Dubai’s neighbourhood dining scene has a new after-hours hangout, and it’s hiding inside a villa in Jumeirah 2. Keanu’s has opened right next door to Three by Eva, led by restaurateur Lilian Rihani and built around long-fermented sourdough pizzas.
Keanu’s Dubai: A Pizzeria Born From Spare Dough
The team pitches it as a pizzeria for friends of friends of friends, and the setup backs that up. It feels less like a restaurant launch and more like a house party that happens to serve very good pizza.
The origin story is wonderfully unplanned. After service at Three by Eva, Emilie Rihani had dough that had been fermenting for days and nowhere to put it. Her sister Lilian put a record on and started making pizzas. Eventually, those late-night sessions grew into Keanu’s.
What’s On The Menu
The focus is still flour, water and salt, but the mood is a lot more late-night. Every pizza is cooked to order in a wood-fired oven.
The Pizzas To Order
- La Clandestina: a marinara with San Marzano tomato sauce and rose petals
- Polpetta Romana: meatballs with parmigiana flavours
- Hot Alibi: topped with spicy spianata
- Quattro Club: a four-cheese pie for the purists
Sharing Plates And Something Sweet
If you’re feeding a group, there are cheese and charcuterie boards, garlic bread, burrata and bruschetta specials that change from time to time. Dessert includes tiramisu and soft serve in flavours like sourdough bread and dirty martini. Before you ask, the dirty martini one is completely alcohol-free.
Also Read: Blu Pizzeria Lands In Nad Al Sheba, Dubai This January With A New Signature Pizza
A Deliberately Relaxed Setup
Keanu’s is built for turning up without much of a plan. There are no reservations, seating is indoors, and there’s just one communal table outside. On selected nights, young DJs take over the music.
It also comes with a strong family backstory. Three by Eva was founded by Eva Halasa and her daughters, Emilie and Lilian, drawing on their Jordanian roots and a shared love of bread and home-style cooking. Keanu’s carries that same spirit, only with the volume turned up a little. With doors opening at 5pm and staying open until midnight, it works as an easy dinner stop or a later drop-in after a long day.
Cover Image Courtesy: Keanu’s Dubai/Website
FAQs
What should you order at Keanu’s?
The menu includes La Clandestina (marinara with San Marzano sauce and rose petals), Polpetta Romana, Hot Alibi with spicy spianata and the four-cheese Quattro Club. For dessert there’s tiramisu and soft serve, including a dirty martini flavour that contains no alcohol
Where is Keanu’s in Dubai?
Keanu’s is in Villa 7, Street 23B, Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 2, in the villa right next door to Three by Eva.
Do you need to book a table at Keanu’s?
No. Keanu’s doesn’t take reservations. Seating is indoors, and there’s one communal table outside.
