IKIGAI

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

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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.