Skyline views
The upstairs lounge pairs a Burj Khalifa view with low lighting, lounge seating and live jazz.
Chic Nonna
DIFC
Chic Nonna is an Italian restaurant in DIFC with an elegant, relaxed setting and an upstairs lounge with Burj Khalifa views. Reviews highlight dishes such as burrata and truffle risotto, alongside a well-regarded business-lunch menu.
Reputation Score
4.5
★★★★★
878 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Italian dishes
Burrata is repeatedly praised, with one reviewer describing it as creamy and well matched with tomatoes and basil.
Business lunch
The business lunch is described as good value, with a choice of starters and mains and quality ingredients.
Quiet meetings
One visitor found the relaxed atmosphere quiet enough for a proper conversation during a work meeting.
Valet parking
Valet parking is called convenient and helped make an evening visit easier.
Dessert room
The Sunday brunch includes a dedicated dessert room with pastries, cream puffs, éclairs and tarts.
What to Eat at Chic Nonna 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 Chic Nonna, 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.
These items at Chic Nonna got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 5
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Burrata Net +3
“One dish you absolutely can’t miss is the burrata. It’s hands down one of the best versions I've had in Dubai—smooth, creamy, and perfectly paired with ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of rich balsamic dressing. The balance of flavors is incredible, and it's the perfect starter to set the tone for the rest of the meal.”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“One dish you absolutely can’t miss is the burrata. It’s hands down one of the best versions I've had in Dubai—smooth, creamy, and perfectly paired with ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of rich balsamic dressing. The balance of flavors is incredible, and it's the perfect starter to set the tone for the rest of the meal.”February 2025
“Pizza enthusiasts will appreciate the classic Pizza Margherita, topped with ripe tomato, fior di latte cheese, and basil, alongside a beautifully presented burrata served with organic tomatoes and basil oil.”July 2025
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Margherita pizza Net +2
“Pizza enthusiasts will appreciate the classic Pizza Margherita, topped with ripe tomato, fior di latte cheese, and basil, alongside a beautifully presented burrata served with organic tomatoes and basil oil.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Pizza enthusiasts will appreciate the classic Pizza Margherita, topped with ripe tomato, fior di latte cheese, and basil, alongside a beautifully presented burrata served with organic tomatoes and basil oil.”July 2025
“We tried the Insalata Chic Nonna, truffle risotto, Margherita pizza, Bellino and Rossa drinks, and the Essenza Di Cioccolato dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious.”July 2026
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Spaghetti all’assassina Net +2
“Super as usual. This time, the new star of all times is the newly added “Spaghetti all'assassina”. I’ll come ten times for this order. I tried it and it’s NOT different from that I had in Bary couple of months ago.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Super as usual. This time, the new star of all times is the newly added “Spaghetti all'assassina”. I’ll come ten times for this order. I tried it and it’s NOT different from that I had in Bary couple of months ago.”May 2025
“The Spaghetti all’assassina (spicy spaghetti) is, without a doubt, a must-try – a fiery and incredibly flavorful dish that we're still thinking about.”June 2025
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Truffle risotto Net +2
“Whether it’s the creamy truffle risotto, the perfectly al dente pasta, or the melt-in-your-mouth tiramisu – everything is prepared to perfection.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Whether it’s the creamy truffle risotto, the perfectly al dente pasta, or the melt-in-your-mouth tiramisu – everything is prepared to perfection.”June 2025
“We tried the Insalata Chic Nonna, truffle risotto, Margherita pizza, Bellino and Rossa drinks, and the Essenza Di Cioccolato dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious.”July 2026
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Tuna tartare Net +2
“Pasta was good. Tuna tartare too.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Pasta was good. Tuna tartare too.”November 2024
“Highlights include fresh oysters, tuna tartare crafted with premium bluefin tuna, avocado mousse, mango, and Oscietra caviar, as well as a flavorful octopus salad with fresh octopus, squid, olives, capers, parsley, and a zesty lemon dressing.”July 2025
Honorable mentions (30)
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Bavette nerano Net +1
