Mark your calendars for 24 April 2026.
Dubai’s appetite for international imports shows no signs of slowing, with offerings ranging from Barrafina and Gymkhana to Le Trottoir de Paloma and Siena. Now, a slice of California cool is coming to the city with the arrival of Jon & Vinny’s Dubai.
Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo are the masterminds behind Jon and Vinny’s. The restaurant was created in Los Angeles, where it became a casual spot for celebrities. Chrissy Teigen, John Legend, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé are among the names spotted sharing slices of pizza. Plus, Kim Kardashian went so far as to share snaps of herself in the restaurant on her Instagram account.
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Jon and Vinny’s Dubai will offer a menu that celebrates traditional Italian-American dishes without the fuss. Highlights include the Breakfast Pizza 2.0 with potato, egg, and red onion, Marinara Braised Veal Meatballs, loaded Chopped Salads and stacks of fluffy pancakes. The pizzas, made with 48-hour fermented dough, are perfectly charred for an irresistible flavour and include L.A. Woman, which piles local burrata upon a base of tomato, basil, before topping it with a glug of olive oil and a sprinkling of sea salt, and Tiber Island featuring fennel sausage, mushrooms and olives.
When it comes to pasta, the homemade Rigatoni with six-hour beef bolognese and Spaghetti Limone won the FACT team over in the Saudi capital, securing the restaurant as ‘Best Casual Dining Restaurant in Riyadh’ at the FACT Dining Awards Riyadh 2025.
Jon and Vinny’s Dubai will draw inspiration from its sister restaurants in Los Angeles, Riyadh, and Jeddah, showcasing Jon & Vinny’s signature bold green colour palette with a cosy, minimalist design. Guests will recognise the signature green pizza boxes, high ceilings, softwood accents, and neon signage—all coming together to create a warm, inviting atmosphere with a familiar neighbourhood charm.
Jon & Vinny’s Dubai is set to open on 24 April at First Avenue Mall in Jumeirah. Located opposite Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, details on the wider dining and retail line-up are still under wraps, but one thing is confirmed: tashas café will be joining Jon & Vinny’s at the new hotspot.
The opening is backed by Saudi Arabia’s MJS Holding, the hospitality heavyweight behind a roster that includes AOK Kitchen, Il Baretto, ROKA, Rüya, Zuma and the group’s first Dubai opening, Mr Chow.
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GO: Follow @jonandvinnys.ksa on Instagram for more information.