Dubai is a food connoisseur’s delight and if you’re in the mood for Italian there’s plenty of places to indulge in your cravings for mouth-watering pasta and pizza!
Positano - JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
Positano is a region abundant in seafood, meat, fruit and vegetables, where produce and well-trained chefs have created some of the best known Italian food essentials. At Positano restaurant you can experience authentic coastal Italian cuisine without having to leave Dubai. Enjoy delicious seafood, handmade pasta, distinctive pizza and homemade gelati, crafted by Chef Daniele and the team of talented chefs. What's more, children between 3 and 6 years old can dine for free from a special kids menu, with every adult main course purchased from 6pm until 11pm.
The Amalfi Coast is also known for some of the world¹s finest fish cuisine. Check out the enticing Mercato del Pesce, fish market, nights and let the chefs make you feel as if you are in Italy. Choose your Catch of the Day from the seafood selection and have the chefs prepare it to your liking on Thursday and Friday evenings. Then on Sundays sample an extravaganza of specialties from the coastal Italian region, overflowing with antipasti, handmade pasta cooked a la minute and all Italian classics such as panna cotta, gelati, cassata and other enchanting sweet bites. Available every Sunday from 6pm to midnight, starting from Dhs 180 per person including soft beverages. Children under 10 years dine for free during Sunday evening brunch. For reservations call 04 414 3000 or http://www.jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com/dining/positano
BiCE Ristorante
Streams of natural light flood through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the recently renovated BiCE Ristorante at Hilton Dubai Jumeriah Beach. Savour authentic Italian cuisine in an elegant atmosphere with stunning views. In true Italian style, there’s a selection of more than a dozen Italian olive oils from the signature olive-oil trolley to choose from. Call 04-3182999.
Splendido
The award-winning Splendido restaurant, The Ritz Carlton Jumeirah Beach, offers artisanal Italian cuisine, set in a cosy and charming atmosphere which is inspired by the typical villas and piazzas of Tuscany. The menu blends redesigned classics and creative interpretations of the most popular Italian dishes. Call 04-3994000.
Bussola
Bussola, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, offers a fine dining experience, with a mouth-watering selection of traditional Italian dishes, as well as Chef Marco’s take on Italian cuisine, with classics from the north to the south of Italy. Call 04-3994141.
Segreto Restaurant & Bar
Nestled amidst the Madinat Jumeirah’s waterways and summer houses, Segreto restaurant is a hidden gem and is known as one of the best Italian restaurants in Dubai. Enjoy hand crafted Italian delicacies. Call 04-4323232.
Andiamo
Take a trip to Italy at Grand Hyatt’s popular Italian hotpot Andiamo. Indulge in homemade flavours from an open kitchen with a blazing pizza oven. Chef Alberto’s signature pasta, Sicilia in Bocca, uses mezze rigatoni pasta richly enveloped in Sicilian pesto. His signature pizza balances smooth pistachio pesto, cherry tomatoes and creamy stracciatella cheese with the savoury flair of beef bresaola. Andiamo welcomes all with affordable prices that are rich with great experiences yet light on the wallet. Call 04-3172221.
Il Borro Tuscan Bistro Dubai
Translating a 1,000-year history Il Borro Tuscan Bistro is a modern interpretation of the Tuscan cuisine. Enjoy a relaxed dining experience while exploring their own organic grapes, olive oil, seasonal vegetables, and honey sourced directly from the Il Borro estate in Tuscany. Located at the Jumeirah Al Naseem hotel in the Turtle Lagoon. Call 04-2752555.
Carnevale
A genuine passion for authentic Italian cuisine is apparent from your very first step into Carnevale, Jumeirah Beach Hotel. The restaurant breathes classical European style and offers all the charm and a warm sociability you might find in a bustling Milanese Tratorria or Roman café. Call 04-4323232.
Jamie’s Italian
Jamie’s Italian is all about serving up delicious Italian food that everyone will love, in a bright, beautiful restaurant. Expect plates of antipasti, big bowls of fresh pasta, classic Italian desserts and lots more. Located at Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Call 04-3808890.
