Gelato favourites
Pistachio gelato, pistachio milk cake and other desserts are repeatedly praised, including a rich pistachio-strawberry combination.
Massimo gelato
Al Barsha
Massimo Gelato is an Italian gelato café in Al Barsha, at Mall of the Emirates, where you can stop for pistachio gelato, coffee or a full meal. Reviews especially point to the pizza, pasta and relaxed seating beside Ski Dubai.
Reputation Score
4.9
★★★★★
1,515 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Strong coffee
Coffee is a reliable choice, with one review praising its strength, aroma and flavour and another calling the aroma perfect.
Pizza quality
Pizza gets unusually specific praise: one customer highlighted its crispy base, cheese and tomato sauce, while others enjoyed the chicken pizza.
Italian dishes
The tomato pasta, Alfredo pasta, arrabbiata and al dente pasta all receive positive mentions across the reviews.
Warm service
Reviews consistently describe the service as kind, patient, attentive and welcoming, including help with questions and dish modifications.
Ski Dubai view
The seating area beside Ski Dubai is described as pleasant, well lit and comfortable for a relaxed break in the mall.
Breakfast option
Breakfast reviews mention fresh, flavourful food with attractive presentation, making the café more than just a dessert stop.
Tips for a Better Visit
Try cake. Add pistachio milk cake to a coffee order; one review enjoyed the combination with both a latte and an Americano.
Explore mocktails. Consider a gelato mocktail, especially the Passion Fruit Twist, which a reviewer singled out after a recommendation.
Check crepe. If you want a crepe, check its texture when it arrives; one customer found it tasty but unusually hard to cut.
Use the seating. For a coffee or dessert break, look for the seating beside Ski Dubai, described as a pleasant and relaxing spot.
Ask questions. If you are unsure about the dishes, ask the server about ingredients or modifications; a reviewer found the team patient and helpful.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Mall of The Emirates - Sheikh Zayed Rd
Al Barsha First - Al Barsha, Dubai
| Mon | 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Tue | 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Wed | 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Thu | 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Fri | 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Sat | 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Sun | 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
Popular Mentions
Passion Fruit Twist
A gelato mocktail recommended by the team and described as a must-try.
Bubble Gum Milkshake
One customer described this milkshake as creamy, flavourful and nostalgically satisfying.
Penne Alferedo
The penne was praised for being perfectly cooked and full of flavour.
Common Concerns
Waffle texture
One reviewer found the waffle cold, doughy and more like a frozen product than something freshly made.
Crepe inconsistency
A previously softer crepe was reported as tasty but hard to cut and not soft on a later visit.
Bland juice
One visit produced juice the reviewer found bland and lacking sweetness and flavour.
Cup smell
A customer noticed an unpleasant smell from the water cups during one visit.
Pizza mismatch
The Burrata pizza did not meet one reviewer's expectations for an authentic Italian flavour.
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The Bottom Line
Massimo Gelato is a dessert-led Italian café in Al Barsha’s Mall of the Emirates, but the menu goes well beyond gelato. You can come for pistachio gelato or a gelato mocktail, then stay for pizza, pasta, breakfast or coffee. The pistachio milk cake, tomato pasta and Alfredo pasta are among the more clearly praised orders.
Dessert is the safest reason to stop in. Reviews call out the pistachio-strawberry gelato, bubble gum milkshake, saffron milk cake and classic milk cake. Coffee also performs well: one customer specifically praised its strength, aroma and flavour.
The seating beside Ski Dubai adds a pleasant setting for a break between mall errands. Service is a consistent strength, with customers describing the team as patient, attentive and welcoming. That matters here because staff have helped with dish questions, recommendations and even small celebration details.
The café also suits a proper meal, with positive mentions for crispy pizza and al dente pasta. There are a few quality inconsistencies. One reviewer found the waffle cold, doughy and frozen-tasting; another received a firm crepe, bland juice and water cups with an odd smell.
The Burrata pizza also disappointed one diner who expected a more authentic Italian flavour, so dessert and coffee may be the more dependable first order.