Review: Modern, Cool, and Authentically Italian Vibes at MATTO Dubai

With exposed brick and an industrial yet cosy feel, the modern vibe mixed with Italian elements brought me back to the streets of Italy. Past the open-faced kitchen, we find a mini garden and a Vespa DJ booth that adds quirk and charm.

The restaurant overlooks the Oberoi’s courtyard and you can catch glimpses of the amazing downtown skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Unlike the typical upscale Italian eatery, MATTO’s laidback atmosphere allows it to showcase its amazing traditional Italian dishes – without the stuffiness and all the fuss. Truly a breath of fresh air when it comes to Italian dining in the UAE!

In addition to the wonderful vibe, the service is remarkable. We were greeted by the lovely manager, Michele, and we were attended by the wonderful team with expert knowledge of all the dishes. Our glasses were never empty and we did not wait long at all in between courses.

The food at MATTO is simply incredible. I’ve had my fair share of Italian dishes and I can say MATTO really outdoes many.

For our starter we ordered Burrata Pugliese, with Apulian burrata cheese, eggplant tapenade, yellow roasted cherry tomatoes and toasted almonds. The creaminess of the cheese with the bitter sweetness of the tomatoes and crunch of the almonds is the perfect combination of flavour and texture. In terms of portion size, it was just the right amount to get your appetite going, setting the place for the main course.

For the main course, we ordered the Porcini & Tartufo – homemade ravioli stuffed with porcini mushrooms, black truffle, and Parmesan cream. Rich in creaminess, strong in flavour and with the perfect amount of texture provided by the mushroom filling and crispy bits of parmesan, for a truffle-lover like myself, this is a must-try! The portion size was substantial, leaving very little room for dessert.

For our last course, we opted for the Tiramisu – a classic Italian dessert for the win! Composed of the traditional ingredients – lady finger biscuits, mascarpone, coffee and cocoa, it completed the meal perfectly.

MATTO is homegrown and homemade in the UAE by Italians and its stance against traditional Italian fine dining is what truly stands it apart from the rest. Delicious, authentic food, great service, and a cool, modern vibe, make it a refreshing new spot for those craving an Italian fix.

If you want to experience an authentic Italian meal in a modern setting, MATTO Dubai is the place for you! They are open daily from 12:30pm-12:00am. To book a table click here!