Bussola

Bussola is all about tall glass windows, immaculately-styled staircases and giant white canopies. 37 Reviews

Meal Deal

Lunch deal

Offers a two-course Italian business lunch during the week. Dhs110 (two courses) Timings: Noon-2.45pm (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)

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Bussola is all about tall glass windows, immaculately-styled staircases and giant white canopies. A light wooden floor inlaid with turquoise tiles and well-spaced tables creates a comfortable, airy environment. From the vantage point of the upstairs bar and lounge you can keep tabs on the construction work at Dubai Marina, or turn round to soak up the calm of the ocean.

The beef carpaccio with parmesan cheese is an understated success, with the bitter rocket of the underlying salad a perfect contrast to the cool, slinky and sweet meat. An artfully presented corridor of mushrooms and green leaves is flanked by discs of pinkly translucent beef. The bruschetta sits atop clumps of lettuce while a mustardy sauce zigzags its way across the plate.

The grilled seafood main served on salad takes up most of the side of a table. The calamari is of perfect texture, the lobster is smooth and saline, and the prawn is juicily brawny. Immersed in a concoction of bold, fresh flavours, the bucatini is also excellent: the perfectly-cooked thin pasta drips with a zesty cherry tomato and ham sauce. But, if it’s just a simple pizza that you’re after, you are at the right place. Straight from their stylish pizza oven, Bussola dispenses what have been lauded as among the best pizzas in Dubai. Thin-crusted, with just the amount of authentic Italian sauce, viscous cheese and an inventive range of toppings, it’s worth the trip for for the pizzas alone.

Desserts include a chocolate sausage that tastes just like Christmas, rich and filled with fruit and nuts, while a spoonful of amaretto mousse is fluffy and deceptively light. But the star of the show is a quad-layered pyramid of panna cotta, which boasts a thick top layer of crushed coffee beans and is wondrously creamy.

Unfortunately, while the food remains ace, the service at Bussola gets progressively worse. However, if you are one of those masochistic people who enjoy venturing into London’s Chinatown purely for the abuse dispatched by the waiters, you’ll love it here. Otherwise, you’ll just have to focus on the view and the fine flavours.

By Time Out Dubai

• Previous reviews
  • 15 April,2013- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 22 March,2012- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 23 March,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 06 April,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 25 March,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 24 March,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 19 March,2009- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 12 May,2008- reviewed by Mark Smith
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 17 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 20 December,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 01 July,2005- reviewed by Matthew Lee

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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.

User reviews:

Posted by: SBB on 27 Apr ' 13 at 19:08

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

very poor quality of food. Pizza Express has better pizza, actually even Pizza Hut has better pizza. Their Caprese salad had no pesto, even though it was mentioned in the menu, The staff were organizing the restaurant while we were there (i.e placing table umbrella's and opening them, setting tables, cleaning tables) it seemed as if the atmosphere we were provided did not mater. The pizzeria should not open for winter season only, it should remain closed all year round.

Posted by: marie-linee on 26 Apr ' 13 at 16:06

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Edited by TimeOutDubai.com

We booked a table of 4 to celebrate one of our girlfriend birthday yesterday, 25 April. When asked to describe the 'Trofie pasta'. She told us, they look like 'worms'. Surely the F&B Manager, should ensure that waiter are appropriately trained to describe the food they served in Busssola. Overated restaurant will not return nor recommend !

Posted by: Harpreet on 10 Mar ' 13 at 20:01

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

The service is extremely poor!!

Posted by: Lana on 25 Nov ' 12 at 07:21

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

seafood linguine was like a soup, not pasta. did not like it, dissapointed.

Posted by: kannappan j on 14 Mar ' 12 at 19:50

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: kannappan j on 14 Mar ' 12 at 19:50

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: Sai Asarpota on 08 Dec ' 11 at 20:30

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Definetly not a good idea to go on a weekend.Loved the open air ambience.
Had to call someone to take drink order.Then waited for drinks for sometime.
Finally when food was left at the table was cold to be served ourselves.
May be a restuarant in 5 star hotel but service didnt match 5 star !!!!!
Would like to try again on a week day.

