Dubai has a longstanding relationship with Italian design, fashion, and gastronomy, all of which have found a strong expression in DIFC. Throughout the week, from lunch to evening, its polished walkways and elevated terraces begin to fill with the quiet rhythm of conversation and the aromas of Italian kitchens. It is not only the red sauce comfort fare of decades past that made Italian food cults' favourite, but also the coastal crudo and tableside tiramisu, the Super Tuscans and menus by chefs with Michelin lineage. Among its most sophisticated offerings are venues located in Gate Village or inside sky-high, gleaming towers, some arriving from Milan, Mayfair, or born in Dubai but raised on Italian roots. Below is our guide to the very best Italian restaurants in DIFC.
Roberto’s: Cosmopolitan Italian Glamour in the Heart of DIFC
Opening to critical acclaim in 2012, Roberto’s quickly became a multiyear award-winning Italian stalwart in DIFC. The restaurant is taking a short pause for the summer season and is set to reopen by the end of this year with a brand new look.
This contemporary restaurant and lounge, created by Skelmore Hospitality, exudes luxury from the moment you step in, with a Milanese-inspired interior, expertly curated wine cellar, and chic modern design that frames views of the surrounding skyline. The menu combines homemade pasta and premium seafood – all paired with a world-class wine list with Live music on select evenings. Roberto’s offers an authentic dining experience, and it’s the go-to for a sophisticated dinner or a celebratory evening of Italian indulgence in DIFC’s Gate Village.
Cipriani Dubai: Timeless Venetian Elegance at Gate Village
A globally renowned icon of Italian hospitality, Cipriani made its mark on Dubai in 2016 in Gate Village Building 10. Cipriani Dubai carries the charm of a 1960s Riviera yacht club with its elegant blue-and-white nautical aesthetic and high-gloss wood interiors, signature polished steel finishes, and the brand’s famous brown leather chairs. Spread over two levels (with an intimate upstairs bar and an enclosed terrace), the restaurant can host up to 300 guests without ever losing its exclusive feel. Cipriani is, of course, the creation of the family behind Harry’s Bar in Venice (est. 1931), and the Dubai outpost lives up to that legendary heritage. The menu features the Cipriani classics from carpaccio alla Cipriani to heavenly vanilla meringue cake – as well as seasonal specialties.
Read Also : DIFC Restaurants Dubai
Marea: New York’s Two-Michelin-Starred Gem by the Sea
Marea in DIFC is the outpost of the original venue in New York City that holds two Michelin stars and a James Beard Award, making it one of Manhattan’s most lauded Italian restaurants. Dubai’s Marea, located in the Gate Village, lives up to its reputation, focusing on coastal Italian cuisine (fittingly, “marea” means “tide” in Italian). The restaurant’s design, by renowned architect Viktor Udzenija, was inspired by marine architecture. The upper floor is conceived as the interior of a luxury yacht, complete with clean lines, rich materials, and a light, calming colour scheme that soothes the senses. This elegant two-level space brings the sea’s bounty and Italy’s culinary heritage to your table. Diners are treated to specialties like lobster burrata, handmade pastas brimming with shellfish, and exquisite crudo (raw seafood) platters, all crafted under the guidance of the Altamarea Group’s team. The menu is guided by Chef Michael White’s vision of Italian cooking. A standout is the signature fusilli with octopus and bone marrow, a dish that earned fame in New York.
The Artisan: Florentine Fine Dining with Michelin-Star Heritage
Diners seeking a touch of Florence in Dubai will find it at The Artisan Il Ristorante, an offshoot of the legendary three-Michelin-star Enoteca Pinchiorri in Italy. Set within the chic Waldorf Astoria DIFC, The Artisan celebrates Tuscan cuisine and wines in a spacious dining room that is dressed in calming shades of grey with delicate pendant lights. Nearly every element of the décor – from tableware to the furnishings – is Italian-made. The menu reads like a love letter to Italy: a well-curated selection of regional classics prepared with contemporary finesse. You might start with tender slow-cooked octopus with lemon-potato cream (a nod to Mediterranean coastal recipes) and progress to rich homemade pastas or a Florentine-style steak.
