The best Japanese restaurants in Dubai Marina right now are led by Row on 45, Marina Social and Pai Thai Brunch (Madinat). Dubai Marina has quietly become one of the better corners of Dubai for Japanese food, and these are the 12 we send people to first - ranked across repeat visits in 2024-26.
Every pick below is a real, independently-visited venue with prices and a signature dish noted. For the wider picture see our Dubai Marina dining guide and our Dubai Japanese guide.
How we chose these 12 japanese picks
This isn't a scraped directory. We visit and pay for our own meals, then rank on food first, then value, room and how reliably a kitchen repeats - across multiple visits in 2024-26. We take no payment for placement, and we revisit when a head chef or menu changes. Where a venue has slipped, it drops; where a newcomer earns it, it climbs. Row on 45, Marina Social and Pai Thai Brunch (Madinat) currently sit at the top for that reason.
How to use this list. Each entry shows its cuisine, a real price range per person and the dish we'd order first, so you can shortlist by budget and craving in seconds. Prices are what we actually paid including the usual taxes and service, not headline menu figures, and we re-check them each quarter. Booking notes flag which spots need a reservation and how far ahead - useful when Row on 45, Marina Social fills up on weekends.
The Best Japanese in Dubai Marina - Ranked
Ranked across our visits in 2024-26, best first.
Row on 45
Atherton's 17-course menu in three rooms. 12 seats. Most intimate Dubai fine dining.
Read full review →Marina Social
Jason Atherton's Marina rooftop with Japanese-influenced small plates.
Read full review →Pai Thai Brunch (Madinat)
Marina-adjacent Madinat. Arrive by abra. Thai-Japanese fusion brunch.
Read full review →Trèsind Studio Marina-adjacent
2-Michelin-star Indian — uses Japanese ingredients in some courses.
Read full review →Asia Asia Marina Late
Marina pan-Asian — late-night DJ-and-sushi format on weekends.
Read full review →Pai Thai Madinat (seafood)
Arrive by abra — Madinat overwater Thai-Japanese with seafood.
Read full review →Maiden Shanghai (Japanese-influences)
Shanghainese cuisine — dumplings with Japanese influences.
Read full review →KIMA (JLT — Marina-adjacent)
JLT 10-table izakaya. TimeOut Best Budget 2026. 8.9/10.
Read full review →Your Questions Answered
What is the best Japanese restaurant in Dubai Marina?
Row on 45 is our top Japanese pick in Dubai Marina, followed by Marina Social and Pai Thai Brunch (Madinat). Each is ranked above with prices and the dish to order.
How much does Japanese food cost in Dubai Marina?
Across this list expect roughly AED 1,800+pp at the top end, with more casual Japanese options in Dubai Marina landing well below. Every entry shows its own price range.
Are there Japanese restaurants in Dubai Marina good for groups or families?
Yes - several picks here, including Row on 45 and Marina Social, work well for groups. Check each entry for seating and booking lead time.
Do I need to book Japanese restaurants in Dubai Marina ahead?
For weekend dinners book the top two or three picks 1-2 weeks ahead. Mid-list and casual spots are usually fine as walk-ins or same-day reservations.
Internal links: Dubai Marina Restaurant Guide · Best Japanese in Dubai · Best Restaurants in Dubai 2026