Posted by: Luca on 05 Oct ' 11 at 23:06

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

This was always the best Italian restaurant ever!
Best pizza, fantastic the new menu with great choice of the dishes
good location!
I will sure be back to bussola!
Ciao

Posted by: Thomas on 02 Sep ' 11 at 19:31

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

neither good food nor familiy friendly. completely disappointing. no Italian taste AT ALL.

Posted by: mohhammad on 10 Aug ' 11 at 19:13

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

great food great staff great hotel

Posted by: mohhammad on 10 Aug ' 11 at 19:13

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

great food great staff great hotel

Posted by: raees on 10 Aug ' 11 at 19:12

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

really great great everything is not ordanary very good staff and very good food as well shoulb be back

Posted by: raees on 10 Aug ' 11 at 19:11

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

really great great everything is not ordanary very good staff and very good food as well shoulb be back

Posted by: Wendy on 26 May ' 11 at 12:49

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

if this is the winner in the italian category then you lot really have no clue how italian should taste like.
beautiful setting ruined by horrible food,

Posted by: amal on 30 Apr ' 11 at 08:32

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

i went yesterday to this resturant and i had really fun the decor was nice and the food okay the ambience was great but the resturant was smoking area so i didnt like it well the service was not good even the waiter she forget to get us the salad but over all it is okay
yes i will go again but in the weekday not in the weekend
the came out 678 dhs for 4 person

Posted by: Paola on 12 Apr ' 11 at 11:22

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Italian Restaurant of the year...!! Time Out I'm surprised by this.
Bussola is an amazing restaurant in terms of location and views and sure it would suit a romantic meal but only if you did not know what good Italian food is.

I appreciate that creating real Italian Cuisine out with Italy is difficult but Bussola are so off the mark it's laughable. The pasta was over cooked and from a box.! and the pizza constitution just isn't right, it actually had zero flavor.

There are few Italian restaurants that can touch you on the view but most do it better in terms of food, service and value for money. I never knew a view with friends could cost so much,

Sorry Bussola but this simply was not at all.

Posted by: matthew langridge on 11 Apr ' 11 at 06:48

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Best pizza in dubai. Beautiful views and surroundings. Service was great. A little pricey, but for the quality of pizza being served was worth it. Well worth a visit.

Posted by: Nathan Myvold on 30 Mar ' 11 at 14:09

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Just seen you've given this the award for best Italian award for the second year running.

I give up with you people, I really do. I just feel sorry for the people who take your advice and spend lots of money here expecting a top-class meal.

Posted by: Debbie on 24 Mar ' 11 at 06:43

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

OK but very overpiced - especially as we have so much great choice in Dubai.....

Posted by: Dave on 14 Mar ' 11 at 07:43

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Had dinner for 2 at the restaurant (not the Pizzeria)
Made reservations and sat at the edge of the terrace.
The view was not as nice as I had hoped, maybe because it was night time.
Service was excellent, very attentive staff.
Food was good but not great.
Atmosphere was very good, but at night it seems like the trees blocked the ocean view.
It's a little expensive for what you get, for 2 lemonades, an appetizer and 2 entrées we paid $82.
Would not go again because the overall experience was good but not memorable for me to want to go back.

Posted by: Yaser Dajani on 11 Mar ' 11 at 09:23

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Poor service. Forgetful staff. Pizza nothing special. Only good thing is the view.

Posted by: Tina on 26 Feb ' 11 at 17:27

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

The view from the terrace is wonderful. Cocktails, very good. Service excellent. Food was of a high standard, starter was more filling than the main course! The evening, for me was ruined by a cat which went from table to table. It obviously was 'at home' as waiters just accepted it was there and did nothing to chase it away. For me a real turn off and for that reason alone I would not return.

Posted by: Mark Astor on 17 Jan ' 11 at 06:45

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There is NO WAY that this is the best Italian in Dubai!

It's not even the best in the Marina - both Bice and Frankies are superior.

Terrible decision.

