Restaurants Near Epic Universe Orlando

Why Locals Skip the Theme Park Restaurants

You just spent the whole day at Epic Universe. The rides were incredible, the kids are tired, and everyone is starving. The last thing you want is another overpriced burger from a theme park food court. We get it. That is exactly why families drive a few minutes down the road to Ciao Italia.

We have been here since 1991. The Navarra family opened this restaurant before most of the attractions around us even existed. While the area has changed, one thing has not: we still make our pasta by hand, every single day. No shortcuts, no frozen bags, no microwaves. Just real Italian cooking the way it is supposed to be done.

After a long day at Epic Universe, you deserve a real sit-down dinner. Something with actual tablecloths, handmade fettuccine, and a plate of chicken marsala that makes you forget how sore your feet are. That is what we do here.

Better Than Chain Italian, Every Single Time

Look, Olive Garden and Carrabba's are fine if you want predictable. But you are on vacation. You came to Orlando for something special. Ciao Italia gives you that family-owned, from-scratch experience that the chains simply cannot replicate. Our 4,000+ reviews say it all.

The Perfect Post-Park Dinner Spot

Here is what makes Ciao Italia the go-to dinner after Epic Universe: free self-parking, no wait for a spot in a parking garage, and a relaxed atmosphere where your whole family can unwind. We are open every night from 5 PM to 10 PM, so you have plenty of time to get here after the park closes.

Got kids? Our $13 kids menu comes with gelato, so the little ones are happy too. Need to feed a bigger group? We have private dining for up to 60 people, or you can do a full restaurant buyout for up to 110. Whether it is just your family or your entire reunion, we have room.

A Real Neighborhood Restaurant

We are on Westwood Blvd, tucked away from the I-Drive chaos but close enough to everything. The Convention Center is nearby, SeaWorld is right around the corner, and Epic Universe is a quick drive. But when you walk in our door, it feels like you are in a completely different world. That is the whole point.

The Navarra family built this place to feel like home. Thirty-five years later, we still treat every guest like they are sitting at our family table. That is something no theme park restaurant or chain can give you.

About Dining Near Epic Universe

Universal's Epic Universe is the most talked-about new theme park in the country. With multiple immersive worlds and cutting-edge rides, it draws visitors who expect big experiences. By closing time, those visitors are hungry and looking for something that matches the scale of the day.

The area around Epic Universe is newer and still developing its restaurant scene. Inside the park, dining options are themed but limited. Outside, visitors often find themselves searching for something beyond hotel restaurants and fast-food chains.

Ciao Italia Ristorante sits on Westwood Boulevard near International Drive, about 10 minutes south of Epic Universe. The Navarra family opened the restaurant in 1991 and has been serving homemade Italian food ever since. Fresh pasta daily, bread baked in-house, sauces made from scratch.

The restaurant is casual and welcoming, built for families and groups of all sizes. There is a private dining room for larger parties and a kids menu that includes gelato. After spending all day in a theme park, a quiet Italian dinner with free parking is exactly the kind of evening most people want.

Getting to Ciao Italia from Epic Universe

From Epic Universe, the drive to Ciao Italia takes about 10 minutes. Head south along International Drive for roughly 5 miles until you reach the Westwood Boulevard area near SeaWorld. The restaurant has free self-parking at 6149 Westwood Blvd. The route stays on surface streets and avoids I-4 entirely.

More Questions About Dining Near Epic Universe

How to Get to Ciao Italia from Epic Universe

The drive from Epic Universe to Ciao Italia takes about 3 minutes. Head toward International Drive and continue to Westwood Boulevard. Ciao Italia is on International Drive at 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821, with free parking right in front. Open nightly 5 to 10 PM.