BiCE Mare

A confident seafood-focused high-end Italian with Dubai fountain views 47 Reviews

Meal Deal

Cooking class

Learn to prepare pasta and other traditional Italian dishes during the lessons, and sample the plates over lunch. Dhs550 (includes a three-course lunch) Timings: Noon-3pm, first Monday of the month (Monday)

Friday brunch

Serves Italian sharing dishes, with a focus on seafood. Dhs250 (soft drinks), Dhs350 (house beverages) Timings: Noon-3.30pm (Friday, Saturday)

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Classy understated decor, impressive food and a charismatic maitre’d makes Bice Mare a truly memorable experience. With fountain views, black-and-white pictures on the walls, white tablecloths and an invariably busy reservations list, Bice Mare is a ‘special occasion’ spot. The menu focuses on creatures from the sea. The signature dish is a salted cod for two, however the turbot in truffle oil is definitely recommended and rich in all the right ways. Service can be a little underwhelming on the knowledge front, but it’s sincere all the same. Prices can also be a bit of a shock with a small (although delicious) seafood linguine costing over Dhs100; but atmosphere and quality of flavours make the bill easier to digest.

By Time Out Dubai staff
Time Out Dubai, 22 March 2012

• Previous reviews
  • 11 August,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 24 March,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 06 April,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 14 December,2009- reviewed by Daisy Carrington

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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: Fahad Saeed on 10 Apr ' 13 at 08:29

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

its romantic but i finded amazing for every body

Posted by: peter dale on 25 Jan ' 13 at 09:11

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Edited by TimeOutDubai.com

The best Italian restaurant in Dubai it's like been in Italy

Posted by: Kate on 23 Oct ' 12 at 02:45

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Fantastic meal, great place to see the fountains, very expensive... really the only criticism is the lighting... had an awful job reading the menu and I do like to see what I am eating.

Posted by: Dadam on 12 Oct ' 12 at 13:25

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Posted by: Hisataka Takao on 27 Aug ' 12 at 10:21

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Great food,been several times here in this restaurant and always been wonderful.I always invite my Japanese friends and colleagues here since its one of the best seafood Italian restaurant in town.A great venue to be visit for an great authentic meal.....

Posted by: Jimmy on 25 Aug ' 12 at 14:38

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

What can i say,such an brilliant restaurant which took me 8 months to discover,i would rate this as Flawless,food is incredibly superb,along with great service where the waiters are willing to suggest the best possible for you.It should be put as the undiscovered restaurant in Dubai which i also came to know its the only restaurant in Dubai with all Italia Chefs.Bravo.... See you soon..

Posted by: Roger on 25 Jul ' 12 at 05:58

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Not worth the experience for a fine dining restaurant. Very poor.

Posted by: Larenzo Baz on 08 Jun ' 12 at 22:04

Edited by TimeOutDubai.com

Dined at Bice Mare with friends and must say this is the most authentic Italian in Dubai! The chef Francesco is magnificent and when I couldn't believe him that his entire kitchen team were Italian, he had them all visit our table and that was superb! The food was outstanding and chef recommended several seafood dishes that we loved! Dessert was delicious. Place ha a great charm and ambience on the terrace and lovely buzz. Nice addition to Dubai restaurant scene...

Posted by: Jason show on 19 Mar ' 12 at 09:48

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

this is the best restaurant in Dubai authentic italian, i been there many times always great experience the food is outstanding full italian team in the kitchen the chef Francesco is a master

I love italian and this is the best you can get simply divine

Posted by: Karl Smith on 07 Mar ' 12 at 13:39

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

very helpful staff, attentive to details. I had a booking inside and the manager did his best to accommodate our request outside even though the Restaurant was packed.
Food is very tasty and service staff care about every single detail.
I definitely suggest this place.

Posted by: Jody Michelle Ingrilli on 27 Dec ' 11 at 15:04

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Yes definitely return, Was 1st concerned after my telephone booking with an extremely rude staff member. Then the front of house staff (guessing one of them was the phone answer ) very rude and not friendly. Was tempting to leave at that point. Other than the fact was my Mother's birthday and we were a party of 7.
Thank goodness for the rest of the staff they were outstanding, helpful and friendly.
Food was divine, Ambience was lovely, heheh just wish they were not so many tourist here at times.
As i myself are in the service industry and do understand how hard and tiring it can be with tourist but we are not all tourist that visit restaurants
Saying all that will see you again soon. .

