50 Best Italian Restaurants near Sand Lake

“What a great find!!! We were in the mood for pizza. Found this place close to hotel and rove over. Fantastic!! Wish we had one in Arizona!! Service was over the top--so friendly and nice! Great food--wings and pizza were outstanding. Wanted to go again, but we had to fly home!“

“The best Italian restaurant in central Florida!“

“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.“

“Great Thanksgiving dinner experience while in Orlando. Jose was excellent!!!!“

“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!“

“Love Prato! So much fun! Great food! ❤️🍷“

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

“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!!!!“

“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.“

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

“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.“

“Great food and great service“

“Had the most delicious pizzas and drinks tonight!! A definite try if you’re looking for great pizza!! Angela was amazing!!“

“Great service and quality food!“

“Great food, great drinks and great service!“

“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.“

“Just left there for my first visit and I found it to be slightful. My windiw seat was perfect, the jazz music , the cheese playecwas lovelybandvour waiter Leah was so carefulbtokeep us hapoy and cared for. I will be back very soon“

“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!“

“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“

“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.“

“They Best italiano fotos I loved si good“

“Our favorite restaurant to visit we're in town. The entire staff makes you feel like family. The food is the best each and every time. We have been to Orlando 4 times in the last 5 months and have visited Christini's each time. You won't be disappointed.“

“Great family dining experience, highly recommend!“

“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“

“We wanted to compare this place to what we experienced in Rome. It’s not Rome but it captures the essence. Enjoy.“

“Best Pizza in Orlando. Authentic & delicious! Let’s not forget the service, Landy our waiter was SUPER SWEET!!! The owner is so kind, and takes pride in his restaurant. God Bless this establishment.

Happy Holidays!
Ms. Liz from St. Croix US Virgin Islands 🇻🇮“

“The staff was great with accommodating our whole family. Very friendly and outstanding service. The restaurant is beautiful inside. If I ever vacation this way again, I will be back.“

“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.“

“My server was Camila for valentine’s day she truly was the best server I’ve ever had. She recommended me so many good dishes we shared appetizers a pizza and a pasta. The environment was so good, she also recommended me a drink that she specifically made I will be coming again and asking for her as a server.“

“If you appreciate fresh chef-inspired and chef-created Italian cuisine, then you MUST dine here. Truly authentic from the ambiance, the cozy intimate setting, to the tiramisu and espresso finale! Only wish we’d found this gem sooner!“

“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 .“

“Great service and quality food!“

“Delicious! Recommend highly. 5 stars!“

“Sue and I have not been to this place since they converted to sit-down and order. Finally joining the real restaurant world. We have eaten here about 20 times in the last few years and have always enjoyed the food, but felt strange with the get-your-own-drink aspect of it. Anyways, we are seated at our favorite booth, Perry Como, Elvis, Dean Martin, and Sinatra (the usual suspects) crooning at a comfortable level, with decent speakers. Oscar greeted us and took our drinks order, leaving a couple of rather impressive menus with us. We spent some time looking at the menu, as the format has changed somewhat. I ordered the shrimp marsala on linguine, Sue ordered the same on some other pasta noodle (You choose). After a reasonable interval, our food arrived. 2 huge bowls of deliciousness thick enough that it could have been called a stew. Lrt me tell you, I've been to restaurants that the orders contained little meat, little mushrooms, and a LOT of broth. Not here! These bowls were crammed with a ton of food. Shrimp, portobella mushrooms and pasta that was not overcooked. I gotta tell you, Sue and I dine out a LOT...various venues all over WG/Ocoee/Windermere/Clermont. This was probably the finest meal I ever had. The improvements the restaurant made are A+ Definitely worth dropping a hundy on.“

“Elizabeth was AMAZING! She was super attentive, always checking on us and offering things. The food was great. I had the red snapper special. Massive portion - I had to take home half in order to have dessert.. Had their tiramisu and espresso for dessert. Highly recommend. Ask for Lizzy!! Will definitely come again.“

“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.“

“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! 🍕“

“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!“

“Just had an amazing dinner at Osteria Ester, and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite spots in Orlando. The vibe is cozy yet upscale—dark, warm lighting, beautiful interior, perfect for date night or a chill evening out with friends.

Service was impeccable—our server was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and made the whole experience feel welcoming. Portions are generous, and everything tastes fresh and made with care. It’s clear Chef Michael Cooper put heart into this place (named after his grandma—love that touch).“

“Local customer for years love it here only place that know how to make pizza. Also their sandwiches lasagna are great too no complaints.“

“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!!!!“

“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!“

“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.“

“Delicious food and amazing service !!“

“Came in there on last Friday , I was greeted by a young lady by the name of Felicia who patiently waited for me at the podium. What was more impressive my mother who turned 89 which I informed Miss Felicia she the told me what she and her staff could do to make her day significant. Her patience , service we received , her smile . The best service ever ever had in our lives. She is the best Olive Garden has a great server to represent them . She loves what she does and it really shows . Please award her for giving such great service. a memorable moment we will never forget. We were headed back to Vero Beach and decided to stop for lunch , the best decision we could have made.“

“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!“

“it was a Great experience friendly staff and and great food and went home stuffed“

“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!“