Orlando is a great place to discover all sorts of Italian food. Many excellent Italian restaurants in Orlando serve traditional and delicious Italian fare.
The city has several excellent Italian restaurants to choose from, so if you are looking for familiar dishes or want something different, rest assured that Orlando has a range of fantastic food available.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, an incredible meal, or are just in the mood for a fun night out with friends, we hope you find a restaurant on this list that fits the bill!
The 10 Best Italian Restaurants In Orlando
Maggiano’s Little Italy
9101 International Dr. Ste. 2400, Orlando, FL 32819, United States // +14072418650
The first Italian franchise to be constructed in Central Florida is Maggiano’s. It is conveniently adjacent to Disney and other tourist sites in Orlando. An excellent spot to eat with family and friends, Maggiano’s offers a top-notch dining experience. No wonder it’s one of the best Italian restaurants In Orlando.
Our waiter welcomed us and showed us to our seat, which was a fantastic booth with a view of the dining room. He excels at his work because he wanted to make our supper an unforgettable experience, which made the entire evening so pleasurable.
We were taken back in time by the mood and ambiance when life seemed to slow down for us, and we felt like the most significant guests in the room.
We selected the mussels, which arrived with four slices of crisp toast, as our starter. Next, we ordered Chicken Fettuccine and Spaghetti with Meat Sauce as our entrées. The portions were pretty large, and both were excellent.
We got away with a bag of food to take home. We chose the Butter Cake, which I’ve never eaten, for dessert. The cake was excellent.
Although the surface was crispy, the interior was mushy like pound cake. It included some cream and strawberries. Clearly, the team had won. We had a terrific day, and Maggiano’s was excellent. I definitely recommend it for Italian food in Orlando!
IL Pescatore
651 Primrose Dr., Orlando, FL 32803, United States // +14078966763
The Italian eatery Il Pescatore has been around for a while and has a definite retro appeal. The pleasant neighborhood restaurant has had several different owners, yet it has remained a favorite among residents. It offers a cozy, homey ambiance and delectable food to match.
Simple in its execution and well-worn in its digs, Il Pescatore, a neighborhood restaurant that has changed hands numerous times, has still maintained its popularity.
Carbonara, penne ala Romana, and cannelloni are among the creamy pasta dishes served at the restaurant. There are also robust meatballs, spaghetti, and lemony veal piccata on the menu.
The place was crowded! We had fried calamari as an appetizer, and it was delicious, served with a delectable sauce, substantial portion, and well cooked.
The entrées included baked ziti and a special grilled chicken stuffed with risotto and sausage in Chianti and mushroom sauce. Both of them included salad and homemade bread. One of the best Italian dishes we’ve tasted.
I love tiramisu and had one for dessert; it was delicious. We had a great day, and although the waitress appeared a little confused while describing some of the meals, the overall level of customer care was excellent.
They served us exceptionally well, the meal was outstanding, and the prices were fair. I will return soon at one of the best Italian restaurants In Orlando.
Fresco Cucina Italiana
7721 Turkey Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819, United States // +14073635775
In a cozy and welcoming setting, Fresco Cucina Italiana delivers genuine Italian cuisine cooked with seasonal, fresh ingredients acquired nearby.
The family-friendly restaurant, located in the center of Doctor Phillips Drive, is well known for its homemade lasagna, Napoli-style pizzas, homemade meatballs, delectable linguine alla vongole, fresh garden salads, and homemade tiramisu.
Fresco Cucina Italiana offers a variety of tasty Northern Italian dishes, an espresso bar, a wine bar, and a deli with imported cheeses, meats, oils, dried pasta, prepared dishes, and Italian wines. Every other Saturday night, Dani Donadi performs live Italian music for diners.
The service was first-rate. A variety of wines are offered on a budget. Everyone can find something they like on the extensive menu. The spaghetti Fagioli was generous and packed with just the proper quantity of pasta and beans.
The vodka sauce was out of this world! Soft, delicate, yet flavorful in a powerful way. The special of the day, grilled veal chop, was really delicious and at the ideal temperature.
