Authentic Izakaya
in Dubai.

Akabeko opened in May 2024 as Dubai's first dedicated Japanese A5 wagyu yakiniku restaurant, housed in voco Dubai The Palm. Executive Chef Yosuke Matsuoka leads a nose-to-tail concept featuring up to 12 unique wagyu cuts cooked tableside, named after the legendary Japanese good-fortune red cow symbol.

Roka Dubai occupies Zaha Hadid's iconic Opus building in Business Bay, bringing the Zuma Group's signature contemporary Japanese robatayaki cuisine — and some of Dubai's finest Burj Khalifa terrace views — to the Downtown district.

The Robata is a dedicated robatayaki omakase restaurant on the terrace of Banyan Tree Dubai, operated by the fully Japanese team behind TakaHisa. Traditional binchotan charcoal grilling meets Japan's finest seasonal seafood and A5 Kobe beef, with open views of Ain Dubai.

Zuma Dubai is DIFC's benchmark contemporary Japanese izakaya, globally renowned for its robata grill, premium sushi counter, and signature sake bar — holding MENA 50 Best No. 34 (2026) and Michelin Guide selection across every edition since the inaugural Dubai guide.

Fujiya is Dubai's original authentic Japanese izakaya, founded in 2018 by Japanese entrepreneur Takahiro Mogi at the Millennium Airport Hotel in Al Garhoud. Led by Chef Aiko Hayakawa — a former sumo wrestler turned Japanese culinary professional — the restaurant serves wagyu BBQ, shabu-shabu hotpot, ramen, sushi, and yakitori, all with concept, design, owner, and staff coming directly from Japan.

Hisaya is the Dubai Marina outpost of Takahiro Mogi's Japanese dining group, confirmed by Khaleej Times as part of the group that also includes Fujiya, Kimura-ya, and Mogiya. Located at the Stella Di Mare Dubai Marina Hotel, the izakaya-style restaurant features A5 Kurohana Japanese wagyu, signature Hisaya ramen, yakitori skewers, sushi, and a Fukuoka-specialty mizutaki chicken hotpot.

Kimura-ya is a celebrated Japanese restaurant chain with approximately 200 outlets across Japan, and this JBR branch at the Al Habtoor Grand Resort marks its first UAE establishment. Owned in Dubai by Japanese entrepreneur Takahiro Mogi, the restaurant features a menu designed by Japanese chefs and interiors by Japanese designer Mayuka Kojima, offering izakaya classics including wagyu yakiniku, shabu-shabu, sukiyaki, sushi, and ramen.

The Business Bay branch of Kimura-ya at the Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel brings the acclaimed ~200-location Japanese izakaya chain to the heart of Downtown Dubai. Same Japanese ownership as the other Dubai branches, with a menu designed by Japanese chefs covering wagyu shabu-shabu, yakiniku BBQ, sushi, ramen, and premium Japanese beverages.

The Al Jaddaf branch of the Kimura-ya Japanese izakaya chain sits on the first floor of the Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf, serving the same acclaimed formula of wagyu BBQ, Japanese hotpot, sushi, and traditional small plates under Japanese ownership. This branch specifically offers halal-certified menu options alongside the standard JETRO-verified Japanese menu.

The Sheraton Dubai Creek branch of Kimura-ya is the group's fourth and most-reviewed Dubai location, occupying the historic hotel on Baniyas Street in Deira. A featured outdoor terrace overlooking the Creek adds a distinctive setting to the authentic izakaya menu of wagyu BBQ, sashimi, sushi, and Japanese hotpots under Japanese ownership.

Mitsu-Ya is a Japanese-owned izakaya and omakase sushi bar hidden within the Sunken Garden at the Ritz-Carlton DIFC, founded by Chef Mitsu Arai from Chiba, Japan. The name translates as 'Mitsu's house,' reflecting the personal, chef-driven philosophy behind a menu that spans ramen, sushi, and small-plate izakaya fare.