Neapolitan Pizza
The pizza napoletana is repeatedly praised for its light dough, fresh sauce and Napoli-style crust.
Pulcinella Restaurant
Dubai Sports City
Pulcinella is a family-run Italian restaurant in Dubai Sports City with a Naples-inspired menu and a cosy indoor-outdoor setting. Reviews most consistently point visitors towards the pizza napoletana, while the canal-side location and nearby play area add a relaxed family-dining option.
Reputation Score
4.2
★★★★☆
1,268 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Fresh Bread
Several diners mention the complimentary bread, including one review calling it homemade and ideal for dipping in olive oil and balsamic.
Cassata Cake
The pistachio cassata is a standout dessert for some diners, with one reviewer describing its taste as rich and saying the cakes are baked in-house.
Family Setting
The play area beside the restaurant lets children play while parents wait for food, making the outdoor seating useful for families.
Outdoor Seating
The canal-facing outdoor area is described as warm and relaxed, with parking available according to one nearby resident.
Italian Desserts
Dessert feedback is mixed overall, but individual reviews specifically praise the tiramisu, cannoli and cassata.
What to Eat at Pulcinella Restaurant 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 Pulcinella Restaurant, 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 Pulcinella Restaurant got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 4
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Napoletana pizzas Net +3
“The pizzas were nice and light, especially liked the Sorrento zucchini and Napoletana pizzas.”
Positive 4Negative 1
Review excerpts
“The pizzas were nice and light, especially liked the Sorrento zucchini and Napoletana pizzas.”December 2024
“Loved their pizza napoletana! One of the best authentic Italian restaurant in Dubai.”April 2023
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Tiramisu Net +3
“We also tried the Tiramisu, which was hands down one of the best we’ve had in Dubai—light, creamy, and full of authentic flavors.”
Positive 4Negative 1
Review excerpts
“We also tried the Tiramisu, which was hands down one of the best we’ve had in Dubai—light, creamy, and full of authentic flavors.”March 2025
“We visited Pulcinella last week. We had ordered Napoletana pizza and gnoçchi aala sorrentina and tiramisu. Tiramisu is to die for.”December 2024
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Bruschetta Net +2
“The bruschetta was fresh and delicious, and the starters with zucchini and aubergine were just as good.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The bruschetta was fresh and delicious, and the starters with zucchini and aubergine were just as good.”April 2026
“The bruschetta was fresh and enjoyable, and the bread was baked well.”July 2024
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Cassata cake Net +2
“The Cassata cake as shown in the photo. The owner bakes the cakes in house! So all cakes are fresh and delicious. Cassata was pistachio and had an amazing rich taste.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Cassata cake as shown in the photo. The owner bakes the cakes in house! So all cakes are fresh and delicious. Cassata was pistachio and had an amazing rich taste.”April 2023
“I ordered through Talabat, This is really authentic Italian pizza, it tasted so delicious. I also ordered Pulcinella Cassata cake (pistachio) very delicious. And favorite pizza Diavola, spicy but its so good. I find it one of the best pizza in Dubai”August 2023
Honorable mentions (30)
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Canoli Net +1
“Pasta portions were great. Cannoli’s delicious.”
Positive 2Negative 1
Review excerpts
“Pasta portions were great. Cannoli’s delicious.”May 2025
“Cannoli was fresh and crunchy.”April 2023
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Gelato Net +1
“The bread, the pizza, the pasta, and the gelato are faultless.”
Positive 2Negative 1
Review excerpts
“The bread, the pizza, the pasta, and the gelato are faultless.”February 2024
“Also Recommend the avogato, was delicious and the Gelato used was super yummy.”August 2024
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Lasagna Net +1
“The lasagna was tasty but the portion size was quite small for the price.”
