Dino's Bistro Italiano

Dino's Bistro Italiano brings a vibrant and authentic slice of Italy to the heart of Abu Dhabi. Located within the welcoming Pearl Rotana Capital Centre on Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, this celebrated restaurant has quickly become a landmark for those who appreciate genuine Italian cuisine served in a lively, casual setting. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it feel like your favorite neighborhood dining spot, whether you are planning an intimate dinner, a family gathering, or a celebratory weekend brunch. From the moment you step inside, you are greeted by an energetic ambiance and a team dedicated to warm, attentive hospitality. The open kitchen fills the air with the irresistible aroma of wood-fired pizzas and simmering sauces, setting the stage for a memorable meal. Our passionate chefs build every plate using the finest and freshest ingredients, crafting Italian classics that honor tradition while embracing a modern sensibility. Every dish, from house-made pasta to perfectly grilled seafood and meat, is designed to transport your senses straight to Italy.

Dino's Bistro Italiano has earned a reputation as an award-winning destination, consistently recognized for both its food authenticity and genuine service. The restaurant holds multiple accolades, including the 2025 Fact Awards Abu Dhabi for Favourite Italian Restaurant and the 2025 What's On Abu Dhabi Award for Favourite Evening Brunch. Previous honors include Favourite Italian Restaurant at the 2024 What's On Abu Dhabi Awards, Favourite Casual Italian Restaurant at the 2022 Fact Awards, and Best Casual Italian Restaurant at the 2020 and 2021 Fact Awards. These achievements reflect a deep commitment to culinary excellence and a dining experience that keeps guests returning time and again. Whether you are a long-time lover of Italian food or discovering these flavors for the first time, Dino’s provides a setting where every meal feels special.

Signature Dishes & Culinary Highlights

The menu at Dino's Bistro Italiano is a carefully curated journey through Italy's most beloved flavors. Guests can explore a wide range of antipasti, fresh salads, handcrafted pasta, and main courses that showcase the diversity of Italian cooking. The kitchen takes pride in its from-scratch philosophy, ensuring every sauce, dough, and dessert meets the highest standards of quality. This dedication to freshness means that every visit offers a slightly new experience, as the chefs work with seasonal ingredients and daily inspirations to complement the classic menu.

• Wood-Fired Pizzas: The Pepperoni Pizza is a consistent crowd-pleaser, featuring a perfectly charred crust and premium toppings. Beyond pepperoni, the pizza selection includes timeless favorites like Margherita, Quattro Formaggi, and Diavola, each emerging from the wood-fired oven with a blistered, smoky finish that only an open flame can provide.
• Pasta Perfection: Rich, creamy risotto, delicate Pappardelle, and classic Penne are just a few of the options that highlight our house-made pasta program. Gluten-free pasta is also available, ensuring everyone can indulge. The pasta menu changes subtly with the seasons, but you can always expect silky carbonara, hearty Bolognese, and seafood-infused linguine that captures the essence of the Mediterranean.
• Main Courses: The Chicken A La Parmigiana is a signature, while meat lovers rave about the Sirloin Steak and the decadent Wagyu steak with truffle sauce, cooked precisely to order. Other standout secondi include slow-braised lamb shank with rosemary jus and a classic veal Milanese with arugula and cherry tomato salad, each designed to pair beautifully with a side of roasted vegetables or truffle fries.
• Seafood Specialties: Fresh Wolfsbarsch (sea bass) and other daily catches are prepared with simple, elegant flavors that let the quality of the ingredients shine. Displayed on ice at the open kitchen counter, the seafood selection often includes grilled jumbo prawns, pan-seared salmon with lemon caper butter, and a mixed seafood grill that is a feast for both the eyes and the palate.
• Sweet Endings: A selection of classic Italian desserts, including silky panna cotta and the ever-popular tiramisu, provides the perfect finishing touch to any meal. Those with a lighter appetite can opt for a refreshing lemon sorbet or an affogato, while chocolate lovers will find themselves drawn to the warm, lava-centered chocolate cake served with a scoop of vanilla gelato.

