Fountain Views
The terrace gives diners a clear fountain view, adding a memorable setting to dinner or coffee.
GIA
Downtown Dubai
GIA is an Italian restaurant in Downtown Dubai, known for homemade-style Italian staples and a terrace overlooking the fountains. Reviews highlight dishes such as burrata pizza and truffle pasta, alongside coffee, desserts and attentive table service.
Reputation Score
4.8
★★★★★
9,922 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Italian Favourites
Reviews call out the burrata pizza, seafood pasta, ossobuco, cacio e pepe and truffle pasta.
Strong Service
Several diners describe the service as attentive and professional, including fast food delivery and thoughtful help during meals.
Desserts
Tiramisu, cannoli and other desserts receive praise; one birthday group singled out the cannoli as a must-try.
Relaxed Afternoons
A weekday afternoon visit was described as quiet and suitable for unwinding after shopping.
Menu Guidance
Staff have helped first-time diners understand the menu and make recommendations.
What to Eat at GIA 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 GIA, 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 GIA got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 3
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Burrata pizza Net +2
“We really enjoyed our meal at the restaurant, highly recommend the burrata pizza and truffle fries.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We really enjoyed our meal at the restaurant, highly recommend the burrata pizza and truffle fries.”February 2026
“It was a memorable dining experience and the food was truly amazing . We had ceasar salad,pollo kale salad, lasagna , burratta pizza and salami pizza. (Would recommend pollo kale salad over the ceasar.)”April 2026
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Tiramisu Net +2
“We had a lovely time at GIA! The coffee was excellent, and the tiramisu was absolutely delicious, rich, creamy, and the perfect way to end our visit.”
Positive 2Negative 0Neutral 1
Review excerpts
“We had a lovely time at GIA! The coffee was excellent, and the tiramisu was absolutely delicious, rich, creamy, and the perfect way to end our visit.”July 2026
“Fondue, Tiramisu, and Canoli. All 3 were AMAZINGGGG!!!! Must try the Canoli.”October 2025
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Truffle pizza Net +2
“The truffle pizza was mouthwatering, rich, and perfectly balanced.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The truffle pizza was mouthwatering, rich, and perfectly balanced.”July 2025
“The food was outstanding: the lasagna was rich, comforting, and perfectly balanced, while the truffle pizza was simply incredible, generous, and full of flavor.”November 2025
Honorable mentions (15)
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Lasagna Net +1
“The food was outstanding: the lasagna was rich, comforting, and perfectly balanced, while the truffle pizza was simply incredible, generous, and full of flavor.”
Positive 2Negative 1
Review excerpts
“The food was outstanding: the lasagna was rich, comforting, and perfectly balanced, while the truffle pizza was simply incredible, generous, and full of flavor.”November 2025
“It was a memorable dining experience and the food was truly amazing . We had ceasar salad,pollo kale salad, lasagna , burratta pizza and salami pizza. (Would recommend pollo kale salad over the ceasar.)”April 2026
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Beef lasgana Net +1
“Beef Lasgana sharing portion, which was absolutely delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Beef Lasgana sharing portion, which was absolutely delicious.”October 2025
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Burrata salad Net +1
“Burrata salad really nice with extra fresh selection of fresh tomatoes.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Burrata salad really nice with extra fresh selection of fresh tomatoes.”January 2026
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Cacio e pepe Net +1
“Had a great meal at GIA in Dubai Mall. I wish I had a view of the Dubai fountain show, but the cacio e pepe was excellent and the tiramisu was just okay. Overall, a really nice dining experience”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Had a great meal at GIA in Dubai Mall. I wish I had a view of the Dubai fountain show, but the cacio e pepe was excellent and the tiramisu was just okay. Overall, a really nice dining experience”December 2025
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Carpaccio Net +1
“The carpaccio was sliced thin, incredibly tender, and full of flavor.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The carpaccio was sliced thin, incredibly tender, and full of flavor.”July 2025
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Ceasar salad Net +1
“It was a memorable dining experience and the food was truly amazing . We had ceasar salad,pollo kale salad, lasagna , burratta pizza and salami pizza. (Would recommend pollo kale salad over the ceasar.)”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It was a memorable dining experience and the food was truly amazing . We had ceasar salad,pollo kale salad, lasagna , burratta pizza and salami pizza. (Would recommend pollo kale salad over the ceasar.)”April 2026
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Custom pink sauce pasta Net +1
“Then a custom pink sauce pasta with broccolini, carrot, and mushrooms. Spicy, and alright.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Then a custom pink sauce pasta with broccolini, carrot, and mushrooms. Spicy, and alright.”October 2025
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Ossobuco Net +1
“The food was excellent and full of flavor, especially the ossobuco – absolutely delicious 👌”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was excellent and full of flavor, especially the ossobuco – absolutely delicious 👌”February 2026
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Pollo kale salad Net +1