Positive 2Negative 1
Review excerpts
“The lasagna was tasty but the portion size was quite small for the price.”July 2024
“We had the Cacio cavallo pizza and the lasagne which had the perfect home made taste.”April 2023
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Amalfi pizza Net +1
“I will say that the Amalfi pizza is ok (just because I love truffle) but the salcicce friarelli was just bland.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I will say that the Amalfi pizza is ok (just because I love truffle) but the salcicce friarelli was just bland.”May 2022
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Avogato Net +1
“Also Recommend the avogato, was delicious and the Gelato used was super yummy.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Also Recommend the avogato, was delicious and the Gelato used was super yummy.”August 2024
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Bedda mia Net +1
“Been here like 5 times already whenever I crave a gd pizza, esp bedda mia.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Been here like 5 times already whenever I crave a gd pizza, esp bedda mia.”December 2024
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Big appetiser Net +1
“We order big appetiser to share. We needed to wait a little for that dish ( around 20min ) but it’s ok, I can understand, it was huge and really good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We order big appetiser to share. We needed to wait a little for that dish ( around 20min ) but it’s ok, I can understand, it was huge and really good.”August 2022
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Cacio cavallo pizza Net +1
“We had the Cacio cavallo pizza and the lasagne which had the perfect home made taste.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had the Cacio cavallo pizza and the lasagne which had the perfect home made taste.”April 2023
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Calamari Net +1
“We went with one of their signature pizzas, calamari, and desserts- the cassata. The starter was quite nice with a generous portion.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We went with one of their signature pizzas, calamari, and desserts- the cassata. The starter was quite nice with a generous portion.”July 2025
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Calzone Net +1
“We ordered the calzone as a it looked delicious and was fantastically delicious too.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the calzone as a it looked delicious and was fantastically delicious too.”April 2023
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Calzone fritto Net +1
“The food was delicious and very authentic Italian. We ordered their Parmigiana, Tagliatelle Porcini and Calzone Fritto. It was a place recommended by another Italian and I would recommend onwards to fellow foodies.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was delicious and very authentic Italian. We ordered their Parmigiana, Tagliatelle Porcini and Calzone Fritto. It was a place recommended by another Italian and I would recommend onwards to fellow foodies.”October 2021
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Cheese ravioli Net +1
“Recommend the following dishes that are extremely delicious: pasta with pistachio sauce, cheese ravioli and the grilled shrimps.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Recommend the following dishes that are extremely delicious: pasta with pistachio sauce, cheese ravioli and the grilled shrimps.”August 2024
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Creamy pumpkin soup Net +1
“For starters, I indulged in the creamy pumpkin soup, a velvety concoction that was both rich in texture and bursting with flavor. It set the perfect tone for the culinary journey that awaited.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For starters, I indulged in the creamy pumpkin soup, a velvety concoction that was both rich in texture and bursting with flavor. It set the perfect tone for the culinary journey that awaited.”February 2024
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Deliziosa pizza with the shrimps and salmon Net +1
“Deliziosa pizza with the shrimps and salmon tasted alright but definitely needed some additional pepper and touch of olive oil as well.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Deliziosa pizza with the shrimps and salmon tasted alright but definitely needed some additional pepper and touch of olive oil as well.”March 2023
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Fried calamari starter Net +1
“The fried calamari starter was good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The fried calamari starter was good.”May 2022
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Grilled salmon Net +1
“Moving on to the main course, I opted for the grilled salmon. While the taste was undeniably exquisite, I found it to be slightly dry, which was a minor disappointment amidst an otherwise stellar meal.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Moving on to the main course, I opted for the grilled salmon. While the taste was undeniably exquisite, I found it to be slightly dry, which was a minor disappointment amidst an otherwise stellar meal.”February 2024
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Grilled shrimps Net +1
“Recommend the following dishes that are extremely delicious: pasta with pistachio sauce, cheese ravioli and the grilled shrimps.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Recommend the following dishes that are extremely delicious: pasta with pistachio sauce, cheese ravioli and the grilled shrimps.”August 2024
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Margherita Net +1
“Margherita is good but the passata could be a bit less acidic.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Margherita is good but the passata could be a bit less acidic.”December 2024
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Minestrone soup Net +1
“We had minestrone soup which was very nice and generous portion.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had minestrone soup which was very nice and generous portion.”March 2024
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Pasta with pistachio sauce Net +1
