5 of the best Japanese restaurants in Dubai to book today

5-star hotel, W Dubai The Palm boasts a number of fantastic restaurants and Akira Back – W Dubai The Palm is the best if you’re craving Japanese flavours. Dig into creative, showstopping Japanese dishes with Korean and International influences. Renowned chef Akira Back uses seasonal produce and artisanal ingredients to craft a menu that’s sure to make memories. Think buttery smooth sashimi or seabass with chojang miso from the robata grill. Try it all with the exclusive nine-course tasting menu complemented by sommelier Irina Baeva’s curated sake and wine pairing. While you’re exploring The Palm, check out MICHELIN-starred Torno Subito for hearty Italian, WET Deck for cocktails by the pool and SoBe for 360-degree rooftop views.

On the rooftop of the Four Points by Sheraton hotel, Level 43 Sky Lounge is one of the best views in Dubai. Settle in on plush blue armchairs and take in the full scope of Dubai’s beauty with views of the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and out towards the Jumeirah coastline. Low glass walls ensure you don’t miss any part of the city’s skyline. This is a popular spot for pre-dinner drinks with international wines like Australian chardonnays with notes of honeydew and melon and French rosés with notes of cherry and peach. There’s also a number of fun cocktails like the cherry brandy and Cointreau Singapore sling or the Johnnie Walker Red Label and passionfruit smooth walker. The varied food menu includes popular Japanese share plates like crispy gyoza filled with chicken, duck or vegetables and juicy chicken karaage. For a main order one of the bentos, featuring a selection of sushi and tempura or opt for your favourite maki sushi rolls.

Top-notch food and funky vibes await at Izakaya, named after Japan’s traditional pubs. This dimly lit restaurant with parasols hanging from the ceiling puts the spotlight on the chefs who step up to the teppanyaki grill and work the flames right in front of diners. Sit in front of the grill or book one of the tables along the wall for a more intimate evening. Nibble on some spiced edamame while you sip some sparkling sake and peruse the menu. The soft-shell crab with truffle wasabi mayonnaise is a great way to start and the tender wagyu striploin is a hearty main that will satisfy any diner. The signature sushi and sashimi platters are great for sharing or you can put together your own platter with your favourite flavours. Add some fluffy steamed rice or yaki soba on the side.

Kanpai means “cheers” in Japanese and you’ll have plenty to toast to at Kanpai Restaurant & Lounge Bar in Downtown Dubai. This luxurious lounge is also one of the best seafood restaurants in Dubai, with a stylish, minimalistic feel that’s perfect for everything from late-night parties to business lunches. In fact, the kitchen offers a 3-course business lunch set menu from 12 pm to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. You can’t go wrong with the salmon teriyaki set with crispy tempura and steamed rice. Say Kanpai to the end of the week with the Friday brunch with unlimited food (from one main course) and drinks from 7 pm to 10 pm. Alternatively, head here on the weekends for the Samurai Brunch from 1 pm to 4 pm. If you’re dining à la carte, start with some traditional miso soup before moving onto some appetisers like the cedar wood-smoked octopus or the yellow fin tuna tataki. Try takoyaki, Osaka’s famous balls of octopus fried in batter and dig into hearty plates of oven-baked miso black cod or pan-seared scallops with teriyaki sauce.

Nazcaa blends the culture and flavours of Japan and Peru to create a new cuisine it calls “Beyond Nikkei”. Try traditional Peruvian dishes made with Japanese flavours like crispy taquitos made with wagyu beef, truffle miso and yuzu mayo. Alternatively, opt for the lobster tempura with corn curd and a soya chilli sauce. Order from the robata grill and try wagyu tomahawk with shisho chimichurri and teriyaki sauce or hokkaido scallops served in a kabocha foam. The elegant dining space with velvet seating and hanging glass doves looks out towards Dubai’s skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Dark polished floors and wooden walls covered in unique artwork, help create an intimate, luxurious feel.