Abu Dhabi’s got Japanese restaurants on every corner these days. You can’t walk five minutes without bumping into some place serving sushi or ramen. The city went crazy for Japanese food and honestly, who can blame them? Fresh fish, perfectly cooked rice, and those amazing noodle soups that warm your soul. Some places are fancy as hell; others keep it simple and cheap. All of the Best Japanese restaurants in Abu Dhabi know how to make your taste buds happy.
1. NIRI Restaurant s Bar – Award Winning Excellence
NIRI Restaurant s Bar won the big prize for being the best Japanese restaurants in Abu Dhabi and you can see why the moment you sit down. This place sits right next to Soul Beach so you get amazing water views while eating your sushi. The atmosphere feels alive and fun, not stuffy like some fancy restaurants. Their sushi and sashimi plates look like art pieces but taste even better. Two people can eat here with drinks for under 500 dirhams which is pretty decent for this quality.
Location and Contact Details
- Address: Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Phone: 02 546 8886
- Cost for Two: Under AED 500 with drinks
- Special Feature: Licensed restaurant with beach views
2. Straw fire by Ross Shonhan – Theatrical Dining Experience
Straw fire by Ross Shonhan inside Emirates Palace does this crazy Warayaki cooking style that’s all about smoke and fire they are among the best Japanese restaurants in Abu Dhabi, because of their Wagyu beef sashimi, that literally melts just by touching your tongue. The whole space looks dramatic with vegan silk curtain & this ginormous rope from the ceiling. Yeah it costs more money but watching them cook your food like a show makes it worth every dirham.
Restaurant Highlights
- Location: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Corniche, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Phone: 02 690 7999
- Special Dishes: Wagyu beef sashimi, smoky Australian Wagyu striploin, Nutella taiyaki
3. Zuma – International Japanese Brand
Zuma has been the cool kid on the block since 2014 and still packs the house every night. This Abu Dhabi best Japanese restaurant 2025 knows how to keep people coming back with their fancy interiors and killer cocktail menu. The black cod here is legendary – people drive from other emirates just to eat it. They also do lunch deals if you don’t want to spend your whole paycheck on dinner.
Menu Features
- Location: The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Phone: 02 401 5900
- Cost for Two: Expensive but has lunch deals
- Timings: Mall and evening hours
- Famous Food: Black cod, marinated lamb chops, sweet potato robata
4. Daikan Izakaya – Local Success Story
Daikan Izakaya started as a small family business in Dubai and now they’re crushing it in Abu Dhabi. This place has a chill vibe where younger crowds hang out drinking and slurping ramen by the water. They only make four types of ramen but each one tastes incredible.
The sea breeze hits you while you eat which makes the whole experience feel perfect. You can actually have a conversation here without shouting over loud music.
Ambience and Features
- Location: Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Phone: 058 124 1529
- Cost for Two: Mid-range pricing
- Timings: Evening restaurant hours
- Popular Food: Shoyu ramen, shio ramen, miso ramen, chef’s special ramen
5. Goldfish Sushi s Yakitori – Creative Japanese Fusion
Chef Akmal Anuar created something special at Goldfish where traditional Japanese meets crazy creativity. These 2025 best Japanese restaurants Abu Dhabi serves stuff like Wagyu foie gras sliders that shouldn’t work but somehow taste amazing. Their tuna caviar bowls look Instagram-ready and their yakitori chicken wings get crispy in all the right ways. The place feels both fancy and casual at the same time which is pretty hard to pull off.
Service Details
- Location: Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Phone: 02 665 6485
- Rating: Creative fusion concept
- Timings: Mall operating hours
- Good Food: Otoro nigiri, tuna caviar bowls, yakitori wings, wagyu sliders
Conclusion
These best Japanese restaurants in Abu Dhabi prove Abu Dhabi seriously knows how to do sushi and ramen right. Some places charge premium prices but give you fancy surroundings and perfect service. Others keep it real with good food at decent prices. Each spot brings its own personality whether that’s beachside dining, theatrical cooking, or creative fusion dishes. Pick whichever one matches your mood and budget – you won’t leave disappointed.