“Recommend the following dishes that are extremely delicious: pasta with pistachio sauce, cheese ravioli and the grilled shrimps.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Recommend the following dishes that are extremely delicious: pasta with pistachio sauce, cheese ravioli and the grilled shrimps.”August 2024
-
Pizza diavola Net +1
“I ordered through Talabat, This is really authentic Italian pizza, it tasted so delicious. I also ordered Pulcinella Cassata cake (pistachio) very delicious. And favorite pizza Diavola, spicy but its so good. I find it one of the best pizza in Dubai”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I ordered through Talabat, This is really authentic Italian pizza, it tasted so delicious. I also ordered Pulcinella Cassata cake (pistachio) very delicious. And favorite pizza Diavola, spicy but its so good. I find it one of the best pizza in Dubai”August 2023
-
Pollo grigliato Net +1
“When I came I immediately sat on a table and opened the menu and the selections of food were amazing Spaghetti Allo Scoglio and my dad ordered a Pollo Grigliato and it was amazing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“When I came I immediately sat on a table and opened the menu and the selections of food were amazing Spaghetti Allo Scoglio and my dad ordered a Pollo Grigliato and it was amazing.”March 2025
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Ravioli al salmone Net +1
“The ravioli al salmone tasted really good and savory with each bite. Cream white sauce was perfect as well with some added cheese to further enhance the great taste.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The ravioli al salmone tasted really good and savory with each bite. Cream white sauce was perfect as well with some added cheese to further enhance the great taste.”March 2023
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Seafood pasta Net +1
“The seafood pasta was sooo good, the food is very fresh and delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The seafood pasta was sooo good, the food is very fresh and delicious.”April 2023
-
Sorrento zucchini pizzas Net +1
“The pizzas were nice and light, especially liked the Sorrento zucchini and Napoletana pizzas.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The pizzas were nice and light, especially liked the Sorrento zucchini and Napoletana pizzas.”December 2024
-
Spaghetti allo scoglio Net +1
“When I came I immediately sat on a table and opened the menu and the selections of food were amazing Spaghetti Allo Scoglio and my dad ordered a Pollo Grigliato and it was amazing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“When I came I immediately sat on a table and opened the menu and the selections of food were amazing Spaghetti Allo Scoglio and my dad ordered a Pollo Grigliato and it was amazing.”March 2025
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Tagliatelle porcini Net +1
“The food was delicious and very authentic Italian. We ordered their Parmigiana, Tagliatelle Porcini and Calzone Fritto. It was a place recommended by another Italian and I would recommend onwards to fellow foodies.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was delicious and very authentic Italian. We ordered their Parmigiana, Tagliatelle Porcini and Calzone Fritto. It was a place recommended by another Italian and I would recommend onwards to fellow foodies.”October 2021
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Thick crust pizza Net +1
“Best Italian in Dubai by far, everything is just authentic. Take the thick crust pizza always for an authentic napolitan pizza. By far the best pizza I have had in Dubai. Just can't rave enough about this place.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Best Italian in Dubai by far, everything is just authentic. Take the thick crust pizza always for an authentic napolitan pizza. By far the best pizza I have had in Dubai. Just can't rave enough about this place.”January 2026
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Veg pizza Net +1
“The food was absolutely delicious — especially the veg pizza and the Eggplant Parmesan, both full of flavor and perfectly prepared.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was absolutely delicious — especially the veg pizza and the Eggplant Parmesan, both full of flavor and perfectly prepared.”June 2026
-
Veggies soup Net +1
“Veggies soup was a thing I enjoyed above all.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Veggies soup was a thing I enjoyed above all.”July 2024
Drinks 1
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Strawberry lemonade Net +1
“In terms of drinks had the strawberry lemonade, was very refreshing and fresh.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“In terms of drinks had the strawberry lemonade, was very refreshing and fresh.”August 2024
What to Avoid (11)
Food 9
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Ceaser salad Net −1
“I spent nearly 140 for a bitter and below average ceaser salad and an overcooked, underseasoned pasta.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I spent nearly 140 for a bitter and below average ceaser salad and an overcooked, underseasoned pasta.”March 2026
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Fried eggplant Net −1
“FOOD, As starters we had Zuchini alla scapece, the fried eggplant which we assumed would be hot, was more like cold salad on bread.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“FOOD, As starters we had Zuchini alla scapece, the fried eggplant which we assumed would be hot, was more like cold salad on bread.”May 2022
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Grilled calamari with salad Net −1
“The grilled calamari with salad featured a slightly chewy whole squid, and the salad had minimal dressing.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The grilled calamari with salad featured a slightly chewy whole squid, and the salad had minimal dressing.”March 2025
-
Pistachio pizza Net −1
“The sourdough Neapolitan pizza base was very nice, though I made a unique choice by trying the pistachio pizza, which I found bland.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The sourdough Neapolitan pizza base was very nice, though I made a unique choice by trying the pistachio pizza, which I found bland.”March 2025
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Risotto funghi Net −1
“The risotto funghi wasn’t overly rich with parmesan or cream, but it needs to be eaten hot as it dries up quickly.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The risotto funghi wasn’t overly rich with parmesan or cream, but it needs to be eaten hot as it dries up quickly.”March 2025
