Bussola - Restaurant Award Highly Commended

Seaside Italian restaurant with reasonable prices 6 Reviews

Meal Deal

Bussola

The perfect place to relax, enjoy the superb sea views and have sundowners with friends Timings: 6pm till late (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday)

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From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2009

Set on its own, midway between the beach and the hulking mass of the Westin, this attractive restaurant has an interesting menu and an easygoing vibe.

There’s a wide sunny terrace overlooking the pool, a formal arrangement downstairs and a rooftop pizzeria upstairs. Antipasti and starters include a spread of Italian cold cuts served on a canoe-shaped crispbread, or a creamy broccoli soup with porcini mushrooms, gnocchi and oozing balls of buffalo mozzarella.

The pasta options are some of the best in the city: for the daring, spaghetti cooked in sea water, with mullet roe and sea urchins (interesting, though inevitably salty; or to hit the spot every time, bucatini with pancetta, onion and tomatoes.

Thoughtful combinations thread through the entire menu, with fruit put to effective use in many of the secondi (mains), like scallops paired with peach, baby chicken with lemon. Service is leisurely though knowledgable. Definitely one to try.

By Time Out Dubai staff
Time Out Dubai, 19 March 2009

• Previous reviews
  • 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
  • 30 April,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai
  • 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.

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

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• 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

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• 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

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• 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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• 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

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• 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

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• 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!

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