Fresh Pasta
Fresh pasta is a consistent highlight, with reviewers praising the gnocchi, ravioli and al dente cooking.
ll Pastaio Trattoria
Al Barsha
ll Pastaio Trattoria is an Italian restaurant in Al Barsha, tucked into a quieter corner of the Mall of the Emirates. Reviews point to fresh pasta, strong coffee and standout desserts, including tiramisu and cheesecake, with a polished but relaxed mall setting.
Reputation Score
4.6
★★★★★
331 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Truffle Show
The tagliolini or spaghetti with truffle can be finished at the table in a large Parmesan wheel.
Desserts
Desserts are a major draw: tiramisu, cheesecake, cannoli and honey cake all receive specific praise.
Quiet Corner
Although it is inside the mall, the tucked-away position feels peaceful, including when sitting outside.
Coffee
The cappuccino and espresso are repeatedly praised, making this a useful stop for coffee as well as a meal.
Attentive Service
Many reviews describe the team as friendly and attentive, with staff helping guests understand the menu and checking on tables.
Vegetarian Choice
One reviewer specifically noted plenty of vegetarian options, while the gnocchi and cacio e pepe were praised dishes.
What to Eat at ll Pastaio Trattoria 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 ll Pastaio Trattoria, 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 ll Pastaio Trattoria, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 4
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Cannoli filled with ricotta Net +2
“We tried the cannoli filled with ricotta and it was really good. The filling was delicious and the pastry was crunchy.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried the cannoli filled with ricotta and it was really good. The filling was delicious and the pastry was crunchy.”October 2023
“They have speciality coffee and typical Italian dessert .. loved the cannoli 🤩”November 2022
-
Gnocchi Net +2
“For example, the gnocchi (which is delicious) is not marked as vegetarian, even though it is.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For example, the gnocchi (which is delicious) is not marked as vegetarian, even though it is.”November 2022
“The buratta is divine and the gnocchi is the best one I’ve had by far.”November 2022
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Honey cake Net +2
“Their honey cake as well was so tasty and very fresh.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their honey cake as well was so tasty and very fresh.”October 2023
“The honey cake we got tasted very good but the white Mocha tasted so bad it was unbearable.”March 2022
-
Tiramisu Net +2
“Tiramisu they offer is amazing.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Tiramisu they offer is amazing.”June 2022
“So i gave it a try and tried the tiramisu and omg it was the best tiramisu i tried in my entire life! It’s something else!”November 2023
Honorable mentions (19)
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Açaí bowls Net +1
“Good food, we got the brioche and açaí bowls. the bowls were very filling and flavorful, something i’d definitely recommend however the food did take a little longer than usual to arrive especially since we went early in the morning when the restaurant was basically empty. overall would recommend 😋”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Good food, we got the brioche and açaí bowls. the bowls were very filling and flavorful, something i’d definitely recommend however the food did take a little longer than usual to arrive especially since we went early in the morning when the restaurant was basically empty. overall would recommend 😋”January 2024
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Arabiata Net +1
“Had a quick lunch with my husband and the food was so good. We had Arabiata and Ravioli, cooked to perfection.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Had a quick lunch with my husband and the food was so good. We had Arabiata and Ravioli, cooked to perfection.”November 2023
-
Basra Net +1
“The Basra was one of the best I have ever had Coffee was amazing”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Basra was one of the best I have ever had Coffee was amazing”December 2023
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Beef carpaccio Net +1
“Beef carpaccio as well as spaghetti with truffles made in the cheese wheel stole the show!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Beef carpaccio as well as spaghetti with truffles made in the cheese wheel stole the show!”December 2023
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Buratta Net +1
“The buratta is divine and the gnocchi is the best one I’ve had by far.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The buratta is divine and the gnocchi is the best one I’ve had by far.”November 2022
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Cacio e pepe Net +1
“I love this place. One of my favorite Italian places in Dubai. The Cacio e pepe is simply to die for.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I love this place. One of my favorite Italian places in Dubai. The Cacio e pepe is simply to die for.”October 2022
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Caesar salad Net +1
“My kids loved the complimentary bread , we tried pastas like the mashrum penne, Ravioli , arancini and the caesar salad is really delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My kids loved the complimentary bread , we tried pastas like the mashrum penne, Ravioli , arancini and the caesar salad is really delicious.”April 2022
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Cheesecake Net +1
“Best cheesecake I’ve ever had, very chilled and relaxing place, would definitely recommend for a stop by.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Best cheesecake I’ve ever had, very chilled and relaxing place, would definitely recommend for a stop by.”August 2023
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Chicken milanese Net +1
“The chicken Milanese was good while their soup was awesome.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The chicken Milanese was good while their soup was awesome.”December 2021
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Continental breakfast Net +1
“I tried the continental breakfast it was good but the bread was very salty than normal…. Overall it’s good experience”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I tried the continental breakfast it was good but the bread was very salty than normal…. Overall it’s good experience”June 2022
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Lunch special Net +1
“We ordered the lunch special and choose Panzanella salad, Margharita pizza and Tiramisu. Enjoyed it and will come back.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the lunch special and choose Panzanella salad, Margharita pizza and Tiramisu. Enjoyed it and will come back.”November 2023
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Melograno Net +1
“The description of melograno (which is also delicious) mentions lime twice, and one would obviously be enough.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The description of melograno (which is also delicious) mentions lime twice, and one would obviously be enough.”November 2022
