GITANO Dubai — Restaurant in Dubai

From the moment I arrived at Gitano Dubai, I knew I was in for something special. Nestled in a beautifully designed, jungle-inspired space, it felt like a slice of Tulum had been transported right into the heart of the city. The ambiance is what first draws you in — lush greenery, warm candlelight, earthy textures, and a soundtrack that makes you feel like you’re on a stylish escape.

We started the evening with cocktails at the bar — I tried the Mezcal Mule, and it was honestly one of the best drinks I’ve had in Dubai. Perfectly balanced, smoky, and refreshing. Their cocktail menu is creative and well thought-out, with something for every taste.

When it came to the food, every dish exceeded expectations. We ordered a mix to share: tuna tostadas, truffle mushroom tacos, grilled octopus, and the robata lamb chops — all incredibly flavorful, beautifully plated, and portioned just right. The ingredients tasted fresh and high-quality, and you could tell the chefs put real care into the details. The truffle tacos were a standout — rich, aromatic, and addictive.

The service was equally impressive. Our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and gave great recommendations without being overbearing. They really contributed to the relaxed, elevated vibe of the evening.

As the night progressed, the music and atmosphere picked up slightly — the perfect transition from dinner to a more lively, social mood. Still intimate, but with that subtle buzz you want from a place that knows how to do nightlife right.

In short, Gitano isn’t just dinner — it’s an experience. It’s ideal for a date night, a birthday, or any time you want to feel transported. I’ve already recommended it to friends and will...

Disappointing Experience – Rude Staff Ruined What Could’ve Been a Great Night

We visited this restaurant for the first time to celebrate a birthday and were really excited about the night brunch. The place itself is lovely and the food was quite good — but unfortunately, the service completely ruined our experience.

Our waiter (he spoke Arabic) was extremely rude and dismissive was shockingly rude from the start. Several of us asked him multiple times for drinks, yet he ignored our requests and didn’t even acknowledge us. Some of our group had the non-alcoholic package, and when he was serving the alcoholic drinks, he told us aggressively not to share them or else he wouldn’t bring us any more drinks. It was an extremely unprofessional and uncomfortable interaction.

He also began removing food while we were still eating — during a brunch, no less without asking if we were done. To make matters worse, he brought out the birthday cake without even asking the birthday girl when she wanted it to be served, taking away the element of surprise and joy from the celebration. Eventually the manager came to our table and apologized which was much appreciated.

When we were leaving, we went to validate the parking card, the same waiter was right there helping others , but as soon as he saw us, he left the desk. And we were waiting for someone to come and assist us , That final gesture summed up the whole experience.

It’s unfortunate, because the venue and food have potential, but with staff behaving this aggressively and lacking basic hospitality, we definitely won’t be...

EVENING BRUNCH REVIEW

Positives: • The venue has a great vibe, atmosphere, and aesthetic. • The music was excellent; the live band was fun, engaging, and really added to the experience. • The food was tasty (particularly if you enjoy seafood).

Negatives: • The brunch was scheduled to start at 8:00 pm, but we waited in a long queue and weren’t seated until around 8:25 pm. • We didn’t receive our first drink until 9:00 pm due to lack of service, that’s a full hour of “inclusive drinks” lost. • The menu was extremely fish-heavy. Two of us don’t eat fish, so we were left with almost nothing to eat. The team refused to offer additional chicken dishes. • Food portions were inconsistent and unfairly distributed, our group of six received less food than a nearby table of five. When we raised this, there was no response. • Service was chaotic and understaffed. The venue was overcrowded, making it difficult to move around or even reach the toilets. • We only managed about five rounds of drinks due to slow service, and one of those rounds was completely wrong. At one point, I told the waiter we’d been waiting over 30 minutes for drinks, only for him to return with just one more each before announcing that “brunch inclusive drinks” were over. • Post-brunch drink prices were extremely high, £51 for two vodkas and one Coke, with the price fluctuating between £46–£51 each time.

Overall: I wouldn’t return. Despite the good music and atmosphere, the service was poor, the food limited, and getting a drink felt like a constant battle. An expensive night that simply...