The only guide you need
From handmade pasta and Neapolitan pizza to glamorous DIFC dining and seafood by the sea, Dubai has Italian restaurants for pretty much every kind of craving. Here are 30 of the city’s top spots.
Alici
View this post on Instagram
Bluewaters’ elegant Alici is all about the flavours of Italy’s southern coast, with seafood taking centre stage. Expect fresh fish, handmade pasta and Italian dishes designed for long, leisurely meals overlooking the water. It’s a particularly good pick for a Mediterranean-style lunch or sunset dinner.
Bussola
View this post on Instagram
A Dubai Italian institution, Bussola at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi covers everything from casual pizza to more polished Italian dining. The resort setting, three distinct dining spaces and extensive menu make it a versatile choice, whether you’re after a relaxed family meal or a more refined dinner.
Carbone
View this post on Instagram
New York import Carbone brings its trademark Italian-American glamour to Atlantis The Royal. The dining room is all red velvet, theatrical tableside service and old-school New York energy, while the menu is packed with indulgent classics. Come for the famous spicy rigatoni vodka and stay for the people-watching.
Casa Mia
View this post on Instagram
One of Dubai’s old-school Italian favourites, Casa Mia has been serving home-style Italian cooking at Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre since 1993. Expect traditional pasta, pizza and Italian comfort food in a setting that feels considerably more relaxed than Dubai’s newer destination restaurants.
Chic Nonna
View this post on Instagram
DIFC’s Chic Nonna channels Florentine elegance with a polished dining room and an upstairs lounge. The menu takes its cues from Italian classics, with dishes including cavatelli cacio e pepe and Florentine-style specialities.
Cinque
View this post on Instagram
If your idea of Italian dining involves a little more glamour, Cinque at FIVE Palm Jumeirah fits the bill. The lively restaurant pairs contemporary Italian dishes with the high-energy atmosphere the FIVE brand is known for, making it as much about the night out as what’s on the plate.
Cipriani Dubai
View this post on Instagram
The DIFC outpost of the legendary Cipriani brings polished Italian dining to Gate Village. Its signature blue-and-white interiors, classic service and menu of Venetian-inspired dishes have made it one of Dubai’s most recognisable Italian addresses. Go for the famous carpaccio, handmade pasta and classic desserts.
Cucina
View this post on Instagram
Located at Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Cucina is a relaxed, contemporary Italian restaurant with a resort atmosphere. It’s the sort of place that works for a casual pasta dinner, family meal or laid-back evening on the Palm.
Fi’lia
View this post on Instagram
Perched on the 70th floor of SLS Dubai, Fi’lia combines skyline views with Italian recipes inspired by generations of women. The restaurant has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand and serves everything from artisanal pizzas to contemporary pasta dishes.
GIA
View this post on Instagram
Set in Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue, GIA is a stylish choice for contemporary Italian food in the heart of Downtown. Its menu takes classic Italian flavours and gives them a modern edge, while the Dubai Fountain views make it a popular choice for a dinner with a view.
Gigi Rigolatto
View this post on Instagram
At J1 Beach, Gigi Rigolatto brings a glamorous slice of the Italian Riviera to Dubai. The sprawling venue combines Italian food with a beachfront setting, serving seafood, pasta and pizza alongside an extensive drinks list. Its garden and seaside setting make it particularly appealing during Dubai’s cooler months.
Gloria Osteria
View this post on Instagram
A newer addition to Dubai’s Italian dining scene, Gloria Osteria brings an energetic osteria-style experience to DIFC. Expect Italian comfort food, pasta and a lively atmosphere, with the restaurant staying open late for those looking to turn dinner into a night out.
Il Borro Tuscan Bistro
View this post on Instagram
For a taste of Tuscany without leaving Dubai, head to Il Borro Tuscan Bistro at Jumeirah Al Naseem. The restaurant draws inspiration from the Tuscan estate of the Ferragamo family, with rustic Italian cooking, handmade pasta and seasonal ingredients.
Il Ristorante – Niko Romito
View this post on Instagram
Inside Bulgari Resort Dubai, Il Ristorante – Niko Romito takes Italian fine dining into more refined territory. The menu focuses on beautifully executed dishes and precise technique rather than unnecessary fuss.
