FACT Review: L’Amo Bistro del Mare

Seafood and the south of Italy collide at this chic new eatery.

Boasting enviable views of Dubai’s glittering skyline, the new Dubai Harbour is fast gaining a reputation as the place to visit when it comes to dinner with a view in our fair city. Case in point – the undeniably chic L’Amo Bistro del Mare.

Located inside the beautiful Dubai Harbour Yacht Club, L’Amo is the latest opening from Sunset Hospitality Group (Aura Sky Pool, Dream and FACT-favourite SushiSamba) in partnership with Mine & Yours Group is one that rewards diners with authentic seafood flavours, stunning vistas of seas and sunsets, and plenty of southern Italian charm. 

Decked out in neutral tones, light wood and terrazzo-style tiles, L’Amo transports guests into a sophisticated trattoria from the moment they enter the second-floor dining room. Here, floor-to-ceiling windows provide 360-degree views of Dubai Marina, Bluewaters Island and Ain Dubai, whilst a quaint terrace will be ideal for alfresco dining once the winter months roll around. 

Aside from the pleasing decor, it’s the sophisticated service that captures our attention and diverts our eyes away from Dubai’s glittering skyline. L’Amo’s team of knowledgeable staff are poised and ready to assist with even the smallest of quandaries, and our waitress is amiable without ever feeling overbearing. It’s not always an easy balancing act, but it’s one that the L’Amo team have perfected down to a tee.

The extensive seafood menu revolves around carefully selected fresh ingredients and Italian produce to ensure that Dubai diners experience an authentic taste of Italy. In addition to the a la carte offering, the restaurant’s fresh fish display presents the daily catch, which can be picked and cooked to order.

Our meal begins with Le Tre Tartare, an appealing trio of raw seafood that includes Sicilian red prawn with caviar, tune with capers mayo, and seabass with mullet roe and lime. We’re advised to begin with the seabass and work our way up to the prawn, as the flavour of each tartare increases in intensity whilst accentuating the delicate seafood. Next to arrive is Executive Chef Lorenzo Buccarini’s signature Spaghettone Cacio & Pepe E Ricci Di Mare. The notoriously complex dish of traditional spaghetti Mancini served with pecorino cheese, sea urchin, and a dash of black pepper is exceptional, thanks to its robust flavours and enticing ingredients. This would definitely be our recommendation should you ever find yourself at L’Amo Bistro del Mare.

We follow the memorable pasta course with the Grilled Galician Seabass, a big enough fish to feed two (or perhaps even three) people comfortably. Filleted tableside with the utmost precision, the fish is a showcase for simple cooking executed well. Re-emphasising L’Amo’s approach to sourcing high-quality ingredients and combining them with expert culinary technicality.

We end our meal with a house-made pistachio gelato that is smooth and comforting, providing a memorable finale to an exceptional meal. As with its sister restaurant, SushiSamba, L’Amo Bistro impresses with its winning combination of refined food, excellent service and pleasing atmosphere. It’s no wonder this chic Italian seafood spot was recently visited by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. If it’s good enough for UAE royalty, then it’s good enough for us. 

GO: Email reservations@lamorestaurant.com or call 04 278 4800 for reservations or more information.