“The Bavette nerano (pasta with zucchini and zucchini flower) was a revelation; its unique combination of ingredients created a surprisingly delicious and memorable pasta dish.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Bavette nerano (pasta with zucchini and zucchini flower) was a revelation; its unique combination of ingredients created a surprisingly delicious and memorable pasta dish.”June 2025
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Bellino Net +1
“We tried the Insalata Chic Nonna, truffle risotto, Margherita pizza, Bellino and Rossa drinks, and the Essenza Di Cioccolato dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried the Insalata Chic Nonna, truffle risotto, Margherita pizza, Bellino and Rossa drinks, and the Essenza Di Cioccolato dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious.”July 2026
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Burrata salad Net +1
“The spaghetti was flawlessly prepared with a depth of flavor that lingered beautifully, the calamari was delicately tender and bursting with freshness, and the burrata salad was a luxurious delight.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The spaghetti was flawlessly prepared with a depth of flavor that lingered beautifully, the calamari was delicately tender and bursting with freshness, and the burrata salad was a luxurious delight.”August 2025
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Business lunch Net +1
“Visited Chic Nonna for business lunch. Great value on offer with a good selection of starters and main courses. The quality of the business lunch is uncompromised. Great ingredients, quality and taste in a nice ambiance. Service was a bit slow, owing to how busy it was. Overall, a great choice”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Visited Chic Nonna for business lunch. Great value on offer with a good selection of starters and main courses. The quality of the business lunch is uncompromised. Great ingredients, quality and taste in a nice ambiance. Service was a bit slow, owing to how busy it was. Overall, a great choice”May 2026
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Candy floss Net +1
“Also - there is candy floss! I’m a big kid at heart so this was a delight!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Also - there is candy floss! I’m a big kid at heart so this was a delight!”July 2025
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Chocolate dessert Net +1
“It even included a rich, decadent chocolate dessert that isn’t on the menu – it’s a signature creation of the restaurant, and it was absolutely divine.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It even included a rich, decadent chocolate dessert that isn’t on the menu – it’s a signature creation of the restaurant, and it was absolutely divine.”July 2025
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Cream puffs Net +1
“Here, you can indulge in cream puffs, eclairs, tarts, and fresh fruit, providing the perfect sweet ending to an already memorable brunch experience.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Here, you can indulge in cream puffs, eclairs, tarts, and fresh fruit, providing the perfect sweet ending to an already memorable brunch experience.”July 2025
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Eclairs Net +1
“Here, you can indulge in cream puffs, eclairs, tarts, and fresh fruit, providing the perfect sweet ending to an already memorable brunch experience.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Here, you can indulge in cream puffs, eclairs, tarts, and fresh fruit, providing the perfect sweet ending to an already memorable brunch experience.”July 2025
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Essenza di cioccolato dessert Net +1
“We tried the Insalata Chic Nonna, truffle risotto, Margherita pizza, Bellino and Rossa drinks, and the Essenza Di Cioccolato dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried the Insalata Chic Nonna, truffle risotto, Margherita pizza, Bellino and Rossa drinks, and the Essenza Di Cioccolato dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious.”July 2026
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Fiorentina steak Net +1
“And finally, the star of the show: the famous Fiorentina steak (for two people). This T-Bone steak was cooked to perfection and easily one of the best we've ever had – tender, juicy, and packed with incredible flavor.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“And finally, the star of the show: the famous Fiorentina steak (for two people). This T-Bone steak was cooked to perfection and easily one of the best we've ever had – tender, juicy, and packed with incredible flavor.”June 2025
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Fiori di zucchine Net +1
“The Frittura di calamari (Fried Calamari) was perfectly crisp and tender, and the Fiori di zucchine (Fried zucchini flower) offered a delightful and unique flavor.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Frittura di calamari (Fried Calamari) was perfectly crisp and tender, and the Fiori di zucchine (Fried zucchini flower) offered a delightful and unique flavor.”June 2025
