I recently had the pleasure of dining at Ballarò in the Conrad Hotel Dubai, and I can confidently say it was one of the most enjoyable buffet experiences I’ve had in the city.
The setting is refined yet relaxed — elegant décor with warm lighting and a layout that gives you space to enjoy your meal without feeling crowded. What makes Ballarò truly stand out, though, is the incredible variety and quality of the food, especially at the live cooking stations.
There’s a fresh pasta station where chefs prepare pasta to your liking — right in front of you. I had a creamy truffle mushroom tagliatelle that was cooked perfectly al dente and bursting with flavor. The interaction with the chef made it feel personalized and special, not something you usually get at a buffet.
Then there’s the grill station, where you can choose from a selection of marinated meats, seafood, and vegetables. Everything is grilled on demand, so it arrives hot and fresh — I tried the lamb chops and jumbo prawns, and both were delicious and juicy with a lovely char.
They also had a Middle Eastern station with fresh shawarma being sliced off the spit, paired with warm pita and homemade sauces. And for sushi lovers, there’s a dedicated sushi and sashimi counter, where the rolls are made fresh in small batches to ensure quality.
Every station had attentive chefs happy to explain ingredients or offer a suggestion. It added a level of hospitality and interactivity that made the experience feel more upscale and personal.
And of course, I can’t forget the dessert station — a beautifully arranged selection of international sweets, mini cakes, and Arabic desserts. The chocolate fondant and pistachio baklava were my personal favorites.
The service throughout was flawless — friendly, professional, and just the right amount of attention. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel taken care of.
Whether you’re looking for a weekday indulgence or a weekend treat, Ballarò offers an elevated buffet experience that’s worth revisiting. I’m already planning my next visit — this time with a...
Read moreI was genuinely excited to try Ballaro and came in looking forward to the atmosphere. The food did not disappoint, beautifully presented and very enjoyable,and the service team was great throughout I believe our waitress name was Hayati. Unfortunately, the overall experience was overshadowed by the sound setup during the brunch on the 27th.
The speakers were uncomfortably loud, to the point where several guests had to move tables. On top of that, the sound system kept cutting in and out, leaving even the DJ visibly frustrated as they tried to work around it. While I understand the venue has invested heavily in its audio system, ignoring repeated requests from guests to reduce the volume made the environment unpleasant, almost festival-level loud inside a dining space.
It felt especially strange to be told that management had instructed staff not to adjust the decibels, even when the volume was clearly interfering with patrons’ ability to enjoy their meals. That rigidity took away from what could have been a wonderful brunch.
I would absolutely come back for the food and service, but I hope management reconsiders how the sound is handled during brunches. A more balanced approach would make the atmosphere far more enjoyable and allow the quality of the food to shine without guests having to choose between protecting their eardrums and...
Read moreDisappointing
We planned to attend the Mangiamo brunch at Ballaro restaurant after seeing their promising promotions on Instagram. Their post mentioned a buy-one-get-one-free offer on all packages after adding a comment on their post. We confirmed this with them when booking over WhatsApp.
Almost at the middle of our brunch, a staff member approached us, confirming our package but informing us of additional payments since the offer doesnt apply to the package we picked. We showed her the still-live Instagram post clearly stating the offer included all packages, and our WhatsApp communication. This encounter, and its timing, ruined the afternoon for us.
We paid and left, never to return.
Food
They have a wide selection to suit many visitors. All the food looked appealing, however everything we tried was mediocre at best and barely seasoned.
Music
The DJ and performers were amazing. The only downside was the loud music. My sound meter app measured it between 74 and 82 dB, making it uncomfortable.
Staff
Besides the incident, they were very helpful...
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