Steak quality
The ribeye and surf and turf stand out, with reviewers noting accurate doneness and well-cooked meat.
Viva Ristorante
Dubai South
Viva Ristorante is an Italian restaurant in Dubai South, serving dishes such as pizza, risotto and steaks in a cosy setting. Reviews highlight the riverside outdoor tables, live music and attentive service, making it a useful stop for family meals or a relaxed dinner.
Reputation Score
4.7
★★★★★
558 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Family friendly
Families mention generous meals, children enjoying pizza and kids’ dishes, and a six-year-old finishing her entire meal.
Live music
Violin performances and live singing add an evening-entertainment element, especially to outdoor riverside dining.
Outdoor setting
Outdoor seating is praised for its river view, lights and relaxed atmosphere, while the interiors are described as warm and vibrant.
Attentive service
Reviews commonly describe the team as friendly and attentive, with staff checking in regularly without being intrusive.
What to Eat at Viva Ristorante 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 Viva Ristorante, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. We still have more reviews to analyze, so the scores may change. 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 Viva Ristorante got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 5
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Mushroom soup Net +3
“Let's start with the CREME di Fungii - Mushroom soup, portobello mushrooms in a creamy soup, warm and coats your pallet with its earthiness is what you get.”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Let's start with the CREME di Fungii - Mushroom soup, portobello mushrooms in a creamy soup, warm and coats your pallet with its earthiness is what you get.”November 2022
“The food is excellent.. Their Diavola Pepperoni pizza is incredibly tasty, just like the mushroom soup.”November 2025
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Mashed potato Net +2
“The Steak: I’d give the steak itself a 7/10, but oh my god—the mashed potato that came with it was the real star of the plate! It was so creamy and delicious. 🥩🥔”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Steak: I’d give the steak itself a 7/10, but oh my god—the mashed potato that came with it was the real star of the plate! It was so creamy and delicious. 🥩🥔”February 2026
“The mashed potatoes were smooth and seasoned perfectly—a classic done right.”December 2025
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Ribeye Net +2
“The Ribeye and Quattro Formaggi Pizza were really good. The doneness of the steak was perfect.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Ribeye and Quattro Formaggi Pizza were really good. The doneness of the steak was perfect.”October 2025
“Very nice venue, amazing ribeye and the kids enjoyed there fish fingers and chk tenders.”June 2025
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Squid ink spaghetti Net +2
“We tried two pizzas (seafood and Hawaiian), along with the risotto and squid ink spaghetti. Everything was flavorful and well-cooked the seafood pizza was fresh, the Hawaiian was nicely balanced, and the squid ink pasta was rich and satisfying.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried two pizzas (seafood and Hawaiian), along with the risotto and squid ink spaghetti. Everything was flavorful and well-cooked the seafood pizza was fresh, the Hawaiian was nicely balanced, and the squid ink pasta was rich and satisfying.”January 2026
“Their squid ink pasta and mushroom Rissotto I think is one of the best in town, just a tad heavy on the Rissotto but can be forgotten when you are served with a great smile and warmth of service. Just loved it.”November 2022
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Surf and turf Net +2
“I and my daughter spent so great rime here. very nice steak and surf and turf. and so lovely staff😀 also amazing music and decorations.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I and my daughter spent so great rime here. very nice steak and surf and turf. and so lovely staff😀 also amazing music and decorations.”December 2025
“Very good food ! Surf and turf was amazing and the pizza also delicious. We did not expect this level of food here. We are very happy.”January 2026
Honorable mentions (29)
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Burrata Net +1
“Amazing place with special and fine dining dishes. Staff very welcoming! We had burrata, spaghetti bolognese and also eggplant with ricotta. Recommend 10/10! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Amazing place with special and fine dining dishes. Staff very welcoming! We had burrata, spaghetti bolognese and also eggplant with ricotta. Recommend 10/10! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”September 2025
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Calamari fries Net +1
“Their calamari fries or even ricotta cheese salad was nice, crisp and fresh.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their calamari fries or even ricotta cheese salad was nice, crisp and fresh.”November 2022
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Chicken pizza Net +1
“A simple chicken pizza, nice crust just enough cheese with chunks of chicken in between the tomato sauce was perfectly baked.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“A simple chicken pizza, nice crust just enough cheese with chunks of chicken in between the tomato sauce was perfectly baked.”November 2022
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Chk tenders Net +1
“Very nice venue, amazing ribeye and the kids enjoyed there fish fingers and chk tenders.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Very nice venue, amazing ribeye and the kids enjoyed there fish fingers and chk tenders.”June 2025
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Diavola pepperoni pizza Net +1
