Ciao Italia

Delicious and in a weird mall, but maybe the only real Italian in town. Excellent even by Italian standards. Owner used to own a well known restaurant in Massachusetts. Had a wonderful time and worth every penny! Pros: Food, Food, Food Cons: Location more

I had the most horrible experience at this restaurant. I went last weekend on my year anniversary with my boyfriend. We had gone to restaurant website and had bought a gift certificate for buy $35 get $25 off so we thought we would try the restaurant. While there the waiter asked if we would like garlic bread or regular bread. We decided to get garlic bread. We recieved our food and it was great, until our waitress cleared our table. She knocked the fork off of my plate, that was full of marinara sauce, all over my new silk dress I had bought. She didnt even say sorry, just was like my bad. After we had recieved the check we saw that they had charged us for the bread. Now it wasnt a problem that it cost money for the bread it was the fact that they didnt tell us they were going to charge us. The waitress came over to discuss it with my boyfriend. It turns out that our waitress was the owner, she proceeded to argue with my boyfriend. She went somewhere with the check came back and told my boyfriend it was people like him that she doesnt like doing the gift certificates. She continued to yell at us and kicked us out telling us to go back to clearwater where we belong. We didnt even do anything, we just asked why she didnt tell us about the extra charge. NEVER GO HERE!!!!! Pros: food was good Cons: service and attitude of owner was aweful and uncalled for more

Horrible experience! I read the reviews on here and decided to give it a try. First- we have 2 kids and they had NO cups with lids, even though they are listed as family friendly. They only had stemmed goblets... not great for a 2 & 4 year old. Second- the kid's meals were $9! I assumed this meant they would be a filling meal. NO! 4 little cheese raviolis! For $9!! (and no drink). My mother and I were not super hungry and we ordered an appetizer... so we wanted to split a $16 entr????e. The waiter told us it would be $5 if we split! My husband got the lasagna and it was a very small portion for the $16 price tag. The waiter was pleasant, however we were left with empty water glasses for quite a while. The food was ok. I would say I have had a better experience at Olive Garden... and that is not saying much. All in all it was way overpriced, 1980s d????cor, small portions, & ok food more

I decided to try Ciao Italia upon hearing such good things and reviews about them. However, my night did not go so well here. It seemed that they were under staffed in the dining room and kitchen. Everything seemed to take very long. The food was very good and tasty but the service didn't seem to make up for it. They did apologize and explained to me the situation. Its just unfair when it has to happen to you the night you decide to try a new place. Pros: Good food, strong italian ambience Cons: service more

My group and I were in town for the Aviation show this past week. The hotel we were staying at was raving about the restaurant across the street, which happened to be Ciao Italia. It seemed pretty busy this night from mostly others from our convention. It seemed like a restaurant you would find in New York or perhaps even Jersey. Kind of tucked away and only a few know about it. I ordered the Beef tips appetizer special which was out of this world. The calamari and the prosciutto and Mozzarella antipasto were also very good. The hostess and waiters were friendly and assertive and brought everything to us in a family style way. I recommend Ciao Italia if you are looking for good Italian food combined with good service and calm atmosphere. Pros: Good food, close by, excellent service Cons: They didn't have any liquor more

We were looking for a nice mellow restaurant to go to on our last night in Orlando. When asked the concierge at the JW, he recommended Ciao Italia but he didn't know if they were open since it was 10:45pm. They said they would wait and we took a cab immediately. We told the chef to make us whatever he liked because we knew they were ready to close and we were starving. The dishes were coming out as if we were royalty. One exciting dish after another! We were stuffed and tried rushing to not be of any more inconvenience. Then the Chef came out, talked to us, and sat down to have a drink! We actually closed the restaurant with him and he took us back to the hotel insisting that we didn't need a cab. We have never had this type of hospitality before or expected it. Truly amazing and great restaurant! Pros: Excellent food, quick service, great hospatality more

The place was clearly family Owned. It had a very authentic Italian-family restaurant atmosphere to it. We were sitting at the front by the hostess stand and window. At one time a friend of the Owner came to speak to him at the door, and they had a friendly conversation in Italian before he wandered on. I had the feeling of being in a small Italian village! The service was great and I loved the Bolognese sauce and Tiramisu! Pros: Great Meal, Great Service, Romantic more

My family and I regularly visit Orlando due to the fact that we live in Ft. Lauderdale. Well, this time we came because of the new water park Aquatica which is Incredible by the way. Anyway, We were staying at the Renaissance Sea World and they highly recommended Ciao Italia to us. It was walking distance so we had no problem visiting. I have to say this place was one of the best Italian restaurants I have eaten at. The Pollo Picatta and my wife's Penne Contadina was just perfect! My children were happy with the Fett. Alfredo and Sp.meat ball so we ended up having a very pleasing dinner. We have had some bad experiences with most restaurants in Orlando and I am just ashamed and shocked to find out that its been here for 17 years! I just found out about it now? Will definitely be dining here every time I visit. Pros: Close to where we were, great food, kid friendly Cons: Large group to the right of us drinking too much wine! more

My Coworkers and I ate there while on a business trip to Florida. The wait staff was very helpful. Our waiter Carmen took the time to share his knowledge of wine and appetizers to get us started. \r The food was wonderful and the service fabulous. If you ever get a chance to visit Ciao Italia you must try the veal chop and ask for Carmen.. I am traveling back to Orlando in in September for the restaurant show. Will be returning with a large group. Pros: Excellent food, great service Cons: Not one where I live more

Ciao Italia is a great place for both special occasions and everyday dining. Their food is delicious and fresh, extensive wine list, service is attentive, and you will feel relaxed and pampered in their romantic dim dining room. Sea Bass is to die for! more