Fresh Cooking
Customers often describe the food as fresh, authentic and beautifully prepared, with strong examples including pasta, pizza and burrata.
Eataly
Dubai Festival City
Eataly is an Italian restaurant and food market in Dubai Festival City, where you can sit down for dishes such as pizza and pasta, shop for Italian groceries, or join a cooking class. Reviews especially highlight the fresh food, family-friendly menu and warm waterfront atmosphere.
Reputation Score
4.7
★★★★★
4,015 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Pizza Quality
Thin pizzas with airy, crisp crusts and generous cheese are a recurring highlight; one reviewer called it one of Dubai’s best.
Family Friendly
Families can order from a kids’ menu, with reviews specifically mentioning that children enjoyed the pizza and chicken.
Waterfront Setting
The warm, airy setting and views make it appealing for relaxed family meals, intimate dinners and outdoor seating.
Cooking Classes
The cooking classes are hands-on and family-friendly; one birthday visit involved making pizza from scratch.
Italian Shopping
After eating, visitors can browse Italian groceries, including the deli and pantry products described in the business information.
Helpful Service
Multiple reviews describe attentive, friendly service, including staff who explain the menu and anticipate what guests need.
Birthday Touches
A birthday dinner included a complimentary cheesecake, adding a thoughtful extra for celebrations.
What to Eat at Eataly 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 Eataly, 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 Eataly, 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
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Caesar salad Net +2
“We enjoyed the Caesar Salad, Funghi Fettuccine, and the Pomodori Marinati & Burrata Pizza, all of which were packed with flavour and showcased the quality ingredients that Eataly is known for.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We enjoyed the Caesar Salad, Funghi Fettuccine, and the Pomodori Marinati & Burrata Pizza, all of which were packed with flavour and showcased the quality ingredients that Eataly is known for.”June 2026
“We ordered the Caesar salad, tomato soup, and Bolognese pasta, and everything was delicious and well-prepared. The flavors were excellent, and the portions were satisfying.”June 2026
Honorable mentions (21)
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Birthday cheese cake Net +1
“Even got a super tasty little birthday cheese cake from them.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Even got a super tasty little birthday cheese cake from them.”June 2026
-
Bolognese pasta Net +1
“We ordered the Caesar salad, tomato soup, and Bolognese pasta, and everything was delicious and well-prepared. The flavors were excellent, and the portions were satisfying.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the Caesar salad, tomato soup, and Bolognese pasta, and everything was delicious and well-prepared. The flavors were excellent, and the portions were satisfying.”June 2026
-
Burrata e pomodorini salad Net +1
“Burrata E Pomodorini Salad 7/10 good taste buttoo small portion”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Burrata E Pomodorini Salad 7/10 good taste buttoo small portion”September 2025
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Delicious lasagna Net +1
“one of my favourite restaurants, everything was so tasty! we had delicious lasagna, perfectly cooked salmon, roasted potatoes and mushrooms.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“one of my favourite restaurants, everything was so tasty! we had delicious lasagna, perfectly cooked salmon, roasted potatoes and mushrooms.”November 2025
-
Fritto calamari Net +1
“The food was absolutely delicious, especially the Wagyu Coppa and Fritto Calamari — both were beautifully prepared and full of flavor.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was absolutely delicious, especially the Wagyu Coppa and Fritto Calamari — both were beautifully prepared and full of flavor.”August 2026
-
Funghi fettuccine Net +1
“We enjoyed the Caesar Salad, Funghi Fettuccine, and the Pomodori Marinati & Burrata Pizza, all of which were packed with flavour and showcased the quality ingredients that Eataly is known for.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We enjoyed the Caesar Salad, Funghi Fettuccine, and the Pomodori Marinati & Burrata Pizza, all of which were packed with flavour and showcased the quality ingredients that Eataly is known for.”June 2026
-
Gelato Net +1
“The gelato was a perfect sweet ending to our meal, and the espresso paired wonderfully with the dessert.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The gelato was a perfect sweet ending to our meal, and the espresso paired wonderfully with the dessert.”February 2025
-
Mushroom pasta Net +1