Lemon and wine flavors were well-balanced in the chicken francais. We also ordered an In-house prepared tiramisu that was tasty, light, and had the ideal sweetness ratio to espresso. Definitely one of the best Italian restaurants In Orlando. Dining leisurely, as it should be. You should try it!
Adriatico Trattoria Italiana
2417 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32804, United States // +14074280044
Adriatico Trattoria Italiana is a cozy trattoria owned by a husband and wife combination that serves regional cuisine from Ortona. It is situated in College Park and has a nice sidewalk café-style atmosphere.
Think fra Diavolo topped with substantial shrimp, fresh pappardelle allo scoglio, packed with the freshest seafood, or the medley of fresh shrimp, fish, mussels, clams, and calamari found in the Zuppa di Pesce on the menu at Adriatico. Ortana, located on the east coast of Italy, is known for its fresh seafood fare.
Adriatico is a small, intimate restaurant where the owner/chef prepares the meals. It’s one of the reasons why I added it to the best Italian restaurants In Orlando.
I have found some of the best Italian food at this small, family-run establishment. On a Friday night, I stopped over to eat, and the restaurant wasn’t that busy.
Our waitress did a terrific job, from being attentive in general to suggesting several wines that went well with each of our dishes.
The lamb chops my friend ordered with balsamic demi sauce were fantastic. He claimed he didn’t need teeth to eat it because the meat was so soft and melting in his mouth.
I had chicken marsala, which is what I typically get when I go to an Italian restaurant for the first time, and this chicken marsala was the greatest I’ve ever eaten.
The vanilla gelato drenched in espresso served as dessert was wonderfully cooling, and the homemade tiramisu was delicious. We had some Italian food in central Florida, but this was by far the best; I most certainly recommend this spot!
Mia’s Italian Kitchen
8717 International Dr., Orlando, FL 32819, United States // +14076017130
Mia’s Italian Kitchen is the go-to neighborhood Italian restaurant for anyone seeking a warm, inviting setting, excellent, authentic food, and attentive service in a straightforward environment. Here are a few more reasons why it’s one of the best Italian restaurants In Orlando.
Our waitress indicated that this had previously been a hotel, but when we arrived, we were seated quickly and admired the luxury, which was still quite high.
Every component of the interior design has been carefully positioned to be striking, and every room has a stunning view of something.
Although the artwork was simple, it was the ideal complement to Mia’s Italian Kitchen room. And yeah, everything looks fantastic in here with those golden yellow colors; they make me want to bring all my dishes home!
Our server was helpful, considerate, and constantly on hand. Her upbeat attitude and discussion were delightful! We had no trouble choosing the brunch special.
The Meatball Benedict, Italian Scramble, and Breakfast Bruschetta were the dishes we ordered first. The sauce on the meatball benedict was excellent and served on a beautiful piece of brioche.
The meatball itself was well-cooked and delicious. The Italian Scramble was delicious and came with two big toast points. The mascarpone cheese and lemon curd in the Breakfast Bruschetta gave it a delicious taste.
After that came the Breakfast Pizza, the Waffle with Pepperoni and Cheese, and the Sunday Gravy with Baked Eggs. All of them are excellent. All had complementary flavors that combined to create delicious dishes.
The ordering of the spaghetti was our last venture. We ate the Victoria’s Fettuccine Al Funghi and the Spaghetti Pomodoro. The bucatini pasta in the spaghetti Pomodoro was perfectly al dente, and the sauce had the ideal amount of sweetness.
We had cannoli and tiramisu for dessert, and they were excellent. They tasted identical to the ones that our family produces, and the shells were flawless. The service considerably improved the staff’s attentiveness, the quality of the cuisine, and our overall experience.
You would not find a better deal for brunch anywhere else for what you get to choose from and the hefty portions. It’s a must-try for an Italian brunch in Orlando!
