Italian cooking
Several diners praise the Italian food, especially the pasta, truffle dishes, calamari and veal preparations.
Cipriani Dubai
DIFC
Cipriani Dubai is an upscale Italian restaurant in DIFC, where diners come for polished surroundings, classic Italian dishes and Bellinis. Reviews particularly highlight the vanilla meringue, handmade-style pasta and attentive service, though experiences with food consistency and value vary.
Reputation Score
4.3
★★★★☆
1,869 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Vanilla meringue
The vanilla meringue is the clearest dessert standout, with multiple reviews calling it excellent and memorable.
Warm service
Friendly, attentive staff and polished service are repeatedly mentioned, including help with photos and dish recommendations.
Elegant setting
The interiors are described as chic, luxurious and boat-inspired, creating a dressed-up setting for dinner or celebrations.
Outdoor seating
The outdoor area can feel calmer and more relaxed than the crowded indoor room.
Valet parking
Valet parking is available at Gate 8 in DIFC, a useful detail for dinner visits.
Bellini ritual
The Bellini is a recurring part of the Cipriani experience, with one diner recommending it for an authentic version.
What to Eat at Cipriani Dubai 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 Cipriani Dubai, 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 Cipriani Dubai, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 1
-
Vanilla meringue Net +3
“And the vanilla meringue… 🥹 It is pure magic. Light as a cloud, delicate, dreamy, and comforting. One bite and time stops. It tastes like happiness, like childhood innocence mixed with absolute perfection. I crave it even when I’m not there.”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“And the vanilla meringue… 🥹 It is pure magic. Light as a cloud, delicate, dreamy, and comforting. One bite and time stops. It tastes like happiness, like childhood innocence mixed with absolute perfection. I crave it even when I’m not there.”January 2026
“The only redeeming item was the Vanilla Meringue, which was excellent. But one good dessert cannot save a disaster of a meal.”January 2026
Honorable mentions (21)
-
Burrata Net +1
“We ordered the burrata to start which was delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the burrata to start which was delicious.”March 2022
-
Cake slice Net +1
“The cake slice was nice. Well balanced and delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The cake slice was nice. Well balanced and delicious.”January 2026
-
Calamari fritte Net +1
“The calamari fritte was also divine.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The calamari fritte was also divine.”May 2022
-
Calf's liver Net +1
“My friend got calf's liver which was plated with fried polenta. I tried it and it was surprisingly delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My friend got calf's liver which was plated with fried polenta. I tried it and it was surprisingly delicious.”March 2022
-
Chocolate cake Net +1
“A chocolate cake to die for!!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“A chocolate cake to die for!!”June 2024
-
Cucumber, corn & avocado salad Net +1
“Food is excellent and the ambiance is elegant and luxurious, as expected in Dubai. Carpaccio and tartare were very good, and the cucumber, corn & avocado salad was fresh and well balanced.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food is excellent and the ambiance is elegant and luxurious, as expected in Dubai. Carpaccio and tartare were very good, and the cucumber, corn & avocado salad was fresh and well balanced.”February 2026
-
Famous steak carpaccio Net +1
“We had the famous steak carpaccio and tagliolini with veal ham. They were delicious and worth trying.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had the famous steak carpaccio and tagliolini with veal ham. They were delicious and worth trying.”December 2021
-
Fried calamari Net +1
“I especially loved the fried calamari and octopus. I have never had one that was so tender and perfectly cooked.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I especially loved the fried calamari and octopus. I have never had one that was so tender and perfectly cooked.”July 2024
-
Gnocchi alla guardi Net +1
“His girl got the gnocchi alla guardi which was so delicious and what I wish I ordered, but I didn't want to order the same thing as someone else.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“His girl got the gnocchi alla guardi which was so delicious and what I wish I ordered, but I didn't want to order the same thing as someone else.”March 2022
-
Lamb chops Net +1
“We had the Le Volte 2017 and the pairing was good with lamb chops.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had the Le Volte 2017 and the pairing was good with lamb chops.”December 2021
-
Meringue cake Net +1
“The meringue Cake is a must have if you're there but it was because of how pretty it looked. It's a huge slice as well so it's better for sharing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The meringue Cake is a must have if you're there but it was because of how pretty it looked. It's a huge slice as well so it's better for sharing.”January 2021
-
Panettone Net +1
“We had a wonderful time eating at Cipriani. The products were quality. Authentic Italian food, fantastic service, and exceptional panettone. I've never eaten so well, not even in Italy. Highly recommended.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had a wonderful time eating at Cipriani. The products were quality. Authentic Italian food, fantastic service, and exceptional panettone. I've never eaten so well, not even in Italy. Highly recommended.”November 2025
-
Prawn carpaccio Net +1
“The prawn carpaccio was delicious, but the pizza fell short—I’ve had much better at Cipriani in Istanbul.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The prawn carpaccio was delicious, but the pizza fell short—I’ve had much better at Cipriani in Istanbul.”November 2024
-
Risotto with scallops and asparagus Net +1
“My cousin got the risotto with scallops and asparagus which was delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My cousin got the risotto with scallops and asparagus which was delicious.”March 2022
-
Scalopina with lemon sauce Net +1
“What I can recommend to get is the scalopina with lemon sauce and the pizza.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“What I can recommend to get is the scalopina with lemon sauce and the pizza.”December 2022
-
Tagliolini with veal ham Net +1
