Additional Coverage:
- I ate unlimited pizza for $29 at Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant at a luxury Dubai hotel. I tapped out at 5 slices, but it was worth it. (businessinsider.com)
Gordon Ramsay’s “Street Pizza” in Dubai: A Bottomless Bargain in a Luxury Oasis
Dubai, UAE – When you hear “Gordon Ramsay,” images of Michelin stars and high-stakes culinary drama likely spring to mind. Yet, nestled within the opulent confines of Atlantis, The Palm – a resort synonymous with fine dining – lies a surprising and refreshingly casual concept: Ramsay’s Street Pizza. This all-you-can-eat pizza haven offers a stark, yet welcome, contrast to its upscale neighbors, delivering an affordable and lively dining experience that’s proving to be a hit with both locals and tourists.
Street Pizza, which also boasts locations in Washington, D.C., Doha, Kuala Lumpur, and most recently, Mumbai International Airport, represents a growing trend in Ramsay’s culinary empire: a pivot towards more accessible, high-volume eateries. This strategic shift aligns perfectly with Dubai’s booming food and beverage sector, which continues to attract millions of international visitors and fuels constant innovation across all dining tiers.
For just 105 United Arab Emirates dirham (approximately $29), guests can indulge in unlimited pizza from a diverse menu. An additional AED 35 (about $10) secures free-flowing soft beverages – an almost unheard-of value within a luxury resort setting. This makes Street Pizza an attractive option for anyone, whether they’re a guest of Atlantis or simply seeking a delicious and budget-friendly meal.
Our correspondent recently visited the Dubai outpost on a bustling Sunday evening, right as families were winding down from a day at the adjacent Aquaventure water park. The restaurant, which opened in 2021, was about half-full, buzzing with the energy of vacationers still sporting swimsuits and flip-flops. A gelato and soft-serve counter at the entrance further cemented its appeal as a convenient and family-friendly stop.
A Playful Vibe with a British Twist
Stepping inside, the playful interiors immediately caught the eye. Bright neon signs, graffiti-style artwork, and industrial hanging lights created an energetic, food-hall atmosphere – a stark departure from the polished elegance of Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen located next door. Subtle nods to Ramsay’s British heritage were scattered throughout the space, including soft-serve machines draped in a Union Jack flag and a classic red telephone booth, adding a touch of quirky charm.
The open kitchen, dominated by a giant yellow oven, showcased the culinary team in action. Staff members could be seen rolling dough, grating cheese, and expertly sliding pizzas in and out of the oven, maintaining a swift and continuous flow of fresh slices to eager diners.
While bottomless pizza is the star attraction, the menu also features salads, wings, and a full bar offering cocktails and mocktails. Our correspondent and their dining companion opted to focus solely on the unlimited pizza experience. Servers circulate constantly, offering slices fresh from the oven every few minutes, ensuring a continuous stream of cheesy goodness.
A Slice-by-Slice Breakdown
The bottomless journey began with the Cinque Formaggi, a decadent five-cheese pizza featuring mozzarella, Taleggio, provolone, Gorgonzola, and Parmesan layered over a roast-onion cream base and finished with chives. Served piping hot with a thin, airy crust, this creamy yet well-balanced slice, enhanced with a sprinkle of chili flakes, quickly became a favorite.
Next up was the classic Margherita, a testament to the beauty of simplicity. Made with house-made tomato sauce (using tomatoes imported from Italy), creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil, this pizza impressed with its perfectly balanced sauce – neither too acidic nor overly sweet.
The daily special, a Mambo Chicken Pizza, offered a more adventurous flavor profile. Topped with grilled chicken, onions, cilantro, spring onions, cheese, and a vibrant mambo sauce (a sweet and tangy condiment popular in Washington, D.C.), it proved to be a divisive choice. While the sweetness wasn’t to our correspondent’s personal taste, their companion appreciated its unique and inventive character.
The final surprise came in the form of the Prawn and Garlic pizza. Despite initial skepticism about shrimp on pizza, this garlic-heavy creation, accented with crispy Parmesan and pangrattato, proved to be a delightful revelation. The only minor critique was a desire for a deeper char on the prawns to enhance their flavor further.
The Pizza Leaderboard and the Verdict
Comfortably full after five slices (including a repeat of the Cinque Formaggi), our correspondent noticed a “pizza leaderboard” on the wall, tracking the highest slice counts. The current record, a staggering 41 slices, was set by a teenager, with another recent contender stopping at 40. Breaking the record earns a free meal, adding a playful, competitive element to the dining experience.
Overall, Street Pizza at Atlantis, The Palm, offers an exceptional value proposition. A meal for two, including tax and tip, came to approximately AED 210 (about $57).
The thin, airy slices make it easy to sample multiple flavors without feeling overly full. While our correspondent didn’t try every item on the eight-pizza menu, the mix of familiar and creative options kept the bottomless format engaging.
In a hotel where a family meal can easily run into hundreds of dollars, Street Pizza stands out as an affordable, satisfying, and fast-moving option. The consistently good pizzas, lively atmosphere, and fun concept make it a place our correspondent would gladly revisit. It may not be the flashiest restaurant in Atlantis, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most practical and enjoyable.