Restaurants Near the Orlando Eye for Families
8 minutes from the wheel. Real Italian dinner. $13 kids menu. Free parking.
The Best Family Option Near the Orlando Eye
The restaurants inside Icon Park near the Orlando Eye are tourist traps — overpriced, overcrowded, and underwhelming. For a real family dinner after the wheel, drive 8 minutes south to Ciao Italia Ristorante on Westwood Boulevard. The food is handmade. The prices are fair. And the Navarra family has been welcoming families here since 1991.
Highchairs ready. $13 kids menu with gelato. Handmade pasta, fresh seafood, chicken, veal. Free parking lot. Wine and beer. No theme park markup, no long wait, no disappointment.
Family Dinner Without the Tourist Pricing
At Icon Park, a family of four can easily spend $100 on mediocre food. At Ciao Italia, that same family gets handmade Italian food, two adult entrees, two kids meals with gelato, bread, and a glass of wine — for about the same price. The difference in food quality is not even close.
This is why families who know Orlando eat at Ciao Italia. It is the locals' choice and the repeat visitors' secret. 8 minutes from the Orlando Eye, open every night.
Family-Friendly Details
Kids Menu
$13 with gelato included. 7 options. Real Italian food for younger guests.
Highchairs
Available for toddlers and young children. Always ready.
Free Parking
Free lot right in front. No meters. No garages.
Walk-Ins
Welcome every night. No reservation required.
Casual Dress
Come as you are. No dress code.
Open Nightly
5 PM to 10 PM, seven days a week.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ciao Italia have a kids menu?
Yes. The kids menu (10 and under) is $13 and includes gelato for dessert. Options include spaghetti, ravioli, chicken fingers, fettuccine Alfredo, penne alla vodka, steak bites, and spaghetti and meatball.
Is Ciao Italia family-friendly?
Absolutely. The restaurant is casual and welcoming with highchairs available. The Navarra family has been serving families since 1991. Walk-ins are welcome every night.
Does Ciao Italia have free parking?
Yes. Free parking lot directly in front of the restaurant. No meters, no garages, no validation needed.
What are the hours?
Open every night from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week, including holidays.
Do I need a reservation?
Walk-ins are welcome every night. For groups of 6 or more, call ahead at (407) 354-0770.
More Family Dining at Ciao Italia
Bring the Whole Family Tonight
Handmade pasta. $13 kids menu with gelato. Highchairs. Free parking. Since 1991.
Published by Ciao Italia Ristorante, family-owned by the Navarra family on International Drive since 1991. Over 35 years of authentic Italian hospitality in Orlando, Florida.