Dubai’s Top Italian Restaurants

This is a branch of the world-famous Italian restaurant named in honor of the esteemed chef Giuseppe Cipriani, the founder of the legendary Harry’s Bar in Venice and the creator of the Bellini cocktail and carpaccio, one of the most iconic dishes of 20th-century northern Italian cuisine. Visit this establishment for the classic dishes and drinks that brought fame not only to the Cipriani family of hereditary restaurateurs but also to Italian cuisine and Italian approach to food as a whole. In addition to the classic carpaccio and the wild Argentinian prawn carpaccio, you can enjoy homemade veal ravioli alla Piemontese, calf’s liver alla Veneziana, and the city’s best tiramisu and Sicilian cannoli. Additionally, Dubai is home to a branch of the Cipriani Dolci restaurant, which features an extended dessert menu perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

This is a sister project of the renowned Florentine osteria, featuring a lounge bar and a terrace with a view of the Burj Khalifa. It also boasts one of the largest wine cellars in the Middle East, making it an ideal spot for a family dinner, a celebration, or an elegant business lunch. The iconic Italian dishes not to be missed include zucchini flowers stuffed with a blend of Italian cheeses, Ravioli del plin, and Fiorentina steak accompanied by young potatoes. Signature menu items that deserve your attention include the Amalfi pizzetta with summer peas, anchovies, and Amalfi lemons, and the warm Torta della Nonna cake with custard, pine nuts, and vanilla ice cream, best enjoyed with a glass of sparkling wine.

The famous pizzeria offers a simple yet impressive concept: the menu features no accidental dishes, just seven pizzas, Italian gelato, and non-alcoholic drinks. This is a perfect example of how a limited menu can enhance the quality of each item. At Blu, they adhere to the classic Neapolitan recipe (a thin base, a fluffy crust, and plenty of toppings), use craft sourdough, and incorporate a lot of creativity. Besides the traditional Margherita, spicy Pepperoni, and Tartufo pizza with truffle oil, they offer a beef rib pizza and the Musakhan pizza, inspired by the eponymous Palestinian street food staple, topped with chicken that was fried with onions and almonds. The pizzeria is located in a glass pavilion in the Umm Suqeim 2 beach area and features a small outdoor terrace. There are no advance reservations, so you may have to wait in line to be seated, especially in the evenings and on the weekends.

This Dubai location of the renowned London establishment, which first opened in 1984, boasts an opulent interior adorned with mirrors, gilded surfaces, and an improvised garden. It also features a luxurious bar and exceptional Italian cuisine that showcases nearly all of the country’s regional dishes. Highlights of the à la carte menu include tagliolini with lemon sauce and black caviar, vitello tonnato, veal escalopes with lemon sauce, the signature Meringata Sassi dessert, and pistachio ice cream served with fresh brioche. This is one of Dubai’s top Italian restaurants, offering impeccable service, a festive atmosphere, and authentic yet not overly traditional cuisine.

This is the main location of a small but very successful chain of local restaurants that specialize in comfort food, with a significant portion of the menu featuring traditional Italian cuisine. The standout dishes include the salmon carpaccio, pappardelle with beef ribs, Diabola pizza with beef salami and Fontina cheese, and the classic tiramisu. It is one of the coziest yet aesthetically modest spots on the list. On the cooler days, be sure to book a table in the inner courtyard, reminiscent of the charming terraces found in northern Italian family trattorias. Don’t forget to try the signature lemonades and coffee-based cocktails, which are also exceptional.