Fratelli La Bufala
Fratelli La Bufala - Pizzioli Emigranti is an international premium casual dining restaurant, serving authentic Italian dishes. It was established in 2003 in Campania, Italy by the Fratelli brothers and the concept places buffalo mozzarella and meat at the core of its food offering. Call The Beach, JBR on 04-4303497, Arabian Ranches on 04-4427855 or Dubai Festival City on 04-3946134.
Certo
Certo Italian Restaurant is an award-winning restaurant that offers a culinary tour of the traditional tastes of Italy. Choose from classic pasta, risotto, or meat entrées or opt for a pizza fresh from the wood-fired oven. Located at Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Media City. Call 04-3669111.
Rosso - Bar, Enoteca and Ristorante
Rosso - Restaurant and Bar, serves hearty and traditional Italian cuisine and international beverages in an atmosphere of casual elegance. Enjoy fresh homemade pastas and risottos, and a selection of grape beverages from around the world at the Enoteca. Located at Amwaj Rotana - JBR. Call 04-4282000.
Alta Badia
Set on Level 50 of the Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Downtown Dubai, Alta Badia promises honest Italian cuisine in a classy setting. Named after a ski resort in Northern Italy, the menu is inspired by the dishes of this region using only the freshest seasonal produce and beautifully presented. It’s worth a visit for the views alone. Call 04-4323232.
Toscana Trattoria
Located at Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Toscana Trattoria is a popular spot for a traditional Italian feast, and when the weather allows it the terrace is a lovely spot for some alfresco dining. Trattoria Toscana serves traditional Italian cuisine, including pasta dishes and pizza, all cooked up with typical Mediterranean passion. Call 04-3666318.
Vivaldi by Alfredo Russo
Located in the Sheraton Hotel Dubai Creek, the views from the terrace of Vivaldi are as stunning as the delicious Italian dishes on offer. Whether for a business lunch, a relaxing drink or a romantic dinner on the terrace, the selection of menus composed by Michelin-starred Alfredo Russo spoils you for choice. Call 04-2071717.
Armani / Dubai Caffe
Offering traditional Italian cuisine and a focus on the sourcing of raw materials as well as to local culture, the menu is specially designed and created by the Armani Group’s Corporate Chef in Milan. Located in Dubai Mall, so next time you’re feeling hungry on your shopping trip, be sure to swing by the Fashion Avenue Atrium. Call 04-3398396.
Don Corleone
The classic Don Corleone restaurant is back, with a shiny new location at the Metropolitan Hotel Dubai. Pictures of the gangster the restaurant is named after and his mobster crew greet you as you enter this Italian trattoria-style restaurant complete with traditional red chequered tablecloths. The menu features classically Italian dishes. Call 04-3430000.
Solo Bistronoma
Solo Bistronoma is a home-grown Italian Restaurant & Bar, serving a true taste of Italy at the Raffles Hotel in Downtown Dubai. Signature dishes of fresh meat, seafood and pizza are baked to order in the authentic Italian wood-fired oven, the centrepiece of the stylish dining area. Enjoy delicious homemade cuisine inspired by Italy’s diverse regions; from Lombardy and Tuscany, to Campania and Sicily. Call 04-3248888.
Roberto’s
For a fine dining experience with fine Italian fare, Roberto’s in DIFC is a great place to start. Blending the Roman passion for food, Venetian hospitality, and Milanese style. So, whether you are an Italian in Dubai, a discerning foodie or a night owl out on the town, Roberto’s is a sophisticated yet relaxed rendezvous. Call 04-3860066.
BiCE Mare
Innovative food and breath-taking Burj Khalifa views combine to make Souk Al Bahar’s signature Italian a memorable Dubai dining experience. Be sure to get a table on the al fresco terrace for amazing views. The menu offers a contemporary fine dining experience with Italian and seafood inspired cuisine. Call 04-4230982.
