Polline authentic Italian restaurant uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients keeping sustainability as a core value throughout.
Read on to find out what you could expect to eat at Polline to see if this genuine, home grown concept is for you. It was the regular videos and posts of the local fish market down the road from the restaurant on its Instagram that motivated me to try it.
Real food, made by the owner on site. He lives in Dubai with his young family, he hasn’t just flown in for the launch!
The food at Polline authentic Italian restaurant
Fresh pasta is made by hand in the basement kitchen every day. Polline also makes its own yoghurt and some cheeses. And it’s the liquid produced from those processes that gets used to make the pasta dough! Even vegetable trimmings are baked slowly and turned to ash which is incorporated into the dough for extra flavour.
Pasta at Polline
Polline is known for it’s artisanal pasta and you can expect up to 6 different kinds! They contract with local farmers for their vegetables and source some excellent mushrooms from Below Farm in Abu Dhabi. So there is plenty for vegetarians too.
What’s on the menu at the Polline authentic Italian restaurant today
Every day there is a small range of dishes that form the specials board, depending on what owner chef Omar can source from local vegetable farms and fish market.
In addition the core menu is inspired by locally caught fish and classic Italian dishes, including some salads and vegetarian pastas.. We really liked the little pasta with lamb meatballs and the gnocchi was literally melt in the mouth!
Desserts while true to their Italian origins, sometimes use ingredients that reflect the region. So try the jaggery gelato for pudding when you visit.
How much is drinking water?
The price of water is a particular bug bear for many of us Dubaians, so you’ll be delighted to know that a half liter carafe of filtered water is just AED 6 !
The vibe at Polline authentic Italian restaurant
Owners Nadine and Omar chose every plate, item of cutlery, and piece of furniture by hand. The plates and cutlery were brought from thrift stores in Europe. The common thread being everything was vintage, pre loved or up cycled to blend together seamlessly. They don’t just talk about sustainability they live it.
We loved the hand crocheted doilies sitting on vintage plates with farm house dressers in the background. Table tops were made of off cuts of marble slabs from Ras Al Khaimah.
Polline authentic Italian restaurant and the local community
Polline has a real community focus and regularly hosts events for local artistic community. So you can attend poetry readings, pop up bazaars and informal music recitals here too.
Buy some fresh sourdough bread
Polline also makes it’s own sourdough bread, served with a gorgeous chilli butter. Because it’s been fermented for such a long time, even those are usually gluten free eat this bread with no ill effects. You can also buy a loaf to take home.
Where is Polline authentic Italian
On the ground floor of the Beach Walk Boutique hotel where Jumeirah Beach road intersects with Al Thanya street. There is a free valet but park on the side street if you can.
Polline is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7.30am to 10pm every day. Please note these opening times will REMAIN THE SAME during Ramadan 2024.
Tel: 04 328 8930 you can usually walk in, but book to be sure.
check out their instagram to see what community events are happening there.
Note this review was written in conjunction with Polline but the views are all my own.
Who am I ?
I’m Monica Kapila owner and founder of DoinDubai and I create enticing stories around luxurious experiences connected to Eating, Travelling and Living in Dubai and around the world. Interested in hiring me to craft your story ?
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Read my article on Polline published in
YACHTS MIDDLE EAST MAGAZINE
