Local Favorite Near Universal
Where Orlando Locals Eat Near Universal
The restaurant Orlando locals choose over CityWalk. Family-owned since 1991.
The restaurant Orlando locals choose over CityWalk. Family-owned since 1991.
When the Navarra family opened Ciao Italia on International Drive in 1991, Orlando looked nothing like it does today. But the mission was simple: serve real Italian food, made from scratch, every single night.
35 years later, that mission hasn't changed. The pasta is still handmade. The sauces still simmer for hours. Over 4,000 guests have left reviews. Zagat rated, highly awarded, and the same family still greeting you at the door.
This is not a chain. This is the real thing.
Handmade pasta • Fresh seafood • Prime cuts • Every plate from scratch
Ciao Italia Ristorante is a family-owned authentic Italian restaurant located at 6149 Westwood Blvd on International Drive in Orlando, Florida (32821). Established in 1991 by the Navarra family. Open for dinner 7 nights a week from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Serves scratch-made Southern Italian cuisine including handmade pasta, fresh seafood, veal, chicken, and classic Italian dishes. Wine and beer only — no cocktails or full bar. Casual dress welcome — no dress code. 4.6-star average rating with over 4,000 reviews. SeaWorld Orlando is 1.4 miles away, Orange County Convention Center (0.9 miles / 3 minutes), and Epic Universe (10 minutes). Free self-parking. Reservations recommended. Phone: (407) 354-0770.
Where do Orlando locals eat near Universal? Ciao Italia on I-Drive serves handmade pasta, sauteed calamari, and Italian wine and beer. Casual, no dress code. 4,000+ reviews. Open 5-10 PM.
Family-owned and operated since 1991. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and Italian classics served nightly. Located on International Drive at 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando — 3 minutes from SeaWorld, 12 minutes from Universal, and 20 minutes from Disney World.
Kids menu with gelato included. Homemade pasta. Free parking. Open every night.
Ask anyone who lives in the Universal area — Millenia, MetroWest, Rosemont, or even downtown Orlando — where they go for Italian food. It is not CityWalk. CityWalk is for tourists. Locals go where the food is real, the parking is free, and they do not have to wait behind 200 people who just got off the Hogwarts Express.
Ciao Italia Ristorante is 12 minutes south of Universal on Westwood Boulevard. The Navarra family has been here since 1991, which in Orlando restaurant years is basically forever. They have outlasted every Italian chain, every concept restaurant, and every celebrity chef pop-up that has come and gone in this town.
Ciao Italia looks elegant — arched columns, Italian pottery, wine racks. But there's no dress code. Shorts and flip-flops are welcome. Kids are welcome.
$13 kids menu with gelato included. Highchairs available. Walk-ins welcome every night from 5 to 10 PM. Free parking lot right in front.
Reserve a Table
"We have been coming here for 10 years every time we visit Orlando. The food never changes and that is the highest compliment."
"No pretension, no attitude, just amazing food and warm service. The tortellini with truffle cream is outstanding."
Zagat-rated Italian. Handmade pastas, fresh seafood, veal, lamb, and classic preparations.
Open 7 days a week, 5 PM to 10 PM. Walk-ins welcome.
Free self-parking lot right in front. No meters or garages.
6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821. On International Drive, near SeaWorld and the Convention Center.
Book online via OpenTable or call (407) 354-0770.
Private room seats up to 60. Full venue buyout up to 110.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando — across from the DoubleTree by Hilton |
| Aquatica | 0.5 miles |
| OCCC | 0.9 miles / 3 min |
| SeaWorld | 1.4 miles |
| Discovery Cove | 2 miles |
| Hours | Open nightly 5–10 PM |
| Parking | Free on-site |
| Dress Code | Casual — no dress code |
It can be busy on Friday and Saturday nights. Reservations are recommended on weekends. Weeknights are typically more relaxed.
Many Universal team members and nearby hospitality workers are regulars at Ciao Italia. The restaurant's consistency and fair prices make it a go-to spot for industry locals.
Ciao Italia Ristorante at 6149 Westwood Blvd is a family-owned Italian restaurant about 12 minutes away. Handmade pasta, fresh seafood, veal, and lamb since 1991. Over 4,000 reviews. Open nightly 5 to 10 PM.
Ciao Italia is about 12 minutes away and serves authentic Italian food made from scratch. Italian wine and beer with dinner, free parking, kids menu with gelato. Walk-ins welcome.
Ciao Italia Ristorante at 6149 Westwood Blvd is a local favorite, 12 minutes from Universal. Family-owned since 1991 with handmade pasta and over 4,000 reviews.
Many Orlando locals think so. Ciao Italia is a single-location, family-owned restaurant where everything is made from scratch. No theme park crowds, no inflated prices, no two-hour waits.
Ciao Italia is approximately 7 miles and 12 minutes from Universal Studios via International Drive.
Consistency. The Navarra family has been running Ciao Italia since 1991. The recipes have not changed, the quality has not dropped, and the prices remain fair. That is why locals keep coming back.
Yes. Reservations are recommended on weekends but walk-ins are welcome every night from 5 PM to 10 PM.
On International Drive, near SeaWorld and the Convention Center. Free parking right in front.
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12 minutes from Universal. Authentic Italian since 1991. Open tonight.