Prego’s

A bustling Italian joint with an extensive menu but a hotel lobby feel 12 Reviews

© ITP Images

If you’re sick of cavernous, empty hotel restaurants and seek a mid-week pizza and grape fix in a bustling environment, Prego’s is a safe bet, but it’s not one that’s going to wow. The decor is straight out of a hotel interior design textbook and the service is at best inattentive. There are selling points, however: the menu is truly extensive and each dish we’ve tried here has been pleasing – risottos flavoursome (if a little mushy); pastas al dente and authentic, and pizzas wood-fired and passable. Meat mains vary in quality, though the lamb chops and sea bream are impressive safe bets. Desserts are consistently good – chocolate mousses and tiramisu move beyond textbook cuisine and have that je ne sais quoi that the restaurant lacks overall.

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

• Previous reviews
  • 14 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
  • 24 March,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 24 August,2009- reviewed by Daisy Carrington
  • 19 March,2009- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 05 January,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: Grace on 17 May ' 12 at 18:32

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Edited by TimeOutDubai.com

It's too dim and the seating arrangements are not that great. Food is categorized as okay.

Posted by: Naders Kotsob on 22 Sep ' 11 at 16:58

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

The restaurant is nice but it IS like a decent school cafeteria. The food is above average for Italian restaurants in Dubai but not keen on teh experience as a high quality restaurant (it's not).

Posted by: Kasia on 18 Apr ' 11 at 08:37

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

I cannot wait to dine at Prego's again.
The intimate ambiance and setting for a table booked for dinner for two, were well chosen by the staff. Unlike most restaurants in Dubai, the menu offered extensive choice of vegetarian dishes as well as great italian favorites such as risotto, pizza and pasta.
Presentation and flavour left nothing to wish for.
I am looking forward to the next visit.

Posted by: Pauline on 11 Jul ' 10 at 07:51

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Been looking forward to a good Italian meal for ages but made a mistake by going to Pregos. The place had no atmosphere, the table configuration was boring, there was none of the delicious aromas one would expect from an Italian restaurant, the portions are extremely meagre and overpriced. The warm loaf of bread appeared with some kind of tasteless spread and slivers of cheese which was the same size regardless of whether there were 2 of you or 4!! Not the best experience in the world not good value for money.

Posted by: Diana on 22 Mar ' 10 at 07:54

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I am an Italian, and cook Italian, and I found that the service was bad we waited for 20 minutes at our table before we got a menu. Then it was probably another 25 minutes before they took our order. It took 45 minutes for appetizers. When our dinner came, my husband veal was like the sole of the bottom of your shoes. My pasta was dull. During our dinner not once did our server come to our table and ask how are dinner was. When wanting for our bill I notice the when they were setting other tables the took glass and forks and knives from tables where the customers just left and they did not use these items so, the server just took they and wiped them with a napkin (gross). We have never been back and will not go back and we have never recommended it to any of my friends. The worst food I have had in Dubai.

Posted by: vidiesse on 15 Mar ' 10 at 14:12

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

the real italian food, simply served with good taste, good ingredients , avoiding creme and sauces not belonging to the italian culinary tradition.
fantastic salumi, excellent parmigiano, pasta and gnocchi and tagliatelle ....as good l as we make at home. very good pizza!
We have been there many times, always more than happy!!!
we will return and....reccomend Prego's!!!!

Posted by: Georgina on 07 Mar ' 10 at 14:53

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Love the crispy bread fresh from the oven and the gorgeous salami selection to start. We go there at least once a month and love it every time.
Decor is a bit clinical and cafeteria-like, but the space is nice and you are not all huddled up next to neighbouring tables so you have some privacy.

Posted by: Aleskander Prola on 08 Feb ' 10 at 06:40

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Posted by: sarah kaye on 07 Sep ' 09 at 11:57

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

the decor and ambience certainly leave a lot to be desired. It reminds me of those standard, hectic, hastily put together coffee shops that were de reguir in the 80's. but the food is very good and well priced. the piping hot bread with roasted garlic and olive oil at the beginning was demolished in minutes. the veal ravioli was rich, meaty and also a big hit, as was the pizza. overall a good pit stop for a casual meal but certainly not worth the trek for a special occasion. for those who love proscuitto, parma ham etc. there is a very extensive menu to pick from.

Posted by: Patrick on 10 Apr ' 09 at 19:08

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Food was pretty good, italian style. Risotto better than average, the carbonara spaghetti was too thin though. The Tiramisu was too sloppy, that's easy to fix. The head chef seems not to take too much interest in the kitchen instead chatting to friends all evening. Dubai lacks half decent Italian restaurants but this was good enough that we'll go back. Ambience needs a few more candles and it'll be perfect.

Posted by: Nicola Siotto on 16 Feb ' 09 at 20:57

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

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

Reached there with a friend for a lunch treat. Ordered some tagliatelle with ragu of lamb and a pizza. The pasta was not bad while I have been disappointed by the pizza and being an Italian I have a critical opinion.

Waiters lack of proper training and passion for their job. The one that served us was like a programmed recording machine.

The chef (Italian) came to greet us and here's the disappointment, when we told him the pizza wasn't as expected in an Italian restaurant, instead of taking our comments and reassuring us he said the pizza will not change so that's what they will continue to serve. So we have noted this and rest assured we will not return there for a very long time.

Posted by: David on 10 Jan ' 09 at 06:42

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Whilst somewhat out of the way, the food and ambience at this restaurant were excellent. The Salumeria was extensive interesting and is well worth trying. Shame it was not pushed or explained by the waiting staff. 'Home-made' fettuccine, king prawn and rocket was also top notch, full of flavour and plenty of perfectly cooked prawns. The atmosphere is relaxed making it a perfect place for a meal out with friends. Our only criticism was perhaps the deserts. The crème brulee was disappointing with brulee soggy rather than crispy. Reasonably priced and well worth departing from the beaten track. Will be going back again.