Restaurants Outside Universal CityWalk

Skip the CityWalk Crowds and Eat Like a Local

CityWalk is fun. The energy, the lights, the people. But when it comes time to sit down for a real dinner, the restaurants inside CityWalk come with theme park prices, long waits, and a dining experience designed for volume, not quality. That is where locals diverge from tourists.

Ciao Italia Ristorante is 12 minutes south of Universal CityWalk on Westwood Boulevard, near SeaWorld and the International Drive corridor. The Navarra family has been running this restaurant since 1991 — long before CityWalk even existed. Handmade pasta, fresh seafood, veal, and lamb chops are served nightly in an intimate dining room that feels nothing like a theme park restaurant.

Why Families Choose Ciao Italia After Universal

After a full day of roller coasters and shows, families want to sit down somewhere comfortable, eat well, and not wait an hour for a table. Ciao Italia delivers on all three. The kids menu is $13 and includes gelato. The portions are generous. Walk-ins are welcome, and there is free parking right in front.

For adults, the menu goes deeper than most casual Italian spots. Pappardelle al Cinghiale with wild boar ragu, Risotto alla Pescatora loaded with clams, mussels, shrimp, and calamari, and Australian lamb chops are the kind of dishes that make you forget you were at a theme park two hours ago. Beer and wine are available with dinner.

About Dining Outside Universal CityWalk

Universal CityWalk is Orlando's entertainment and dining hub at the entrance to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. While CityWalk offers plenty of chain and themed restaurants, many visitors prefer to venture outside for more authentic dining experiences with better value and shorter waits.

Ciao Italia Ristorante is 12 minutes from CityWalk on Westwood Boulevard, near SeaWorld and International Drive. The Navarra family has owned and operated this restaurant since 1991. Everything is made from scratch — the pasta, the sauces, the bread, the desserts. With 4,000+ reviews and 9 awards, it is one of Orlando's most trusted Italian restaurants.

The menu features handmade Pappardelle al Cinghiale, Risotto alla Pescatora, Australian lamb chops, and sauteed calamari. Beer and wine are available with dinner. Free parking. Open nightly 5 to 10 PM.

How to Get to Ciao Italia from Universal CityWalk

Head south on International Drive from Universal. Continue south past Sand Lake Road and turn right onto Westwood Blvd. The restaurant is at 6149 Westwood Blvd, about 12 minutes away with free parking.

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About Dining Near Restaurants Outside Universal Citywalk

When you are visiting Restaurants Outside Universal Citywalk in Orlando, finding a genuine Italian dinner can feel impossible among the chains and tourist traps. Ciao Italia Ristorante has been the answer since 1991 — a family-owned Italian restaurant on Westwood Boulevard where everything is made from scratch.

The Navarra family runs the kitchen personally. Handmade pasta, fresh sauces, bread baked daily, and housemade desserts. The menu includes classics like lasagna and chicken parmigiana alongside refined dishes like pappardelle with wild boar ragu and risotto alla pescatora.

With 4,000+ reviews, 9 awards, and over 35 years of service, Ciao Italia is one of the most trusted Italian restaurants in the Orlando area. Italian wine and beer are available with dinner. Kids eat for $13 with gelato. Free parking. Walk-ins welcome nightly 5 to 10 PM.

How to Get to Ciao Italia from Restaurants Outside Universal Citywalk

Ciao Italia is about 12 minutes from Restaurants Outside Universal Citywalk. Head toward International Drive and continue to Westwood Boulevard. The restaurant is at 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821, with free parking right in front. Open nightly 5 to 10 PM.

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