“We had the famous steak carpaccio and tagliolini with veal ham. They were delicious and worth trying.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had the famous steak carpaccio and tagliolini with veal ham. They were delicious and worth trying.”December 2021
-
Vanilla cake Net +1
“The Vanilla cake is the only thing I’d recommend here, from my experience.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Vanilla cake is the only thing I’d recommend here, from my experience.”June 2023
-
Wagyu rib eye Net +1
“We had a wonderful -melting in the mouth- wagyu rib eye, exactly the way we were looking to eat and even the mashed potatoes felt like a waltz for the mouth.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had a wonderful -melting in the mouth- wagyu rib eye, exactly the way we were looking to eat and even the mashed potatoes felt like a waltz for the mouth.”December 2025
-
Yogurt ice cream Net +1
“The bread basket was included, and dessert was yogurt ice cream — the highlight of the meal, actually delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The bread basket was included, and dessert was yogurt ice cream — the highlight of the meal, actually delicious.”August 2025
-
Zucchini flowers filled with cheese Net +1
“I really loved zucchini flowers filled with cheese 🤤 spaghetti is beyond expectation. I believe its completely hand made.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I really loved zucchini flowers filled with cheese 🤤 spaghetti is beyond expectation. I believe its completely hand made.”October 2022
-
Veal tonnato Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“• Mains: While the Veal Tonnato was decent, the AED 347 Sea Bass arrived cold and completely tasteless.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
Drinks 1
-
Bellini Net 0
Mixed feedback
“I highly recommend to try the Bellini if you want the real one.”
Positive 2Negative 2
Review excerpts
“I highly recommend to try the Bellini if you want the real one.”January 2026
“The dishes are carefully prepared, of course, the Cipriani special drink Bellini and cake are magnificent.”July 2023
What to Avoid (14)
Food 13
-
Beetroot and feta cheese salad Net −1
“The soup, pasta, dessert and coffee was excellent but the beetroot and feta cheese salad was bland.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The soup, pasta, dessert and coffee was excellent but the beetroot and feta cheese salad was bland.”November 2023
-
Bucatini "casio e pepe" Net −1
“・Bucatini "Casio e Pepe" 137”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“・Bucatini "Casio e Pepe" 137”January 2026
-
Cipriani’s gnocchi Net −1
“I was abit disappointed tho Cipriani’s gnocchi had the right soft texture, as it should, but it lacked flavor. The tomato sauce was almost tasteless, and I had to add alot of parmesan just to enhance the taste.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I was abit disappointed tho Cipriani’s gnocchi had the right soft texture, as it should, but it lacked flavor. The tomato sauce was almost tasteless, and I had to add alot of parmesan just to enhance the taste.”February 2026
-
Green arabiatta taglietelle Net −1
“The main course was green arabiatta taglietelle. Again absolutely flavorless. Green because of spinach, no seasoning. Sauce was just taste of raw tomatoes.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The main course was green arabiatta taglietelle. Again absolutely flavorless. Green because of spinach, no seasoning. Sauce was just taste of raw tomatoes.”January 2026
-
Lemon meringue Net −1
“The reason we went there the lemon meringue was too sweet.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The reason we went there the lemon meringue was too sweet.”August 2023
-
Lentil salad Net −1
“Lentil salad. It's not what you think some complicated thing. Lentil.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Lentil salad. It's not what you think some complicated thing. Lentil.”August 2023
-
Pasta with mushrooms and cheese Net −1
“For the main course, we had pasta with mushrooms and cheese. The portion was tiny — just a thin layer of pasta with a few mushrooms under baked cheese. Flavor-wise, I’d rate it 3/5 at best.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“For the main course, we had pasta with mushrooms and cheese. The portion was tiny — just a thin layer of pasta with a few mushrooms under baked cheese. Flavor-wise, I’d rate it 3/5 at best.”August 2025
-
Pizza with burrata, rucola and black truffle Net −1
“Been there with business colleagues for a lunch, cold appetizers were not so good for me at least, for the main course I had burrata pizza with black truffle, I didn’t like the cold cheese (I was assuming it will be hot), my colleagues asked for other varieties of food including a flattened lamb chops looks like scallop almost. Pizza had been served after a long delay.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Been there with business colleagues for a lunch, cold appetizers were not so good for me at least, for the main course I had burrata pizza with black truffle, I didn’t like the cold cheese (I was assuming it will be hot), my colleagues asked for other varieties of food including a flattened lamb chops looks like scallop almost. Pizza had been served after a long delay.”November 2025
-
Sea bass Net −1
“• Mains: While the Veal Tonnato was decent, the AED 347 Sea Bass arrived cold and completely tasteless.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“• Mains: While the Veal Tonnato was decent, the AED 347 Sea Bass arrived cold and completely tasteless.”January 2026
-
Spinach and ricotta ravioli with butter and sage Net −1
“As our entrees, I got the spinach and ricotta ravioli with butter and sage which was honestly the least interesting dish on the table.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“As our entrees, I got the spinach and ricotta ravioli with butter and sage which was honestly the least interesting dish on the table.”March 2022
-
Tiramisu Net −1
“I wouldn’t recommend the tiramisu, not good.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I wouldn’t recommend the tiramisu, not good.”June 2023
-
Veal piccata Net −1
“The veal piccata was not good, I returned it to the kitchen since it smelled really bad.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The veal piccata was not good, I returned it to the kitchen since it smelled really bad.”December 2023
-
Beetroot and goat cheese salad with asparagus Net −3
“The appetizer was a beetroot and goat cheese salad with asparagus, which turned out to be just a mountain of beetroot, a few asparagus pieces hidden underneath, and two small pieces of goat cheese on top. Everything felt disconnected instead of working together as a dish, and it was simply too much beetroot to enjoy.”
