Dubai’s dining landscape has found its new Italian jewel in Vera Versilia — the recently crowned Middle East’s Best Italian Cuisine Restaurant 2025 at the World Culinary Awards. Located within the elegant Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, Vera Versilia embodies the soul of Tuscany’s coastal Riviera, where art, cuisine, and culture harmonize with Dubai’s cosmopolitan rhythm.

A Vision of Riviera Refinement

Vera Versilia is inspired by Italy’s famed coastal Riviera — an elegant world where art, cuisine, and natural beauty converge. Drawing from this heritage, the interiors pair soft neutrals with coastal textures, sculptural lighting, and hand-finished wood, creating a tranquil ambience that feels both modern and timeless. Every corner, from the marble-topped bar to the sunlit terrace, evokes the warmth and intimacy of a seaside escape.

Beyond its aesthetics, Vera’s philosophy lies in celebrating Italian elegance through simplicity. Here, authenticity is the new luxury. Each plate tells a story of provenance — the olive groves of Liguria, the truffle forests of Umbria, the sparkling waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea — all interpreted through contemporary finesse.

The Culinary Soul: Chef Marco Garfagnini

At the heart of Vera Versilia’s culinary vision is internationally acclaimed Executive Chef Marco Garfagnini Born in Carrara, Tuscany, Chef Marco’s journey from the marble valleys of his homeland to Michelin-starred kitchens across Paris, London, and New York defines a career steeped in craftsmanship and creative mastery. By the age of 27, he had earned his first Michelin star for Ristorante Ninan — an early testament to his pursuit of perfection.

“Vera is more than a restaurant — it’s a feeling, a place of beauty, simplicity, and soul. I am honoured to be part of its story,” says Chef Marco.

Now at Vera Versilia, Chef Marco brings a philosophy rooted in Northern Italian tradition yet invigorated by global perspective. “Vera is more than a restaurant — it’s a feeling, a place of beauty, simplicity, and soul,” he reflects. His cuisine embodies restraint and precision, allowing natural flavours to shine — from the delicate layering of truffle-infused pastas to the clean finish of sea-fresh crudo. Each dish is both a tribute to Tuscan heritage and an invitation to modern indulgence.

See incredible Virtual Tours of the Restaurant
Experience Vera Versilia from anywhere in the world with our new immersive virtual tours, offering an elegant glimpse into the restaurant’s Tuscan-inspired interiors, open kitchen, and Riviera-style ambience. Step inside and explore every detail — from marble finishes to candlelit tables — before your visit, and discover why Vera Versilia is celebrated as the Middle East’s Best Italian Cuisine Restaurant 2025.

 

A Celebration of the Seasons

Vera Versilia’s menu changes with the rhythm of Italy’s landscape — a living expression of seasonality and emotion. This winter, the restaurant celebrates the arrival of Tartufo Bianco, Italy’s coveted white truffle. For a limited time, diners can savour an exquisite menu sourced from the estates of San Pietro a Pettine, pairing the earthy perfume of truffle with Italian classics such as Tagliolini al Burro e Parmigiano, Carpaccio di Manzo con Nocciole, and Tagliata di Manzo Wagyu. Guests may also elevate their à la carte selections with freshly shaved truffles, transforming each plate into a multisensory journey of scent and texture.

Festive moments are equally enchanting at Vera Versilia. From bespoke Christmas menus to New Year’s Eve celebrations inspired by Riviera glamour, each occasion unfolds with seamless elegance — candlelight glimmering on crystal glassware, the air alive with laughter, and every dish crafted to embody generosity and joy.

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Where Hospitality Meets Heart

Vera Versilia is more than an homage to Tuscan beauty; it’s a living embodiment of Italian hospitality. Every detail — from the hand-painted ceramics to the gentle cadence of Italian music — reflects a devotion to the art of experience. Guests are welcomed not as patrons, but as extended family, invited to linger, connect, and rediscover the pleasure of shared moments.

With its debut, Vera Versilia has redefined Dubai’s fine-dining landscape, introducing a style that is quietly confident, sensorially rich, and unmistakably Italian. Under Chef Marco Garfagnini’s direction, the restaurant invites diners to step into a world where the timeless allure of Tuscany meets the modern rhythm of Dubai — an ode to elegance, simplicity, and the enduring beauty of la vita vera.

As Vera Versilia continues to enchant diners with its poetic blend of authenticity and innovation, its recent triumph at the World Culinary Awards stands as a fitting testament to its ethos: elegant, soulful, and unmistakably vera — true to its name, and to the art of Italian living in grande stile.