Buon appetito! Best Italian restaurants in Abu Dhabi
The UAE’s capital has countless eateries from around the world with eclectic menus and well-known dishes. But if you are craving some good ol’ pasta, pizza, risotto or antipasti, you need to hit the best Italian restaurants in Abu Dhabi to satiate your hunger pangs. Our list includes the top options perfect for a date night or a family-friendly restaurant for a casual meal.
Top Italian Restaurants in Abu Dhabi
There are a bunch of Italian eateries in Abu Dhabi that offer authentic cuisine bursting with flavours. Here are some of Abu Dhabi’s finest Italian restaurants that you shouldn’t miss out on.
SACCI
Tucked away at The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, Sacci is a family-style Italian restaurant in Abu Dhabi that offers an array of classics from the popular cuisine. There are countless special offers throughout the week, including a delicious Friday evening brunch.
- Average price for two: AED 530
- Location: The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Sas Al Nakhl
- Timings: 05:00 pm to 11:00 pm | Closed on Monday
- Contact: +971-2-616-9999
Café Milano
Starting out in the streets of Washington DC back in 1992, Café Milano expanded with a branch in Abu Dhabi to spread the magic of Italian soul food. Usually packed with food lovers, this Italian restaurant in Abu Dhabi is ideally located for those living on Al Maryah Island.
Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant serves a seasonal menu, using only farm-fresh ingredients to create traditional Italian favourites. Try their carpaccio or smoked burrata – you won’t be disappointed.
- Average price for two: AED 715
- Location: Lower Lobby Level, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi – Al Maryah Island
- Timings: 12:00 pm to 05:30 pm and 06:00 pm to 11:00 pm
- Contact: +971-2-333-2630
Cipriani
This fine-dining Italian restaurant in Abu Dhabi is a winner for its location and, of course, the food. Cipriani offers both indoor and outdoor seating, with the al fresco arrangement overlooking the stunning views of Yas Marina.
Cipriani and its authentic Italian flavours are a force to be reckoned with – often difficult to surpass for its competitors. One thing you need to try is their steak tartare – utterly flavourful and something you’d definitely come back for.
- Average price for two: AED 530
- Location: Building 1, Yas Marina – Yas Island
- Timings: 06:00 pm to 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-2-657-5400
Villa Toscana
Enjoy the spectacular views of the Corniche when you dine at Villa Toscana – considered the best Italian restaurant in Abu Dhabi. Take a seat on the terrace and enjoy the balmy sea breeze while you wait for your order to be served.
Courteous staff and a comfortable vibe only add to the entire experience with the food and the flavour being the cherry on the top. While everything on the Villa Toscana menu is sumptuous and filling, their most prominent dishes include carpaccio, seafood risotto and gnocchi. Villa Toscana currently offers special deals, a la carte service and a business lunch set menu.
- Average price for two: AED 485
- Location: The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, Nation Towers, Corniche – Al Khubeirah
- Timings: Lunch 12:00 pm to 03:00 pm | Dinner 07:00 pm to 11:00 pm
- Contact: +971-2-694-4553
VERSO
One of the popular Italian restaurants with a view, Verso, located at Abu Dhabi Corniche, overlooks the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf.
Famous for its authentic flavours and fresh ingredients, the restaurant makes magic with simple ingredients. The star on their main menu is the seafood and tomato soup called the Zuppa Di Pesce with calamari, mussels, prawns, red mullet capers and olives.
The staff is prompt and accommodating and the ambience is great for a quiet dinner with your loved ones. This perhaps is one of the most family-friendly Italian restaurants in Abu Dhabi with a specially-crafted kids’ menu.
- Average price for two: AED 440
- Location: Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl West
- Timings: 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm
- Contact: +971-2-510-1234
Oregano
Bringing you traditional everyday food from Liguria, a coastal region in northwestern Italy – Oregano banks on simple flavours that harmonise to create culinary masterpieces. Their best dish is perhaps the tender chicken parmigiana.
- Average price for two: AED 195
- Location: Al Forsan Village – Khalifa City
- Timings: 11:00 am to 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-2-554-0144
Sopranos
Suppose you’re in search of an Italian eatery with authentic taste at an affordable rate. In that case, this Italian restaurant in Abu Dhabi gives a good bang for your buck, with food so delicious – you’ll think you’re in Italy.
Sopranos is a cosy place that’s usually crowded, but their friendly staff and piping hot food more than make up for that small hiccup.
The pizzas here are available in a bunch of exciting flavours, like the bbq and chicken Alfredo pizzas. However, they have a variety of other Italian comfort food in case pizza isn’t what you want. Try their mac and cheese in this case, you won’t be disappointed.
- Average price for two: AED 150
- Locations and Contact: Al Mushrif, +971-2-641-8182 | Musaffah, +971-2-553-3205
- Timings: 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
- Contact:
Il Forno
If you’re craving fresh and flavourful Italian cuisine, head over to Il Forno, one of the oldest Italian restaurant chains in Abu Dhabi! There are eight branches of Il Forno in Abu Dhabi, which can be found in some of the city’s most popular malls.
This family-friendly restaurant has an extensive menu featuring both classic and fusion Italian dishes. You can enjoy a variety of delicious pizzas, pasta, risotto, salads and other main dishes at Il Forno. Their large portion sizes also mean you’ll definitely get value for money.
Start off with Il Forno’s popular antipasti dishes such as the Arancini Ai Formaggi and Monte Cristo. You’ll also be spoilt for choice when it comes to their wide range of pizzas and pasta. Some of the must-try pasta dishes include the Fettuccine Alfredo and Spaghetti Ai Frutti Di Mare. You can also indulge in their baked and stuffed pasta varieties, which are perfect for cheese lovers.
End on a sweet note at this Abu Dhabi Italian restaurant with classic desserts such as tiramisu and creme brulee!
- Average price for two: AED 105
- Location:
- Abu Dhabi Mall
- Al Khalidiyah Mall
- Al Wahda Mall
- Mushrif Mall
- Al Reef Community Centre
- Bawabat Al Sharq Mall
- Capital Mall
- Al Mushrif (Near the International School of Choueifat)
- Timings: Can vary depending on the branch
- Contact:
- +971-2-644-7511 (Abu Dhabi Mall)
- +971-2-633-7730 (Al Khalidiyah Mall)
- +971-2-443-7344 (Al Wahda Mall)
- +971-2-449-7600 (Al Mushrif Mall)
- +971-2-584-1512 (Al Reef)
- +971-2-586-8322 (Bawabat Al Sharq Mall)
- +971-2-551-0118 (Capital Mall)
- +971-2-445-8006 (Al Mushrif)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much does it cost to enjoy a meal in some of the best Italian restaurants in Abu Dhabi?
The price of dining at an Italian eatery depends on the restaurant type, the dish you order and several other factors. The fine dining options will set you back up to AED 700 plus whereas affordable options are available that will cost between AED 100 to AED 198.
Which Italian restaurants in Abu Dhabi have stunning views?
Cipriani is one of the best Italian restaurants with sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf and the Yas Marina.
With that, we come to the end of this list of good Italian restaurants in Abu Dhabi. While they may not have made it to our top ten choices, there are a bunch of other Italian eateries in the capital that have made an impact. There are several Italian restaurants in Dubai too that offer a wide range of options on varying budgets.
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