50 Best Italian Restaurants near Lake Buena Vista

“Absolutely wonderful, fine dining Italian dinner at Epcot! It’s a gorgeous and classy dining room with incredibly kind and gracious hosts who checked us in and then led us to our table. Gian Marco was our very nice server who took great care of us. We started with good rolls dipped in olive oil, bread sticks, and the fried calimari appetizer. The squid rings were the most tender and tastiest we’ve ever had. For dinner, my wife had the Italian “surf and turf”, Mare e Monti, which was a delicious braised beef short rib and lobster ravioli. I had the Salmone, which was a nice piece of grilled salmon served atop mashed potatoes over diced tomatoes, capers, olives and anchovies. It was fantastic! We finished this gourmet meal with the tastiest Tiramisu and a Cannolo. The perfect end to a perfect meal. We spoke with Sarah, one of the managers, and she explained that much of the staff are actually from Italy and are working here and gaining experience at a resort style restaurant. They all work together to provide the hospitality and dining experience that must be savored and celebrated!“

“Sam (our server) and Angeline (our Sommelier), along with a very nice young man (been there about 8 months) who brought us in (sorry I didn’t catch his name) made sure we wanted for nothing. We asked for suggestions and they delivered all the way through dessert!! Professional, engaging, and genuinely nice people! Oh, and the food!!!!“

“Delicious food and amazing service !!“

“Amazing, great food, love the ambiance!“

“From the moment we walked into Il Mulino New York Trattoria at the Swan Hotel the service made this experience truly unforgettable. The food was outstanding. It was fresh, authentic, and full of flavor, but what really set this Italian restaurant apart was the personalized attention from Carmelo, Pedro, Steven and the rest of the staff. Every recommendation felt thoughtful, every detail remembered, and we were made to feel like valued guests rather than just another table.

Carmelo went above and beyond to make the evening special, always checking up on us and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere that elevated the entire meal. Amazing food is easy to find, but service like this is rare. We’ll absolutely be back and not just for the incredible dishes, but for people like Carmelo, Steven, and Pedro who made my family feel so well taken care of.“

“We arrived just after closing time, soaking wet from walking in the rain from another hotel, and were so disappointed to find the restaurant had closed even though it said online they were open until midnight. Thankfully, we were greeted by the most incredible bartender, Steven, who went out of his way to speak with the kitchen—and they graciously accommodated us. He completely turned our night around, and the experience was so amazing that we came back again the next night.

The calamari was unbelievably tender—easily one of the best we’ve ever had. The desserts were on a whole other level, with unique flavors and textures you rarely find anywhere else. We travel often and eat out a lot, and this was truly something special. The hummus was delicious, and the warm pita bread was clearly fresh and far from your typical store-bought version.

Steven’s kindness and hospitality truly made our entire experience unforgettable.“

“Great food for a reasonable price❤️“

“They do a great job! Never disappointed!“

“Justin our waiter was amazing! He answered all our questions and was great to just talk with him… He is VERY knowledgeable and all around amazing waiter… He went above and beyond for us we will always request him…“

“We are from Lakeland and always drive up here to enjoy the food and atmosphere. Our waiter Moe this evening was very nice and Ethan, the host, was also kind and great to talk to. The food here is delicious and the people are nice. We got the 4 for $40 deal which is an amazing promotion going on for the summer. I highly recommend this place! Shoutout to both Moe and Ethan! Definitely tell Moe I say dankje, which is thank you in Dutch. We will be back soon.“

“Good food! Nice staff. Pizza and chicken parmigiana absolutely delicious“

“Big rave to this restaurant. An honest mistake was made and a few items were missing from our Uber Eats delivery. I contacted the restaurant and they immediately admitted to the error. Their asst manager personally drove the missing items directly to our hotel and even threw in some free dessert! They went over and above to quickly address and fix the issues! Would highly recommend them and the food was great.“

