Washoku Guide
Cities/Dubai/Sushi/TOMO
Dubai · Sushi · a la carte

TOMO

JapaneseRooftopSushiPanoramic viewsFine diningJapanese-ownedUmm HurairWafi City

TOMO is Dubai's best-known home-grown Japanese rooftop restaurant, founded and led by veteran Japanese chef Chitoshi Takahashi, who spent over three decades at Kisaku in the Khaleej Palace Hotel before opening TOMO on the 17th floor of Raffles Dubai. The name means 'lifelong friend' in Japanese, reflecting a philosophy of honest, tradition-rooted cuisine.

Price
¥¥¥
Area
Umm Hurair 2 (Raffles Dubai, Wafi City)
Since
2013
Chef
Chitoshi Takahashi
TOMO — authentic japanese restaurant in Dubai, Umm Hurair 2 (Raffles Dubai, Wafi City)
Plate № 14
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About
Perched on the 17th floor of Raffles Dubai in Wafi City, TOMO has been one of Dubai's most beloved Japanese institutions since Chef Chitoshi Takahashi opened it in 2013, following 30-plus years at the pioneering Kisaku at the Khaleej Palace Hotel. Operating as a standalone, independently owned restaurant within the Raffles building (not affiliated with Raffles Dubai's hotel loyalty programme), TOMO is staffed by a team of Japanese chefs who import ingredients directly from Japan twice weekly. The menu spans an extensive à la carte selection including sushi, sashimi, wagyu beef, ramen, and donburi, offered against a panoramic view of the Dubai skyline including the Burj Khalifa. The Tatami terrace, private rooms, and main dining area make TOMO a popular venue for corporate events and private celebrations, with a Happy Hour from 17:00–19:00 daily.
Neighborhood & visiting

TOMO sits in Umm Hurair 2 (Raffles Dubai, Wafi City), one of Dubai's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. Reservations are available online — for a focused sushi counter this is strongly recommended. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional sushi restaurants often close between service periods.

Why it's on Washoku Guide
  • Founded by Japanese chef Chitoshi Takahashi after 30+ years at Kisaku — a genuine Tokyo-trained veteran whose career predates Dubai's modern dining scene.
  • One of Dubai's original standalone Japanese restaurants, operating since 2013 with continuous fresh ingredient imports from Japan.
  • The 17th-floor Raffles position delivers among the most dramatic skyline views in the city, including the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Creek corridor.

Standalone restaurant; not affiliated with Raffles Dubai hotel loyalty programme. Happy Hour daily 17:00–19:00. Instagram: @tomodubai.

Links
Reserve →Website →Map →Tripadvisor →Instagram →

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Frequently asked

About TOMO

Is TOMO an authentic japanese restaurant in Dubai?
Yes — TOMO is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for japanese in Dubai: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused sushi format.
Where is TOMO located?
TOMO is located at 17th Floor, Raffles Dubai, Wafi City, Umm Hurair 2, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dubai, United Arab Emirates in the Umm Hurair 2 (Raffles Dubai, Wafi City) neighborhood.
Do I need a reservation at TOMO?
TOMO accepts reservations online. For an authentic sushi experience, especially at a focused counter, booking ahead is strongly recommended.
What is the price range at TOMO?
TOMO sits in the ¥¥¥ price range — typical for japanese of this format in Dubai.
Keep exploring
All Japanese restaurants in Dubai →Sushi in Dubai →Authentic sushi worldwide →All cities →