Exceptional Dining Experiences & Offers

Dino's Bistro Italiano is renowned not just for its à la carte menu but also for its compelling dining events that attract guests from across the capital. Each offer is designed to provide extraordinary value and a unique way to experience the breadth of Italian cuisine, making the restaurant a go-to destination for every occasion, from a quick business lunch to a leisurely weekend feast. These experiences are crafted to reflect the Italian philosophy that a meal is not merely about eating, but about coming together, sharing, and celebrating life. The energy shifts beautifully throughout the day, from the quick, purposeful buzz of a weekday lunch to the relaxed, joyful hum of the weekend brunches.

Weekend Brunch

Our à la carte style brunch is an institution in Abu Dhabi. Available on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4:00 PM, the midday brunch starts from AED 220 and includes access to abundant seafood, cheese, and antipasti stations. On Friday evenings from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, the Evening Brunch begins at AED 240, transforming the bistro into a lively nighttime celebration. Families are especially welcome, with children aged 6 to 12 receiving 50% off and kids up to 5 years dining for free. Both brunch sessions feature live cooking stations where chefs prepare made-to-order pasta and carve succulent roasts, encouraging guests to return as many times as they like. The evening brunch, in particular, has been singled out with the 2025 What's On Abu Dhabi Award, confirming its status as the city's favorite way to end the week.

Business Lunch

For a refined midday escape, we offer an authentic Italian business lunch from Monday to Friday, 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM. Choose from a 2-course menu for AED 115 or a 3-course menu for AED 135, providing a swift yet satisfying dining experience perfect for professionals in the Capital Centre district. The menus change regularly to ensure variety, but a typical selection might start with soup of the day or a crisp Caprese salad, followed by a choice of pasta or a grilled protein, and an espresso to close. With its efficient, discreet service and comfortable seating, the business lunch at Dino's makes it easy to host clients, discuss projects, or simply recharge before the afternoon's work.

Pizza e Insalata

The Pizza e Insalata offer embodies the simplicity and freshness at the heart of Italian cooking. Available daily from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM, this offer for two people includes one pizza of your choice, two fresh, crisp salads, and two soft drinks, all for AED 150. It is an ideal option for a quick, wholesome meal without compromise: the pizza arrives with its signature puffy, charred crust, the salads are dressed with high-quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and the entire experience is served with the same attentive care as the full à la carte dinner. Whether you are grabbing a casual lunch with a colleague or a light dinner with a friend, this pairing delivers exceptional value in a warm, inviting environment.

The Pearl Rotana Capital Centre Setting

Dino's Bistro Italiano benefits enormously from its location inside the Pearl Rotana Capital Centre, a modern hotel that anchors the thriving Al Rawdah district. The hotel's contemporary design and understated elegance set the tone for the restaurant's own stylish yet unpretentious character. Guests of the hotel often find themselves wandering down for an impromptu meal, while Abu Dhabi residents treat the bistro as a standalone destination, easily accessible from major thoroughfares. The Capital Centre neighborhood itself is a dynamic hub of business and leisure, and the restaurant's position here means it is steps away from exhibition halls, corporate offices, and some of the city's most exciting developments.

Being part of the Rotana family means Dino's operates with the backing of one of the region's most respected hospitality groups. This connection assures guests of consistent quality, rigorous food safety standards, and genuine Emirati warmth fused with international polish. The staff, many of whom have been with the hotel since its early days, bring a personal touch that you simply cannot replicate in a standalone restaurant. They remember your favorite table, how you like your steak cooked, and whether you prefer still or sparkling water. This level of personalized service transforms a dinner out into a truly restorative experience, where you feel known and valued from the moment you arrive.