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Fresh oysters Net +1
“Highlights include fresh oysters, tuna tartare crafted with premium bluefin tuna, avocado mousse, mango, and Oscietra caviar, as well as a flavorful octopus salad with fresh octopus, squid, olives, capers, parsley, and a zesty lemon dressing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Highlights include fresh oysters, tuna tartare crafted with premium bluefin tuna, avocado mousse, mango, and Oscietra caviar, as well as a flavorful octopus salad with fresh octopus, squid, olives, capers, parsley, and a zesty lemon dressing.”July 2025
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Grilled chicken cacciatora style Net +1
“For main courses, the menu includes individual servings such as tender grilled chicken cooked in a flavorful Cacciatora style with potatoes, mushrooms, and tomato sauce, and a stunningly plated seabass fillet accompanied by green pea purée, Mediterranean sauce, frisée lettuce, and lemon dressing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For main courses, the menu includes individual servings such as tender grilled chicken cooked in a flavorful Cacciatora style with potatoes, mushrooms, and tomato sauce, and a stunningly plated seabass fillet accompanied by green pea purée, Mediterranean sauce, frisée lettuce, and lemon dressing.”July 2025
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Insalata chic nonna Net +1
“We tried the Insalata Chic Nonna, truffle risotto, Margherita pizza, Bellino and Rossa drinks, and the Essenza Di Cioccolato dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried the Insalata Chic Nonna, truffle risotto, Margherita pizza, Bellino and Rossa drinks, and the Essenza Di Cioccolato dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious.”July 2026
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La famiglia sunday brunch Net +1
“We had such a wonderful time at Chic Nonna with their new La Famiglia Sunday brunch. It’s purposefully flow, like Sunday lunches should be. A glorious and generous menu with 6 starters (you get them all!), 2 pastas and a choice of grilled salmon or amazing veal scallopini for mains, and an amazing dessert room that honestly I would come back for just for those heavenly pastries! Also - there is candy floss! I’m a big kid at heart so this was a delight!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had such a wonderful time at Chic Nonna with their new La Famiglia Sunday brunch. It’s purposefully flow, like Sunday lunches should be. A glorious and generous menu with 6 starters (you get them all!), 2 pastas and a choice of grilled salmon or amazing veal scallopini for mains, and an amazing dessert room that honestly I would come back for just for those heavenly pastries! Also - there is candy floss! I’m a big kid at heart so this was a delight!”July 2025
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Lasagne Net +1
“Got the prawns and pizza for starters. Lasagne and veal for lunch. And both desserts (desserts great value for money for an additional 10 dhs only).”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Got the prawns and pizza for starters. Lasagne and veal for lunch. And both desserts (desserts great value for money for an additional 10 dhs only).”March 2026
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Lobster and chicory (puntarelle) salad Net +1
“So much originality in all the dishes that we tried with seasonal ingredients sourced from Italy (was very surprised by the lobster and chicory (puntarelle) salad)). Everything that we had was SUBLIME.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“So much originality in all the dishes that we tried with seasonal ingredients sourced from Italy (was very surprised by the lobster and chicory (puntarelle) salad)). Everything that we had was SUBLIME.”December 2023
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Margherita pizzette Net +1
“The Margherita Pizzette was a classic done to perfection, setting a high bar for what was to come.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Margherita Pizzette was a classic done to perfection, setting a high bar for what was to come.”June 2025
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Merluzzo Net +1
“Now let’s talk about the food — simply delicious. The burrata was fresh and perfectly creamy, exactly how it should be. But the real highlight for me was the fish: the merluzzo and the salmon were both cooked beautifully, full of flavor and incredibly satisfying. Every dish felt genuinely Italian and thoughtfully prepared.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Now let’s talk about the food — simply delicious. The burrata was fresh and perfectly creamy, exactly how it should be. But the real highlight for me was the fish: the merluzzo and the salmon were both cooked beautifully, full of flavor and incredibly satisfying. Every dish felt genuinely Italian and thoughtfully prepared.”February 2026
