Ronda Locatelli is Giorgio Locatelli's family-friendly Italian format at Atlantis The Palm, opened in 2008. Locatelli holds Michelin status at his London flagship Locanda Locatelli (1 star); the Dubai outpost adapts the technique to a larger-volume, family-resort setting. Sixteen years on, it remains Atlantis Palm's anchor Italian restaurant and the Atlantis cluster's most reliable Italian option.
The kitchen is built around two showpieces: a fresh-pasta room visible from the dining floor (where pasta is hand-cut and shaped throughout service), and a Roman-style wood-fired pizza oven. The format works as a family Italian dinner (pizza for kids, pasta for adults), as a brunch destination (Atlantis Palm runs a Locatelli brunch), and as a date-friendly dinner.
MICHELIN-recommended in 2024-2026. Pricing AED 350-700pp typical. The fresh-pasta dishes (tagliatelle, pappardelle) are the dish to order. Pizza is solid but not the best in Dubai (FALCONE remains the Neapolitan benchmark).
Must Order
- Tagliatelle al Tartufo AED 245
Hand-cut tagliatelle, shaved black truffle. The Locatelli signature, executed cleanly. - Pappardelle al Ragù AED 195
8-hour beef ragù, hand-cut pappardelle. The kid-and-adult-pleaser. - Margherita DOP Pizza AED 145
San Marzano tomato, fior di latte, basil. Classic, reliable. - Veal Milanese (children's portion available) AED 285
Pounded veal, breaded, lemon. Good kids' Italian for big eaters.
Pros
- 16-year track record
- Fresh-pasta room visible from dining floor
- Family-friendly with strong kids' menu
- Atlantis Palm pool/beach setting
- Brunch format works for groups
- Italian wine list is genuinely curated
Things to Know
- Atlantis Palm location requires hotel-entry routing
- Pizza is solid but not the Dubai benchmark
- Books 1-2 weeks Fri/Sat
- Service can slow during family-peak hours
Final Verdict
Ronda Locatelli is Atlantis Palm's anchor Italian and the most reliable Italian on the Palm trunk. Fresh pasta, family-friendly format, and Locatelli pedigree justify AED 350-700pp pricing. Book 1-2 weeks ahead.
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FAQs
Is Ronda Locatelli Michelin-starred?
Ronda Locatelli Dubai is MICHELIN-recommended in 2024-2026 but does not hold a star. (Chef Giorgio Locatelli holds 1 star at his London flagship.)
How much does Ronda Locatelli cost?
AED 350-700pp typical for a 4-person family dinner with starters, 2 pastas, 1 pizza, 1 main, dessert. Brunch AED 395pp.
How far ahead to book?
1-2 weeks Friday/Saturday dinner. Brunch books 2 weeks ahead.
Halal?
All meats halal-certified. Italian wine list with non-alcoholic alternatives.
Family-friendly?
Yes — strong kids' menu, high chairs, and informal pasta-and-pizza format. One of Atlantis Palm's most family-welcoming restaurants.