Classic dishes
Carpaccio and Pasta Carbonara are specifically recommended, while risotto also earns strong praise.
Casa Mia
Al Garhoud
Casa Mia is a long-running Italian restaurant in Al Garhoud, known for its rustic, countryside-style setting inside Le Meridien. Reviews highlight its wood-fired pizzas and Pasta Carbonara, alongside a comfortable terrace that suits relaxed dinners, celebrations and airport stopovers.
Reputation Score
4.5
★★★★★
649 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Table service
The Carbonara can be mixed with cheese in front of you, adding a small tableside performance to the meal.
Wood-fired pizza
A reviewer found the wood-fired pizzas outstanding, with a well-balanced sauce, cheese and crust.
Wine guidance
The wine selection is considered impressive, with particularly useful recommendations for red and rosé.
Outdoor setting
The terrace and outdoor seating are repeatedly described as cozy, beautiful and especially atmospheric for romantic dinners.
Airport access
Its hotel location near Dubai International Airport makes it practical for a meal before or between flights.
What to Eat at Casa Mia How we choose these items We use AI to find praise and criticism of specific foods and drinks in a selection of Google reviews. For Casa Mia, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. The score is positive reviews minus negative reviews. For example, two positive reviews and one negative review give +1. Each review counts once per item; neutral comments do not change the score. A zero score is not a positive recommendation. “Only neutral feedback” means there are no positive or negative votes. “Mixed feedback” means equal numbers of positive and negative votes. The quotes are examples of what people said, not every comment we counted. We use different reviews where we can. We normally show up to 10 foods and 5 drinks with non-negative scores. Items with the same score stay together. If a tied group would go past the limit, that group and the lower non-negative scores go into Honorable mentions. If an overflowing positive top tie would leave the list empty, we show up to 10 items from that tie and keep the rest in Honorable mentions. Foods and drinks with a negative score are under What to Avoid. Use this as a guide to what reviewers liked, not a guarantee that you will like it too.
Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of Casa Mia, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 2
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Risotto Net +3
“The risotto and pasta were excellent.”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The risotto and pasta were excellent.”April 2022
“Unbelievable great service Saugat, the risotto was cooked to perfection. Very good service and food”February 2026
-
Carbonara Net +2
“We ordered carbonara, and they mixed the pasta with cheese in front of us. It was a very nice performance and tasted good.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered carbonara, and they mixed the pasta with cheese in front of us. It was a very nice performance and tasted good.”February 2026
“This restaurant was a real highlight among the ones we tried in this area. Service was very good and polite, food was terrific and it arrived fairly quickly despite it being a busy night. Definitely recommend their Carpaccio as well as their Pasta Carbonara.”February 2026
Honorable mentions (17)
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Tiramusu Net +1
“The tiramusu presentation was perfecto, your food recommendations were top notch, and you made my bday super special thanks again.”
Positive 2Negative 1
Review excerpts
“The tiramusu presentation was perfecto, your food recommendations were top notch, and you made my bday super special thanks again.”May 2026
“And for the desserts we tried the tiramisu and it was one of the best I’ve had it was so balanced”March 2022
-
Berry with cream desert Net +1
“To finish my dinner he made me a berry with cream desert, again a dish not on the menu, but something to die for.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“To finish my dinner he made me a berry with cream desert, again a dish not on the menu, but something to die for.”July 2019
-
Burrata salad Net +1
“The burrata salad was a best starter ever.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The burrata salad was a best starter ever.”April 2024
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Calamarata pasta Net +1
“For my main course, I chose the Calamarata pasta. This is a seafoos dish with was made with perfection.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For my main course, I chose the Calamarata pasta. This is a seafoos dish with was made with perfection.”February 2025
-
Kids penne pasta Net +1
“Our daughter had a kids penne pasta with tomato sauce on the side. She ate majority of it as well as some of our broccoli.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Our daughter had a kids penne pasta with tomato sauce on the side. She ate majority of it as well as some of our broccoli.”October 2020
-
Lamb chops Net +1
“The kids had pizza and lamb chops and they were exceptional.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The kids had pizza and lamb chops and they were exceptional.”September 2022
-
Lasagna Net +1
“Lobster pasta will be the second best and the third would be Lasagna.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Lobster pasta will be the second best and the third would be Lasagna.”April 2024
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Lobster pasta Net +1
“Lobster pasta will be the second best and the third would be Lasagna.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Lobster pasta will be the second best and the third would be Lasagna.”April 2024
-
Octopus Net +1
“I ordered the octopus for my starter and my husband had the tuna tartare. They were both very nice.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I ordered the octopus for my starter and my husband had the tuna tartare. They were both very nice.”October 2020
-
Ossobuco rissoto Net +1
“We ordered ossobuco rissoto, which was divine.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered ossobuco rissoto, which was divine.”September 2022