“The food is excellent.. Their Diavola Pepperoni pizza is incredibly tasty, just like the mushroom soup.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food is excellent.. Their Diavola Pepperoni pizza is incredibly tasty, just like the mushroom soup.”November 2025
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Eggplant with ricotta Net +1
“Amazing place with special and fine dining dishes. Staff very welcoming! We had burrata, spaghetti bolognese and also eggplant with ricotta. Recommend 10/10! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Amazing place with special and fine dining dishes. Staff very welcoming! We had burrata, spaghetti bolognese and also eggplant with ricotta. Recommend 10/10! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”September 2025
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Fish fingers Net +1
“Very nice venue, amazing ribeye and the kids enjoyed there fish fingers and chk tenders.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Very nice venue, amazing ribeye and the kids enjoyed there fish fingers and chk tenders.”June 2025
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Hawaiian Net +1
“Everything was flavorful and well-cooked the seafood pizza was fresh, the Hawaiian was nicely balanced, and the squid ink pasta was rich and satisfying.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Everything was flavorful and well-cooked the seafood pizza was fresh, the Hawaiian was nicely balanced, and the squid ink pasta was rich and satisfying.”January 2026
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Miso glazed cod Net +1
“We tried their Valentine’s set meal and were so impressed by the food quality and the overall value. Every course was delicious, but I’m still thinking about that Miso Glazed Cod.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried their Valentine’s set meal and were so impressed by the food quality and the overall value. Every course was delicious, but I’m still thinking about that Miso Glazed Cod.”February 2026
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Molten lava cake Net +1
“The molten lava cake, tiramisu and gelato were amazing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The molten lava cake, tiramisu and gelato were amazing.”January 2026
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Mozzarella cheese sticks Net +1
“I ordered the Viva Bruschetta, Vegetariana Pizza, and Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, and every single dish was fresh, flavourful, and beautifully prepared.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I ordered the Viva Bruschetta, Vegetariana Pizza, and Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, and every single dish was fresh, flavourful, and beautifully prepared.”November 2025
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Mushroom rissotto Net +1
“Their squid ink pasta and mushroom Rissotto I think is one of the best in town, just a tad heavy on the Rissotto but can be forgotten when you are served with a great smile and warmth of service. Just loved it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their squid ink pasta and mushroom Rissotto I think is one of the best in town, just a tad heavy on the Rissotto but can be forgotten when you are served with a great smile and warmth of service. Just loved it.”November 2022
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Parmigiana Net +1
“We had the parmigiana x2 and x3 red sangria each plus dessert because we just couldn’t get enough. The molten lava cake, tiramisu and gelato were amazing. Every single thing we ordered was well above standard and to say it was delicious is an understatement!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had the parmigiana x2 and x3 red sangria each plus dessert because we just couldn’t get enough. The molten lava cake, tiramisu and gelato were amazing. Every single thing we ordered was well above standard and to say it was delicious is an understatement!”January 2026
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Pepperoni Net +1
“I had a fantastic experience yesterday! The food was absolutely delicious, with every dish bursting with flavor. Our waitress Nisha was exceptionally kind and professional, making us feel welcome throughout our meal,specially chicken shawarma pizza was not the same level of other pizza like pepperoni or margaritas and I called her, immediately she changed to our lovely pepperoni which is one of the best seller, Her attentive service really enhanced our dining experience. I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for great food and wonderful”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had a fantastic experience yesterday! The food was absolutely delicious, with every dish bursting with flavor. Our waitress Nisha was exceptionally kind and professional, making us feel welcome throughout our meal,specially chicken shawarma pizza was not the same level of other pizza like pepperoni or margaritas and I called her, immediately she changed to our lovely pepperoni which is one of the best seller, Her attentive service really enhanced our dining experience. I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for great food and wonderful”January 2025
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Pepperoni pizza Net +1
“Delicious Mushroom Soup and Saffron Rezoto with Short Ribs! Pepperoni pizza was also great.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Delicious Mushroom Soup and Saffron Rezoto with Short Ribs! Pepperoni pizza was also great.”August 2024
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Quattro formaggi pizza Net +1
“The Ribeye and Quattro Formaggi Pizza were really good. The doneness of the steak was perfect.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Ribeye and Quattro Formaggi Pizza were really good. The doneness of the steak was perfect.”October 2025
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Quinoa salad Net +1
“The Salad: I tried the Quinoa Salad and I absolutely loved it! Super fresh and tasty. 🥗”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Salad: I tried the Quinoa Salad and I absolutely loved it! Super fresh and tasty. 🥗”February 2026