Posted by: dp on 16 Jan ' 11 at 08:02

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Bussola is one of the best pizza places in Dubai. Prices are reasonable and service is good to ok, depending on the day. The view from the terrace is lovely in the evening.

Posted by: Dan Petterson on 22 Nov ' 10 at 07:25

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

You have over 80 Italian restaurants listed on this website, and you choose THIS place as the best in the city?

Why? It's very average at best, and overpriced.

Posted by: Abdulaziz ibn Muhammad on 03 Jun ' 10 at 09:05

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

So what i can say food is in the bussola is very good and pizza also very delicious but service is not good specially in the Pizzarea ...There is one waiter, i remembered his name Komil he does not know how to take care of the guest needs so bad service and he was so rude with me. He is place is not there i mean in bussola........

Posted by: Max on 30 Apr ' 10 at 17:10

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Sorry, but this is not an Italian restaurant at all!...and I know what I am speaking about!

Posted by: shayan rassolpour on 17 Mar ' 10 at 12:07

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

The restaurant Bussola is probably one of the best restaurants in Dubai. It offers some of the best Italian cuisine in Dubai. It is perfection! It also has a bar in the corner for those who want to enjoy some drinking. Furthermore, it has a very beautiful view of the sea, especially in the evenings and later at nights, and the prices are perfect they give you good value for money. The staffs are very helpful and are able to offer complete information on every single item on the menu. It is definitely a restaurant I would go back to.

Posted by: vandy on 14 Feb ' 10 at 21:14

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

all was just excellent.
i will never forget what a great evening we both had.
great food & warm service make u special.*********

Posted by: falser on 14 Feb ' 10 at 09:09

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: enzo carbonne on 13 Feb ' 10 at 18:20

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

i was on my trip from muscat to dubai for a relaxing weekend. i was craving for some authentic italian food, which i miss in oman. i asked my friends & all way leads to bussola specially evening. i was fortunate to have pre-drink at their lounge & was appertivo evening. its very rare to see these kinds of get togethers in this part of world which is very exclusive to our italian community.cozy ambience, with outstanding food with great variety with modern flair.
dinner started with an antipasto, where we had excellent quality of salamis & ham. main course was a tender piece of pork with crispy skin. i did not miss my mom......
thanks to the chefs team , grat sevice as well.
only disappointment which they could fix was serving pizza downstairs as their pizzeria was packed with waitings also. might be next time..

Posted by: Nora on 17 Oct ' 09 at 10:02

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I would not consider the food served Italian - it's a very poor attempt at it.

Posted by: Ed on 07 Oct ' 09 at 16:19

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

went for birthday treat from my wife and only one of four dishes worked. Whilst my main course was very good, both starters and my wife's main were pretty dreadful. Too much focus on presentation little on substance...getting to be a little familiar on the Dubai food scene...

Posted by: K on 20 Sep ' 09 at 21:47

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Too expensive, and the food was not worth it. I had the ravioli and it tasted horrible. I don't advise anyone to go there.

Posted by: Sam on 19 Apr ' 09 at 17:18

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

After a lot of recomendations I decided to try out "one of the best Italians in Dubai" I did not like it. If you need to cook fancy dishes make sure you know your trade.

I had the pasta with bottarga (tuna roe). Unfortunately the pasta was overcooked (i think it was not cooked to order) and the bottarga was tasteless.

Nice ambiance, decor and service but the food is a let down. I am sure the pizza upstairs is better

Posted by: Matteo on 04 Apr ' 09 at 07:09

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

A disaster!

1 - No waiter in the restaurant knows what is "pasta al dente"

2 - The starter (combination of ham) was very low quality - in Al Maya below my house you have much better food

3 - The bill for a 2 starters + 3 pastas + 1 bottle of wine (no sweet / no coffee) was 700 dhs

Maybe 1 time is not enough to evaluate a place....but I doubt i want to give them a 2nd chance

Posted by: Cara on 06 Jan ' 09 at 09:02

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Best pizza in Dubai! The Bussola pizza with parmesan, mushroom, bresoala and truffle oil is a winner!