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Panna cotta Net +1
“For the dessert, I ordered the famous Panna Cotta, which was sensational.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For the dessert, I ordered the famous Panna Cotta, which was sensational.”February 2025
-
T-bone steak Net +1
“Love their T-bone steak.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Love their T-bone steak.”January 2026
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Tortelline stuffed with buratta Net +1
“New chef Giuseppe prepared me his new pasta dish: tortelline stuffed with buratta. What a sensation and what a delight, the tomato sause is cooking for several hours to get it's taste. This dish is not on the menu yet, but to me it's a winner.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“New chef Giuseppe prepared me his new pasta dish: tortelline stuffed with buratta. What a sensation and what a delight, the tomato sause is cooking for several hours to get it's taste. This dish is not on the menu yet, but to me it's a winner.”July 2019
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Tuna tartare Net +1
“I ordered the octopus for my starter and my husband had the tuna tartare. They were both very nice.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I ordered the octopus for my starter and my husband had the tuna tartare. They were both very nice.”October 2020
-
Whole grilled fish Net +1
“We shared the whole grilled fish which was very tasty as well.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We shared the whole grilled fish which was very tasty as well.”October 2020
-
Carpaccio Net 0
Mixed feedback
“This restaurant was a real highlight among the ones we tried in this area. Service was very good and polite, food was terrific and it arrived fairly quickly despite it being a busy night. Definitely recommend their Carpaccio as well as their Pasta Carbonara.”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“This restaurant was a real highlight among the ones we tried in this area. Service was very good and polite, food was terrific and it arrived fairly quickly despite it being a busy night. Definitely recommend their Carpaccio as well as their Pasta Carbonara.”February 2026
-
Penne alfredo Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“For my main course, I chose the classic Penne Alfredo. While the sauce was rich and creamy, the chicken was unfortunately a bit chewy, which took away from the overall experience.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
What to Avoid (3)
Food 3
-
Egg plant pasta Net −1
“The egg plant pasta I ordered was painfully average and bland at best.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The egg plant pasta I ordered was painfully average and bland at best.”July 2024
-
Grilled mixed vegetables Net −1
“Food was okay, not really as it seems, the pasta was so cheesy and the grilled mixed vegetables itself just 3 types of Veggies only.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Food was okay, not really as it seems, the pasta was so cheesy and the grilled mixed vegetables itself just 3 types of Veggies only.”September 2023
-
Polenta Net −1
“Polenta seemed more a potatoes puree.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Polenta seemed more a potatoes puree.”October 2018
Tips for a Better Visit
Book ahead. Reserve for dinner, especially around 8pm, when tables can fill up.
Ask staff. Ask the team for dish guidance if you are unsure; one reviewer found their food recommendations especially helpful.
Use parking. Drive toward the restaurant rather than stopping at the hotel's main gate; behind-the-restaurant parking can be stamped free.
Allow time. Avoid a tight schedule until service timing is clear, as some diners reported waits exceeding an hour.
Check hours. Confirm kitchen and closing times before visiting, particularly if you are bringing children or arriving late.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Al Garhoud - Dubai
Al Garhoud, Dubai
| Mon | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Tue | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Wed | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Thu | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Fri | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Sat | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Sun | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
Common Concerns
Long waits
Some diners waited more than an hour for pizza and pasta, despite the restaurant not being full.
Limited vegetarian
Vegetarian choice is limited, although one reviewer found the available options decent.
Food inconsistency
Recent reviews range from excellent meals to bland pizza, average eggplant pasta and pasta that was overly cheesy.
Early closing
One diner reported being asked to leave 30 minutes before the posted 3:30 closing time.
Premium pricing
Several reviews describe Casa Mia as pricier than average, including a complaint about a $15 bottle of water.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Casa Mia is a long-running Italian restaurant in Al Garhoud, inside Le Meridien, with a rustic countryside feel. Reviews make it a strong choice for a date, birthday or family dinner: you can order wood-fired pizza, Pasta Carbonara mixed with cheese at the table, or dishes such as risotto and burrata salad. Its wine recommendations, especially for red and rosé, also get specific praise.
The setting does much of the work. Diners describe a cozy Italian-village atmosphere, a comfortable patio and a romantic outdoor setup; parking behind the hotel can be stamped free. Book ahead for busy evenings—one party found most tables occupied at 8pm, and another called reservations wise.
Food and service are not perfectly consistent. Many reviews report authentic, tasty cooking, knowledgeable staff and quick delivery even on a busy night, while others describe bland pizza, chewy chicken, overcooked salmon or an average eggplant pasta. Waiting times range from fairly quick to more than an hour for pizza and pasta.
Vegetarian choice is limited, and one reviewer reported being turned away 30 minutes before the posted closing time. Check kitchen hours and availability before arriving, especially with children or a tight schedule.