“By far the freshest, tastiest, delicious hoagies in Kissimmee. There’s nothing remotely Italian down here and knowing I can get a taste of home here is a blessing. Friendly customer service, almond torrone and Manhattan Specials it’s my go to for lunch!“

“We always enjoy lunch at this I-Drive location. The food is delicious and May, our server, is always amazing. May is extremely attentive and personable. Good job Carrabbas and May! Can’t wait to go back.“

“Food and service was wonderful! You have to try the cannoli! 10/10 recommend“

“Great food and great service“

“Great service and quality food!“

“Visited Orlando for the weekend golfing at Bay Hill. Fresco's was recommended by the folks at the Lodge. Glad we stopped in for dinner. The food is excellent. It will be my goto on future Orlando visits.“

“Excellent service and food. We asked to be seated in the bar area as it was crowded Sunday lunch time. We ordered drinks and food. Sara gave excellent service and great conversation while waiting on everyone at the bar. I am a server and that is a big compliment from me. Kudos for hiring such great staff. I will visit this location again even though I have 2 that are closer.“

“We were a group of 10. Reservations honored. Antonio introduced himself and was excellent! Service was impeccable. Appetizers were brought to the table by house choice. Food choices was something for everyone. All dinners were served at the same time and to everyone’s liking. The pasta was truly homemade.Our lemonciello spritz was made just right. A requested dessert was no longer available and was surprised with a special substitute on the house. A total recommendation. Kudos to the owner for a fabulous experience. Thank you“

“I recently had the pleasure of dining at Maggiano's Little Italy in Orlando on International Drive and it was an experience worth sharing. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted warmly by the hostess, who promptly seated us at a cozy table that perfectly set the tone for the evening. The waitstaff was exceptional—attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. They made sure our glasses were never empty and checked in just the right amount to ensure we had everything we needed without being intrusive. For the main course, we chose the Chicken Parmesan, which was cooked to perfection with a crispy exterior and tender, juicy chicken inside. The pasta was al dente, and the meat sauce was rich and savory. It was really enough for two people to share. To top it all off, they brought two plates of their famous lemon cookies to our table, to celebrate our third anniversary. Overall, our experience at Maggiano's was nothing short of excellent. The combination of outstanding service, a welcoming atmosphere, and delicious food made for a memorable evening. I highly recommend Maggiano's for anyone looking to enjoy a wonderful Italian meal with top-notch service.“

“Amazing food and service! I real gem to have here in Windermere!“

“The food was amazing! Staff was very welcoming and attentive. Highly recommend going if you’ve never been. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽“

“I wanted to reach out and share what a wonderful experience I had at your restaurant. Having traveled extensively and tried pizza all over the world, I can honestly say that the pizza which is one of the best I have ever had.

I also want to highlight the exceptional service provided by Sofia. Although penne vodka was not on the menu, she was kind enough to have it prepared for my kids. The pasta was outstanding, and her hospitality made our visit even better.

Thank you for a great meal and for taking such good care of my family.“

“My favorite restaurant in Winter Garden. Decided to do Italian for Thanksgiving and it was outstanding. My favorite is their Pork Osso Bucco and they did not disappoint. Service and owners are always on point. Thank you for enjoying my first Thanksgiving being waited on. Always recommend this place, never a bad meal. Thank you Dorina“

“They Best italiano fotos I loved si good“

“Another fantastic visit to Christini's Restaurante Italiano! The staff is always delightful, but the food was absolutely amazing. I celebrated my mother's birthday with a delicious meal, drinks, and a wonderful time. I truly can't recommend this restaurant enough.“

“My husband and I ate here tonight. The service was superb, the food was delicious and authentic, the atmosphere was very welcoming. The best lasagna I’ve ever eaten! The drinks and appetizers were delicious. Our server was very helpful. We hope to come back on our trip this time, but certainly will come back the next trip. Highly recommend“

“Huge RAVE for La Piccolina - Winter Garden. We went to celebrate my father’s birthday and everything was wonderful. The food was delicious, so flavorful and generous portions! On top of our delicious meals the service was excellent! They went above and beyond, surprised my daughter with a fun make her own pizza, which was so fun and a sweet surprise. This place is authentic and caters to hospitality! Thank you for making our dining experience so wonderful! We can’t wait to come back.“

“I had such an amazing experience at Carrabba’s in Kissimmee, and I have to give a huge shoutout to Mario!