Christini’s Ristorante Italiano
7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819, United States // +14075456867
Recognized as a five-star restaurant, Christini’s Ristorante Italiano has satisfied discerning customers for more than thirty years.
One of Orlando’s most well-known eateries, Christini’s is located on Doctor Phillips Boulevard and is known for its wonderful Italian food, fresh seafood, and excellent steaks.
Christini’s offers an award-winning menu of sophisticated Italian fare prepared with the highest quality local and imported ingredients and an extensive selection of fine wines from around the world. The restaurant’s interiors are luxurious, with a woodsy scent, soft lighting, and live music.
The osso buco d’agnello, a slow-braised Colorado lamb shank served with orzo Milanese, and the spigola alla Christini, pan-seared Chilean sea bass with shrimp risotto in a lobster tarragon sauce, are two of the restaurant’s signature dishes. No wonder this is one of the best Italian restaurants In Orlando.
The meal that stood out the most was their pasta-filled purses with the Gorgonzola cream sauce. That could pass for my main course.
If you don’t like Gorgonzola cheese, don’t be afraid to try this meal since it’s worth it, even though I don’t eat any soft cheeses.
We ordered the bone-in veal parmigiana as our entrée. My friend considered it to be great. He raved about it even though I found it to be slightly heavy and cheese-filled.
We had a good time and would return to try more entrees. It’s the ideal Italian restaurant for fine dining in Orlando, so go there!
Ciao Italia Ristorante
6149 Westwood Blvd., Orlando, FL 32821, United States // +14073540770
Old-world elegance and contemporary food collide at the family-run Ciao Italia Ristorante on Westwood Boulevard in Orlando.
Ciao Italia is owned and operated by Josephine and Antonio Navarra. It offers private event and function space upon request. Ciao Italia, conveniently situated in the center of Orlando, offers a delectable selection of appetizers, fresh salads, house-made pasta dishes, and entrees, as well as authentic and traditional Italian cuisine in a stylish and welcoming setting.
Among the Italian meals served at the restaurant are veal parmigiana with spaghetti marinara, wild-caught Atlantic salmon with an almond crust, and rigatoni alla Siciliana with eggplant, sun-dried tomatoes, and buffalo mozzarella.
The service was first and foremost incredibly warm and friendly, extremely professional and attentive, but most importantly, it felt like family. The love and care put into it were obvious.
The restaurant was stunning and clean. The cuisine was outstanding. The care, attention, and flavor that went into the dishes with relatively few ingredients astounded us. This is the actual thing if you’re seeking it.
I enjoyed a wonderfully prepared, excellent shrimp and pasta special served over linguine. My friend appreciated his veal Parmesan as outstanding.
For dessert, we both had a slice of melt-in-your-mouth tiramisu. We had dinner out every night of our vacation; this was our nicest one. So, stop in and have a bite, as you will not be disappointed! This is one of the finest and best Italian restaurants In Orlando.
Vincenzo Cucina Italiana
8255 International Dr. #112, Orlando, FL 32819, United States // +14077454030
It’s possible to call Vincenzo Cucina Italiana a hybrid. This is one of the best Italian restaurants In Orlando for a special occasion meal, date night, client dinner, a post-work glass of Chianti, or date night since it seamlessly blends family-run warmth with fine dining ambiance.
Both holidaymakers and business travelers will find it convenient. Despite this, residents continue to frequent Vincenzo’s tourist-friendly I-Drive location for its authentic cooking and consistently above-and-beyond service.
After checking in with the waitress, we were immediately seated and given beverages. My friend ordered the leg of lamb, which was served with three slices of lamb, mashed potatoes, and asparagus. The lamb was flavorful and expertly seasoned.
My other friend took a meatball and meat sauce-topped spaghetti. It includes two enormous meatballs that were excellent and clearly produced from several high-quality cuts of meat.
One of the best meat sauces I’ve ever tasted, the meat sauce itself is incredible—not overbearing, but still incredibly flavorful. I had the linguini with clam sauce, including a white wine sauce over the pasta and maybe six large clams in shells. Even though it contains red pepper flakes, which some people may find too spicy, I really liked it.
