The Dubai outpost of the internationally renowned Cipriani restaurant group finds its home in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), joining a worldwide family of restaurants which encompasses sites in the likes of New York, Venice, Hong Kong and Vegas to name just a few. It’s an elegant space which stretches itself across two levels and has all the pomp and circumstance of a luxury cruise liner in its prime.
The room boasts an elegant blue and white colour palette which is inspired by nautical adventures (note the port hole windows), while the high-gloss wood panelled walls, polished steel finishes and tan leather chairs let you know that this is a refined dining experience.
Like most restaurants in Dubai, the menu at Cipriani’s is full of international influences, but the cuisine of Italy is the restaurant’s main focus. Kick start your meal with appetisers such as king crab with olive oil and lemon or calamari that arrives at the table with a tartar sauce for dipping. As is traditional in Italy, starters at Cipriani’s are followed by a selection of pasta, with options to choose from including seafood spaghetti and potato gnocchi.
Main courses include grilled Chilean seabass with grilled vegetables and a 400g Wagyu ribeye steak to share, while if you fancy switching things up, there is also a short selection of Japanese-inspired dishes to choose from – think tuna tataki salad, marinated Alaskan cod and salmon sashimi.
Finish up with traditional Italian desserts such as tiramisu or lemon tart, while those who lack a sweet tooth can instead order the cheese platter. Once you’ve finished feasting, we’d suggest heading to Cipriani’s intimate bar for post-prandial drinks. There’s an enclosed terrace for al-fresco dining too, while securing a table should never be too much of a hassle, as Cipriani’s can seat up to 300 guests.