One of the city’s very best, with a seductive atmosphere, slick interiors, a world-famous bar and moreish Japanese menu
Isabella Craddock
Near+Far’s best restaurants series explores the very best culinary options in the Middle East, and the world. The series offers top restaurant tips and reviews for those looking for the best restaurants in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and the most exciting and beautiful destinations across the world.
Zuma Dubai Near+Far rating: 9/10
Why book Zuma Dubai
In a city where new restaurants open seemingly every week, it can be hard to retain XX – to keep the same glossy crowd and energy you did. But one, in particular, manages to do this – no matter the season, no matter the day – Zuma Dubai. In the 16 years since opening Zuma Dubai, Zuma has managed to stay not just relevant, but at the top of its game – filling’ gout each day and night with the city’s elite crowd. Eating her is a right of passage, alongside drinking at the bar – the place to meet fascinating and accomplished people – and its brunch the occasion of all occasion brunches. Come for cocktails or after dinner drinks at the bar – one a frequent in The World’s 50 Best – or book a late table for dinner (the space comes alive post 9pm). Since its Dubai opening, Zuma has launched Zuma Abu Dhabi, Rome, New York, Bodrum and Mykonos, testament to its enduring appeal.
The interiors: 9/10
Zuma Dubai is a cavernous multi-story space reminiscent of a seductive city lair or loft apartment. Guests arrive from the private valet in a glass elevator and are taken straight up to the famous Zuma bar and reception with well-dressed hostesses. The bar is dark and seductive, the, air thick with atmosphere- usually rows deep of good-looking Dubains sipping on Zuma’s world-acclaimed cocktails. From there, it’s a glide down the floating staircase into a dining room that seems to unfold for miles into a dimly lit haze, the same thick atmosphere and insatiable vibe. In keeping with its dining theme, the interiors are Japanese inspired – the work of interior designer Noriyoshi Muramatsu of Tokyo’s Studio Glitt, whose use of materials such as granite, bamboo and steel to balance the elements and create harmony. During the day, natural light streams in and creates a wonderful, warm, and inviting space. At night, the lighting is perfectly dim – giving a faint glow to the buzzing dining. Few nail lighting and ambiance in the city like it.
The food: 10/10
Zuma Dubai’s menu brings the global brand’s signature contemporary Japanese classics – and you know you can return time and time again, knowing your favourites from across the globe will be there. There’s the hourensou no goma ae (Japanese spinach salad), hamachi crudo, the crab salad, the miso marinated black cod, robata grilled skewers, famous sushi and towering dessert platters. Food is, genuinely, impossibly delicious and prepared or cooked to perfection – with 16 years and hundreds of thousands of orders to get it right. We start with comforting and rich miso soup with tofu, wakame and spring onion (AED43) – served in little drinking pots, before moving onto a light and fresh sliced seabass with yuzu, truffle oil and salmon roe (AED104) and the fragrant and sublime wagyu beef tataki with truffle ponzu with shaved fresh truffle. Though tempted, we leave the sushi to save room (vowing to return for this alone). That, and the dedicated tempura menu.
On a hot summer evening, a light and fresh crab salad with avocado, mizuna and sesame dressing (AED178) is gobbled up. Of course, no trip to Zuma Dubai is complete without the miso-marinated black cod wrapped in hoba leaf, butter soft, steaming and quite literally melting in the mouth – as light and refreshing as it is rich and indulgent (AED 248). This is the place for ordering and sharing. Do not order your own plate and commit to just one or two – instead, taste everything and over-order is necessary. The latter is what we do, not being able to go without the Australian Grade AA7 tenderloin in a spicy ponzu sauce (AED559) – rare and dripping in the zesty jus. For dessert, it’s the full Zuma dessert platter – a bounty of their famous mochi, ice creams, sorbet, chocolate fondant, fresh fruit and more.
The signature dishes
O toro fatty tuna (AED115), hamachi usuzukuri pirikara, ninniku gake (sliced yellowtail, green chilli relish, ponzu and pickled garlic) AED101 – copied across the globe – miso marinated black cod (AED248) and freshly seared wagyu sirloin tataki with black truffle (AED255). For dessert, order the crunchy hazelnut and chocolate bar – chocolate ganache, hazelnut caramel and coffee-miso ice cream (AED73) and green tea and banana cake coconut ice cream and peanut toffee sauce (AED62)
The vibe: 9/10
Seductive, cool, cosmopolitan, and straight out of Tokyo, London or New York – this is, and seemingly will always be, the most booked out and favoured in Dubai’s DIFC district. We’ve been for drinks, brunch and dinner in the peak season, and in the off, on weekdays and weeknights, and it’s always felt energised and alive. Book a table well in advance, or go and jostle with good-looking residents at the bar – a bar that feels straight out of one of the aforementioned metropolises. Zuma Dubai always delivers one of the best vibes in the city.
Anything to add?
Zuma Dubai also offers a business lunch, running weekdays from 12pm to 3pm for just AED159 per person – offering a selection of Zuma’s signature dishes, and a lavishly indulgent weekend brunch every Saturday from 12:30pm for AED545 for person (for soft beverages) and AED645 for alcoholic beverages.
Gate Village, DIFC; zumarestaurant.com
Dubai-based Isabella Craddock is the founder of Near+Far, a founding Academy Chair for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, former Condé Nast Traveller editor and a hotel-obsessed, design-devoted travel planner—for friends, loved ones, and readers alike.
