Partner Content: Located at Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel, this cosy Italian eatery is running a host of special offers alongside Happy Hour.

Osteria, enoteca, ristorante — leave it to the Italians to have devised a number of dining concepts in which to host their guests, each echoing their innate inclination to engage in hospitality by way of good food. None, however, is as intimate and laidback as the trattoria, where local cuisine and a neighbourhood feel go hand in hand. As for the definitive trattoria in the hectic heart of Dubai? Al Fresco. This cosy Italian restaurant in Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel has been serving meaty mains and homemade pasta dishes since early 2000, with the head chef’s creativity shining brightest when it comes to the crispy pizzas straight out of the stone-base oven onsite.

Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel

A ‘Farm to Fork’ philosophy – led by Chef Christophe – drives the culinary team at Al Fresco, symbolising the restaurant’s commitment to supporting local farming in the UAE. By selecting the finest ingredients from nearby farms, it not only promotes sustainable food practices, but also contributes to the thriving local economy. It’s not just Italy’s most deeply rooted culinary traditions that take centre stage at Al Fresco; each dish on the menu is a tribute to the dedication of local farmers and the richness of the UAE’s fertile lands. It’s no wonder that friends, families, and business colleagues congregate here for authentic Italian cuisine time and time again — the homey ambience alone feels like a world away from the bustle of Sheikh Zayed Road.

Al Fresco Restaurant

Open daily from noon to 11pm, Al Fresco is hosting a handful of special promotions. Pescare – A Seafood Extravaganza! is inviting diners to discover the finest selection of seafood dishes paired with their favourite Italian base. From lobster to calamari, there’s something to delight even the most discerning seafood enthusiasts. Starting from AED 55 per person, this offer will stay in place until 31 December, 2023. The Presto Business Lunch, meanwhile, is as healthy as it is quick, and priced at only AED 69 per person. The business lunch is served daily from 12pm to 4pm.

GO: Email h1031.fb11@millenniumhotels.com or call 04 305 6843 for reservations and more information.