Massimo's Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Dubai

Massimo's is an authentic Italian restaurant and pizzeria on the other, less busy side of Dubai Marina Walk. If driving there (advisable in this weather) it’s best to park in visitor’s parking area of the Park Island Residence where the restaurant is located; there are signs just outside the parking area which will guide you down to The Walk and the restaurant. My first thought on entering Massimo's was how much its high-ceilinged interior reminded me of the foyer area of a building. Modern and clean it may be, cosy it certainly is not. At this time of year however all that really matters is how well the a/c work and theirs works perfectly.

I had been wanting to visit Massimo's for a very long time and was not disappointed; the food is very, very good. Stand outs for me were the perfectly cooked and seasoned sea bass fillets with asparagus and potato as well as the insanely delicious pappardelle with porcini and truffle sauce, closely followed by the tagliatelle with wild mushrooms and shrimps. Although Massimo's is also a pizzeria, we found it hard to order pizza when there was so much else to order from in the menu. That said, one of us did get a margarita which was okay but…let’s just say that I wouldn’t come here for the pizza alone.

The Filipino tag team looking after our table were super friendly and infinitely accommodating. All of us enjoyed our meals and left happily stuffed. Massimo’s is definitely one of the better non hotel or mall based Italian restaurants in town. The fact that it’s unlicensed is a bummer, not an impediment. Prices are on the higher side but reasonable considering the excellent quality and presentation. My only disappointment is having not visited them earlier. Don’t make my mistake.

Hey! Now read this – Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on...

The food was quite good actually, but the service in this place... Wow (in a bad way). Wife and I turned up and were initially ignored. There were only two other tables dining. Asked for a table for two and were stared at as if we'd barged in on the waitress on the toilet. We were shown to a table without a word, menus shoved in our faces. A different waitress came back about 10 seconds later and said "order" without looking at us. It was like the entire staff had fallen out with eachother and were taking it out on the customers. My wife ordered, and I waited about 20 seconds for the waitress to turn to me. She didn't, so I began to order. She let me get half way through my order before interrupting by turning to my wife to repeat her order. Then turned back to me and just raised her eyebrows as if "NOW you may order."

When the food came it was quite tasty, and the setting was nice, overlooking the water, but the waiting staff just completely ruined the experience. It was very awkward. I did notice the other 2 tables (Arab couples) seemed to be faring a little better, so perhaps this ITALIAN restaurant didn't like tourists...

We finished our food and sat waiting for 30 minutes for someone to clear our table so I could ask for the bill. Eventually I managed to flag down one of the waitresses and ask for the bill. She curtly nodded, then went away to chat to her friend at another table for 10 minutes. A male waiter then came to ask if we'd like dessert, by which point it felt like so long I was almost ready to order my dinner...

Shame, it seems the waitresses have never been taught...

We have ordered 3 times from Massimo . First experience was great then it all went down hill The 2 following experiences were terrible not to say the least. Food arrived after 1 hour and the pizza ‘s were soggy, toppings slid to the side of the box, box was so soaked it glued to the box . We called them and they were quick to replace the order and in a timely fashion . So my against my better judgement decided to order again tonight and this has been a nightmare .food arrived after 50minutes , with her pizza being so soggy the box was wet and dripping . Considering previous experience my wife just didn’t want a replacement pizza but rather a refund . The 2 employees we spoke to took it upon themselves to blame us for the state of the pizza stating that “ it’s what was ordered “. They stated their policy was no refund but rather replacement , then they spoke to management and then to add insult to injury we were asked “ why did you order from us again if you were not happy “. Guess they were correct on that note I have worked in customer service for 11 year and must truly say this was a terrible experience.We have taken it up with Dubai consumer Wright’s . This was never about the money but the attitude of customer service . To the management of this establishment, emotional responses to customers does not...