The Best Italian Restaurants in Dubai

This restaurant boasts a 2-star Michelin rating, thanks to its creative cuisine that respects Italian traditions. The decor is Italian-minimalistic, and the wine cellar is quite impressive, with a notable red blend (Montepulciano) on offer. The culinary experience is complemented by a beautiful view of a private harbour, and dishes like the Vitello Tonnato come highly recommended.

Recommended by

Mika Ihamuotila

Foodie – Helsinki, Finland

Dubai’s best restaurant? 2-star Italian cool heaven. Niko Romito’s restaurant in Abruzzo has 3 Michelin stars and his Dubai institution has two, well earned. Wonderful creative cuisine that respects Italian traditions. Super cool Italian-minimalistic decor. Incredible wine cellar. If you want to avoid the Dubai prices on wines, you may want to have their own red blend (Montepulciano), which is a truly great value.

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Torno Subito is a unique Italian restaurant with a playful and funky approach to traditional Tuscan cuisine. The restaurant, located in The W, Palm Jumeirah, offers a casual, cool ambience and beautiful private beach access. With a decor inspired by the 1960s Italy and a view of the skyline over the bay, it's a place where you can enjoy authentic Italian flavours and then continue for a dance or drinks on the 5th floor.

Recommended by

Mika Ihamuotila

Foodie – Helsinki, Finland

3 Michelin star Massimo Bottura’s one-star joyful Italian in Dubai’s Palm. Massimo Bottura’s home kitchen is the 3 Michelin star Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy. He opened the joyful Torno Subito in Dubai and earned a very rare star in this city. Innovative Tuscan cuisine that plays with traditions. Wonderful view over the bay to the skyline and a very joyful docor. Sit outside due to the view. Continue for a dance or drinks in W’s roof in the 5th floor.

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With a stunning view of the Arabian Sea and the Dubai Marina skyline, Alici is a prime spot for Italian cuisine, particularly seafood. The restaurant provides a sophisticated atmosphere, perfect for both lunch and dinner, and features a strong wine menu. Notable dishes include the grilled octopus with beluga lentils in a saffron red pepper romanesco sauce, oven-baked Atlantic halibut with a seafood broth, and the black truffle risotto.

Recommended by

Liam Collens

Writer @itsliamcollens – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

I recommend Alici as it is one of the better Italian restaurants in Dubai with a beautiful location overlooking the Arabian Sea and the Dubai Marina skyline. It is a picturesque lunch spot (dinner also available) serving good food in a sophisticated atmosphere. The wine menu is also strong. The sunny terrace is replete with trees and cobalt pots making for excellent al fresco dining in the more forgiving winter months. I recommend sitting upstairs in front of the large windows or on the terrace to enjoy the best views. The menu is primarily seafood but there are a few options in case you’re with people who do not like seafood. I recommend the grilled octopus with beluga lentils with a saffron red pepper romanesco sauce (85 dhs), oven baked Atlantic halibut with clams, razor clams, mussels and a seafood broth (135 dhs), raw gambero rosso prawns (85dhs), black truffle risotto (175dhs), cannoli (45dhs).

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With over a decade of history, Cipriani Dubai is a well-established Italian restaurant known for its shared dining experience. It's a popular spot among local and ex-pats, offering a unique atmosphere with little tourist traffic. However, be prepared for a higher-end price tag on their offerings.

Recommended by

Mika Ihamuotila

Foodie – Helsinki, Finland

Iconic Dubai’s timeless Italian Dubai’s coolest iconic restaurant in the financial district. This has been a joy for 10+ years. The Italian share-the-food-institution familiar from New York and London. Wonderful to watch local sheikhs and ex-pats. Zero tourists which is a plus. Expensive.

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Specializing in homegrown Italian cuisine, Monno offers a range of affordable handmade pasta dishes. Their menu features unique creations such as ravioli al tartufo in veal jus, homemade spaghetti with bottarga butter, and a contemporary crunchy take on lasagna. Despite its high-quality food, the restaurant maintains admirably low prices.

Recommended by

Liam Collens

Writer @itsliamcollens – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

A rare Dubai offering: a homegrown Italian restaurant serving affordable handmade pasta. From ravioli al tartufo in veal jus to homemade spaghetti with bottarga butter and smoked tuna belly to a confemporary crunchy riff on lasagna, Monno’s strength lies in its pasta courses that are also admirably low priced.

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Pitfire Pizza is known for its meticulously prepared pizza dough, which is fermented for 72 hours before being slowly baked to achieve a crispy, puffed crust. Their menu offers a range of classic toppings, but the standout is The Palm, a unique blend of bresaola, rosemary, dates, Gorgonzola, and a swirl of balsamic glaze. Don't miss out on their gooey, buttery garlic knots, a favorite among customers.

Recommended by

Liam Collens

Writer @itsliamcollens – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Put simply: it’s the best pizza I’ve ever had in Dubai. The dough is fermented and sits 72 hours before being baked slowly to a crispy, puffed crust. Located in Jumeirah Lake Towers, Pitfire is an independently-owned, award-winning, neighbourhood pizza institution run by the original founders. Classic toppings a plenty with pepperoni, margehritas and more. However the star is The Palm with bresaola, rosemary, dates, Gorgonzola and a slick swirl of balsamic glaze. The gooey, buttery garlic knots are a must order.

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