Posted by: fiona smith on 12 Oct ' 11 at 19:59

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Visited BICE Mare post summer few days back and had to write in and mention how fabulous the experience was. The new seafood specials were delicious especially that the head Italian chef completed the cooking of the dishes at our table while explaining to us the ingredients in detail which added a great touch. I would rate this restaurant very homey, where you feel not only very welcomed but special from the minute you walk in to the second you depart! well done you guys!

Posted by: Marcello on 02 Aug ' 11 at 07:29

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Despite the good quality of the food nothing justifies the prices charged.
Wine is also overpriced.

Posted by: Albert on 04 Jul ' 11 at 16:28

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

The good thing about this place the whole Frame. Food, Drinks, Decoration and especially Hospitality. You always feel at Home every time you go back. Warm Welcome, always Smiling. One of the staff mentioned to me "everything is possible". I was really glad to hear that, It is rare to hear that in Dubai

Keep it up

Posted by: Nick Jacob on 21 May ' 11 at 10:54

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

It was a lovely evening. One of our most unforgettable. We will surely come back and recommend to friends.

Posted by: David Gale on 15 May ' 11 at 14:46

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Food is simple and very tasty. I enjoyed it with my friends, and most of all I had the best Hospitality in Dubai. From the Warm Welcoming at the door till the Thank you or Grazie, like they say it in Italian of the Team.

Ambiance is very friendly and Warm, you Feel at Home

Posted by: Lynne on 18 Apr ' 11 at 07:03

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

I had dinner there last night, firstly I was highly disappointed by the greeting at the door, very unfriendly. The staff are friendly enough, however for the prices charged in this restaurant they should offer at least an Italian Restaurant Manager and a couple of more switched on staff.

I ordered Sole from the menu, it mentions 'fillet' on the menu, however to my surprise when it came, it was a whole fish...something I would most certainly not have ordered. When I questioned the service staff, the response was "we have changed the menu", my response was, "well could this not have been communicated at the time of ordering?"...hence the need for more switched on staff! When they returned with the fish duly filleted, it was not right, a very strong stench...it was sent back and I ended up not having anything for main course, but a few morsels from the plates of my friends. What they had selected was not bad, hence I gave 3* instead of 1 for the food.

We ordered dessert...I don't recommend the creme brule, but the apple cake was OK...but guess what was on the bill...yes dessert, they did not even offer one complementary dessert for this poor & highly disappointing... experience, especially as our bill was Dhs.2,600 for 4 pax.

Rivington Grill is still the best restaurant in town and for the fountain view also Margaux, definitely better for food, atmosphere & service.

Posted by: Mark Franco on 04 Apr ' 11 at 08:29

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

The resto is redecoreated and with nice ambient. Food is great but not excellent.

Music & the pianist are very good.

Posted by: Alex on 23 Feb ' 11 at 08:29

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Bad Service, Mediocre Food and High Prices

Posted by: Silvia on 30 Jan ' 11 at 10:48

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Overall, a good experience, great food taste and presentation, service way bellow aspectation, unorganized in one word, the restaurant was very busy and maybe the staff can't take that volume of diners.
I will go back in a less busy night.

Posted by: Ibrahim on 18 Jan ' 11 at 18:30

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Since the beginning of the year, the prices of the brunch have risen and the quantity of food in the brunch has been cut to half. Just want to say that they have reduced the amount of brunch served and the prices have hiked a bit. There offer was good in 2010 and not worth the money...

Posted by: Wilson on 03 Jan ' 11 at 11:25

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Really over priced food and the service was mediocre ~ especially in comparison to the Bice Restaurant at the Hilton which is always excellent!! Saying that the singer was amazing !!

Posted by: Silvia on 01 Jan ' 11 at 08:05

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

We have been invited to Bicemare for new-year ewe, overall was good, I do not know how much expensive was the dinner package but I guess was substantial, I have to say that the great quality of the food save the all night, beside that the service wasn’t set in the right place, unorganized overall and the celebrative decorations was cheap supermarket style.

Posted by: fiona smith on 28 Dec ' 10 at 21:21

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Been to this restaurant at least 8 times since it opened last year and the food, service is truly excellent and hard to find in Dubai!

