Why Ciao Italia Stands Above the Rest
Orlando has hundreds of Italian restaurants. Most of them are chains with corporate menus designed in test kitchens far from Florida. A few are independents that rely on frozen ingredients and shortcuts. And then there is Ciao Italia Ristorante, a family-owned restaurant that has been doing things the right way since 1991.
The Navarra family opened Ciao Italia with a simple philosophy: cook the food they grew up eating in southern Italy, use the best ingredients available, and never cut corners. Over 35 years later, that commitment has earned 9 awards, a Zagat rating, and more than 3,000 guest reviews across Google, TripAdvisor, and OpenTable. The numbers tell the story, but one dinner confirms it.
Awards, Reviews, and Recognition
Ciao Italia is Zagat rated, a distinction that separates it from the vast majority of Italian restaurants in the Orlando area. The restaurant has collected 9 awards over its history, each one reflecting consistency rather than a single lucky night. With over 3,000 reviews maintaining strong ratings across every major platform, this is not a restaurant riding on reputation alone. It earns its place every evening, one plate at a time.
The menu is the reason. Risotto Pescatore with fresh shrimp, mussels, clams, and calamari. Pappardelle with Wild Boar braised for hours. Lobster Ravioli filled by hand. Lamb chops, braised short rib, Chicken Marsala, Veal Piccata. Every dish made from scratch, every day. That is what separates a top restaurant from a popular one.