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Pistachio croissant Net +1
“Every time I am back because of “pistachio croissant 🥐 “ which tastes amazing. It is always fresh, soft and pistachio cream is tasty.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Every time I am back because of “pistachio croissant 🥐 “ which tastes amazing. It is always fresh, soft and pistachio cream is tasty.”August 2022
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Ravioli Net +1
“Had a quick lunch with my husband and the food was so good. We had Arabiata and Ravioli, cooked to perfection.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Had a quick lunch with my husband and the food was so good. We had Arabiata and Ravioli, cooked to perfection.”November 2023
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Seafood pasta Net +1
“The bolognese and the risotto was alright and the seafood pasta was slightly better.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The bolognese and the risotto was alright and the seafood pasta was slightly better.”December 2023
-
Spaghetti with truffles made in the cheese wheel Net +1
“Beef carpaccio as well as spaghetti with truffles made in the cheese wheel stole the show!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Beef carpaccio as well as spaghetti with truffles made in the cheese wheel stole the show!”December 2023
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Tagliolini with truffle Net +1
“Amazing experience!! I took the tagliolini with truffle and they finished to prepare them in front of my table in the big parmigiano wheel!! What a show! It was incredible, like I used to eat in Italy as portion and taste.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Amazing experience!! I took the tagliolini with truffle and they finished to prepare them in front of my table in the big parmigiano wheel!! What a show! It was incredible, like I used to eat in Italy as portion and taste.”July 2022
-
Bolognese Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“The bolognese and the risotto was alright and the seafood pasta was slightly better.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
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Risotto Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“The bolognese and the risotto was alright and the seafood pasta was slightly better.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
Drinks 3
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Cappuccino Net +1
“Oh, and their cappuccino is on spot, with the right foam level 👌”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Oh, and their cappuccino is on spot, with the right foam level 👌”November 2023
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Espresso Net +1
“The coffee too is so good, the authentic italian taste of espresso.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The coffee too is so good, the authentic italian taste of espresso.”November 2023
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Pine timo spritz Net +1
“Crown of that all are Signature Mocktails, you have to try Pine Timo Spritz!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Crown of that all are Signature Mocktails, you have to try Pine Timo Spritz!”May 2022
What to Avoid (2)
Food 1
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Calamari Net −1
“Their manager dealt professional with us when we had a problem with their calamari “it was super chewy and hard to eat” so they did another one which was much better than the first one served.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Their manager dealt professional with us when we had a problem with their calamari “it was super chewy and hard to eat” so they did another one which was much better than the first one served.”December 2021
Drinks 1
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White mocha Net −1
“The honey cake we got tasted very good but the white Mocha tasted so bad it was unbearable. It had a layer of oily substance on top that tasted horrible(white chocolate syrup?, picture below)”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The honey cake we got tasted very good but the white Mocha tasted so bad it was unbearable. It had a layer of oily substance on top that tasted horrible(white chocolate syrup?, picture below)”March 2022
Tips for a Better Visit
Try Truffle. For a more distinctive order, ask about the truffle pasta finished in the Parmesan wheel at the table.
Save Room. Leave space for dessert: tiramisu, cheesecake, cannoli and honey cake are among the most specifically praised items.
Allow Time. If visiting for breakfast, allow extra time for the kitchen; one early-morning visit still took longer than expected.
Seek Quiet. For a calmer mall meal, look for the tucked-away seating area, which reviewers found quiet even outdoors.
Check Menu. Double-check dietary labels with your server because one review found vegetarian and non-vegetarian menu markings mixed up.
Try Lunch. The lunch special is a useful way to sample a salad, pizza and dessert in one visit.
Plan the visit
Practical details
first floor - Mall of the Emirates - Sheikh Zayed Rd
Al Barsha - Al Barsha 1, Dubai
Common Concerns
Pricey Meals
Some diners found the restaurant expensive, with one saying portions were small for the price.
Uneven Desserts
Dessert feedback is mixed: some call it exceptional, while another reviewer found two desserts disappointing.
Slow Breakfast
Breakfast service took longer than expected even when the restaurant was nearly empty.
Menu Errors
A review flags incorrect menu labels, including vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.
Service Mishap
One diner reported a hair in a dish and an incorrect full-bill payment during a split-bill request.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
ll Pastaio Trattoria is a Mall of the Emirates Italian restaurant in Al Barsha, suited to a proper meal, a coffee stop or breakfast while shopping. The reviews repeatedly point to fresh pasta, including ravioli, gnocchi and cacio e pepe, while the truffle pasta finished inside a large Parmesan wheel adds a memorable tableside touch. The lunch special has also included Panzanella salad, Margherita pizza and tiramisu.
Desserts deserve particular attention. Tiramisu is described as exceptional, and cheesecake, cannoli with ricotta and honey cake each have enthusiastic mentions. Coffee is another strength, with reviewers praising the espresso and cappuccino foam.
Feedback is not completely uniform, though: some diners found desserts disappointing, so expectations may depend on the item. The restaurant sits in a quieter, tucked-away part of the mall, and several guests found it surprisingly peaceful even when seated outside. Service is usually described as friendly, professional and attentive.
On the practical side, breakfast can take longer than expected, even during a quiet early visit. Prices are not viewed as cheap by every diner, and one review flagged errors in dietary labels on the printed menu, so it is worth confirming ingredients with your server.