate but forgettable. After a full day of networking and presentations, adequate is not good enough.

Five minutes south on International Drive, Ciao Italia Ristorante has been the go-to dinner spot for convention attendees since 1991. Family-owned, scratch-made, and consistently excellent. The Navarra family is in the kitchen every night preparing handmade pasta, fresh seafood, sauteed calamari, and Italian classics that have earned over 4,000 reviews and 9 awards.

Group dinners are a specialty. The private dining room accommodates up to 60 guests, with menus designed for corporate entertaining. Pair the meal with selections from the Italian wine list and beer menu. Free parking for all guests.

How to Get to Ciao Italia from the Convention Center

Ciao Italia is a straight shot from the OCCC. Exit the convention center and head south on International Drive. In about 2 miles, turn onto Westwood Boulevard. The restaurant is at 6149 Westwood Blvd with its own free parking lot. Five minutes, no highway driving required.

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