Whether you’ve had a good day, bad day or a blah day – there’s nothing like a bowl of pasta to celebrate or cheer yourself up with. Both comforting and simple, pasta ticks a certain culinary box like no other. Whether you like it with nothing more than an excellent tomato sauce, or dripping in truffle and Italian flair – there’s bound to be one that takes your fancy from our list below. Buon appetito!

Roberto’s DIFC

The brilliant Roberto’s in Dubai’s DIFC has a reputation as one of the best Italian restaurants in the city – and that is the opinion of other Italians – so we’ll give it to them. While their risottos and meat dishes are all incredible, it’s their pasta that really shines, and their ‘tortelacci’ stuffed with beef, veal and spinach stew served in a forest mushroom sauce (AED97) is the stuff our carb-fuelled dreams are made of.

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Serafina

If somewhere is described as a favourite haunt of Beyonce and Jay-Z in New York, then we’re going to be sure to make it a favourite of our own, too. Serafina not only has ‘lap of the action’ views of the Dubai Fountain, it also has some pretty decent pasta on offer. Their simple – but sensational – ‘penne arabiata’ with crushed red pepper, chili tomato sauce and parsley (AED65) is like a hug from your mum, and the perfect size to ensure that you leave full – but not resembling Pavarotti.

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The Boardwalk

We’ve long waxed lyrical about the brilliant menu at The Boardwalk down in the Deira end of town, and their pasta is one of their hero offerings. Living in such a coastal city, we’re lucky to have so much fresh seafood on our doorstep, so make the most of it with the superb ‘spaghetti alle vongole’ (AED85) – which is comprised of clams, garlic, white grape and olive oil sauce. Don your napkin as a bib, practice that fork twirl and enjoy the waterside location.

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Bianca Mozzarella & Co

This relatively new addition to the Dubai dining scene is nothing short of a breath of fresh air. Have a look at their stunning Instagram feed if you don’t believe us. Or, note that the Crown Prince has been seen to stop by, which is nothing if not a seal of approval. Located in Al Safa’s Boxpark development, the setting itself is beautifully light and airy, while the food has superb presentation and deliciously fresh ingredients. Start out with the ‘penne allo scarpiello’ (AED48) which features tomatoes, garlic, chilli, fresh basil and tons of cheese for your first order, but definitely head back to try everything else on the menu. We certainly will.

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Certo at Radisson Blu

Filled pasta, tortellini or ravioli – whatever you choose to call it – these parcels of pasta goodness are one of the best things to come out of Italy since quality leather produce. Certo, in Dubai Media City’s Radisson Blu hotel, does a beautifully rich version – the ‘ravioli con carna brasata’ (AED98) which is stuffed with homemade braised beef and spinach, and then lavishly drizzled with cream sauce and black truffles. Did someone say ‘yum’?

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Vapiano

With branches in Media City and The Dubai Mall, Vapiano is an ideal lunch or casual-ish dinner spot for those looking to spend the mediocre bucks. While they have two whole pages of their menu dedicated to pasta, we highly recommend the ‘pesto basilico’ which comes with fresh fusilli tossed with homemade pesto, toasted pine nuts and Grana Padano D.O.P for just AED45. Fresh, fragrant and filling – it’s a total winner. Just watch your teeth afterwards…

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