Ras Al Khaimah to Salalah: A 2-Destination 1-Week Itinerary
Imagine a week immersed in spectacular scenery: towering mountains, rolling dunes, flourishing mangroves, tropical orchards and a sparkling ocean. Over…
Italy has gifted the world with its sublime food. The dishes look simple enough, but the quality of the ingredients and the complexity of Italian cooking techniques turn pasta, pizza, and risotto into divine culinary experiences. You simply cannot resist smacking your lips and proclaiming “Delizioso!”
And because you can find an Italian restaurant just about anywhere, Ras Al Khaimah is no exception. When you’re deciding where to eat in Ras Al Khaimah, the emirate is home to some of the UAE’s best Italian restaurants.
From fine dining in a ristorante to a casual meal at a trattoria, book a table at any of these Italian restaurants.
Thunder Road Italian Restaurant serves up American Italian dishes. An Italian family runs the restaurant, so expect only the best homemade sauces, freshly made pasta, and perfectly crafted cheeses, such as burrata, stracciatella, and mozzarella.
As for the pizzas, mamma mia! You can enjoy a wide selection of toppings, from the traditional Frutti di mare or Margherita to the absolute crowd pleasers, calzone-style Vesuvio pizza, or the double-layer Florence.
Along with traditional Italian food, you’ll enjoy traditional American fare, such as juicy burgers and massive steaks.
For il dolce (dessert), try Thunder Road’s pannacotta or tiramisu.
Location: Al Riffa
Opening Times: 11 am to 11 pm daily
Phone: +971 52 994 9056
La Burrata Italian Restaurant is as authentic as it gets. Italians who live in the emirate frequent this dining place, giving their stamp of approval.
Diners rave about its wood-fired pizzas, which come in three sizes, offering the perfect serving for small or big appetites; handmade pasta, like the gnocchi with four types of cheese or the bucatini all’amatriciana, and antipasti, like the burrata con pomodoro fresco with its super creamy cheese.
Location: Al Riffa near Mina Al Arab
Opening Times: 11.30 am to 11.30 pm daily
Phone: +971 7 243 2500; @laburratauae
Il Forno is an Italian restaurant chain with 17 branches across the UAE. When in Ras Al Khaimah, head to either one of two branches: Al Hamra Village or Manar Mall. No matter which branch you choose, the Il Forno menu in Ras Al Khaimah is what you’ve come to savor in the other branches.
Serving up traditional Italian fare, Il Forno has a sizable menu with plenty of options for everyone in your group, including vegetarians. Kids also have their own menu to enjoy their favorite macaroni and cheese or fish and chips.
Il Forno also offers a “build-your-pasta” type menu where you get to pick pasta, such as farfalle, penne, or spaghetti, and your preferred sauce, like arrabbiata, al peperoncino (with grilled chicken and fresh cream), or verdi (with eggplants, mushrooms, and zucchini).
Location: Near Al Hamra Cellar, Muhammad Bin Salem Road, Al Jazirah, Al Hamra
Opening Times: 11 am to 12 mn daily
Phone: +971 7 233 9696 / +971 7 233 9922
The rich flavors and textures of Italian cuisine make it a popular choice for a romantic meal. When you’re looking to show your spouse or partner how much you love them, book a table at Piacerdi da Gustare. The ristorante offers refined à la carte Italian dishes with an extensive selection of wines.
Try a light carpaccio di manzo (beef carpaccio followed by a primi, with the creamy and silky risotto al quattro formaggi) for antipasti. For secondi, savor the luscious coscia d’anatra (confit duck leg). How do you end an evening of romance? With vanilla panna cotta and sour cherry compote as a palate cleanser.
For married couples who must bring along the children on date night, Piacerdi da Gustare offers a junior gourmet menu, featuring the young tummy pleasers lasagna and pizza, among others.
Location: Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort, Al Mairid
Opening Times: Daily dinners from 7 pm to 11 pm and lunch on weekends from 12:30 pm to 3 pm
Phone: +971 7228 8844
A trattoria, L’olivo has the vibe of a neighborhood restaurant somewhere in Italy, with its tiled floors and open kitchen.
Come in for a snack, lunch, or dinner, and bring the kids. They’ll not only be thrilled by the sight of the chefs spinning pizza doughs in the air. They’ll also have a menu of their own.
L’olivo’s menu also makes room for vegetarians who’ll be delighted to taste the risotto mushroom or rigatoni arrabbiata. For those who love their meat, order the carre de agnello bronte (thyme marinated rack of lamb) or the filletto di manzo (seared filet of beef). Gluten-free options are available, too.
Location: Rixos Bab Al Bahr, Al Marjan Island
Opening Times: 6 pm to 10.30 pm daily
Phone: +971 7 244 4400
Basilico is a Mediterranean restaurant that also serves delicious Italian dishes. On the menu, you’ll find classic Italian fare, like risotto, carbonara, ravioli, margherita pizza, and tiramisu.
This Ras Al Khaimah restaurant’s menu has plenty of vegetarian options as well, so you’ll enjoy more than the typical salads and pasta. The kids also have their own menu, which features garden vegetable soup, spaghetti bolognese, pepperoni pizza, and a selection of desserts.
Location: The Cove Rotana Resort, Al Dhait South
Opening Times: 12 noon to 11 pm daily
Phone: +97 1 72066351
Vespa is a family-style restaurant that focuses on using fresh and seasonal ingredients that capture authentic Italian flavors.
On the menu are artisanal pizzas, signature dishes, and irresistible daily specials.
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa, Al Marjan Island
Opening Times: 1 pm to 3.30 pm and 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm daily
Phone: +971 7 203 0104
“A lively trattoria” is how this restaurant in Ras al Khaimah describes itself. With a poolside location and proximity to a special entertainment area for kids, meals at Al Forno do get lively. And the food is just like how nona makes it: fresh, exquisite, and lip-smackingly good.
Savor classic Italian dishes like caprese salad, classic lasagna, and burrata pizza. Al Forno is also vegan-friendly, offering specialty pizzas with toppings like vegan sausages and mozzarella.
Location: Pullman Resort Al Marjan Island, Marjan Island Blvd.
Opening Times: 12.30 pm to 10.30 pm
Phone: +971 7 203 6666
Another Mediterranean restaurant that serves up good Italian food is Azure. Located in the Waldorf Astoria’s outdoor space, Azure’s poolside dining atmosphere could bring you back to summers in the Mediterranean.
On the menu are truffle risotto, rigatoni alla norma, ‘nduja pizza, and tiramisu. For kids, Azure offers healthy but scrumptious fare, such as prosciutto pizza, spaghetti bolognese, and zucchini steak.
Location: Waldorf Astoria, Vienna St.
Opening Times: Mon-Wed-Sun 12 pm to 9 pm, Tues 12 pm to 6 pm
Phone: +971 54 998 9514
Craving pasta, pizza, or risotto?
For the best Italian food, visit Ras Al Khaimah today!
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