Restaurants

Award-winning chef Reif Othman launched his first licensed venue Ikigai, a venue that celebrates the food of izakayas (Japanese pub taverns). This laid-back restaurant and bar serves excellent dishes of Japanese street food as well as a diverse beverage selection. Inside, there are colourful artworks and wooden interiors, as well as a cosy terrace where guests may enjoy signature sharing dishes al fresco. Expect a menu full of foods like grilled tiger prawns with Kombu butt and other dishes inspired by Japan’s bustling izakayas.

Created by the brainchild behind the famous supper club ‘A Story of Food’, the Dubai based ramen genius Neha Mishra, finally launched her own restaurant Kinoya. With waiting lists to get seated, diners are raving about the quality of food. By serving typical Japanese foods like Donabe, Onsen Tamago, Dashi, Omurice, and many other traditional delights, Kinoya provides an all-encompassing experience of atmosphere and taste. Kinoya has been meticulously designed to revolutionize the Japanese culinary narrative in Dubai. Make sure you try her famous ramen and burnt butter scallops.

Japanese flavour with a Western twist: that’s how this London-run restaurant bills itself. Ramusake puts its own spin on the laid-back tradition of a Japanese izakaya (an informal eatery). Its varied menu offers everything from traditional sushi rolls to the out-there “chilli j-dogs” – a hot dog packed with wagyu beef and pickles, to a sashimi pizza.

Situated on Palm Jumeirah, the AED120 million retail complex Club Vista Mare has recently launched with seven new restaurants, all set directly on the beach boasting of great views of the city’s landmarks. Top picks include Aji, a restaurant that’s creating a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavours, a blend known in the culinary world as Nikkei. With a trendy interior and outdoor seating situated on the Palm’s eastern shore, this restaurant is a must-try for foodies seeking a combination of atmospheric dining and great eats.

Stop By Sumo Sushi & Bento Whether you’re ordering takeout or just want to go out for a reasonably priced sushi meal without formalities, you can count on Sumo Sushi & Bento. Freshly made sashimi and maki are available at this Japanese restaurant, which has locations in Dubai Media City, Healthcare City and beyond. Experiment with some of the other Japanese twists too, such as the Rock n’ Roll Shrimp and the filling Sumo Sashimi Salad.

In Dubai’s fast-changing, big business scene, no location in the city is more vibrant than Dubai International Financial Centre. And when it comes to the best restaurants for wooing business associates or potential clients, nowhere is better equipped than the sleek sushi restaurant, Zuma. With its clean-lined furniture, striking feature staircase made from glass and wood, and simple layout, the venue is very much in alignment with its key clientele: modern, sophisticated and chic professionals. And when it comes to the food, the experience loses none of its allure. The Ebisu Lunch (AED130) is served from Sunday to Thursday between…

Super-sleek sushi restaurant Okku is famous in Dubai for delivering Japanese cuisine that the city’s foodies go absolutely mad for. Headed by executive chef, Hugo Sato Gardiner, the restaurant has won a clutch of awards – including most recently the prestigious Caterer Award for Restaurant of the Year and TimeOut Dubai’s award for Best Japanese – which brings with it a distinctly A-list clientele. It’s not cheap – but with caviar and black truffle in the sushi, it’s certainly memorable. +971 4 501 8777

If you’re looking for a fun, cheerful spot for sushi lunches or evening meals, head to ET Sushi at Emirates Towers to fill up on Japanese delights. You can choose to dine at the sushi bar or on the terrace. At the bar, a conveyor belt displays individually prepared sushi, sashimi and tempura dishes to select as they move past. Those dining on the terrace can have a la carte meal of soup, hot and cold noodle dishes, teppanyaki and ice cream. Telephone +971 [0] 4 319 8088 Email JETrestaurants@jumeirah.com

Watching chefs armed with Samurai-like knives prepare your food at the restaurant’s teppanyaki tables is part of the show at Sakura, but the food is just as impressive, with a menu of classic Japanese dishes including Salmon-Skin Maki Rolled in Spring Onions and Shabu Shabu (Japanese hotpot). Ideal for dining with a group of friends or entertaining colleagues, the stylish and elegant interior is decorated with framed calligraphy and elaborately adorned walls. Telephone +971 [0] 4 331 1111 Email fbreservations.cpdubai@ihg.com