Big Mamma's Viral Italian Restaurants Expands to Dubai
The European restaurant collective behind London's Gloria and Jacuzzi is preparing to bring its maximalist spin to the UAE.
Apr 22, 2025
The Big Mamma Group, the cult-favourite collective behind some of Europe's most photographed restaurants, is making its way to Dubai. Known for their eccentric interiors, oversized pasta dishes, and theatrical service, the group has quietly hinted at their first Middle East opening via a recent job listing for a Head of Communications role based in the UAE.
While the group has yet to formally announce the exact location or concept, the move marks Big Mamma's first foray outside of Europe. Founded in Paris, the group now operates 28 restaurants across cities including London, Paris, Madrid, and Milan. In the UK capital, names like Gloria, Jacuzzi, and Ave Mario are as well known for their interiors—think velvet booths, hand-painted tiles, and art-lined ceilings—as they are for their ricotta-stuffed ravioli and Nutella-filled desserts.
Dubai's restaurant scene is no stranger to theatrical dining, but Big Mamma's arrival could inject a new wave of high-energy trattoria culture into the city—one where oversized parmesan wheels, cheeky menus, and flamboyant plating are all part of the draw. Whether the Dubai outpost will mimic one of its European siblings or introduce a brand-new concept remains to be seen, but for fans of maximalist Italian dining, the wait has officially begun.
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