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Ricotta cheese salad Net +1
“Their calamari fries or even ricotta cheese salad was nice, crisp and fresh.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their calamari fries or even ricotta cheese salad was nice, crisp and fresh.”November 2022
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Saffron rezoto with short ribs Net +1
“Delicious Mushroom Soup and Saffron Rezoto with Short Ribs! Pepperoni pizza was also great.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Delicious Mushroom Soup and Saffron Rezoto with Short Ribs! Pepperoni pizza was also great.”August 2024
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Seafood pizza Net +1
“Everything was flavorful and well-cooked the seafood pizza was fresh, the Hawaiian was nicely balanced, and the squid ink pasta was rich and satisfying.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Everything was flavorful and well-cooked the seafood pizza was fresh, the Hawaiian was nicely balanced, and the squid ink pasta was rich and satisfying.”January 2026
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Soft package brunch Net +1
“Made the most of the theme park ticket deal and enjoyed our soft package brunch ! The options on offer were great and all cooked to order to ensure freshness.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Made the most of the theme park ticket deal and enjoyed our soft package brunch ! The options on offer were great and all cooked to order to ensure freshness.”March 2025
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Spaghetti bolognese Net +1
“Amazing place with special and fine dining dishes. Staff very welcoming! We had burrata, spaghetti bolognese and also eggplant with ricotta. Recommend 10/10! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Amazing place with special and fine dining dishes. Staff very welcoming! We had burrata, spaghetti bolognese and also eggplant with ricotta. Recommend 10/10! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”September 2025
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Tiramisu Net +1
“The molten lava cake, tiramisu and gelato were amazing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The molten lava cake, tiramisu and gelato were amazing.”January 2026
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Truffle pasta Net +1
“The Arancini calls were to die for and so was the truffle pasta! Yummy”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Arancini calls were to die for and so was the truffle pasta! Yummy”March 2025
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Valentine’s set meal Net +1
“We tried their Valentine’s set meal and were so impressed by the food quality and the overall value. Every course was delicious, but I’m still thinking about that Miso Glazed Cod.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried their Valentine’s set meal and were so impressed by the food quality and the overall value. Every course was delicious, but I’m still thinking about that Miso Glazed Cod.”February 2026
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Vegetarian cheese pizza Net +1
“I recently had the pleasure of dining at Viva restaurant in Riverland Dubai and tried their Vegetarian Cheese Pizza. The ambiance was truly amazing, creating a delightful dining experience. The service was attentive and courteous, adding to the overall enjoyment of the meal. Now, onto the star of the show - the pizza. It was nothing short of delicious, reminiscent of the authentic flavors you'd find in Italy. The cheese was perfectly melted, and the combination of vegetables on top created a delightful medley of tastes. Each bite was a savory journey, and I couldn't have asked for a better pizza. Overall, Viva restaurant in Riverland Dubai offers a fantastic vegetarian cheese pizza that transports your taste buds straight to Italy, all within a wonderful ambiance and accompanied by attentive service. A must-visit for pizza lovers!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I recently had the pleasure of dining at Viva restaurant in Riverland Dubai and tried their Vegetarian Cheese Pizza. The ambiance was truly amazing, creating a delightful dining experience. The service was attentive and courteous, adding to the overall enjoyment of the meal. Now, onto the star of the show - the pizza. It was nothing short of delicious, reminiscent of the authentic flavors you'd find in Italy. The cheese was perfectly melted, and the combination of vegetables on top created a delightful medley of tastes. Each bite was a savory journey, and I couldn't have asked for a better pizza. Overall, Viva restaurant in Riverland Dubai offers a fantastic vegetarian cheese pizza that transports your taste buds straight to Italy, all within a wonderful ambiance and accompanied by attentive service. A must-visit for pizza lovers!”September 2023
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Vegetarian pizza Net +1
“We had the vegetarian pizza, and it was absolutely delectable — fresh toppings, flavorful, and a perfectly crisp crust.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had the vegetarian pizza, and it was absolutely delectable — fresh toppings, flavorful, and a perfectly crisp crust.”January 2026
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Vegetariana pizza Net +1
“I ordered the Viva Bruschetta, Vegetariana Pizza, and Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, and every single dish was fresh, flavourful, and beautifully prepared. The ingredients tasted vibrant and authentic, and you could tell everything was made with real care. The pizza especially stood out — crisp base, balanced toppings, and just the right amount of cheese.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I ordered the Viva Bruschetta, Vegetariana Pizza, and Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, and every single dish was fresh, flavourful, and beautifully prepared. The ingredients tasted vibrant and authentic, and you could tell everything was made with real care. The pizza especially stood out — crisp base, balanced toppings, and just the right amount of cheese.”November 2025