“The tuna pizza was delicious, and the mushroom pasta was perfectly cooked and full of flavor.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The tuna pizza was delicious, and the mushroom pasta was perfectly cooked and full of flavor.”July 2026
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Panna cotta Net +1
“The meal was perfectly rounded off with an indulgent selection of desserts, including Panna Cotta and several flavours of Venchi Gelato, with the pistachio being a particular favourite.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The meal was perfectly rounded off with an indulgent selection of desserts, including Panna Cotta and several flavours of Venchi Gelato, with the pistachio being a particular favourite.”June 2026
-
Perfectly cooked salmon Net +1
“one of my favourite restaurants, everything was so tasty! we had delicious lasagna, perfectly cooked salmon, roasted potatoes and mushrooms.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“one of my favourite restaurants, everything was so tasty! we had delicious lasagna, perfectly cooked salmon, roasted potatoes and mushrooms.”November 2025
-
Pomodori marinati & burrata pizza Net +1
“We enjoyed the Caesar Salad, Funghi Fettuccine, and the Pomodori Marinati & Burrata Pizza, all of which were packed with flavour and showcased the quality ingredients that Eataly is known for.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We enjoyed the Caesar Salad, Funghi Fettuccine, and the Pomodori Marinati & Burrata Pizza, all of which were packed with flavour and showcased the quality ingredients that Eataly is known for.”June 2026
-
Ravioli Net +1
“The ravioli is tossed in a rich flavorful tomato sauce balanced with creamy burrata.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The ravioli is tossed in a rich flavorful tomato sauce balanced with creamy burrata.”June 2026
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Roasted potatoes Net +1
“one of my favourite restaurants, everything was so tasty! we had delicious lasagna, perfectly cooked salmon, roasted potatoes and mushrooms.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“one of my favourite restaurants, everything was so tasty! we had delicious lasagna, perfectly cooked salmon, roasted potatoes and mushrooms.”November 2025
-
Tagliata di manzo Net +1
“Got the tagliata di manzo, chargrilled steak. Super nice and tasty piece of meat.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Got the tagliata di manzo, chargrilled steak. Super nice and tasty piece of meat.”June 2026
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Tomato soup Net +1
“We ordered the Caesar salad, tomato soup, and Bolognese pasta, and everything was delicious and well-prepared. The flavors were excellent, and the portions were satisfying.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the Caesar salad, tomato soup, and Bolognese pasta, and everything was delicious and well-prepared. The flavors were excellent, and the portions were satisfying.”June 2026
-
Tuna pizza Net +1
“The tuna pizza was delicious, and the mushroom pasta was perfectly cooked and full of flavor.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The tuna pizza was delicious, and the mushroom pasta was perfectly cooked and full of flavor.”July 2026
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Venchi chocolate crepe Net +1
“Their Venchi chocolate crepe is amazing matching up with their signature coffees.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their Venchi chocolate crepe is amazing matching up with their signature coffees.”May 2026
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Venchi gelato Net +1
“The meal was perfectly rounded off with an indulgent selection of desserts, including Panna Cotta and several flavours of Venchi Gelato, with the pistachio being a particular favourite.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The meal was perfectly rounded off with an indulgent selection of desserts, including Panna Cotta and several flavours of Venchi Gelato, with the pistachio being a particular favourite.”June 2026
-
Wagyu coppa Net +1
“The food was absolutely delicious, especially the Wagyu Coppa and Fritto Calamari — both were beautifully prepared and full of flavor.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was absolutely delicious, especially the Wagyu Coppa and Fritto Calamari — both were beautifully prepared and full of flavor.”August 2026
-
Truffle pizza Net 0
Mixed feedback
“The truffle pizza and white pasta were absolutely delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“The truffle pizza and white pasta were absolutely delicious.”November 2025
-
Salami piccante pizza Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“Salami Piccante Pizza 6/10 average”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
Drinks 4
-
Espresso Net +1
“The gelato was a perfect sweet ending to our meal, and the espresso paired wonderfully with the dessert.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The gelato was a perfect sweet ending to our meal, and the espresso paired wonderfully with the dessert.”February 2025