The al dente pasta was prepared to perfection. The customer service was excellent and welcoming. One thing to remember is that a gratuity will be added automatically for groups of five or more.
It seems like there is only valet parking available, which is helpful, but we feel that this discourages people from parking nearby and strolling to the amusement park close to the restaurants. I would undoubtedly suggest this restaurant and visit it once more.
Fratelli’s Italian Restaurant
373 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801, United States // +14074225500
Downtown Orlando’s Fratelli’s Italian Restaurant offers a straightforward menu of traditional Italian food that can be eaten in or taken out, as well as daily specials and catering services. A classic amongst the best Italian restaurants In Orlando.
Fried mozzarella, calamari, and bruschetta are offered as starters, along with freshly cooked salads, handmade soups, and pasta meals.
Additionally, three sizes of strombolis, calzones, and wood-fired pizza are offered, along with specialties including chicken marsala, shrimp fra diavolo, eggplant rollatini, and chicken parmigiana.
Desserts include cheesecake, cannoli, tiramisu, and creme brulee. Subs and deli-style sandwiches are also included on the primary lunch menu.
The flavor of the high-quality seafood used to make the calamari and shrimp was noticeable. I ordered the Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo while my friend had spaghetti with meat sauce, meatballs, and Italian sausage. Probably one of the best we have both had. It’s definitely one of the best Italian restaurants In Orlando.
That tiramisu, don’t even get me started. We opted not to share, so we obtained another. It was such a nice experience, and I recommend you give it a visit!
Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse
6115 Westwood Blvd., Orlando, FL 32821, United States // +14072262662
An Italian restaurant franchise called Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse offers a variety of cuts of certified Angus Delmonico steak in addition to traditional dishes, sumptuous desserts, and handcrafted cocktails. Here are a few more reasons why Delmonico’s made the list of the best Italian restaurants In Orlando.
Delmonico’s is a steakhouse that serves a variety of cuts, including filet mignon, sirloin, and rump, along with a delectable selection of sides and salads. Antipasti platters with foreign charcuteries, mature cheeses, and enormous olives are typical Italian fare.
Signature dinners, on the other hand, include outstanding steaks, lasagna, Frutta di Mare, chicken marsala, chicken prosciutto, and other homemade pasta dishes with rich, creamy sauces. In addition, the full-service bar offers traditional cocktails, premium wines, and craft beer.
The Italian and steak combinations were superb. We each enjoyed a fantastic steak. The Roma Tomato and Mozzarella Salad was the first course of our meal.
We absolutely liked it because they were so kind as to split it for us. Delmonico’s Delmonico steak was a must-try (top reason why It’s one of the best Italian restaurants In Orlando). That rib-eye steak was excellent. Right now, just thinking about it makes me hungry.
We also had a sirloin steak. Both of the beef dishes were excellent, but the Delmonico rib eye stole the show. We also added fettucini alfredo to one of our dishes and spaghetti to another.
Cannoli rounded out our meal. Also incredible. I definitely recommend visiting this location; you will not be disappointed!
Final Thoughts About The Best Italian Restaurants In Orlando
Whether it’s near your neighborhood or a little further away, these Italian restaurants make you feel like you have been transported to a small town in Italy. They will make you feel like family and give you an experience unlike any other. These are the best of the best Italian restaurants in Orlando, so be sure to check them out the next time you’re craving some authentic Italian cuisine in Orlando.
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Igor Jovanovski is an aspiring digital nomad, travel blogger and graphic designer who really loves food. He also has a creative side, and he works as a freelance graphic designer in his spare time. He has traveled across Europe quite a few times since he was young and recently started his mission to visit every country in the world! Igor’s favorite thing about traveling is the way he gets to know new people, food, places and cultures.
This exciting experience helps him create his own stories and make memories that will last forever
Cathy046@aol.com
Sunday 9th of October 2022
Seriously, you wouldn’t include Enzo’s or Armando’s over some of these?