Restaurants Walking Distance from Convention Center Orlando

Close to the Convention Center, Far From Generic

Finding a restaurant near the Orange County Convention Center that is not a chain and not inside a hotel lobby is harder than it should be. Ciao Italia is the answer. We are at 6149 Westwood Blvd, 5 minutes from the OCCC, with a free parking lot right in front. No valet, no garage, no hassle. Inside, it is a casual Italian restaurant where handmade pasta and fresh sauces have been the standard since 1991. The menu has something for everyone — from classic Fettuccine Alfredo to Gulf grouper to Australian lamb chops. And if your group needs a private space, we have dining for up to 60 guests with catering packages starting at $60 per person.

• 5 minutes from Orange County Convention Center
• Free parking lot in front
• Handmade pasta and fresh sauces
• Italian wine list and beer
• Private dining for up to 60 guests
• Catering: $60, $70, $80 per person
• Casual atmosphere, no dress code
• Open nightly 5-10 PM since 1991

The Restaurant That Brings Everyone Together

When you are organizing a dinner for a group of convention attendees, you need a restaurant everyone can agree on. Ciao Italia is that restaurant. Italian food is universally loved, and the menu is broad enough to cover every preference — vegetarian pastas, fresh seafood, grilled meats, and a $13 kids menu for anyone who brought their family along. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming without being stuffy. The service is attentive but not hovering. And the prices are reasonable for the quality — pastas from $19, secondi from $24. 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando. (407) 354-0770.

About Dining Near the Convention Center

Attending a convention at the OCCC means long days, crowded exhibit halls, and overpriced hotel food. By the time the show floor closes, you want a real dinner, not another grab-and-go sandwich or a hotel restaurant charging $40 for mediocre pasta.

Ciao Italia is 5 minutes from the convention center and it is the opposite of convention food. The Navarra family has been cooking here since 1991, making everything from scratch. The pasta is handmade. The bread is baked fresh. The sauces are simmered daily. This is a family restaurant that happens to be perfectly located for convention crowds.

For exhibitors hosting client dinners or teams celebrating a successful show, the private dining room is ideal. It seats up to 60 guests with customizable group menus. The Italian wine list and beer selection pair well with everything on the menu. And the free parking means nobody has to pay convention center garage rates.

Open nightly from 5 to 10 PM, seven days a week. Whether you are in town for a three-day trade show or a week-long conference, Ciao Italia is the dinner that breaks up the convention routine.

How to Get to Ciao Italia from the Convention Center

From the Orange County Convention Center, head south on International Drive for about 2 miles. Turn right onto Westwood Boulevard. Ciao Italia is at 6149 Westwood Blvd on your right, with free parking in front. The entire drive takes about 5 minutes, even during convention traffic.

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