Why Dino's Bistro Italiano is a Capital Favourite

What truly sets Dino's apart in the bustling Abu Dhabi dining scene is its ability to be many things to many people without ever losing its core identity. It is romantic enough for a date night, with soft lighting and the gentle hum of conversation creating an intimate cocoon. It is robust enough for a family celebration, with a dedicated children's menu, high chairs, and a tolerant, welcoming attitude that makes parents breathe a sigh of relief. And it is professional enough for a business discussion, with discreet booths, fast Wi-Fi, and a lunch menu designed for those who need to be in and out within the hour. This versatility is rare and is built on a foundation of authentic food and genuinely caring service.

Furthermore, the open kitchen provides a constant visual theatre. Guests can watch pizzaiolos stretching and spinning dough, line cooks coordinating a delicate ballet of pans and plates, and the wood-fired oven roaring with quiet intensity. This transparency not only entertains but also builds trust; you see exactly how your food is prepared and can appreciate the skill involved. The ingredient quality is on full display, from the imported Italian flour to the gleaming fresh fish. Combined with a carefully curated beverage list that includes Italian wines, classic cocktails, and a refreshing range of mocktails, the restaurant ensures every element of your meal works in harmony. The awards, from the 2025 Fact Award to the 2019 Time Out and What's On accolades, are a testament to this unwavering dedication, making Dino's Bistro Italiano not just a meal out, but an enduring part of Abu Dhabi's culinary landscape.

Visitor Information & Reservations

Planning your visit to Dino's Bistro Italiano is straightforward, with several convenient ways to secure a table. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner, serving its full à la carte menu from 12:00 PM until 11:00 PM. Due to the popularity of the weekend brunches and the business lunch, advance booking is strongly recommended, especially for larger parties and evening brunch tables on Fridays. Reservations can be made directly through the Pearl Rotana Capital Centre website, by telephone, or in person at the host stand.

• Address: Pearl Rotana Capital Centre, Al Khaleej Al Arabi St, Al Rawdah - W59 01, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
• Phone: +971 2 307 5551 for direct restaurant inquiries and table reservations.
• Email: dinos.pearl@rotana.com for group bookings, special dietary requests, and private event inquiries.
• Website: Full menus, offers, and the latest events calendar are always available at the official Rotana page for Dino's Bistro Italiano.
• Online Ordering & Contactless Delivery: In addition to dine-in service, the restaurant offers takeaway and contactless delivery, making it easy to enjoy wood-fired pizzas and house-made pasta from the comfort of your home or office.
• Dress Code & Atmosphere: The dress code is smart casual, fitting the bistro's lively yet relaxed vibe. Guests are encouraged to come as they are, whether coming from a day of meetings or a weekend stroll.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dino's Bistro Italiano cater to dietary restrictions? Absolutely. The kitchen is well-versed in accommodating various needs, including gluten-free pasta options, vegetarian and vegan requests, and common allergies. It is always advisable to inform the staff of any specific dietary requirements when booking so that the chefs can prepare accordingly.

Is there parking available at the restaurant? Yes, Pearl Rotana Capital Centre offers ample complimentary parking for guests of the restaurant, including dedicated accessible spaces close to the hotel entrance. Valet parking is also available for those who prefer it.

Can the restaurant host private events? Dino's Bistro Italiano is an excellent venue for private celebrations, corporate gatherings, and intimate receptions. The team can arrange bespoke set menus, customized beverage packages, and dedicated areas within the restaurant or adjacent private dining spaces. Contact the team via email or phone to discuss your requirements and begin planning a tailored event.

What is the price range for a typical meal? The restaurant offers a range of price points. Guests consistently report a per-person spend of approximately AED 100–300, depending on the selection of dishes and beverages. The structured offers such as the business lunch and Pizza e Insalata deal provide exceptional value, while the à la carte experience allows for a more indulgent, multi-course dinner with premium wines.

Is the restaurant suitable for children? Very much so. The welcoming family policy, including 50% off for children aged 6–12 and complimentary dining for kids up to 5 years old during weekend brunches, makes Dino's a true family-friendly destination. High chairs are available, the staff are attentive and patient with young guests, and the à la carte menu includes simple, appealing dishes that even the pickiest eaters will enjoy, such as plain pasta with butter and parmesan or a classic Margherita pizza.