Izakaya — Restaurant in Dubai

Izakaya is a Japanese bar and restaurant located on the 5th floor of the iconic twin towers inside JW Marriott Marquis, Business Bay and is just one of 11 restaurants inside the hotel. The quirky décor starts as soon as you get towards the restaurant with kawaii puns posted over the walls and a sake cart. The fun doesn’t end there; you pass a giant cherry blossom tree, which arches over the bar, multi-colored Japanese umbrellas that hang from ceiling and a ‘wasabi girl’ complete with a green wig and looks like she is straight out of Harajuku. We start the night with some matcha green tea that is served as soon as we are seated. Atul is as our main waiter for the evening and is mostly very knowledgeable when it comes to the food menu and but even more so when it came to the Sake trolley. He even let us sample some sake from the ‘sake bomb’ trolley (sake dropped into a beer if anyone is interested). The restaurant dining area is mostly divided into tables for two with the option of sitting at the robotaki grill, sushi counter or teppanyaki grill (with advanced booking of course). We start off by ordering some cocktails, both that we select feature sake, however they also serve up Japanese whisky as well as draught or bottled Japanese beer (Kirin and Asahi respectively). We order a mix of starters including some sushi from the Izakaya signature selection; the Alaskan which is similar to a Californian roll (less cucumber, add salmon) and the Izakaya explosion made with tempura prawns, avocado, cucumber a spicy kick of a sriracha sauce as well as some crunchy garlic chips. As the rolls are made fresh the sushi rice wasn’t as sticky therefore made it a little difficult to eat, but when there’s a will, there’s a way! Confused by the Ebi Hotate Maki we order it anyways. The plating is like a masterpiece of art however it isn’t my favorite dish. I know from prior Japanese teppanyaki experiences that you can eat the prawn tails if cooked correctly although for me in this a la carte offering I’m not too fond and instead give my attention to the Hamachi Usuzukiri, thinly sliced pieces of yellowtail drizzled with ponzu as well as the tako (octopus) sashimi which we confirm with Atul that it isn’t raw octopus, instead it’s thin slices of boiled octopus served between lemon slices. The main event is the miso black cod, presented in a leaf and is as delicate to touch as it is to taste, melting completely with every bite. We pair it with Nasu Dengaku (eggplant sweet miso) along with a side of grilled asparagus. To round off the evening we try the yuzu cheesecake made with Japanese lime. The biscuit base is fudge like; caramel and chewy against a creamy citrus cheesecake and is a match made in heaven. Izakaya offers diners a set menu on Monday evenings, Sushi & Bubbly on Tuesday evenings not to mention a Kinyoubi night on Fridays where you can select a certain number of dishes from a select menu for a set price. I adore the overall ambiance and as I reminisce about my Japan vacation a year ago at least I know I can return to Izakaya for my Japanese fix....

25% Off on Ala Carte Menu @izakayadubai Visit My IG @smokydotts , to know about this discount

📍 JW Marriott Marquis Special Themed Nights TEPPANYAKI EXPERIENCE Experience the captivating artistry of Teppanyaki at Izakaya. Immerse in a sizzling display as our expert chefs transform the finest ingredients into masterful creations complemented by a perfect pairing from a selection of crafted beverages. Every Wednesday | 6pm - 10pm AED 225 per person, food only. AED 325 per person, including house beverages. Advance booking is required. Package is valid for 2 hours only. Sushi & Bubbly Tuesday Join for an evening of unlimited sushi available from a special menu and free-flowing bubbly. Available on Tuesdays from 6pm until 12 midnight. AED 195 per person, including unlimited sushi AED 300 per person, including unlimited sushi and 2 hours of free- flowing bubbly and selected cocktails. Indulge in Authentic Japanese Delights at Izakaya, the Culinary Gem of JW Marriott Marquis Dubai! Step into a world where tradition meets innovation at Izakaya, located in the prestigious JW Marriott Marquis Dubai. This hidden gem offers an extraordinary dining experience that combines exquisite Japanese cuisine with an ambiance that takes your breath away. Prepare to be captivated by the enchanting atmosphere as soon as you enter. The decor effortlessly blends modern elegance with traditional Japanese elements, creating an oasis of serenity and sophistication. The food menu at Izakaya offers an array of mouthwatering dishes that will transport your taste buds straight to Japan. From fresh sushi and sashimi to delectable tempura and robata-grilled delicacies, every bite is a celebration of flavor. But what sets Izakaya apart is the unique experience of live cooking shows right at your table. Talented chefs showcase their skills and artistry as they prepare your meal before your eyes. Witness the sizzle, the aroma, and the theatrics of Japanese culinary mastery. It's truly a feast for all...

This restaurant is bad. The food isn’t fresh or tasty, the wines are bad the sake is bad the service is ok - they mean well but have no idea what they’re doing. Mainly the food is just really really bad. The raw ingredients are not fresh at all. When you walk in the place there’s a certain smell of not so fresh fish mixed with overused deep fryer oil which lets you know that the food is going to be bad. The sashimi was fishy, you could taste that it had been sitting in the fridge for ages before it was served. The crab tacos tasted old and bland, sitting in a bed of what tastes like day old mushed avocado. I had to ask for soy sauce and wasabi … the soy sauce was poured into the side dish like it was soup, the wasabi just disappeared into it when I mixed it in. They have this all you can eat sushi deal for 2 hours which signifies low quality ingredients. The sushi rice was mushy and overcooked. For the price it’s ridiculously bad. Paid 1000 for 2 ppl for sushi that tasted much worse than Deliveroo sushi art. How can this be the no. 1 sushi place on TripAdvisor?? It’s mind boggling. Don’t understand the other reviews at all, it’s like I went to a different restaurant....