Italian restaurant Carluccio’s offers a unique casual dinning experience for families and friends. The restaurant follows the traditional Italian serving style where food is served in generous portions for people to share.

The restaurant is located in the Dubai Mall and is right in front of the Dubai Fountain, making it accessible to everyone.

As soon as you walk in, you would pass by Carluccio’s deli and shop. Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pasta, sauces and more are only available exclusively and chosen carefully for the restaurant, and have been flown all the way from Italy.

The deli sells sandwiches, pies, baked goods and meat cuts. You can enjoy a quick snack on the high stools located at the entrance.

The restaurant is spacious offering both indoor and outdoor seating. The indoor seating comprises of leather-patted chairs and curved sofas. The outdoor area is more famous with diners, thanks to the view of the famous dancing fountain that puts up a show every 30 minutes. Here you can enjoy your meal on bamboo chairs around square wooden tables.

You cannot miss how polite and friendly the staff is. They are always around, trying to assist you in every possible way.

The menu is mouthwatering comprising different kinds of dishes that suit all tastes. As soon as we were seated, the waiter offered us a bowl of mixed black and green marinated olives and a fresh breadbasket baked in their in-house bakery. The waiter seemed proud of his home baked focaccia bread with a side of fresh olive oil and balsamic to dip in. We started our meal with Prawn Marinara comprising sauteed prawns, cherry tomatoes, garlic and chili with a side of rocket leaves and focaccia. We also had the Bresaola made with thinly sliced cured beef served with rocket leaves and Parmesan cheese, you only need to add balsamic vinegar and you are good to go.

The stuffed mushrooms are highly recommended and comprise baked mushrooms filled with toasted breadcrumbs and Gorgonzola cheese. Served with a side of salad and walnuts, you will love how beautifully this appetizer is cooked and every bite will allow you to taste the different textures.

If you are in a big group and wanted to share appetizers, choose the Fritto Misto comprising crispy fried calamari, whitebait, prawns and cream dory with vegetable fries and roasted pepper mayonnaise dip. Or you can try the Mixed Antipasti Board offering focaccia, bresaola, stuffed chicken leg, beef salami, green beans salad with mint, roasted peppers with pesto sauce, marinated olives, sweet sun-dried tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella.

You cannot eat at an Italian restaurant without trying their pizza. Carluccio’s have their own pizza oven allowing them to serve their pizza piping hot.

They have just released their latest pizza called Misto Pizza comprising toppings of beef meatballs, weal sausage, spicy beef salami, mushrooms and basil. You will enjoy the crispy dough on the sides and the flavorful meaty toppings are a great combination for a traditional Italian pizza.

Who doesn’t love pasta? At Carluccio’s, fresh ravioli is made everyday. I loved the homemade delicate ravioli stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese and topped with butter sage. Also, try their Seafood Linguine pasta with squid rings, mussels, clams, shrimps, cherry tomatoes, garlic, parsley and chili. I highly recommend the Penne Giardiniera pasta comprising the restaurant’s own Pugliese penne with zucchini, chili, deep-fried spinach balls, Parmesan cheese and garlic. This vegetarian pasta is a beautiful summer dish for those who are looking to have a light meal.

As for meats, the restaurant offers Salmon Pesto comprising grilled salmon with mixed roasted vegetables and drizzled with basil pesto sauce. You have to try their Lamb Cutlets made with grilled lamb and served with homemade caponata, which is a Sicilian sweet and sour eggplant stew and salsa verde. Meat lovers will love their Beef Medallions comprising char-grilled beef fillet served with rocket, Parmesan cheese shavings, sautéed rosemary potatoes and red pepper sauce.

For drinks, try their Apple Mojito mocktail made with crushed mint, lime and sugar topped with fresh apple juice. Also try the tropical smoothie made with mango and pineapple juice blended with banana and yogurt.

The best part of the meal comes at the end with their dessert menu offering a variety of favorites for those with a sweet tooth. Tiramisu is exceptionally good and comprises Savoiardi biscuit soaked in strong espresso coffee with mascarpone cheese and cocoa powder. You should also try the Apple Tart even though the apple tasted like it was from a can, but the dough of the tart was tasty and soft.

Opening hours: Everyday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Expect to pay: Around SR 150-200 per person.

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