Restaurants Near the Convention Center Orlando for Families

The Family Restaurant Convention Visitors Choose

The Orange County Convention Center hosts millions of visitors every year. Many of them bring their families. And most of them eat at the same handful of chains near the center because they do not know what else is nearby. Ciao Italia is 5 minutes away and it is a fundamentally different experience.

Family-owned since 1991 by the Navarra family. Handmade pasta. $13 kids menu with gelato. Highchairs. Free parking. A casual, welcoming atmosphere where families feel at home. This is the restaurant near the convention center that families wish they had found sooner.

Real Food, Real Family Experience

The chains near OCCC serve corporate food. Ciao Italia serves food made by hand in a kitchen run by the same family for over 35 years. The difference shows in the pasta, the sauces, the bread, and the way the staff treats your family. Over 4,000 reviews and 9 awards confirm what families discover every night.

Located on International Drive at 6149 Westwood Blvd — 5 minutes from the convention center. Open every night from 5 to 10 PM. Walk-ins welcome. Groups of 6+ should call ahead at (407) 354-0770.

Why Families Choose Ciao Italia

Finding a restaurant that works for the whole family near the Orlando theme parks is harder than it sounds. Most places on International Drive are chains with microwaved food and 45-minute waits. The sit-down spots inside the parks charge resort prices for average quality. What parents actually want is a place where the food is real, the kids are welcome, and the bill does not require a second mortgage.

Ciao Italia has been that place for over 35 years. The Navarra family opened the restaurant in 1991, and they raised their own children here. The kids menu is $13 and includes gelato for dessert. Highchairs are available. There is no dress code. Walk-ins are welcome every night.

The difference is the food. While chain restaurants heat up pre-made pasta and pour sauce from a bag, Ciao Italia makes everything from scratch. The spaghetti and meatballs are handmade. The chicken parmigiana is breaded and fried fresh. The lasagna is layered and baked daily. Parents eat dishes like Risotto alla Pescatora or Pappardelle with Wild Boar while the kids enjoy pasta with marinara and finish with gelato.

Getting to Ciao Italia

Ciao Italia is located at 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821. The restaurant is on International Drive, 3 minutes from SeaWorld, and 5 minutes from the Orange County Convention Center. There is a free parking lot right in front. Open seven days a week from 5 PM to 10 PM. Walk-ins welcome. Call (407) 354-0770 for groups of 6 or more.