IKIGAI

If there’s one thing Dubai isn’t short of it’s Japanese restaurants. So, is there room for one more?

Dubai’s appetite for Japanese cuisine knows no bounds. From the highfalutin likes of Zuma and Hoseki to the authentic temples of Kohantei and Kimura-Ya, we’re never far from our next sushi roll or sliver of wagyu. Which begs the question: have we reached peak sashimi?

The team at Ikigai are leaving nothing to chance. The latest project from Reif Othman and The First Group, this sleek izakaya-style restaurant and bar in Dubai Marina ticks all your mod Japanese boxes. You’ve got your sultry setting with sculptural light fittings, graffiti murals, neon signage and an industrial-chic edge. There’s a showpiece central bar pouring sake and yuzuspiked cocktails. And then there’s the menu, loaded with tricked-up Japanese street foods that are perfect for sharing over a drink.