From the moment we sat down, Mario went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. His energy, attention to detail, and genuine kindness really stood out. He made great recommendations, checked in at just the right times, and made us feel like VIP guests the entire night.

It’s rare to come across service that memorable, but Mario truly made our dining experience exceptional. The food was great, but the service is what will bring us back!

If you’re visiting this location, definitely ask for Mario—you won’t be disappointed!“

“Stopped by Olive Garden for lunch and ordered the baked ziti. The pasta was hot, cheesy, and very satisfying, exactly what you expect when you're craving classic Italian comfort food. Service was friendly and the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming. Lunch portions were filling and the food came out quickly. Overall it was a pleasant lunch stop and a dependable place when you want a hearty pasta dish.“

“The food is amazing.The bartenders are friendly and efficient. My friends and I try to go at least once a month for happy hour .“

“Amanda C. Is THE BEST WAITRESS WE HAVE EVER HAD.. EVER!! She is incredible and deserves a promotion, a raise, a high five, and to sleep on the cold side of her pillow every minute of the night. She is THAT GOOD! We are so happy we came in and truly didn’t think it would be this exceptional of an experience but it was! The atmosphere is beautiful and by far the best we have seen from an OG. Thank you again Amanda C!“

“Delicious food, great portions & amazing service. First time I've been in an olive garden. Got breadsticks & salad as appetizers before the food, and even though the business location was packed, they were able to get our main dish out at quick.“

“Best Olive Garden we have ever dined at!!!!! First and foremost, our server Genesis was absolutely amazing!!!! My wife ordered a non-alcoholic version of one of their drinks and the manager came up and told us there wasn't a non-alcoholic alternative to one of the main ingredients in the drink and suggested another form of the drink using prickly pear lemonade and pineapple juice. Amazing! It was sweet, tart and refreshing! Genesis took our order and I ordered the Chicken Alfredo and she asked fried or grilled chicken. I asked if they offered blackened and she said no. But, said she has had the chef grill the chicken with their own blend of steak seasoning and said it was great. So I ordered that. My wife ordered the Seafood Alfredo. The salad and breadsticks were so fresh and delicious. Our main dishes arrived and the Chicken Alfredo with steak seasoning was Out-of This-World!!!! Even better than Blackened Chicken!!! My wife's Seafood Alfredo was amazing as well. The serving size was huge and we had to get to-go boxes. Again, Genesis is a world class server and we will be coming back!!!!“

“Peperoncino’s was absolutely amazing! The menu offered such a fantastic variety, and every dish was cooked to perfection. The desserts were a true delight, and the service couldn’t have been better. Our server, Daniel, was a joy—his menu descriptions were spot on and made the experience even more enjoyable. We can’t wait to come back, and I highly recommend you visit too!“

“If you love Italian pizza, this is hands down the best spot in town! Papparella Trattoria never disappoints—the pizza is always fresh, flavorful, and perfectly made with that authentic Italian-style crust. Great atmosphere and friendly service too. Highly recommend! 🍕“

“It was the dinner time rush when we got there but we still got seated within 15 minutes. Our server was very patient and took the time to search for special dietary restrictions. There are many vegetarian and vegan options. Everything tasted great. Was just what we needed after a long day at the theme park.“

“Ordered the penne marinara — my first time trying Italian food — and it was actually really good! The staff member who helped me order was super friendly and even offered extra sauce if I needed it. I asked for something spicy, and he mentioned upfront that the pastas aren’t spicy but kindly gave me red chili flakes. Overall, good food and a nice experience!“

