Creamy gelato
Gelato is repeatedly described as rich, creamy and full of authentic flavour, with traditional Italian-style recipes.
Gelateria La Romana
Dubai Hills Estate
Gelateria La Romana is an Italian-style gelato shop in Dubai Hills Estate, with creamy traditional flavours alongside desserts such as crepes and waffles. Reviews make the chocolate crepe, pistachio ice cream and welcoming café seating especially worth considering.
Reputation Score
4.8
★★★★★
3,106 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Dessert quality
Waffles and crepes are made fresh, with waffles praised for a crisp outside and fluffy centre.
Flavour choice
The selection includes plenty of variety and new flavours, including pistachio, mango, coconut stracciatella and hazelnut.
Good coffee
Coffee is a strong supporting option, with one reviewer calling it excellent and another praising the barista.
Seating space
The shop has sofas and tables for lingering over dessert, and one review estimated space for roughly 25 to 30 people.
Helpful service
Several reviews mention patient flavour recommendations, and staff once brought an order directly to a customer assisting a parent with limited mobility.
Tips for a Better Visit
Sample flavours. If you are choosing for the first time, ask to try several flavours before deciding; reviewers found this process useful.
Visit weekdays. For a better chance of finding a table, consider a weekday afternoon rather than a busy period.
Allow time. Build in extra time when the queue is moving slowly; one visit took 20 minutes just to place the order.
Check topping. If toppings matter, check the finished crepe before leaving, as one customer noticed less pistachio sauce at the edge here.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Al Khail Rd
Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, Dubai
| Mon | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Tue | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Wed | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Thu | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Fri | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sat | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sun | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
Popular Mentions
Pistachio ice cream
Pistachio is used both as a gelato flavour and alongside waffles, making it a useful choice for first-time dessert orders.
Hazelnut gelato
Hazelnut is described as bold and is paired with whipped cream in one customer’s favourite order.
Chocolate crepe
The chocolate crepe can be ordered with three scoops of gelato and is described as a must-try.
Affogato
The affogato is singled out as an outstanding order by a customer who visited for tea.
Common Concerns
Slow service
One customer waited 20 minutes to order despite only five people being ahead and four staff serving.
Branch variation
A Dubai Hills customer felt the crepe had less pistachio sauce at the edge than the Palm Jumeirah branch.
Uneven service
Two customers described rude or dismissive interactions when ordering and asking to sample flavours.
Premium pricing
One reviewer felt the cost was high compared with Europe, describing it as double the European price.
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The Bottom Line
La Romana is an Italian-style gelateria in Dubai Hills Estate where the main draw is creamy gelato, supported by fresh crepes, waffles, cakes and coffee. The chocolate crepe with three scoops is a frequently recommended order, while the waffle with pistachio ice cream is another standout. Hazelnut gelato, mango and pistachio flavours also receive plenty of attention.
The café is more than a takeaway counter. Reviews describe sofas and seating for roughly 25 to 30 people, with a warm, family-friendly atmosphere and enough space for parents with prams. A weekday-afternoon visit was quiet enough for one family to choose its preferred table and watch crepes being prepared.
Service is often patient and helpful, particularly when staff guide first-time visitors through the flavours. There are exceptions: one customer waited 20 minutes to order, and two reviews describe rude or dismissive interactions. Queue speed may vary, so allow time during busy periods.
Another customer felt the Dubai Hills crepe had less pistachio sauce at the edge than the Palm Jumeirah version, suggesting that presentation is not always identical between branches. Pricing was also described as roughly double European levels, though one reviewer still considered the quality worthwhile.