I will never tire of the gorgeous always packed terrace with views of the fountain and Burj and the wonderful pianist.

Morris the manager is wonderful and very sweet!

Posted by: Ibrahim on 13 Dec ' 10 at 19:11

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

The brunch served is very affordable. Also the food was worth the money that I payed. The food tasted good and the service was decent. Excellent view, excellent food, excellent service, and affordable weekend brunch price.

Posted by: JK on 12 Nov ' 10 at 22:15

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Very disappointing !
Food could at best be descibed as mediocre, the seafood risotto lacked any sort of flavour other than 'watery'. The whole place is general over priced and over rated.

Posted by: Sandra Miller on 18 Oct ' 10 at 16:13

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Ooh my God!!!!! was the best discovery for excellent fresh seafood plus italian traditional dishes.
The service was impeccable to detail, was very well taken care of through out the meal. Me and my husband who dine out twice a week find that this is the right place where to go and hang out on your weekends.
Thanks Bice Mare for everything

Posted by: Marina on 04 Oct ' 10 at 13:46

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Fantastic Night, and great food.
By chance we get there when the new menu was just implemented, exciting new dishes, i can't wait to go back for try some more fabulous food.

Posted by: Sofia stantor on 01 Oct ' 10 at 22:38

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FoodAmbienceValue

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

Being Italian, this is my all time favorite Italian seafood haunt in Dubai! The food is authentically Italian and reminds me of my favorite family owned restaurants back home...the pasta dishes are superb, goat cheese salad and sea bass my favorite and the views from the packed terrace outlooking The Burj Khalifa, fountain show is superb. The pianist singing all the classics is the perfect touch! A must for any Italian food lovers..

Posted by: SANDRA GRIFFITHS on 10 Sep ' 10 at 05:12

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

We were very dispponinted with the food at Bice Mare having heard it was good.My starter of seafood salad was bland and contained quite a lot of shredded carrot! When I asked for some parsley to freshen it up i was told that the kitchen didn't have any, which I found surprising for an italian seafood restaurant. My main of spaghetti alla vongole was huge but again lacked freshness and the taste of the sea that i usually love about this dish. My husband's main of veal escalope was ok but disappointing again that his "oven-roasted" potatoes had been in the deep fryer. I would have liked to express my views to one of the two restaurant managers but they chose to sit by the bar talking. I wouldn't return to Bice Mare and I won't recommend it to friends.

Posted by: Ernesto on 17 Jul ' 10 at 07:26

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Amazing, great food hard to find the same quality in Dubai lately, good service.

Posted by: Paul White on 11 Jul ' 10 at 10:06

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

I've been few times at Bicemare, every time better than before, really by far my first dining choice for my special occasions.
Great food quality Bicemare constantly a success.

Posted by: Peter A. on 20 Jun ' 10 at 19:07

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FoodAmbienceValue

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

Brunch 100%
Incredible Offer, Incredible View, Incredible Food and very friendly and professional service.
You must spend a quiet bit of time before finding those hiding pearls, but believe me, it’s all worth it.

Posted by: Jean-Philippe R. C. on 18 Jun ' 10 at 09:39

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

It was a very special occasion, our wedding anniversary!
My husband set everything up as usual, but having the Chef at our table creating a special menu for us made our night unforgivable, and in I don’t want to take anything off the service that was simply elegant.
As they saying in Italian: Bravo!

Posted by: Francesco on 12 May ' 10 at 13:16

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

We were in Dubai about 2 weeks during our way back from the Maldives, and the hotel concierge suggest us BICE Mare, been from Milano we were very familiar already with the BICE friendly atmosphere ,but i must had that the way we were welcome at the door with a pleasant BUONA SERA already let us feel back at home, plus the Restaurant Manager Kafka, impossible to forget his name guides trough the Menu and introduce us to this new concept in very again friendly way.
Bottom line, great place, great dinner and great people.
We'll be back!

Posted by: David & Margaret CARVER on 19 Mar ' 10 at 21:10

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Must be one of the most romantic places to dine in DUbai the staff treat you like you are tha most important person there. If you like to eat at a spectacular location overlooking the fountain and the tallest tower in the world No place could be better with fantastic food this is the place to eat. you are asked if you would go back we did go back for our last night and we will go back on our next vist to Dubai . Some say thats its not cheap. Perfection is not cheap but worth every diram spent.