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Octopus salad Net +1
“Highlights include fresh oysters, tuna tartare crafted with premium bluefin tuna, avocado mousse, mango, and Oscietra caviar, as well as a flavorful octopus salad with fresh octopus, squid, olives, capers, parsley, and a zesty lemon dressing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Highlights include fresh oysters, tuna tartare crafted with premium bluefin tuna, avocado mousse, mango, and Oscietra caviar, as well as a flavorful octopus salad with fresh octopus, squid, olives, capers, parsley, and a zesty lemon dressing.”July 2025
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Rigatoni alla norma Net +1
“The pasta options are diverse and perfect for sharing, with dishes like Risotto ai Frutti di Mare, featuring a medley of seafood and Amalfi lemon, and Rigatoni alla Norma, with datterino tomato sauce, eggplant, and ricotta salata—my daughter’s favorite.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The pasta options are diverse and perfect for sharing, with dishes like Risotto ai Frutti di Mare, featuring a medley of seafood and Amalfi lemon, and Rigatoni alla Norma, with datterino tomato sauce, eggplant, and ricotta salata—my daughter’s favorite.”July 2025
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Risotto ai frutti di mare Net +1
“The pasta options are diverse and perfect for sharing, with dishes like Risotto ai Frutti di Mare, featuring a medley of seafood and Amalfi lemon, and Rigatoni alla Norma, with datterino tomato sauce, eggplant, and ricotta salata—my daughter’s favorite.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The pasta options are diverse and perfect for sharing, with dishes like Risotto ai Frutti di Mare, featuring a medley of seafood and Amalfi lemon, and Rigatoni alla Norma, with datterino tomato sauce, eggplant, and ricotta salata—my daughter’s favorite.”July 2025
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Salmon Net +1
“Now let’s talk about the food — simply delicious. The burrata was fresh and perfectly creamy, exactly how it should be. But the real highlight for me was the fish: the merluzzo and the salmon were both cooked beautifully, full of flavor and incredibly satisfying. Every dish felt genuinely Italian and thoughtfully prepared.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Now let’s talk about the food — simply delicious. The burrata was fresh and perfectly creamy, exactly how it should be. But the real highlight for me was the fish: the merluzzo and the salmon were both cooked beautifully, full of flavor and incredibly satisfying. Every dish felt genuinely Italian and thoughtfully prepared.”February 2026
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Seabass fillet Net +1
“For main courses, the menu includes individual servings such as tender grilled chicken cooked in a flavorful Cacciatora style with potatoes, mushrooms, and tomato sauce, and a stunningly plated seabass fillet accompanied by green pea purée, Mediterranean sauce, frisée lettuce, and lemon dressing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For main courses, the menu includes individual servings such as tender grilled chicken cooked in a flavorful Cacciatora style with potatoes, mushrooms, and tomato sauce, and a stunningly plated seabass fillet accompanied by green pea purée, Mediterranean sauce, frisée lettuce, and lemon dressing.”July 2025
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Sgroppino Net +1
“Great Sgroppino too!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Great Sgroppino too!”August 2025
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Tarts Net +1
“Here, you can indulge in cream puffs, eclairs, tarts, and fresh fruit, providing the perfect sweet ending to an already memorable brunch experience.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Here, you can indulge in cream puffs, eclairs, tarts, and fresh fruit, providing the perfect sweet ending to an already memorable brunch experience.”July 2025
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Tasting menu Net +1
“We had the new tasting menu along with the paired wine. Couldn’t be more appreciative of the service and food. Everything is 10/10.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had the new tasting menu along with the paired wine. Couldn’t be more appreciative of the service and food. Everything is 10/10.”December 2023
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Truffle fries Net +1
“I like to add a bit of spicy pepper for an extra kick 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻The truffle fries are crispy and tasty, and the parmigiana is outstanding.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I like to add a bit of spicy pepper for an extra kick 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻The truffle fries are crispy and tasty, and the parmigiana is outstanding.”October 2024
