Dubai does a lot of things well, including Italian food. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a menu in the city that doesn’t have an Italian influence – creamy burrata, truffle pizza and lobster pasta are as common here as hummus and shawarma. We’re not complaining either. Narrowing down this list was no small feat, with everything from tiny, family-run pasta ateliers to breezy beachside spots making the cut. But if you’re looking for the best bowls of cacio e pepe, wood-fired pizzas and tiramisu worth every last spoonful, these 16 best Italian restaurants in Dubai.
Courtesy Il Ristorante by Niko Romito
Courtesy Il Ristorante by Niko Romito
Il Ristorante by Niko Romito
Forget what you think you know about Italian cuisine. Inside the ultra-luxe Bulgari Resort Dubai, this two-Michelin-starred restaurant from acclaimed Italian chef Niko Romito is a masterclass in understated elegance. Helmed by resident chef Giacomo Amicucci, the minimalist dining room, with its romantic terrace overlooking the marina, sets the stage for a dining experience that transports you far from the city, if only for a few hours. Expect exceptional dishes like turbot with asparagus, spring onions and friggitelli glaze, or decadent linguine with lobster and red prawns (a personal favourite) and service that matches the magic. Order à la carte if you like, but the degustazione (tasting) menu is where Romito’s vision and ingredient-led approach really shines. The cocktail bar is a great place to start, but you’ll want to settle in for the full experience. A wow-worthy place and bucket-list dining spot.
Address: Bulgari Resort Dubai, Jumeira Bay Island
Pierchic
Courtesy JumeirahPierchic
Few restaurants in Dubai can match the romance of Pierchic. Set at the end of a private pier, the restaurant’s open terrace offers unbeatable views of the Burj Al Arab, with the sound of waves lapping below. The menu, curated by chef Beatrice Segoni, blends traditional Italian flavours with a modern twist, reflecting her years spent at the helm of Borgo San Jacopo in Florence. Expect dishes that are as beautifully presented as the setting, from fresh seafood to handmade pastas, best enjoyed with a glass of something chilled as the sun sets over the water for a real “pinch-me” moment.
Address: Jumeirah Al Qasr
Dining and Cooking