Large portions
Generous servings can leave enough food for takeout, making the meals feel good value.
Il Forno, Dubai Hills Mall
Dubai Hills Estate
Il Forno is an Italian cafe in Dubai Hills Estate, serving generously portioned pizza, pasta and other Italian dishes. Reviews point to Ravioli Peperoncino, Chef Marco Pizza and a warm, attentive approach that works for family meals, casual dining and date-night visits.
Reputation Score
4.8
★★★★★
1,424 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Pizza crust
The seafood pizza was praised for its soft, thin crust and well-balanced toppings.
Family friendly
Reviews describe the team as kid friendly, with children enjoying dishes such as the vegetariana pizza and burger.
Warm setting
The interior is described as cozy and inviting, with music and soft lighting that suit relaxed meals.
Fresh food
Customers mention fresh ingredients, fresh salads and seafood dishes with generous portions.
Vegetarian choice
The menu includes several vegetarian pasta and pizza options, including fettuccine with truffle and mushroom.
Included bread
The meal can start with complimentary bread or breadsticks served with dips such as pesto and marinara.
Tips for a Better Visit
Check timing. Expect a possible short wait when busy; one visitor waited 10 minutes before being seated or served.
Confirm payment. If you plan to use Upoints, confirm that it works at checkout before committing to the meal.
State allergies. Tell the team about allergies when ordering; a review specifically praises how carefully allergy requests were handled.
Choose seafood. For seafood lovers, consider the seafood pizza, noted for its soft thin crust and generous toppings.
Specify doneness. If you want pasta al dente, repeat the preference clearly, as one spaghetti pomodoro order did not arrive that way.
Expect bustle. Choose another branch if quiet, intimate dining matters; this location sits directly beside the food court.
Plan the visit
Practical details
999 Umm Suqeim St
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
Ravioli Peperoncino
A returning customer highlights Ravioli Peperoncino as one of the branch’s favourite dishes.
Chef Marco Pizza
Chef Marco Pizza is mentioned alongside Ravioli Peperoncino as a dish the reviewer keeps coming back for.
Shrimp risotto
Shrimp risotto was described as delicious in a lunch that also included meat lasagna.
Linguine alle vongole
The linguine alle vongole came with a generous, flavourful seafood mix.
Panna cotta
Panna cotta was singled out as a standout dessert after a meal of pizza and bruschetta.
Common Concerns
Small seating
The Dubai Hills Mall branch can feel cramped, with one review calling it small and crowded beside the food court.
Food court noise
Its position near the food court means bustle and noise can detract from an intimate restaurant atmosphere.
Uneven service
One customer reported poor service and a server removing a bread basket while food and a drink were still on the table.
Payment issue
A customer was told Upoints would work, then found the payment machine could not accept it at checkout.
Pasta doneness
One spaghetti pomodoro order was tasty but arrived softer than the requested al dente texture.
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The Bottom Line
Il Forno at Dubai Hills Mall is a convenient Italian stop for pizza, pasta and hearty portions rather than a quick food-court bite. Reviewers repeatedly mention the Ravioli Peperoncino, Chef Marco Pizza, shrimp risotto and linguine alle vongole, while the generous servings often leave enough for takeout. Vegetarian diners also have plenty to choose from, including truffle-and-mushroom fettuccine and vegetarian pizza.
The setting is warm and cozy, with some reviewers liking the Italian music, soft lighting and indoor seating for dates or family meals. Complimentary bread or breadsticks with dips such as pesto and marinara are a welcome start, and some guests mention complimentary ice cream at the end. Staff are commonly described as attentive, friendly and good with children, though service was not flawless for everyone.
The main trade-off is the branch layout: it is small and directly in front of the food court, so busy periods can bring a wait and plenty of mall noise. If you need a quiet meal, another branch may suit you better. Also confirm Upoints acceptance before ordering, and state any allergy or pasta-doneness requests clearly.