-
Iced cappuccino Net +1
“Iced Cappuccino 7/10”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Iced Cappuccino 7/10”September 2025
-
Latte Net +1
“Latte 8/10”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Latte 8/10”September 2025
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Cappuccino oat milk Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“Cappuccino Oat Milk 6/10”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
What to Avoid (3)
Food 3
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Beef ragyu Net −1
“We tried the beef ragyu, creamy mushroom and something else and nothing was great. Definitely not going back.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We tried the beef ragyu, creamy mushroom and something else and nothing was great. Definitely not going back.”December 2025
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Burrata pizza Net −1
“We also ordered the burrata pizza, which came with a surprisingly small amount of burrata on top, making it quite underwhelming.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We also ordered the burrata pizza, which came with a surprisingly small amount of burrata on top, making it quite underwhelming.”June 2026
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Creamy mushroom Net −1
“We tried the beef ragyu, creamy mushroom and something else and nothing was great. Definitely not going back.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We tried the beef ragyu, creamy mushroom and something else and nothing was great. Definitely not going back.”December 2025
Tips for a Better Visit
Ask Allergies. If allergies matter, ask the team about suitable dishes: one breakfast visit specifically praised how accommodating they were.
Mind Breakfast. For breakfast, allow extra time and keep expectations measured; one early visit found the omelets slow and poorly prepared.
Check Add-ons. If you want meat or seafood with pasta, ask about add-on pricing first; one review reported about 35 AED for three shrimp.
Skip Drinks. If choosing between food and drinks, note that one reviewer would reorder the pizza and potato but not the drink.
Try Gelato. Leave room for dessert: the pistachio Venchi Gelato was a particular favourite in a family lunch review.
Book Activities. For children’s activities, ask about cooking-class availability; reviews mention both regular classes and kids’ classes.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Waterfront view, Dubai Festival City Mall - First Floor - Festival square
Al Kheeran - Dubai Festival City, Dubai
| Mon | 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Tue | 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Wed | 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Thu | 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Fri | 9:00 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Sat | 9:00 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Sun | 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
Common Concerns
Service Delays
One family waited around 15 minutes despite several waiters being nearby before anyone came to help.
Inconsistent Pasta
One diner found several pasta dishes bland, with limited meat or seafood and an expensive shrimp add-on.
Small Portions
A review found the burrata salad portion too small, while another said the burrata topping on pizza was surprisingly limited.
Weak Drinks
One drink was compared to water and considered poor value at its reported price.
Pricey Visit
One family-oriented review called the restaurant a bit expensive for visitors coming from other Emirates.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Eataly in Dubai Festival City combines a sit-down Italian restaurant with a food-market experience. You can come for pizza, pasta or a family meal, then browse Italian groceries afterwards. Reviews also point to cooking classes, including pizza-making sessions from scratch, so it is more than a quick restaurant stop.
Food is generally praised for freshness and Italian character. Specific standouts include thin, airy-crusted pizza, mushroom pasta, tagliata di manzo, Venchi Gelato and the Venchi chocolate crepe. Families get a kids’ menu, and reviewers say children enjoyed the pizza.
The setting is warm and lively, with views and outdoor seating that suit both relaxed lunches and dinners. Service is a major strength in many visits, with staff described as attentive and knowledgeable about the menu, though it is not perfectly consistent: one family waited around 15 minutes to be served, and a breakfast visit found the omelets slow and disappointing. Portions and value can also vary.
One reviewer found the burrata salad small, another disliked the drinks, and a reported drink price of 39 AED felt unjustified. If you want meat or seafood with pasta, check the add-on cost before ordering.