“Osteria is really an excellent restaurant. To me, excellent cuisine is all about the flavor. And the combination of flavors, yet without compromising the distinct flavors of the herbs and spices used, is a highpoint of this establishment. Today, for lunch, we enjoyed the tomato basil and cream of mushroom soups. The tomato basil was hearty and impeccably seasoned. The cream of mushroom was not overly rich and chock full of mushrooms--incredible. The soups, paired with the Osteria house salad made for a perfect lunch. Our sons opted for the classic Margherita pizza. Their comment, "to die for!" Finally, I will not patronize a place if they act as though I am doing them a favor by patronizing their restaurant (or whatever). Quite the opposite at Osteria. From the owner, Steve (who we met 2 years ago, to the wait associate (Kevin) today, all are both gracious as well as exceedingly responsive to any request. If you wish a delicious meal, within the context of a casual, albeit very nice setting, Osteria is worthy of consideration. This has and will remain a go-to destination for our family whenever visiting Reunion Resort and the Champions Gate area!“

“I have been to this location a couple times now and have had the pleasure of being served Uni, she is amazing. Very attentive to our needs, she was always available when needed but not overbearing with her presence. As a fellow server I appreciate that she knows how to have just enough conversation to show interest and also knows when to just let you enjoy your meal. On top of the amazing service, I have zero complaints about the food. Always fresh, hot and definitely in a timely manner. I will definitely be returning for both the food and the service!“

“Can’t believe this hidden Jem was right under our noses all the time!! Highly recommend this truck!!! Food excellent! Staff is awesome!!! Can’t find this good anywhere in Orlando !“

“We had our first experience dining at Cala Bella while staying at Shingle Creek in Orlando — and it was absolutely incredible! Although the restaurant was bustling, they kindly found us seats at the bar, where we had a front-row view of the kitchen. It was such a treat to watch Chef Kermary put the final touches on each dish with care and precision. Our server, Enidsha, was warm, attentive, and perfectly timed with everything. Manager Austin set the bar high with his professionalism and presence throughout the evening. But the true highlight of our evening was watching one of the cooks, Ante, work his magic on the grill. He noticed our interest and went out of his way to come chat with us. When we told him how much we enjoyed watching him prepare the octopus — and how we couldn’t wait to try it next time — he said, “Why wait?” Minutes later, we were savoring one of the best octopus dishes we’ve ever had. Sooo good! Huge thanks to the entire Cala Bella team for an unforgettable dining experience. We’ll definitely be back!“

“We ordered the fig prosciutto pizza and it was delicious!! Also ordered the pork, veal, beef, Bolognese. So yummy and very meaty! The portions were a big size. My daughter-in-law and I shared our Bolognese, and we also shared our pizza. I gave it 4 stars for value/ price because I think all restaurants are overpriced these days! 🤣 Actually we loved the food.“

“We came rolling into Orlando after a long day of traveling! We were all very hungry for some good pizza! V Pizza did not disappoint us! Our 13 year old granddaughter kept saying it was some of the best pizza she'd ever eaten! As previous owners of a pizza restaurant, we thought our pizzas were pretty amazing! The staff was very friendly and eager to serve us. The restaurant was clean and had very modern decor. We will probably go back before returning home!“

“Amazing setting, music, and food. Everything is very presentable, and fresh.“

“The Stuffed Veal Chop is to die for. Excellent food and service. Our waiter was super nice. Forgot his name.“

“Cauliflower salad is absolutely amazing“

“Very good food , great service . Had gnocchi, veal Marsala and chicken special . Meal comes with garlics knots and a salad . Nice to meet Vito but I still miss Bruno“

“I meant my five other girlfriends for dinner before a movie. The server was fabulous. Made wonderful recommendations and got us out in time for our movie. I had the sirloin which was delicious and we ordered a white pizza as an appetizer which was spectacular. My friend ordered the meatballs, which were super big and stuffed with cheese. So delicious wonderful restaurant we go there very often.“