Blu Pizzeria review: Dubai’s viral restaurant lands in Abu Dhabi, but is it worth the hype?

Emirati brand has built a loyal following from its Jumeirah and Khawaneej branches

Homegrown Dubai pizza brand Blu has opened in Abu Dhabi at Hidd Al Saadiyat. Photo: Blu Pizzeria

My Instagram photo from Blu Pizzeria Abu Dhabi over the weekend got nearly as many reactions as my cat posts, which says a lot about the popularity of this Dubai-born pizza hotspot. To see if the brand's latest branch lives up to the hype, I recruited my colleague (and fellow cat lover), Evelyn, for a taste test.

Known for its wood-fired sourdough Neapolitan-style pizzas, Blu made its debut in the UAE capital on Friday. Located along the marina of the beachfront Hidd Al Saadiyat development, this marks its largest space so far at 464 square metres.

Founded by Emirati entrepreneur Abdelrahman Alteneiji in 2021, the pizzeria has built a loyal following, with long queues often reported outside its two Dubai branches, in Jumeirah and Al Khawaneej. It also opened an international outpost in Riyadh earlier this year.

With clean lines and a neutral palette, the decor reflects the brand's fuss-free philosophy. Photo: Blu Pizzeria

With just seven items on the menu and the beverage offering limited to water and soft drinks, Blu keeps it simple and lets its pizzas do the talking.

We tried three of the pizzas, including an Abu Dhabi exclusive. All pizzas come in one size, medium, so make sure to leave room if you want to try more.

Burrata (Dh84)

The burrata pizza is best eaten fresh. Photo: Blu Pizzeria

David's take: We start with a vegetarian option, a simple creation with tomatoes, burrata cheese and Blu's own balsamic mix. Light and bright, it leans a little too heavily on the tomatoes for my taste, being more sour than savoury – and so not one I’d reach for when those pizza cravings hit.

Evelyn's take: I should preface by saying that, as a long-time Abu Dhabi resident, I have never tried Blu’s pizzas before, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The sourdough crust is a pleasant surprise, offering a light and soft texture that I haven't come across before. Unfortunately, it is overshadowed by the generous amount of sauce. While this balance might work when eaten fresh, it loses some of its appeal as leftovers – unless you don’t mind a soggier crust.

Sa'diyat (Dh89)

The sa'diyat is only available in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Blu Pizzeria

David's take: A limited-edition Abu Dhabi exclusive, this is where the game really starts. Three cheeses – Parmesan, burrata and mozzarella – meet spicy salami for a pizza with bite. I drizzle it with Blu’s “hot honey”, a sweet but spicy concoction, which makes for an interesting mix of flavours colliding as I reach for another slice.

Evelyn's take: As this pizza is only available for a limited time in the UAE capital, it's worth a try. It feels more balanced, with the sweetness of burrata paired against spicy salami to give each slice a satisfying kick. The crust also holds up better here, thanks to the lighter amount of sauce, and the overall flavour comes together in a way that makes it enjoyable.

Short ribs (Dh95)

The short ribs pizza is one of the brand's most popular. Photo: Blu Pizzeria

David's take: One of the best pizzas I've ever had, this meaty creation comes with shavings of black Angus short ribs on a bed of an aged cheese mixture drizzled with truffle white sauce and caramelised onion. Rich, creamy and decadent, it's the kind of pizza I could turn to again and again.

Evelyn's take: I still think about this pizza days later – that’s how good it is. It’s one of Blu’s best-seller and for good reason. Everything comes together seamlessly, from the creaminess of the truffle white sauce to the tenderness of the perfectly cooked short ribs on top. This is the kind of pizza you won’t want to leave leftovers of.

The verdict

David's take: Its latest outpost proves Blu Pizzeria is worth the hype. Simple and fuss-free, but with an artisanal touch, and totally satisfying, it's easy to understand its massive fan base. My Instagram commenters also recommended the musakhan (Dh84), a chicken special, and the tartufo (Dh95), a shaved truffle and cheese creation, so those are next on my hit list.

Evelyn's take: Blu's debut in the UAE capital has upped the emirate's pizza game. Although I could do without the burrata, the short ribs version is a truly impressive dish. I'll aim to try another white-sauced pizza the next time I go back.

Contact information

Blu Pizzeria Abu Dhabi, at Hidd Al Saadiyat, is open daily from 12pm to 12.30am. The restaurant employs a walk-in-only policy and does not accept reservations.

This review was conducted at the invitation of the restaurant