Team Dinner Near the Convention Center in Orlando

A Team Dinner Worth Planning

The team dinner is the part of the trip people actually remember. Not the keynote. Not the breakout sessions. The dinner. And where you take your team says something about how much you value the people at the table. Taking them to a chain restaurant on International Drive says one thing. Taking them to a family-owned Italian restaurant with handmade pasta and Zagat ratings says another.

Ciao Italia Ristorante has been the team dinner destination near the Convention Center in Orlando for companies that take their people seriously. The Navarra family has hosted teams from Fortune 500 companies, tech startups, medical conferences, and everything in between since 1991.

Why Italian Works for Team Dinners

Italian food is built for sharing. It encourages conversation. Plates get passed around, wine gets poured, and people actually talk to each other instead of staring at their phones. That is exactly what a team dinner should be. Not a formal, rigid corporate event, but a meal where people relax and connect over great food.

At Ciao Italia, the kitchen prepares everything from family recipes brought over from southern Italy. The Risotto alla Pescatora, the Pappardelle with Wild Boar, the Vitello Piccata, the house-made tiramisu. These are dishes that make people put their forks down and say something out loud. That is the kind of experience that builds a team.

The Practical Details

The private dining room seats up to 60. A full restaurant buyout accommodates 110. For teams of 10 or more, the Navarra family offers customizable prix fixe menus so everyone is served together and no one is waiting while others eat. The wine list is Italian-focused with options at every price point.

Ciao Italia is located at 6149 Westwood Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32821, about ten 5 minutes from the OCCC. Free self-parking is available. Open seven days a week from 5 PM to 10 PM. Call (407) 354-0770 to plan your team dinner.

About Dining Near the Convention Center

The Orange County Convention Center is the second-largest convention facility in the United States. Every year, it hosts hundreds of trade shows, conferences, expos, and corporate events that bring millions of attendees to Orlando. When those long days on the show floor end, everyone needs a place to eat.

The dining options immediately surrounding the OCCC are limited. Most are hotel restaurants with inflated prices and uninspired menus, or fast-casual spots designed for speed rather than quality. Finding a genuinely good dinner near the convention center takes a little local knowledge.

Ciao Italia Ristorante is 5 minutes south of the OCCC on Westwood Boulevard, just off International Drive. The Navarra family has operated this restaurant since 1991, serving handmade pasta, fresh seafood, veal, lamb chops, and authentic Italian cuisine every night. It is the dinner convention attendees remember.

The private dining room seats up to 60 guests with group menus available for corporate dinners and team events. Free parking eliminates the hassle of convention center garages. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended during major shows.

How to Get to Ciao Italia from the Convention Center

Ciao Italia is a straight shot from the OCCC. Exit the convention center and head south on International Drive. In about 2 miles, turn onto Westwood Boulevard. The restaurant is at 6149 Westwood Blvd with its own free parking lot. Five minutes, no highway driving required.

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