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Viva bruschetta Net +1
“I ordered the Viva Bruschetta, Vegetariana Pizza, and Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, and every single dish was fresh, flavourful, and beautifully prepared.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I ordered the Viva Bruschetta, Vegetariana Pizza, and Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, and every single dish was fresh, flavourful, and beautifully prepared.”November 2025
Drinks 1
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Red sangria Net +1
“We had the parmigiana x2 and x3 red sangria each plus dessert because we just couldn’t get enough. The molten lava cake, tiramisu and gelato were amazing. Every single thing we ordered was well above standard and to say it was delicious is an understatement!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had the parmigiana x2 and x3 red sangria each plus dessert because we just couldn’t get enough. The molten lava cake, tiramisu and gelato were amazing. Every single thing we ordered was well above standard and to say it was delicious is an understatement!”January 2026
What to Avoid (2)
Food 2
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Chicken shawarma pizza Net −1
“I had a fantastic experience yesterday! The food was absolutely delicious, with every dish bursting with flavor. Our waitress Nisha was exceptionally kind and professional, making us feel welcome throughout our meal,specially chicken shawarma pizza was not the same level of other pizza like pepperoni or margaritas and I called her, immediately she changed to our lovely pepperoni which is one of the best seller, Her attentive service really enhanced our dining experience. I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for great food and wonderful”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I had a fantastic experience yesterday! The food was absolutely delicious, with every dish bursting with flavor. Our waitress Nisha was exceptionally kind and professional, making us feel welcome throughout our meal,specially chicken shawarma pizza was not the same level of other pizza like pepperoni or margaritas and I called her, immediately she changed to our lovely pepperoni which is one of the best seller, Her attentive service really enhanced our dining experience. I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for great food and wonderful”January 2025
-
Short ribs risotto Net −1
“The Risotto: I also tried the Short Ribs Risotto. The ribs were amazing and cooked perfectly, but to be honest, I didn't really like the rice itself.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The Risotto: I also tried the Short Ribs Risotto. The ribs were amazing and cooked perfectly, but to be honest, I didn't really like the rice itself.”February 2026
Tips for a Better Visit
Book outside. Choose an outdoor table when the weather is pleasant for the river view, lights and live music.
Allow time. If you are on a tight schedule, factor in a slower meal pace; one review specifically describes the service as slow.
Check coupons. Confirm ticket-coupon redemption rules at payment, especially if you plan to split value across multiple coupons.
Try pepperoni. If choosing pizza, pepperoni received stronger praise than the chicken shawarma pizza in one review.
Visit off-peak. A quieter-season visit may feel calmer and less crowded, while still delivering the food quality reviewers praised.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Riverland Dubai, Dubai Parks and Resorts
Saih Shuaib 1, Dubai
| Mon | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Tue | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Wed | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Thu | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Fri | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Sat | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Sun | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
Common Concerns
Coupon issue
One guest could not partially redeem a second ticket coupon and had to pay the remaining balance in cash.
Slow service
A review describes the service as friendly but slow, so allow extra time if your schedule is tight.
Lively atmosphere
Bright lighting and many families with children may make the restaurant less quiet or relaxing than expected.
Pizza dough
One reviewer felt the pizza dough needed improvement, despite finding the atmosphere, food and service otherwise good.
Uneven experience
One strongly negative review reported untrained staff and a rude manager, contrasting with the generally positive service feedback.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Viva Ristorante is an Italian restaurant in Dubai South where pizza, pasta, risotto and steaks are the main draw. Reviews specifically praise the ribeye, surf and turf, mushroom soup and pizzas, while families mention children enjoying the food and finishing their meals. It is a practical choice after a day around the nearby parks or for a relaxed family dinner.
The setting is part of the appeal. Guests describe warm, modern interiors and outdoor tables overlooking the river, with violin or live singing on some evenings. That creates a more occasion-like meal, although one review found the bright lighting and family crowd less suitable for a quiet dinner.
Visiting in the quieter season was described as calm and uncrowded. Service is usually reported as friendly, attentive and professional, with staff checking in regularly. Still, one review says service can be slow, and another reports a notably unpleasant interaction with untrained staff and a rude manager.
If you are using a theme-park ticket coupon, confirm the redemption rules before paying: one guest could not partially apply a second coupon and had to cover the remainder in cash. For pizza, the pepperoni and vegetarian versions have stronger review support than the chicken shawarma option.