Where to eat Neapolitan pizza on Reem Island

If you are looking for Neapolitan-style pizza on Al Reem Island, Ventuno at Reem Central Park is the place to know. It is a family-friendly Italian restaurant on the canal side of the park, open daily from 8 AM until midnight (12:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays).

What makes the pizza Neapolitan

Neapolitan pizza is defined by three things: a long-fermented dough, a very hot oven, and a short bake. Ventuno follows all three.

• The dough is cold-fermented for 48 hours. This relaxes the gluten, makes the crust easier to digest and creates the airy, open cornicione (the puffed edge) that Naples is known for.
• The pizza bakes for around 90 seconds at 450 C in a Moretti Forni electric deck oven. The high heat gives the leopard-spotted blistering on the crust while the centre stays soft.
• Toppings are kept simple: fresh mozzarella, 00 flour dough, extra virgin olive oil and a light hand with the sauce.

What to order

Start with the margherita. It is the benchmark for any Neapolitan pizzeria and the one guests mention most in Ventuno's Google reviews. Family-size pizzas are available for groups, and the menu also covers handmade pasta, salads and Italian desserts.

Practical details

• Address: Al Reem Central Park, RS3, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi
• Reservations: ventunoitalia.com/reservations or WhatsApp +971 50 406 8296
• Hours: Sun-Thu 8 AM-12 AM, Fri-Sat 8 AM-12:30 AM
• The dining room fills up by 7 PM, so book ahead on weekends.

Ventuno is a short walk from the residential towers on Reem Island and sits inside the park itself, which makes it an easy choice for an evening out with children.