Positive 0Negative 3
Critical review excerpts
“The appetizer was a beetroot and goat cheese salad with asparagus, which turned out to be just a mountain of beetroot, a few asparagus pieces hidden underneath, and two small pieces of goat cheese on top. Everything felt disconnected instead of working together as a dish, and it was simply too much beetroot to enjoy.”August 2025
“Beetroot salad with goat cheese was simply poached beetroot french fries style with 2 cubes of goats cheese. The tanginess was stuck at the bottom. Not very flavourful.”January 2026
Drinks 1
-
Fresh mint tea Net −1
“• Drinks: My Bellini (ordered specifically with Champagne) was poorly prepared. To finish, the 'Fresh Mint Tea' was served lukewarm—essentially just tepid water with a hint of color and zero flavor.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“• Drinks: My Bellini (ordered specifically with Champagne) was poorly prepared. To finish, the 'Fresh Mint Tea' was served lukewarm—essentially just tepid water with a hint of color and zero flavor.”January 2026
Tips for a Better Visit
Book ahead. Reserve before arriving: one December review says the restaurant was crowded and recommends booking to avoid seating problems.
Use Gate 8. If driving, look for valet parking at Gate 8 in DIFC rather than relying on finding the restaurant immediately.
Look for signs. Allow extra time to locate the entrance, as a diner found no clear sign on the building or in the elevator.
Order dessert. Save room for the vanilla meringue; one diner says its large slice is better shared.
Try Bellini. The Bellini is one of the most consistently mentioned drinks and is recommended by a diner seeking the classic version.
Check lunch value. Before choosing the weekday set lunch, compare its portions and flavours with nearby DIFC alternatives.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Gate Village 10
Zaa'beel Second - DIFC, Dubai
| Mon | 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Tue | 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Wed | 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Thu | 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Fri | 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Sat | 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Sun | 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
Common Concerns
High prices
Several diners felt the bill was too high for food they considered ordinary or under-seasoned.
Uneven pasta
Recent reviews describe pasta as thick, overly firm or lacking seasoning, although older diners had the opposite experience.
Rushed service
Some guests felt staff hurried the meal or were overly attentive instead of letting the evening unfold naturally.
Crowding
The dining room and narrow outdoor area can feel cramped, with limited space between tables.
Limited vegan food
One review specifically notes that the menu has very limited vegan choices.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
AED110
cappuccino and cannoli
“Ordered a cappuccino and cannoli and it costs AED110”Google review · June 2025
180 AED
full set
“The full set cost 180 AED, which is absolutely not worth it, especially in DIFC where many competitors serve far better business lunches at the same price”Google review · August 2025
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Cipriani Dubai is an upscale Italian restaurant in DIFC built around a polished, classic dining-room experience. You can come for a business lunch, a celebration or a leisurely dinner, with the Bellini and Italian staples such as pasta, risotto, carpaccio and veal dishes appearing often in reviews. The vanilla meringue is the safest recurring dessert recommendation, and one review says the large slice is better shared.
Service is one of the restaurant’s strongest cards. Many diners describe the team as warm, professional and attentive, while others report rushed or discourteous treatment, so the experience may depend on the visit and table. The elegant interiors and boat-like décor suit dressed-up occasions, although the room and narrow outdoor area can become crowded and noisy.
Food feedback is notably mixed. Some guests praise handmade-style pasta, truffle dishes, calamari, mozzarella and wagyu rib eye; others found pasta thick or bland, gnocchi under-seasoned and expensive fish tasteless. That makes dish selection and expectations important, especially at lunch.
Book ahead when possible, allow time to find the entrance, and use valet parking at Gate 8. Prices sit firmly in the Dubai fine-dining range, with several reviewers questioning whether the cooking consistently matches the bill.