“It was a memorable dining experience and the food was truly amazing . We had ceasar salad,pollo kale salad, lasagna , burratta pizza and salami pizza. (Would recommend pollo kale salad over the ceasar.)”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It was a memorable dining experience and the food was truly amazing . We had ceasar salad,pollo kale salad, lasagna , burratta pizza and salami pizza. (Would recommend pollo kale salad over the ceasar.)”April 2026
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Risotto Net +1
“I also loved the risotto which was creamy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I also loved the risotto which was creamy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection.”July 2025
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Salami pizza Net +1
“It was a memorable dining experience and the food was truly amazing . We had ceasar salad,pollo kale salad, lasagna , burratta pizza and salami pizza. (Would recommend pollo kale salad over the ceasar.)”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It was a memorable dining experience and the food was truly amazing . We had ceasar salad,pollo kale salad, lasagna , burratta pizza and salami pizza. (Would recommend pollo kale salad over the ceasar.)”April 2026
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Seafood pasta Net +1
“The seafood pasta was incredible - one of the best I’ve ever had.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The seafood pasta was incredible - one of the best I’ve ever had.”February 2026
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Steak cooked medium Net +1
“We ordered the steak cooked medium and it was done perfectly — tender, juicy, and well-seasoned.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the steak cooked medium and it was done perfectly — tender, juicy, and well-seasoned.”April 2026
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Sweet cake Net +1
“Nice sweet cake 🍰”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Nice sweet cake 🍰”June 2026
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Truffle fries Net +1
“We really enjoyed our meal at the restaurant, highly recommend the burrata pizza and truffle fries.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We really enjoyed our meal at the restaurant, highly recommend the burrata pizza and truffle fries.”February 2026
Drinks 3
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Malena drink Net +1
“The restaurant interior is amazing, food was delightful everything is perfect. With the malena drink tastes very rich. Thanks to Ijas who made this experience much better.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The restaurant interior is amazing, food was delightful everything is perfect. With the malena drink tastes very rich. Thanks to Ijas who made this experience much better.”April 2026
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Margarita pizza Net +1
“Margarita pizza was good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Margarita pizza was good.”October 2025
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Strawberry mojito Net +1
“Strawberry mojito was fantastic.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Strawberry mojito was fantastic.”January 2026
What to Avoid (1)
Food 1
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Grilled octopus Net −1
“However, my grilled octopus had a rather odd taste.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“However, my grilled octopus had a rather odd taste.”December 2024
Tips for a Better Visit
Request Terrace. Ask for an outdoor or fountain-facing table if the view matters; one guest booked specifically for it and was not disappointed.
Try Off-Peak. A weekday afternoon was quiet and worked well for unwinding after shopping, rather than visiting during a busier period.
Order Carefully. Consider the burrata pizza and truffle fries, which a diner specifically recommended after watching the fountain view.
Check Access. If wheelchair access is important, confirm your table location beforehand because the Fountain-view side may not be accessible.
Clarify Courses. If you want to pace the meal, confirm that starters and mains will arrive gradually; one table received everything at once.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Unit GF - 320 New Fashion Avenue - Dubai Mall - Financial Ctr St
Burj Khalifa - Downtown Dubai, 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 – 1:00 AM |
| Sun | 10:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
Common Concerns
High Prices
One diner found GIA pricey, while another said the pastas felt too expensive for the portions.
Inconsistent Cooking
A reviewer found the pizza centre burnt, and another said their steak was slightly burnt.
Reservation Confusion
One family was first offered outdoor seating despite seeing empty indoor tables, then moved inside shortly afterward.
Rushed Clearing
A diner felt staff were too quick to clear plates, even while food remained.
Limited Access
The Fountain-view side was reported to lack wheelchair access, though the mall-side seating was accessible to that reviewer.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
GIA is an Italian restaurant in Downtown Dubai that combines a polished dining room with a terrace facing the Dubai Fountain. It is worth considering when the setting matters as much as the meal, especially for a date or an evening after shopping. The fountain view is the clear draw, but reviews also point to attentive service and a menu with more than just pizza.
Specific dishes repeatedly make the shortlist: burrata pizza, truffle pasta, seafood pasta, ossobuco and cacio e pepe. The burrata pizza and truffle fries were recommended together, while one diner called the seafood pasta one of the best they had eaten. Desserts are another strong finish, with cannoli receiving a particularly enthusiastic mention; coffee and tiramisu also appear in the reviews.
There are a few reasons to manage expectations. Prices can feel high for the location, and one guest found the pasta expensive. Cooking is not completely consistent: reviews mention a burnt pizza centre, a slightly burnt steak and a disappointing lasagna, while another diner loved that same lasagna.
Ask for a fountain-facing table, consider a quieter weekday afternoon, and confirm course timing and wheelchair access before settling in.