Restaurants near Universal Studios Orlando
Near Universal & Epic Universe

Restaurants Near Universal Studios Orlando

After the rides, sit down for real Italian. No CityWalk prices. No crowds.

35+
Years
4,000+
Reviews
9
Awards
7
Days a Week

You Deserve Better Than CityWalk Prices

After a full day at Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, or the new Epic Universe, you are exhausted and starving. CityWalk has restaurants, sure. But they are packed, overpriced, and most of them are the same chains you can eat at back home. You did not come to Orlando to pay theme park prices for chain restaurant food.

Ciao Italia Ristorante is about 15 minutes south of Universal on Westwood Blvd. The Navarra family has been making handmade Italian food here since 1991. Real pasta, real sauces, real Italian cooking. Over 4,000 reviews from guests who discovered that the best dinner near Universal is not actually at Universal. And parking is free.

The Italian Dinner Your Family Has Been Waiting For

Picture this. You spent the day riding roller coasters and walking through Hogwarts. The kids are tired. You are tired. Everyone is hungry. Instead of fighting for a table at a noisy CityWalk restaurant, you drive 15 minutes to a warm, quiet dining room where a family-owned Italian restaurant has been welcoming guests for over 35 years.

The kids order from the $13 menu and get gelato for dessert. You finally get to enjoy a glass of Italian wine with Veal Piccata or Pappardelle with Wild Boar. Your partner tries the Risotto Pescatore. The pace is relaxed. The food is handmade. And you just saved money compared to what you would have spent at CityWalk. That is Ciao Italia.

Risotto Pescatore restaurant near Universal Orlando Linguine vongole near Universal Studios

What Our Guests Say

★★★★★

“Skipped CityWalk and drove to Ciao Italia. Best decision of our Universal trip. The food was outstanding.”

Google Review
★★★★★

“After three days at Universal, this was the highlight dinner. Real Italian food at real prices.”

TripAdvisor Review
★★★★★

“A local told us about this place. So much better than anything near Universal. We went back twice.”

OpenTable Review

Easy Drive, Free Parking, Open Every Night

Ciao Italia is at 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821. From Universal Studios, you head south on I-Drive or take I-4 and you are there in about 15 minutes. The restaurant sits near SeaWorld and the Convention Center area, so if you are staying anywhere on the south end of I-Drive, it is even closer.

Open every night from 5 PM to 10 PM. Free self-parking right in front of the restaurant. No parking fees, no garages, no shuttle buses. Just pull up and walk in. If you want to celebrate something special from your trip, private dining is available for up to 60 guests. Call (407) 354-0770 to book.

Veal Piccata dinner near Universal Studios Handmade sacchetti near Universal Orlando
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15 Min from Universal

Quick drive south on I-Drive. Easy to find after a day at the parks.

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Kids Menu $13

Real Italian food for kids. Gelato included. Perfect after a theme park day.

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Free Parking

After paying for theme park parking all day, ours is free. Always.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best restaurants near Universal Studios Orlando?

Ciao Italia Ristorante is one of the best restaurants near Universal Studios Orlando. About 15 minutes south on I-Drive, it serves handmade Italian food with over 4,000 reviews. More affordable and authentic than CityWalk restaurants.

How far is Ciao Italia from Universal Studios?

Ciao Italia is approximately 15 minutes from Universal Studios Orlando and Universal's Epic Universe. Located at 6149 Westwood Blvd near the south end of International Drive.

Is Ciao Italia better than CityWalk restaurants?

Many guests prefer Ciao Italia over CityWalk restaurants because the food is handmade from scratch, prices are lower without the theme park markup, parking is free, and the atmosphere is more relaxed. It is a family-owned restaurant, not a corporate chain.

Can I bring my family to Ciao Italia after Universal?

Absolutely. Ciao Italia is very family friendly with a $13 kids menu that includes gelato. The restaurant is open 5 PM to 10 PM every day, perfect timing for dinner after a day at the parks. Free self-parking available.

After Universal, Eat Like You Are in Italy.

Handmade Italian food. Free parking. No CityWalk prices. Just 15 minutes away.

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