Last Updated on May 14, 2024 by Jamie Marshall
In the mood for Italian food? Fear not; even though you live in the desert, albeit in one of the most dynamic and exciting modern cities in the world, you can still indulge in your cravings for mouth-watering pasta and pizza! One of the most exciting things about living in a cosmopolitan melting pot like Dubai is access to some of the finest restaurants that serve the most tantalizing cuisine from all over the world. Dubai is a food connoisseur’s delight; here food lovers can find the most delightful fare to suit their taste buds.
Dubai is home to some of the best Italian restaurants in the world serving everything from traditional Italian fare to contemporary dishes served with artistic flare! Below we have selected 7 of the best Italian restaurants in Dubai, popular of course for the food they serve, but equally popular for service, ambience and dishes with a creative twist to give you a taste of Italy from thousands of miles away!
BiCE Ristorante
This multi-award winning Italian restaurant is a local hot spot, popular for its mix of traditional and modern Italian dishes. Despite being one of the most expensive Italian restaurants in the city, it remains consistently busy. With warm two-toned floors and crisp white linen, BiCE, located in the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort, is a favorite dining destination, particularly with regular diners who know it as the place for premium Italian food. Starters are a scrumptious prelude to the main courses which are universally excellent. Prior to every meal, the sea-food loving staff wheel around the freshest catches of the day, which often feature juicy sea scallops and flavorful sea bass. Make sure to visit on an empty stomach so that you can sample all this fine restaurant has to offer.
Bussola
This lovely beach restaurant offer diners a double decked layout with a more formal and romantic dining ambience at the beach level and a more casual, relaxed atmosphere at the upper level pizzeria. The Bussola pizzeria upstairs serves delicious traditional pizzas with Italian crusts and universally loved toppings with a twist: try the Tartufata, a sophisticated pizza with mozzarella, cream cheese and black and white truffles. However, for a real flavor of how delightfully delicate Italian cuisine can be, the fine dining at the lower beach level is a must visit. The dishes are creative and flavorful with fantastic meat dishes, particularly those featuring lamb. Most dishes are served up with a unique twist such as the salmon carbonara with caramelized pearl onions, making this a favorite Italian haunt for many food lovers.
Medzo
Located at the pyramids Wafi, Medzo brings together service, ambience and food for a lovely dining experience. The décor is light and airy with floor-to-ceiling windows and flowing white drapes that lead out onto a beautiful terrace overlooking the Pyramids Rooftop Gardens. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable, stopping at tables now and then for a little chat. The food is equally unassuming, but delightfully flavorful with pastas cooked in rich sauces and juicy seafood in creamy risottos. The scallop appetizers are a favorite and are served with apple and truffle. Popular main course favorites include the baby grilled chicken served with a unique chilli marmalade and the beef tenderloin with sautéed garlic and spinach.
Segreto
Nestled amongst the romantic waterways of the Madinat Jumeirah, Segreto is one of Dubai’s best kept secrets. The subtle, sophisticated décor is perfectly matched by the adventurous dishes served up by the restaurant’s creative chefs. Opt to dine on the wonderful little terrace overlooking the waterways when the weather permits. The menu displays the full range of modern Italian cuisine with unique dishes such as the Wagyu carpaccio and the sea bass ravioli and maccheroni stuffed with prawn mousse. Round off the meal with a dessert from the comprehensive dessert and cheese menu and finish off with the perfect Italian coffee for a wonderful Italian experience.
Ronda Locatelli
Located in Atlantis on the Palm Jumierah, celebrity chef Giorgio Locatelli brings the charm of the Italian countryside to the modern city of Dubai. The family-style menu at Ronda Locatelli reinforces the sense of homeliness with authentic, classic Italian dishes from the North and South of the country balanced with delicate new flavors. The décor is dramatic and imposing as diner’s pass by a water feature and an arresting fire to gain access to the dining area with flame orange walls. The food, as expected, is of exceptional quality with freshly sliced, generous portions of cold meat cuts and hearty salads. The aromas of freshly baked bread, handmade pizzas and al forno dishes from the central woodfired brick oven tantalize diners, enticing them to sample the simple, but superbly flavored dishes created by the world renowned chef. A favorite is the seafood papardelle (broad pasta) with generous portions of octopus, mussels and white fish in a light spicy sauce. Don’t forget to leave room for the delicious desserts including the pannacotta and the Torta Ai Cioccolato. Top off the meal with a traditional Italian coffee served with Grappa Barrique Chardonnay and Grappa moscato for the perfect ending to an unforgettable meal.
Capanna Nuovo
This stalwart of Dubai restaurants is popular both for its hearty Italian dishes as for its unrivalled views of the Arabian Gulf. You can opt to dine in the chic indoor setting or outside on the boardwalk for a romantic dinner. Either way Capanna Nuovo boasts an extensive menu with all-time Italian favorites as well as fresh, unique and delicious entrees that include veal, risotto and seafood courses complimented with a range of traditional beverages and decadent desserts.
Vivaldi
Located at the Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel and Towers, right on the banks of the Dubai Creek, Vivaldi has plenty to offer from lovely views to a creative and delicious menu put together by Italian master chef Alfredo Russo. Bringing his unique taste to Dubai, Alfredo offers a variety of unusually creative starters, pasta, pizza and main course preparations such as the Prawns on coal with onion cooked under ash. Finish off the meal with one of his delectable desserts like the apple tart with cinnamon scented hazelnuts or the raspberry ragout with crème brulee.