Orlando - Orlando Italian

Can anyone recommend a good Italian restaurant in South Orlando/Lake Buena Vista, and not on Disney property?

Thanks for your input.

There is a great italian restaurant in Celebration, the name escapes me at the moment but ill try and find it. Im sure others will chime in as well.

There is a great italian restaurant in Celebration, the name escapes me at the moment but ill try and find it. Im sure others will chime in as well.

Perhaps you are thinking about Cafe D' Antonio http://www.antoniosonline.com/CafeDAntonio.asp. I have never been there, but have good things about it. Also, there is a sister restaurant, Antonio's Ristorante - Sand Lake http://www.antoniosonline.com/AntoniosSandLake.asp by the same owner.

The other Italian restaurant in Celebration is Angelina's in Water Tower Plaza. I would recommend them over Cafe D'Antonio but both are on the pricey side.

Thank you both. I'm first generation Italian from NY, so Pizza Hut just doesn't do it for me. As much as I've been to my timeshare in Orlando, I have yet to look for a good Italian restaurant. Usually, my taste is far different from that of the resort staff.

I might just try Cafe D'Angelo if I can talk the family into it. It's only 10 minutes away according to Map Quest. And, BTW, being from NY, no restaurant prices seem high or surprise me.

Sorry, I meant thank you all three.

Another good option at the Sand Lake Drive exit on I-4 is Antonio's.
http://www.antoniosonline.com/AntoniosSandLake.asp

Just out of curiosity, why the restriction "not on Disney property"? Some of the best restaurants in the area are at Disney. And, technically, anything in Celebration is on Disney property, too.

Well, because I try not to go anywhere near there when I'm at my timeshare. I don't have kids and I've seen as much of Disney as I want - as in been there, done that!!!

Not that I'm a mean old lady, but I just think everything Disney is a rip-off. If I'm going to spend good money for a meal, I want good food without Cinderella running around. The last meal I went to was a chararacter dinner (went with with child relatives). It was a buffet, the food was really bad (not that I was expecting gourmet, but...) and it was very expensive considering the quality of the food (yeah, I know, that's not why you go there, but again...).

OK, I'll get off my high horse, but I've been disappointed in every meal I've ever had at Disney except for The Fireworks Factory where i went years ago and that no longer exists.

Ah, you redeemed yourself in my eyes by fondly recalling The Fireworks Factory! Yes, that was a great place--so good, in fact, that a very large portion of their guests were actually off-duty Disney employees. But that place went away more than ten years ago to make room for a huge country dance club, that was turned into a pop club, that is now simply closed...

Anyway, you won't get any arguments from me on the quality of food at Disney buffets or the price you pay for the experience of seeing the characters (which, if you're not there with kids, is simply wasted money). But WDW offers far more than buffets and character dining. In fact, a few of the finest restaurants in central Florida are right there at the resorts. People DO go there for the food, and the atmosphere, and the service... without kids.

But to come back to your specific question regarding Italian food, well there just so happens to be an outstanding Italian restaurant inside the Swan hotel. Il Mulino, which was voted the #1 Italian restaurant in NYC for the past 20 years, has opened an outpost there. The previous occupant of that restaurant space, Palio, was likewise excellent but didn't have the street cred Il Mulino brings.

And a bonus is that if you're a member of SPG, you can earn points for dining there!

Just to let you all know, we went to Cafe D'Angelo in Celebration and loved it. Thanks so much for a great recommendation - my relatives were extremely impressed with my restaurant savvy (wink, wink).

I knew I could count on the wonerful people on this sight.

Thanks again, y'all. And, yeah, I miss the FF, too.

Thanks for the positive report. Now, I'll have to try it!

The other Italian restaurant in Celebration is Angelina's in Water Tower Plaza. I would recommend them over Cafe D'Antonio but both are on the pricey side.

I've had one terrible meal at Angelina's, and as far as I'm concerned, it was enough to make sure they don't get a second chance.

My favorite Italian rest. in Orlando is Maggiano's at Pointe Orlando. (yes, I know it's a chain, but it's not a very large chain).

(and completely off-topic, but Disney no longer owns Celebration)

Hi all,

There's also Vito's Chop House on International Drive.

(Recommended to me by a NY Italian :) )
Cheers,

GenevaFlyer

Bravo on Sand Lake :D

Bruno's off Highway 192 in Kissimmee. http://brunos192.com/

Ate there like 4 times during my 2 week vacation last year. Vitello Romano is excellent as well as their pizza selections!