Cavalli Club and Restaurant
Think zebra-print chairs, bejewelled chandeliers and Gothic candlesticks mixed with fur-lined elevators and golden reptilian bottle holders, Roberto Cavalli’s homage to excess is not for everyone. But it’s also a tribute to fine foods with an a la carte menu includes both international and traditional Italian recipes. Call 04-3329260.
Frankie’s Italian
Frankie’s Italian Bar & Grill is an exciting award winning Italian restaurant concept, created as a result of a collaboration between English culinary giant Marco Pierre White and jockey legend Frankie Dettori. The menu features over 80 dishes reflecting authentic Italian cuisine. Located on the ever popular and busting JBR walk, Frankie’s has a vibrant bar with live entertainment seven days a week playing all-time favourites from Frank Sinatra to U2. Call 04-3994311.
Ronda Locatelli
Celebrity chef Giorgio Locatelli’s Italian in Atlantis The Palm is quite the location. And the food, as you would expect from a restaurant bearing the name of one of the world’s most famous chefs, is fantastic. You’ll also find all the authentic flavours of Italy in more than 50 gluten free dishes. Call 04-4262626.
Armani/Ristorante
Savour traditional Italian cuisine and modern interpretations of classic dishes brought to life by signature Armani hospitality. Think the finest ingredients, most accomplished chefs and most authentic of flavours together with a stylish, contemporary backdrop. Enjoy a classic aperitivo before indulging in a degustation style menu along with the perfect grape paring from the Enoteca, fully stocked with a selection of the finest vintages from the Old and New Worlds. The Armani Hotel. Call 04-8883666.
Carluccio’s
The culinary team at Carluccio’s, headed up by chef Christo Nortier, have designed a range of five limited edition pastas to celebrate all there is to love about the Italian specialty with a Mediterranean flair. Indulge in five brand new creations made with distinct flavours and honest Italian ingredients for a hearty meal with friends and family. Available at nine branches in the UAE starting 1st July until 30th September, the new range includes unique flavour combinations. The limited-edition range starts from Dhs 58. www.carluccios.com
Social by Heinz Beck
World-renowned, 3-star Michelin Chef Heinz Beck has brought contemporary Italian dining to Dubai. Offering innovative contemporary Italian cuisine, Social by Heinz Beck offers a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere with magnificent views of Dubai. Located at Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah. Call 04-8182222.
Cipriani
Cipriani Dubai is located in the heart of Dubai International Financial Centre, Gate 10. Its blue-and-white nautical theme and comfortable, brown-leather chairs at the round tables is sleek and trendy. The storied history of the Cipriani family is uniquely Italian and the restaurant prides itself on simple food done well. The menu features all the celebrated signature dishes and offers the warm welcome and the lively atmosphere that are Cipriani trademarks and have conquered the world over. Call 04-3470003.
Matto
Get ready to be immersed in a truly Italian experience unlike any other. Prepare to be transported to the busy streets of Italy as the sing-song of Italian words fill the air, paving the way for a gastronomically tantalising meal created in a kitchen worthy of Nonna’s approval. Serving a medley of classic Italian dishes with a side of mischief, you’ll be learning Italian one bite (and hand gesture!ß) at a time. Located at The Oberoi Business Bay. Call 04-4441335.
Quattro Passi
Offering a dining experience infused with Italian passion and flair, Quattro Passi is a vibrant, friendly restaurant serving appetising, simple Italian dishes, cooked the way they should be. From the first taste to the last delicious bite, every dish is a celebration of food that celebrates the southern coast of Italy, and the birthplace of Quattro Passi. Located at Viceroy Palm Jumeirah. Call 04-4559988.
Buca di Beppo
Buca di Beppo is a collection of neighbourhood restaurants with a lively atmosphere and authentic Italian menu for all to enjoy. In the spirit of Italian culture, dishes are meant to be shared and served family-style, perfect for passing around the table. The international chain has now found its home in Dubai Festival City, serving great Italian food and fun! Buca offers casual dining in an eclectic, vintage setting. Call 04-2865057.