The Palm Orlando

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Century of Tradition, Now in Orlando

What began as a case of mistaken identity has become one of America's most enduring dining institutions. In 1926, Pio Bozzi and John Ganzi arrived in New York from Parma, Italy and opened a restaurant on Second Avenue. Their thick Italian accents caused "Parma" to be registered as "Palm" — and the name stuck. Nearly a hundred years later, The Palm Orlando at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando carries that same founding spirit into Florida.

The philosophy has never changed: treat guests like family, serve great food, and always exceed expectations. It's a straightforward promise, but one that four generations of the Bozzi and Ganzi families have kept with remarkable consistency.

From a New York Neighborhood to a National Tradition

The original Palm quickly became a gathering place for journalists, artists, and civic figures. When a customer once requested a steak, John Ganzi ran up Second Avenue to a butcher and cooked it to order on the spot — and a steakhouse was born. The next generation added a two-pound lobster to the menu, establishing the Surf 'n' Turf combination that remains a signature. Later, a four-pound whole lobster joined the lineup, and the Italian-American identity of the restaurant deepened with each decade.

By the time the third generation relaxed the dress code and opened locations in Washington D.C. (at the personal request of then-UN Ambassador George Bush Sr.), Houston, and West Hollywood, The Palm had grown into something rarer than a restaurant chain — a dining tradition passed down like a family heirloom.

The Orlando Location

Situated at 5800 Universal Boulevard inside the Hard Rock Hotel, The Palm Orlando brings that full heritage to one of the country's most visited destinations. The setting suits the brand's character: lively enough for celebration, comfortable enough for a long conversation over a proper meal. The restaurant accommodates lunch and dinner, offers outdoor seating, and is fully equipped for private parties and catering — making it as practical for a business dinner as for a family milestone.

The wine program earned Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence, a recognition that reflects the care taken in pairing the cellar to the kitchen's Italian-American output.

What to Expect

The Palm is not a place that chases trends. Its identity — rooted in Italian heritage, prime beef, generous lobster, and a room that feels lived-in rather than designed — has proven more durable than most concepts twice reinvented. Caricatures of regulars line the walls at Palm locations across the country, a tradition that signals just how seriously the brand takes its relationship with repeat guests.

As the restaurant itself puts it: "It's like the family you want to visit again and again. Authentic. Intimate. A little quirky. Always amazing food." For Italian fine dining with genuine American history behind it, The Palm Orlando delivers exactly that.