Hospitality
Ciao, Mercato! Cucina Brings The Italian Food Market To Life With A New Saturday Brunch
Credit: Cucina The Palm
Ciao, Dubai! Saturdays are getting an Italian makeover as Cucina The Palm launches Mercato by Cucina on 31 October, a new monthly brunch inspired by the lively food markets of Italy. Forget the traditional buffet. Guests are invited to wander between market counters, select their favourite ingredients and watch Cucina’s chefs prepare dishes right before their eyes. From fresh pasta and charcoal-grilled meats to wood-fired pizza, Negroni gelato and a giant tiramisù, Mercato brings together the food, people and traditions that make an Italian Saturday something special. A live trio and dedicated children’s activities add to the experience, with something to keep guests of all ages entertained.
In Italy, a trip to the local market is as much about the people as it is the produce. Neighbours stop for a chat, families gather ingredients for lunch and familiar faces welcome shoppers at every counter. Mercato captures that same spirit at Palm West Beach, transforming Cucina into a bustling indoor marketplace where good food and warm Italian hospitality go hand in hand.
APERITIVO FIRST, PER FAVORE!
The afternoon begins at 12:30 pm with an Italian aperitivo at the bar, where spritzes are served alongside freshly baked focaccia, cheeses and marinated olives. At 1 pm, the market opens, and guests receive their own Mercato map to guide them through the different stations.
FROM THE MACELLERIA TO THE PESCHERIA
At La Macelleria, guests choose their preferred cuts of meat before Cucina’s chefs cook them to order over charcoal. Nearby, La Pescheria showcases fresh fish, prawns and oysters, prepared on the spot, bringing a taste of Italy’s coastal fish markets to Dubai.
Fresh pasta takes pride of place at the communal pasta table, where chefs roll and shape dough by hand before cooking it with classic sauces, including rich ragù alla bolognese and tomato. Over at the deli, freshly sliced prosciutto, mortadella and salami are served alongside Italian cheeses and focaccia, while Acquasale by Cucina brings its signature wood-fired pizzas to the afternoon. A colourful selection of seasonal fruit, vegetables and herbs completes the market experience.
UN PO’ DI DOLCE
Over at the pasticceria, traditional Italian sweets take centre stage, including a giant tiramisù assembled live by Cucina’s chefs. For something a little different, there’s Negroni gelato, a grown-up twist on the classic Italian aperitivo. And because no Italian meal is complete without a good coffee, guests can finish with a freshly brewed cup prepared using a traditional moka pot.
A live trio performing Italian favourites and jazz keeps the market atmosphere going throughout the afternoon, bringing music and a little extra Italian flair to the occasion.
SABATO, ALL’ITALIANA!
Mercato by Cucina launches on Saturday, 31 October 2026, before returning on the first Saturday of every month. With just one edition each month, it’s a chance to gather around the table and enjoy a Saturday inspired by the Italian way of life.
THE DETAILS
What: Mercato by Cucina | Where: Cucina The Palm, Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Palm West Beach | When: Saturday, 31 October 2026, followed by the last Saturday of every month (28 November, and 30 January 2027 (none in December as we have the Christmas day brunch on the 25th | Time: Aperitivo from 12:30 pm; market experience from 1 pm to 4pm
Prices: AED 275 per person – soft beverage package | AED 375 per person – house beverage package | AED 575 per person – champagne package | AED 120 for children aged 6 to 12, AED 85 for children aged 3 to 5, children aged 0 to 2 dine free | Prices are inclusive of government fees, taxes and service charge.