The Best Japanese Restaurants in Dubai

Nobu Dubai is located at Atlantis, The Palm on Palm Jumeirah and blends Japanese cuisine with a Peruvian twist. Diners can take in panoramic views of the Palm and Dubai Marina skyline in a contemporary setting. It’s known for its lively atmosphere and draws both locals and visitors throughout the week.

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Hrvoje Petric

Food & Wine Writer

Nobu Dubai restaurant, located on the iconic Palm Jumeirah (Atlantis the Palm hotel), offers a world-renowned Japanese cuisine with a Peruvian twist for a great culinary experience. With the stunning views of the Palm and Dubai Marina skyline you can taste some iconic dishes by chef Nobu Matsuhisa like black cod miso, premium wagyu beef tacos with a Japanese twist, Dubai’s best sushi, all prepared by head chef Damien Duviau.

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Reif Japanese Kushiyaki at Dar Wasl has a relaxed, casual feel that highlights a fresh take on Japanese cooking. An open kitchen and friendly service add to its welcoming vibe, making it an appealing spot for a straightforward and enjoyable meal.

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Malgosia Minta

Food journalist

Fun and tasty play on Japanese food. Fun and tasty play on Japanese food. Best to come with a few people to enjoy as many small dishes as possible, such as raw hamachi with umeboshi and almonds, melo with kimchi sauce and sesame (this I will copy at home) maki with soft shell crab or a variety of kushi (beef with black pepper teriyaki and bonito flakes eryngi mushrooms and seaweed butter). PS Reif was also named the best ramen place in town - and not without a reason!

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TakaHisa Japanese Restaurant in Dubai is recognized in the 2023 Michelin Guide and is known for using premium ingredients brought in directly from Japan. Led by experienced chefs specializing in omakase and top-grade wagyu, the restaurant highlights a refined yet welcoming vibe. Guests can expect attentive service and a focus on fresh, high-quality produce.

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Hani AlMalki

Writer @BedouinFoodie

High end Japanese sushi and wagyu restaurant. They use the highest quality produce flown in from Japan.

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Moonrise is a 12-seater chef’s table perched on a rooftop in Dubai. Led by Chef Solemann Haddad, it offers an ever-evolving menu that highlights Middle Eastern influences alongside global inspirations. The intimate setting creates a welcoming spot for anyone curious to explore creative cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.

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Himanshu Saini

Chef

This place has a very unique concept and stands out because it does something very different. Chef Solemann Haddad cooks around the Dubai food culture which is a mix of Indian, Sri Lankan and Pakistani influences. He's grown up in Dubai, and has seen since he was a kid what the city started from and what it has become. Now he brings back the nostalgia for people who have lived in Dubai for many years. He is self-taught, which is why he has his own interpretation in his cooking - it's not derived from working with another chefs.

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3 Fils is a casual, community-style dining spot in Dubai’s Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, recognized as the Best Restaurant in the Middle East & North Africa in 2022. It has a relaxed vibe where guests can enjoy flavor-packed, Asian-inspired meals with scenic harbor views. Thanks to its laid-back atmosphere and welcoming setting, it remains a favorite for both locals and visitors.

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Kaylee Folster

Food & Travel Writer

Flavourful Abundance 3 Fils holds the title of Best Restaurant in Middle East & North Africa 2022 and after just one visit you’ll understand why. This casual and reasonably priced dining spot overlooks the Jumeirah Fishing Harbour and it’s, arguably, one of the most popular restaurants in Dubai (with good reason, of course). The restaurant offers unique community style dining with large shared tables. You can look forward to a menu selection of Japanese influenced dishes. Each and every dish is loaded with flavour to impress. The ‘Charcoal’ surprise is one of their signature dishes that’s not to be missed; a secret dish that will not only keep you guessing but wanting more too. Another classic 3 Fils dish is their seaweed salad which boasts sweet apple and crunchy walnuts. And of course, you can’t go wrong with the mouth-watering 3 Fils wagyu truffle burger; simply superb. Great food, great service and a great setting; you don’t want to miss out on 3 Fils when visiting Dubai.

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Daikan is a relaxed ramen spot tucked away in the back of a residential tower in Dubai. People often say it serves some of the tastiest ramen around. It’s a welcoming place to drop by for a comforting meal in a casual setting.

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Liam Collens

Writer @itsliamcollens

A low-key, casual ramen spot in the back of a residential tower. Daikan cooks some of Dubai’s best ramen in my opinion particularly the spicy chef’s special and a rich, creamy shoyu ramen. Other dishes like the miso aubergine and the chicken katsu bao with kimchi are worth ordering. I have to limit myself to eating here no more than once a week!

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Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori is a new restaurant in Dubai, opened in January 2021 by Chef Akmal Anuar and his team. Its straightforward approach and fair prices have quickly made it a popular spot for sushi and yakitori. Guests appreciate the welcoming atmosphere and no-nonsense style that set it apart.

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Flip Dejaeghere

Flip World Foodie

A very very fresh newbie not to be missed when in Dubai. Chef Akmal Anuar & his team just opened in January 2021 this exquisite sushi & yakitori spot. No nonsense, uber tasty creations and very democratic prices will quickly make this newbie a Dubai hotspot. One not to miss when in Dubai!!