L’Amo Bistro del Mare
View this post on Instagram
Dubai Harbour’s L’Amo Bistro del Mare is the place to go when you want Italian food with a serious seafood focus. Set beside the marina, it specialises in coastal Italian cooking, with fresh seafood, pasta and elegant Mediterranean flavours making up much of the menu.
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele
View this post on Instagram
The legendary Naples pizzeria has a Dubai home at Dubai Hills Mall. L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele keeps things relatively simple, with Neapolitan-style pizzas built around quality ingredients and traditional techniques. If pizza is your priority, this is one to have on the radar.
L’Olivo at Al Mahara
View this post on Instagram
Inside the Burj Al Arab, L’Olivo at Al Mahara brings a distinctly luxurious take on Italian dining. The restaurant is inspired by the original L’Olivo in Capri and pairs Italian cooking with the famously dramatic aquarium setting.
Luigia
View this post on Instagram
Luigia is a lively Italian restaurant known for generous portions, handmade pasta and pizza. Its JBR location makes it a popular option for casual Italian dining near the beach, with its pizza dough fermented for 72 hours.
Monno
View this post on Instagram
A neighbourhood favourite on Al Wasl Road, Monno keeps things relaxed with a menu spanning pizza, pasta and familiar Italian classics. It’s a good option when you want quality Italian food without the formal atmosphere of a hotel restaurant.
Polline
View this post on Instagram
Polline is a charming neighbourhood Italian restaurant and pasta atelier in Umm Suqeim. Fresh pasta, stone-oven pizza and Italian comfort food are the focus, while pasta-making workshops give it an extra point of difference.
Roberto’s
View this post on Instagram
A long-standing DIFC favourite, Roberto’s blends contemporary Italian cooking with a glamorous late-night atmosphere. The menu covers classic Italian flavours with a modern approach, while the restaurant’s lounge-like setting makes it a popular choice for dinner and drinks.
Sagra Italian Pastificio
View this post on Instagram
If handmade pasta is what you’re after, put Sagra on the list. This intimate Jumeirah pastificio makes its pasta from scratch and serves it in a tiny, relaxed setting. It also hosts pasta-making workshops, making it one of Dubai’s more distinctive Italian experiences.
Scalini
View this post on Instagram
Recently reopened following renovations, Scalini remains one of Dubai’s established Italian names. Its refreshed Jumeirah restaurant has Mediterranean-inspired interiors and a revamped menu featuring dishes such as linguine alla Nerano and Sicilian red prawns.
Siena
View this post on Instagram
Uber stylish and serving Italian-inspired dining, Siena blends elegant interiors, vibrant energy, and refined Mediterranean flavours. Perfect for a leisurely lunch, intimate dinner, or a lively night out, find a touch of modern Italian glamour here.
Signor Sassi
View this post on Instagram
The Dubai branch of London favourite Signor Sassi brings its signature glamorous Italian style to St. Regis Gardens on Palm Jumeirah. The menu is packed with classic dishes, including its well-known lobster spaghettini, while the buzzy setting makes it a popular choice for celebratory dinners.
The Artisan
View this post on Instagram
Housed in Waldorf Astoria DIFC, The Artisan takes diners on a culinary journey around Italy, with dishes inspired by different regions. Fresh pasta and classic Italian cooking are central to the menu, served in a smart but welcoming dining room.
Trattoria
View this post on Instagram
For a more relaxed Italian experience, Trattoria at Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a dependable choice. The restaurant serves classic Italian dishes in a lively setting, with its waterfront location making it particularly appealing for a leisurely meal.
Vera Versilia
View this post on Instagram
Vera Versilia at Kempinski Mall of the Emirates brings the flavours of Italy’s Tuscan coast to Al Barsha. The restaurant focuses on regional Italian dishes in a refined setting, making it a useful option when you want something a little more special without heading into Downtown or DIFC.
Image credit: @sienarestaurantdubai
Curious, expressive, and always chasing new ideas, Zainab sees creativity as a way of life. She thrives on discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and turning inspiration into something tangible. Her work and her world reflect a balance of intuition, imagination, and authenticity.
Contact me: zainab@nommemag.com
