Today we had the chance to dine at Jamie Oliver Pizzeria in JLT, Dubai, thanks to a lovely treat from a friend. The setting was warm and inviting, and we were excited to finally try this place — especially since we had heard a lot of buzz about it and had seen Jamie’s videos on YouTube.
Let’s start with the mocktails — they were refreshing and beautifully presented. The pomegranate with mint was the absolute winner for us — bright, flavorful, and a perfect companion to the food. The pink lemonade and passion fruit with pineapple were enjoyable too, but the pomegranate one really made an impression.
From the small bites, the ultimate garlic bread deserves a special mention. We’re used to crispy versions in other places, but this one was soft, warm, and packed with flavour in every bite. It was comforting and delicious — a real crowd-pleaser.
The crispy seafood dish was just okay — not bad, but not especially memorable either.
The Shrimply Hot pizza was undoubtedly the highlight of our meal. The dough was light and fresh, the toppings generous, and the flavours well-balanced — it truly lived up to the hype and reminded us why Jamie’s pizzas are so well-loved. The fiery fries were a great side — crunchy, seasoned just right, and addictive.
The watermelon and feta salad, unfortunately, didn’t quite hit the mark. The watermelon chunks were too large, and the feta was barely present — not only was the ratio off, but the presentation didn’t match what was shown in the menu photo. The flavours just didn’t come together as expected.
The biggest letdown, though, was the mushroom penne pasta. It arrived last, and only after we reminded the staff — about 10 minutes later. It felt rushed: the pasta wasn’t cooked properly, and the sauce was overly salty, overpowering the mushroom flavour.
However, since this outing was a special treat from a friend, we chose not to mention it to the staff. We didn’t want to take away from the warmth of the gesture or dampen the mood. At the end of the day, some meals are more about the company than the criticism — and we were grateful for the moment.
But the final verdict? We’ll definitely be coming back — mainly for that amazing pizza, and to try other dishes on the menu that we didn’t get to explore this time. There’s more to taste, and we’re hopeful for a better-rounded experience next time.