-
Salcicce friarelli Net −1
“I will say that the Amalfi pizza is ok (just because I love truffle) but the salcicce friarelli was just bland.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I will say that the Amalfi pizza is ok (just because I love truffle) but the salcicce friarelli was just bland.”May 2022
-
Signature pizzas Net −1
“We went with one of their signature pizzas, calamari, and desserts- the cassata. The starter was quite nice with a generous portion. The pizza was underwhelming for me. It had fllavour, but I would have liked to have seen a better ratio of meat on it.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We went with one of their signature pizzas, calamari, and desserts- the cassata. The starter was quite nice with a generous portion. The pizza was underwhelming for me. It had fllavour, but I would have liked to have seen a better ratio of meat on it.”July 2025
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Tagliatelle ai porcini e salsiccia Net −1
“After that we had lasagna and tagliatelle ai porcini e salsiccia. And we were so disappointed… lasagna was tasteless, and in tagliatelle you can fell only cream ….I found mby 3/4 small pieces of mushrooms and sausage was really dry.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“After that we had lasagna and tagliatelle ai porcini e salsiccia. And we were so disappointed… lasagna was tasteless, and in tagliatelle you can fell only cream ….I found mby 3/4 small pieces of mushrooms and sausage was really dry.”August 2022
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Thin roman-style salmon and shrimp pizza Net −1
“I also tried a thin Roman-style salmon and shrimp pizza without a tomato base, but it lacked flavor, a slight taste from the salmon which I didn't like.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I also tried a thin Roman-style salmon and shrimp pizza without a tomato base, but it lacked flavor, a slight taste from the salmon which I didn't like.”March 2025
Drinks 2
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Chino sanpellecrino drink Net −1
“Chino Sanpellecrino drink was not tasty. I don't recommend trying it unless you like it.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Chino Sanpellecrino drink was not tasty. I don't recommend trying it unless you like it.”January 2025
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Margarita pizza Net −1
“The Margarita pizza didn’t have the basic basil leaves and they said they dont have it.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The Margarita pizza didn’t have the basic basil leaves and they said they dont have it.”December 2024
Tips for a Better Visit
Book Weekends. Reserve ahead on weekends; one review specifically says a reservation is needed, especially then.
Find Parking. For parking, one reviewer recommends the street behind Canal Residence, then walking around the building to find the alleyway.
Locate Entrance. The canal-facing entrance can be easy to miss: walk around Al Maya and head to the back side of the building.
Choose Crust. Ask for thin crust if you prefer it; a review confirms that option is available alongside the thicker Neapolitan style.
Allow Time. Build in extra time for the meal, as separate reviews report very slow service even when only a few tables were occupied.
Order Carefully. If trying pizza for the first time, consider a tomato-based classic; one diner found the pistachio and salmon pizzas bland.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Canal Residence, European Building, Shop 1-E
Al Hebiah Fourth - Dubai Sports City, Dubai
| Mon | 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Tue | 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Wed | 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Thu | 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Fri | 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sat | 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Sun | 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Slow Service
Multiple diners report long waits, including more than 40 minutes for two pizzas even when the restaurant was not fully occupied.
Inconsistent Food
Food quality varies by dish and visit: reviews mention bland pizza, overcooked pasta, dry salmon and underwhelming specialty pizzas.
High Prices
Some diners felt portions and execution did not justify the prices, including a small lasagna portion and an AED 80 dish criticised for taste.
Service Issues
Reviews describe inattentive or unprofessional service, including incorrect water service, a missing response from the chef and unfriendly interactions.
Outdoor Noise
The adjacent playground is useful for families but can make outdoor meals loud, and one indoor diner reported mosquitoes.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
169 AED
1 pasta, 1 pizza and water for two people
“Total bill: 169 AED for two people including 1 pasta, 1 pizza and water”Google review · May 2025
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Pulcinella is a family-run Italian restaurant in Dubai Sports City, known chiefly for pizza napoletana and a cosy indoor-outdoor setting. The strongest reviews focus on the light, fluffy dough, fresh sauce and crisp Napoli-style crust. The menu also gives you more than pizza: diners mention eggplant parmigiana, seafood pasta, risotto and homemade-style desserts, especially the pistachio cassata and tiramisu.
The canal-side outdoor seating has a relaxed feel, while the adjacent play area is a practical advantage for families with young children. It can also be noisy there, and one indoor diner reported mosquitoes. Parking is available, but first-time visitors may need to walk around Al Maya to reach the back-side canal entrance; another reviewer recommends parking along the street behind Canal Residence.
The main caution is inconsistency. Some visits include warm, attentive service and excellent pizza, while others report long waits, inattentive staff and dishes that were bland, overcooked or dry. Prices are not universally seen as good value: one review records AED 169 for two people sharing a pasta, pizza and water, while others felt portions or execution did not match the bill.
Reserve on weekends, allow extra time, and ask about thin crust or a tomato-based classic if you prefer a lighter or safer pizza choice.