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Veal scallopini Net +1
“A glorious and generous menu with 6 starters (you get them all!), 2 pastas and a choice of grilled salmon or amazing veal scallopini for mains, and an amazing dessert room that honestly I would come back for just for those heavenly pastries!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“A glorious and generous menu with 6 starters (you get them all!), 2 pastas and a choice of grilled salmon or amazing veal scallopini for mains, and an amazing dessert room that honestly I would come back for just for those heavenly pastries!”July 2025
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Zucchini soup Net +1
“Food is so good and high quality. LOVED the bread dip, zucchini soup, and risotto.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food is so good and high quality. LOVED the bread dip, zucchini soup, and risotto.”June 2026
Drinks 1
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Paired wine Net +1
“We had the new tasting menu along with the paired wine. Couldn’t be more appreciative of the service and food. Everything is 10/10.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had the new tasting menu along with the paired wine. Couldn’t be more appreciative of the service and food. Everything is 10/10.”December 2023
What to Avoid (1)
Drinks 1
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White wine Net −1
“There was nothing that I particularly liked, and I didn't like either the red or white wine.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“There was nothing that I particularly liked, and I didn't like either the red or white wine.”December 2024
Tips for a Better Visit
Request upstairs. Ask for an upstairs lounge table if the Burj Khalifa view, lounge seating and evening jazz are priorities.
Try lunch. For a more value-conscious visit, ask about the AED 140 lunch menu, which includes a selection of starters and mains.
Save room. Leave space for dessert: one business-lunch review says both desserts were available for an additional 10 dhs.
Avoid peak rush. If timing matters, consider a quieter period; one lunch visit found service slow because the restaurant was busy.
State allergies. Tell the team about allergies or intolerances when ordering rather than assuming they will ask first.
Use valet. Valet is a practical choice for dinner, with one anniversary visit specifically calling it convenient.
Plan the visit
Practical details
DIFC, Gate Avenue Mall Zone D
Zaa'beel Second - DIFC, Dubai
| Mon | 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM |
| Tue | 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM |
| Wed | 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM |
| Thu | 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM |
| Fri | 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM |
| Sat | 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM |
| Sun | 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM |
Common Concerns
Slow service
A reviewer waited about 40 minutes for the remaining dishes, so the table finished eating at different times.
Pasta issue
One guest waited over 30 minutes for a main course and received pasta they considered completely raw.
Warm indoors
An otherwise positive birthday visit felt uncomfortable because the indoor seating was too warm.
Child restriction
One review states that children under seven are not allowed, which matters when planning a family visit.
Pest complaint
A strongly negative review reported flies and ticks near a window, though this was a single account.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
10 dhs
desserts
“And both desserts (desserts great value for money for an additional 10 dhs only)”Google review · March 2026
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Chic Nonna is an Italian restaurant in DIFC that suits date nights, business lunches and celebratory dinners. The draw is the combination of polished interiors, a relaxed atmosphere and an upstairs lounge with a Burj Khalifa view. It is also suitable for meetings: one guest said the background stayed quiet enough for a proper conversation.
The menu has several review-backed standouts. Burrata is described as fresh and creamy, while truffle risotto, parmigiana, truffle pizza and spaghetti all’assassina receive enthusiastic mentions. The Sunday La Famiglia brunch is a more elaborate option, with shared starters, pasta, mains and a dedicated dessert room.
Value depends on what you book. A reviewer praised the AED 140 lunch menu, and another found the desserts a good-value AED 10 add-on. Valet parking is convenient.
For the best view, request an upstairs table, and leave room for dessert. Service is not perfectly consistent. Several guests describe attentive hospitality, but others report long waits, including roughly 40 minutes for remaining dishes, and one complaint about raw pasta after a delay.
One review also says children under seven are not allowed, so check suitability before bringing young children.