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Itadaku is an authentic Japanese restaurant in Jumeirah, Dubai, run entirely by a Japanese team. They focus on traditions and recipes passed down over time, offering a genuine experience without any fusion twists. The atmosphere is welcoming and aims to reflect the spirit of true Japanese dining.

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Hani AlMalki

Writer @BedouinFoodie

Authentic Japanese Everything Itadaku is an authentic Japanese restaurant and everything and everyone is from Japan. It's a gem of a restaurant that stays true to the recipes and traditions. There is no fusion here.

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Kinoya is a casual Japanese izakaya that quickly became a local favorite in Dubai for its relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and lively music. Despite its unassuming location, it exudes the fun, passionate spirit of its chef, offering a genuine spot to unwind with everyday Japanese flavors.

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Mohamed El Baroudi

Foodie

An Izakaya with great food and vibes Hidden in an unimpressive building, Kinoya became a Dubaï institution in just a few months. The restaurant reflects its chef Neha Mishra’s personality : passionate, relaxed and fun. Trendy atmosphere (very good playlists!) and delicious japanese izakaya classics. The place is famous for its ramen (the duck one is outstanding). The sando is also a hit.

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Mimi Kakushi brings a welcoming taste of 1930s Japan to Dubai’s Four Seasons Jumeirah, blending glossy woods, warm lighting, and stylish décor. Created in collaboration with the La Cantine team and local chef Reif Othman, it offers a fresh spin on Asian-inspired cuisine in a popular dining spot. Bookings are recommended, as it’s quickly becoming a favorite among those looking for something new in the city.

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Liam Collens

Writer @itsliamcollens

Mimi Kakushi is a brand new opening in Dubai Jumeirah’s Four Seasons hotel combining the best of the La Cantine restaurant group in consultation with local talent, Reif Othman. The stunning decor channels early 1930s Japan with glossy woods, portraits, palm leaves and warm lighting. Mimi Kakushi injects much needed innovation into Dubai’s Asian food scene evolving now stalwart classics with twists. Menu highlights included the wagyu foie gras gyozas with refreshing pickled cucumber and truffle soy butter. A delicious Kagoshima wagyu maki roll with sukiyaki sauce in an onsen egg dip. Lighter dishes included a smashed hamachi with yuzu guacamole, crispy nori and yuzu soy and the generously portions king crab with mizuna, crisp baby potatoes and wasabi dressing. As with many restaurants that focus on small plate dining in Dubai, The bill can add up quickly as you collect a number of small plates to eat. However many dishes stay impressively below 100 dhs. Bookings are absolutely essential as this brand-new restaurant is very popular in an already popular cul de sac of high-end restaurants in Dubai.

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Nama Yoso is a casual Japanese spot in a neighborhood mall, led by the renowned Chef Reif Othman. The restaurant has a comfortable, welcoming feel, with raw, natural accents and an ocean-inspired color palette. Its contemporary approach to traditional recipes makes it a relaxed place for get-togethers in the heart of Dubai.

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Liam Collens

Writer @itsliamcollens

A casual, unlicensed Japanese restaurant under the helm of one of the region’s most lauded chefs placed inside of a neighbourhood mall where you would not typically expect seafood gyozas, fatty otoro or wagyu, aburi nigiri and fresh crab salads, but nonetheless this and more is available in spades.

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Reif Japanese Kushiyaki – Dubai Hills is a casual, licensed spot that puts a modern spin on Japanese dining. The menu takes inspiration from Chef Reif Othman’s inventive approach and often sees new creations. It’s a relaxed, neighborhood setting where you can drop by and enjoy something different each time.

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Liam Collens

Writer @itsliamcollens

Casual, elevated Japanese dining with a modern twist - and licensed! Reif expands his reach with a new kushiyaki in residential Dubai Hills offering a licensed casual restaurant (rare in Dubai) turning out the sublime like their seared prawn toast, cauliflower black sesame kushi, chicken or wagyu sandos and duck ramen with a broth so thick, you could walk across it. It’s a run don’t walk situation. I’ve been every week since its opened.

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The Experience by Reif Othman in Dubai features a cozy 12-seat counter with a low-key, speakeasy feel. Chef Reif’s interest in streetwear and sneaker culture sets a fun vibe in the arrival area. Every few months, the omakase menu switches up its influences, so guests can expect something fresh and different with each visit.

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Liam Collens

Writer @itsliamcollens

Local favourite Reif Othman re-launches his more casual omakase inside his successful Reif Kushiyaki. Reif’s fingerprints are all over this omakase. His signature simplicity focuses on doing less but more, drawing the best out of quality, premium ingredients. Dishes such as uni nigiri, raw scallops brushed with seaweed butter and a caviar-studded otoro gunkan wrapped in nori make for exceptional and special mouthfuls. These are followed by larger courses including a Kagoshima Wagyu beef shabu-shabu steeped in the clearest of wagyu dashi lifted by pools of yuzu oil. Unlicensed, it’s an excellent way to tip toe into an informal omakase.

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