Read Also : Business Lunch in DIFC
Chic Nonna: Old-World Charm with Contemporary Chic Touches
One of DIFC’s newer darlings, Chic Nonna in Gate Avenue transports guests straight to the heart of Italy through a symphony of flavours that transcends the ordinary. This restaurant is inspired by traditional Italian grandmother’s recipes recreated with a contemporary twist. The two-storey venue features an open-plan kitchen, the region’s largest wine cellar, and even a chef’s table for intimate culinary showcases. Once in, the textured walls, earth-tone furnishings, and vintage family portraits evoke that warmth of a traditional Italian home, until the sleek design and the sight of a striking live jazz singer gently pull you back into Dubai’s present. On the menu, Chic Nonna offers a taste of modernised Florentine heritage with an array of antipasti (like burrata with seasonal truffles), market-fresh pastas made in-house, and regional Tuscan specialties updated with elegant plating, where seasonal ingredients shine.
Adaline: A Supper Club of Italian Indulgence and Jazz-Age Glamour
For a dining experience that combines fine Italian cuisine with theatrical flair, Adaline is the perfect address in the heart of the district (Gate Village). This venue redefines the concept of modern supper club, by offering “a celebration of life’s finest pleasures” and bringing 1920s decadence to Dubai, through a convergence of people, live music, and refined food. The idea came from Fundamental Hospitality (the team behind Gaia and Shanghai Me). As the venue debuts with Art Deco-inspired interiors, guests move past a discreet dark door and gold-gilded walls into a main dining hall adorned in black, gold, and deep cayenne red tones where theatrical curtains open up to a spectacular space. Rich textures (plush velvets, marble, and mirrored surfaces) and a sunken dining area facing the stage create a space that has a perfect view of the live band, whether in the restaurant or the bar. Each night, jazz and soul performances fill the air, and later, a chic karaoke lounge keeps the energy high till late. Its culinary program is helmed by the esteemed Chef Izu Ani, known for his mastery in upscale dining – his menu a tribute to old-school Italian cuisine with a modern touch. Expect classic Italian dishes – from burrata caprese and silky tagliolini al tartufo to perfectly wood-fired veal Milanese.
Read Also : DIFC’s Finest Bars
Il Gattopardo: La Dolce Vita on the 51st Floor
Residing on the 51st floor of the ICD Brookfield Tower, Il Gattopardo brings a slice of 1960s Italian glamour to DIFC’s skyline. The restaurant, whose name means “The Leopard,” is a recent arrival from London’s Mayfair. In Dubai, Il Gattopardo dazzles with panoramic views of the Burj Khalifa and glittering cityscape through its floor-to-ceiling windows. The interior design by Lázaro Rosa-Violán melds Milanese elegance with Venetian charm with playful leopard motifs amid the marble floors and Art Deco chandeliers. Executive Chef Massimo Pasquarelli curates an extensive menu inspired by the Italian Riviera, taking diners on a journey through Italy’s coastal flavors. Your culinary sojourn begins at the chic crudo bar with Sicilian red prawns or sea bass carpaccio, followed by modern interpretations of classics: think truffle-infused pizzette, handmade ravioli, or a show-stopping veal Milanese for sharing. A resident DJ spins retro Italian lounge hits nightly, and the stylish lounge invites you for aperitivo or a post-dinner digestivo with equal appeal.
Final Thoughts
Italian fine dining emerged as a layered and cosmopolitan experience reflecting Dubai’s global appetite and appreciation for culinary heritage, and in DIFC, it evokes both memory and momentum. It is at once a nod to nostalgia and a joy of modernity, especially when enjoyed against the backdrop of Dubai’s breathtaking skyline.
