The Question Every Epic Universe Visitor Will Ask
Authentic Italian dining near Epic Universe. Family-owned since 1991, free parki
What to Expect at Ciao Italia
Where to eat after Epic Universe is going to be the most searched dining question in Orlando. The park will close, thousands of hungry visitors will pour out, and the nearby restaurants will be overwhelmed. The smart play is to skip the immediate vicinity and drive 10-15 minutes to a restaurant that has been handling Orlando's tourist crowds expertly for over 35 years.
Better Than Hotel Restaurant Options
Ciao Italia Ristorante on Westwood Blvd is that restaurant. The Navarra family opened it in 1991, long before Epic Universe was even a concept. They have fed millions of theme park visitors from SeaWorld, Universal, and Disney during that time, and they know exactly how to deliver an outstanding dinner to a family that just walked 20,000 steps.
This is a full-service sit-down Italian restaurant. White tablecloths, attentive service, and a menu that covers every Italian classic you could want. The pastas are handmade in-house. The seafood is fresh. The veal and lamb are prepared to order. The bread arrives warm from the oven. And the homemade tiramisu is the proper ending to a proper Italian dinner.
It is not fast food. It is not a food truck. It is a restaurant where you sit down, relax, and enjoy a meal that someone cared deeply about preparing. After a high-energy day at Epic Universe, that slower pace is exactly what most people need.
Ciao Italia opens at 5:00 PM, which works perfectly for after-park dining. Last seating is around 9:15-9:30 PM, so even late park closings work. Free parking eliminates one more stress after paying for theme park parking all day. And the kids menu at $13 with gelato means even the youngest visitors are covered.
The hotels near Epic Universe will all have restaurants, and they will all be packed with captive guests paying captive prices. Ciao Italia is a short drive away with better food, lower prices, and an atmosphere that actually feels like a special dinner rather than a hotel lobby extension.
For more Italian-specific options, see our best Italian food near Epic Universe guide. Or browse our restaurant near Epic Universe page.
“One of the finest Italian restaurants in Orlando. Absolutely worth the visit.”
“Handmade pasta that you can taste the difference. Zagat rated and deserving.”
During peak season, Ciao Italia fills up. Reservations are strongly recommended. Call (407) 354-0770 or book online. 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821.
“One of the finest Italian restaurants in Orlando. Absolutely worth the visit.”
“Handmade pasta that you can taste the difference. Zagat rated and deserving.”