Posted by: Suzane on 04 Mar ' 10 at 23:10

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Fantastic food, friendly and attentive service. We will definitely return here and we can highly recommend this hiden treasure in Souk al Bahar to anyone who enjoys great food!

Posted by: Valentina Cinquini on 04 Mar ' 10 at 06:34

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

At was a very special occasion, my wedding anniversary, and I have to say that my husband choose a great location and a very romantic restaurant , plus the food and the staff made our experience, unforgettable.
Great Job, see you soon!

Posted by: Lama Bazzari on 03 Mar ' 10 at 18:29

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

I have eaten in this restaurant several times since it opened and find the food and service excellent! the staff are very attentive and professional and the food is superb! my favorites are the goat cheese salad along with the Sea Bass, Turbot and tenderloin. The pianist sings all time favorites and I love the fact he welcomes all requests I have and sings them beautifully. Add to this, the stunning views of the Burj along with fountain show. this restaurant is my all time favorite in Dubai.

Posted by: Sarin on 02 Mar ' 10 at 10:14

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Posted by: Lelia on 01 Mar ' 10 at 07:22

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

When you visit a Bice Restaurant, you expect to pay top dollar for top quality food and when my husband and I feel like spoiling ourselves, we head to the Hilton for a treat. We decided to take visiting friends to Bice Mare for a memorable evening next to the fountains and, I can assure you, the evening was memeorable for all the wrong reasons. We were 7 in total and a variety of dishes were tried and tested - most of which were bland and very ordinary for the steep price tag. I ordered a seafood ragu pasta for AED145 which was dry and lacking any recogisable seafood. The pizza was lacking any substantial toppings, the fish portions were on the small side and the ravioli was tasteless. The one saving grace was the copious amounts of bread we got through. Next time I want to see the fountains and enjoy some good Italian food, I will go and sit outside Carluccio's.

Posted by: Sam on 21 Feb ' 10 at 13:37

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Fabulous fresh fish, what a delight to find in Dubai. The flavors are amazing, start with Goats Cheese salad and then head for the Turbot.
The service was attentive and professional which is very rare in Dubai.
Good work Bice Mare we will all be back!

Posted by: roberto on 21 Dec ' 09 at 08:47

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

I totaly disagree with the interview for the food quality , so far i had the best Fresh Turbot meal among many place i've been , no ambience ( - ) , so far i'll come back again

Posted by: Ahmed Jehan on 17 Dec ' 09 at 11:40

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Business lunch

For once I 100 per cent agree with the review- the food was consistent and quite good and would have made for an agreeable italian trattoria experience were it not for the quite sterile decor (felt very business lunch-y) and high prices. Shame as there is a lot of potential here but works out too expensive for a not-so-special meal. Its most certainly not bad, but should be better at these prices. Would rather opt for the much cheaper Urbano downstairs or Marzano in Al Manzil for my Italian fix.

Posted by: Lucy on 15 Dec ' 09 at 22:40

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I haven't had such a great meal in a long time!
Yes, it is not the cheapest restaurant in the city but I do not mind paying for an excellent quality of food, if you want the freshest produce and an authentic italian experience, this is definitely the place to visit.

Posted by: Sam on 14 Dec ' 09 at 18:16

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

The food was nice but not amazing, nice menu selection. Prices very steep - presumably they can charge this as you get a front row seat to the Dubai Fountains.

We sat on the terrace and there was no music - the sound system was broken we were told - and there will be no music until some time in the new year!!! Makes for a very lack lustre atmosphere. Ambience was zero and only amplified in the 15 minute breaks between fountain displays!

We had a table of 6 and whilst everyone else was served their starters, I had to wait a further 10 minutes for my (AED200!!!!) starter to arrive - maybe it's just me but in a restaurant with these price tags I expect to eat with my party, not sit around twiddling my thumbs until something shows up.......

The house wine was circa AED280 also which is useful to be aware of........wouldn't have thought about it if everything else was enjoyable...

Def worth a trip if you've got money to burn, would like a nice spot to see the fountains, are deaf or don't like music and have no real feelings about eating with the rest of your party. Otherwise, pop downstairs to Margaux.......same pricetag but excellent food & service so far.

Posted by: Max Gogarty on 14 Dec ' 09 at 13:01

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

The food was good, if not great, but there's no way that they can justify these prices.