5 Best Italian Restaurants in Abu Dhabi (2026)

Antonia trattoria in Al Zeina builds its entire identity around pizza al taglio, Italian-style pizza by the slice, with dough fermented for 72 hours using a sourdough starter the restaurant says is nearly 50 years old. Beyond pizza, the menu covers genuine pasta, organic salads, and desserts including cannoli and tiramisu, alongside a wine, beer, and aperitivo list. It's the most-reviewed Italian restaurant in the city at 4.9 stars.

Bella Vita Restaurant by Labelle in Khalifa City runs Northern and Southern Italian cuisine with a strong reputation for breakfast, reviewers repeatedly single out its variety and presentation for the morning menu. It's set up as a cozy, all-day dining room rather than a formal dinner destination, and the coffee-shop side of its listing suggests it leans casual across the day.

Eataly at Reem Mall brings the international marketplace-and-restaurant concept founded in Italy in 2007, combining a sit-down dining room with a retail marketplace selling Italian pasta, olive oil, coffee, and cheese to take home. The restaurant runs cooking classes and covers the range from tableside Cacio e Pepe to classic lasagna and gelato, positioning itself as a full food-lovers destination rather than just a restaurant.

Vero Italiano operates inside the Rixos Marina hotel with limited evening hours, open only Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 6:30 to 10pm, positioning it as a special-occasion room rather than a regular dinner spot. Reviewers consistently mention beef carpaccio, duck, and tiramisu, alongside a marina view and refined atmosphere that suits birthdays and celebrations.

Il Forno at Abu Dhabi Mall has run in the UAE since 2000, building its name on handmade pasta and pizza across multiple branches in the country. The Abu Dhabi Mall location covers Mediterranean and seafood dishes alongside its Italian core, and the restaurant has picked up hospitality industry awards in 2025 that it highlights on its own site.