A5 Kobe Beef and Toyosu Market Sushi Crafted by Two Master Chefs at Banyan Tree Dubai
TakaHisa is widely regarded as Dubai’s finest Japanese restaurant, a flagship fine dining destination on the first floor of Banyan Tree Dubai on Bluewaters Island, with a second branch operating in Downtown Dubai. The name combines its two head chefs, Sushi Master Takashi Namekata and Wagyu Specialist Chef Hisao Ueda, who together built a restaurant entirely around two pillars of Japanese culinary excellence: sushi sourced directly from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market and the rarest grade of Japanese Wagyu beef available anywhere in the city. The only Japanese restaurant featured in the 2025 Michelin Guide Dubai, awarded 3 Toques and Home-Grown Restaurant of the Year in the 2025 Gault and Millau UAE Guide, and recognised on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, TakaHisa holds a 4.8 rating on Restaurant Guru across more than 1,200 reviews and is described by countless diners as a level of Japanese cuisine that would be difficult to find even in Japan itself.
Restaurant Features and Dining Experience
The restaurant occupies an elegant, multi-zoned space within Banyan Tree Dubai, with tables, intimate booths, an omakase counter, and private rooms all available depending on the occasion. The terrace, recently renovated, opens directly onto sweeping sea views of the Arabian Gulf, making it one of the most scenic dining settings on Bluewaters Island, particularly at sunset, when reservations are at their most sought-after. The interior carries a refined, understated elegance befitting the calibre of food being served, with the chef’s counter offering the most immersive experience, where guests can watch Chef Namekata and Chef Ueda work in real time. Guests consistently describe the atmosphere as both luxurious and welcoming, striking a rare balance between formality and genuine warmth. Private rooms are available for special occasions and intimate group celebrations, and the dress code is Smart Elegant from 6pm onward, with shorts, slippers, flip-flops, and open-toe shoes not permitted.
TakaHisa’s culinary identity rests on two extraordinary sourcing commitments. Fresh seafood, including rare bluefin tuna and conger eel, is imported directly from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market four to five times a week through the restaurant’s own dedicated trade license and processing facility, ensuring a level of freshness that is genuinely rare outside Japan. On the meat side, TakaHisa serves A5-grade, BMS12 Wagyu beef, the rarest classification available, alongside the celebrated Ozaki Beef, considered one of the finest meats in the world.
Guests can choose from an extensive a la carte selection or the chef’s choice omakase, generally seen as the optimal way to enjoy both sushi and Wagyu at the same time; a counter seat offers the best view and requires booking ahead of time. Guests rave about the Kobe beef, fresh nigiri, salmon preparations and the seasonal sushi selection along with beautifully executed desserts such as ice cream and cheesecake. The restaurant’s robata grill, situated on the terrace, reopened in January 2024 and adds a smoky, charcoal-grilled element to the menu for guests seeking more than just sushi and Wagyu.
The beverage program features a full bar, a curated wine list with sommelier guidance, craft cocktails, beer and matcha to mirror the precision of the food. Shisha is available on the terrace and is frequently singled out by guests as exceptionally good. There are gluten-free options, and the restaurant can cater for dietary requirements and allergies if informed in advance, but given the seafood and soy-heavy nature of Japanese cuisine, the guests are encouraged to let the team know.
TakaHisa is wheelchair accessible, has valet parking, outdoor seating, delivery, takeaway, accepts all major credit cards . It’s a good idea to book a reservation a week or two in advance, especially for weekend dinners, sunset terrace seating and spots at the omakase counter. Evenings during the week are more intimate, while weekends offer a more festive, social experience.
TakaHisa is open daily for lunch and dinner from 12pm to 2am. By car, the restaurant is reached via Sheikh Zayed Road, taking Exit 29 toward Bluewaters Island and following signs to Banyan Tree Dubai, with valet parking available on site. By metro, the Dubai Metro Red Line connects to DMCC Station, a short taxi or walk from Bluewaters Island. Ain Dubai and the Bluewaters promenade are directly adjacent. JBR Beach and The Walk are a short walk across the bridge. Dubai Marina is approximately 10 minutes away, and Palm Jumeirah is around 15 minutes by car.
Address: TakaHisa Japanese Restaurant, 1st Floor, Banyan Tree Dubai, Bluewaters Island, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +971 4 556 6688
Website: takahisa.ae
Opening Hours: Daily, 12pm to 2am
Average Cost for Two: AED 1,200 to AED 2,000
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