Elegance meets indulgence at this new Italian eatery in Burj Daman Tower.
A tavola, diners, Gusto has made its debut. The Italian restaurant and café concept is a brainchild of the esteemed ex-Director of Operations for Mine & Yours Group (Chic Nonna) and ex-General Manager of L’Amo Bistro Del Mare, Carlo Tinelli. Nestled inside Burj Daman Tower, Gusto is set to be a captivating new culinary destination in DIFC that merges refined taste and design with the warmth of Italian hospitality.
Taking inspiration from Tinelli’s hometown of Milan, the venue carefully bridges fine dining and casual eateries, beautifully combining elegance with indulgence and Italian culinary tradition. Luxurious, yet understated, it’s been purposefully designed to evoke a sense of home, but with a sophisticated undertone. Open daily from 7.30am to 10.30pm, Gusto serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with the space designed to transform as the day unfolds. It starts off with a bustling café atmosphere in the morning, transitioning into a refined spot for a business lunch before taking an intimate turn – complete with candlelight – come dinnertime.
Warm and welcoming, Gusto houses just 42 covers, offering a sense of calm and exclusivity amidst the buzz of the city. A bronze-accented bar anchors the left side of the room, where fresh Italian pastries are displayed each morning, and you’ll be served espressos the Italian way — standing at the counter. On the right is a cosy dining area with polished marble tables, soft lighting, and art-lined walls, reflecting both the richness and modern aesthetics of Italian heritage. The space has purposefully been designed to be quietly sophisticated, allowing conversation and connection to take centre stage.
Serving Italian classics made from quality ingredients, the menu has been artfully created by Tinelli and Head Chef Paola Solano, who previously held the role of Sous Chef at Surf Abu Dhabi and Isola Dubai. As well as breakfast classics ranging from omelettes to eggs Benedict and warm pastries baked freshly onsite each morning, signature dishes that feature on the lunch and dinner menu include the likes of Spaghettone Pastificio Mancini (al dente style spaghetti in a cacio e pepe sauce) and Veal Cotoletta (Milanese style with arugula and cherry tomatoes).
“Having been in the Middle East since 2011, I wanted to bring a real slice of home to the city, one that transports me straight back to the streets of Milan, which is lined with the most superb restaurants and cafés that beautifully transform as the day goes on,” says Carlo Tinelli, Partner and Managing Director. “There’s nothing quite like that here in Dubai, and so my concept was born. Gusto, which literally means Italian for ‘tasty’, is a place where elegance meets indulgence, and the space has been purposefully designed to be both warm and inviting but also sophisticated and refined. It’s a place where I want my customers to feel at home — somewhere they’ll want to come back to, time and time again.”
Discover: Gusto. Ground Floor, Burj Daman Tower, DIFC, Dubai. @gusto_dxb
