Revealing our pick of the best pizza in Dubai is a risky business. Stuffed crust. Barbecue base. Chicago-style. Pineapple (shudders). However you like your slice, there’s a pizza for every taste – no matter how evil the combination. Luckily, here at Time Out Dubai, we’ve eaten more than our fair share of slices to have a very informed opinion on this. So, without further ado, here are the best spots in town:
Akiba Dori
Credit: Akiba Dori
One of the funkiest pizza joints on this list, Akiba Dori serves up proper Tokyo-style pizzas with deliciously crispy crusts and super-fresh toppings. Try the truffle strata which is topped with basil, shimeji mushrooms, truffle stracciatella and a generous glug of olive oil. A colourful mix with a flavour punch to boot. Order it for lunch, dinner or on delivery – either way, you’ll be wiping cheese off your chin with a smile.Various locations. akibadori.com (04 770 7949).
Blu Pizzeria
Credit: Blu Pizzeria
Before you begin your subsequent heated discussion about the best pizza in Dubai, we suggest you head down to Blu Pizzeria at Umm Suqeim Harbour. Producing the perfect kind of soppy-in-the-middle Neapolitan pizzas with blistered woodfired crusts, these beauties are also crafted from sourdough, making them super fancy at the same time. Its compact menu comprises just a small selection of pizzas, but every one of them is superbly good. As far as we’re concerned, the margo – San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte cheese, EVOO, basil – is the absolute pinnacle of this pizzeria’s offering. A real belter of a classic, delivered via the medium of Blu’s thin, crisp bases and bloated, blistered crusts.Open Mon-Thu 6pm-midnight, Fri-Sun noon-1am. Umm Suqeim Harbour, Jumeirah 3, instagram.com/blupizzeria (050 812 6406).
Bussola Pizzeria
Credit: Bussola Pizzeria
While pizza preference always has and always will be deeply personal, we think we can all agree that Bussola is one of the best pizzerias in Dubai. It’s definitely stood the test of time, after all. Erring on the side of thin, olive-oil slick bases rather than doughy Neapolitan pizzas, this pretty pizzeria sits atop the main Bussola restaurant boasting unspoiled views of the Arabian Gulf, with an equally excellent selection of starters and salads to share.Open daily noon-4pm, 6pm-11pm. The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai Marina, bussoladubai.com (04 511 7373).
Carluccio’s
Credit: Carluccio’s
If you want more of a relaxed post-shopping pizza, then head over to Carluccio’s. This old-school Italian restaurant chain has multiple locations throughout Dubai. Its Dubai Mall branch boasts views of Downtown Dubai, including The Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa, while other branches at Arabian Ranches and Dubai Marina Mall specialise in Piedmont-style cuisine. With an extensive menu that features a dedicated gluten-free section, pizza-lovers will find a wide selection of options available.Various locations. carlucciosme.com.
Ciao Bella
Credit: Media One Hotel
Ciao Bella at the Media One Hotel in Dubai offers an extensive pizza menu that most pizza-lovers will appreciate. The restaurant offers a range of traditional Italian-style pizzas including Margherita, quattro formaggi, and capriccioso, as well as some unique creations such as the pesto e salsiccia pizza, which features a creamy pesto sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Italian sausage. All pizzas are made with fresh ingredients and cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven, ensuring a crispy crust. Open daily 7am-midnight. Media One Hotel, Media City (04 427 1000).
