A Family-Run Asian Restaurant with an Open Kitchen, Private Dining, and Skyline Views on Sheikh Zayed Road
Wakame Dubai is one of Downtown Dubai’s most consistently beloved Asian fine dining restaurants, a family-run concept sitting on the third floor of Sofitel Dubai Downtown on Sheikh Zayed Road, where contemporary design, open kitchen theatre, and a menu that spans the breadth of Eastern Asia come together in a warm, welcoming environment that keeps its regulars coming back with striking loyalty.
Named after the Japanese sea vegetable wakame, the restaurant celebrates the flavours of Eastern Asia from Japanese wagyu and Sri Lankan street food all the way to Chinese dim sum and Korean-inspired preparations, with a kitchen philosophy built around balancing time-honoured tradition with bold culinary innovation. It holds a strong rating on TripAdvisor with consistently glowing reviews praising the food variety, service warmth, and elegant ambience, and has built a reputation as one of the most reliable Asian dining experiences in the Downtown neighbourhood.
Restaurant Features and Dining Experience at Wakame Dubai
The interior of Wakame is chic and sophisticated, with a contemporary design language that complements the refined nature of the cooking without tipping into excessive formality. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the restaurant, flooding the space with natural light during lunch service and framing sweeping views of the Downtown Dubai skyline and Sheikh Zayed Road through the evening. The dining room’s open kitchen is a key feature, giving guests a live view of the cooking process and adding a level of transparency and theatre that guests always respond well to.
For special occasions, corporate dinners and celebrations we have a private dining room for up to 22 people, a dedicated and more intimate space within the same venue. The restaurant is led by a team that is frequently called out by name in guest reviews, with staff such as Meena, Hitesh and Piswas being singled out for their attentiveness, warmth and the real care they bring to each and every service. Wakame is elegant and inviting and perfect for romantic dinners, family get-togethers, business lunches and casual group meals. The atmosphere is elegant yet welcoming, making Wakame equally suited to romantic dinners, family gatherings, business lunches, and casual group meals.
The menu spans Eastern Asia broadly, covering Japanese, Chinese, Sri Lankan, Korean, and broader Pan-Asian preparations with equal confidence, all prepared with premium ingredients and presented with the chef’s artistic precision. Dim sum is one of the kitchen’s strongest categories, with guests consistently returning for specific pieces and describing the variety as exceptional. The baos, described by Wakame as bonne bouche dishes, are a highlight across multiple reviews, with the Tofu Baos in particular drawing strong praise from both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners.
The sushi programme covers avocado sushi, Asparagus Maki, a broad nigiri and sashimi selection, and a range of signature sushi rolls, with freshness and seasoning consistently praised. Tacos with Asian-influenced fillings, dumplings, mushroom salad, Wakame salad, and wood-fired pizza bring further breadth to a menu that rewards adventurous ordering and sharing across the table. Grilled meats prepared with unique spice blends, ramen, and Japanese Wagyu preparations round out the main course options. The dessert menu is one of the kitchen’s most praised elements, with a Mochi selection covering multiple flavours, Molten Cake, and the Miso Caramel Cheesecake standing out across reviews as a genuinely memorable conclusion to the meal. The cocktail programme is crafted with the same care as the food, with mixology described as creative and precise, offering Asian-inspired signatures alongside classics.
Delivery is available for guests who prefer to enjoy Wakame’s cuisine at home, with the restaurant describing this option as the simplicity of deluxe dining at home. The restaurant offers outdoor seating in addition to the main indoor dining room, and shisha is available on the outdoor terrace. Private dining, online booking, free Wi-Fi, and wheelchair access are all available, and reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend dinners and private room bookings. The dress code is smart casual throughout. Sofitel Dubai Downtown is located on Sheikh Zayed Road in Downtown Dubai, with Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall within a 10-minute drive, Dubai Fountain and Souk Al Bahar nearby, DIFC approximately 10 minutes away, and Dubai International Airport around 20 minutes by road.
Address: Wakame, 3rd Floor, Sofitel Dubai Downtown, Sheikh Zayed Road, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +971 4 224 6663
Email: reservations@wakame.ae
Website: wakame.ae
Opening Hours: Daily, lunch and dinner
1 AED