Fresh sushi
Sushi is repeatedly praised for being fresh and flavourful, with one review calling it “next level.”
FRNDS Restaurant
Downtown Dubai
FRNDS is a stylish restaurant and lounge in Downtown Dubai, combining European and Japanese cooking with an Art Deco-inspired setting. Reviews point to fresh sushi, polished presentation, premium shisha and evenings shaped by DJs, live music or dancing, making it suited to dinner, drinks and celebrations.
Reputation Score
4.7
★★★★★
1,231 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Cuisine range
The menu brings together French, Italian and Japanese dishes, giving groups plenty of choice.
Live entertainment
Evenings can include DJs, live singers, jazz, dancing and live shows rather than just background music.
Gatsby brunch
The Gatsby Brunch is described as energetic and elegant, with themed décor, music, dancers and well-presented food.
Shisha service
Reviews describe the shisha as smooth, long-lasting and well prepared.
Art Deco
The stylish Art Deco interior and soft lighting create a dressed-up setting for dates, celebrations and dinners with friends.
Downtown views
Some diners highlight views towards Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain.
Valet parking
Several reviews mention valet parking, including one describing it as free.
What to Eat at FRNDS Restaurant How we choose these items We use AI to find praise and criticism of specific foods and drinks in a selection of Google reviews. For FRNDS Restaurant, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. We still have more reviews to analyze, so the scores may change. The score is positive reviews minus negative reviews. For example, two positive reviews and one negative review give +1. Each review counts once per item; neutral comments do not change the score. A zero score is not a positive recommendation. “Only neutral feedback” means there are no positive or negative votes. “Mixed feedback” means equal numbers of positive and negative votes. The quotes are examples of what people said, not every comment we counted. We use different reviews where we can. We normally show up to 10 foods and 5 drinks with non-negative scores. Items with the same score stay together. If a tied group would go past the limit, that group and the lower non-negative scores go into Honorable mentions. If an overflowing positive top tie would leave the list empty, we show up to 10 items from that tie and keep the rest in Honorable mentions. Foods and drinks with a negative score are under What to Avoid. Use this as a guide to what reviewers liked, not a guarantee that you will like it too.
These items at FRNDS Restaurant got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 4
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Sushi Net +8
“The food was absolutely delicious. Every dish was well-presented, flavorful, and fresh. The sushi, the mains, the small bites — everything felt thoughtfully curated, and the quality was consistent across the board.”
Positive 8Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was absolutely delicious. Every dish was well-presented, flavorful, and fresh. The sushi, the mains, the small bites — everything felt thoughtfully curated, and the quality was consistent across the board.”November 2025
“From start to finish, the dining experience at frnds was exceptional. We began with a delicious spread of appetizers, the sushi was fresh and flavorful, and the salads were perfectly balanced and refreshing.”May 2025
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Pizza Net +4
“For the main course, we had a mix of dishes including pizza and a beautifully cooked fish both were outstanding. The flavors were rich and well-executed, and the presentation was top-notch.”
Positive 4Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For the main course, we had a mix of dishes including pizza and a beautifully cooked fish both were outstanding. The flavors were rich and well-executed, and the presentation was top-notch.”May 2025
“Loved this place. The sushi was seriously next level — fresh, bold, and just perfect. Pizza and risotto were amazing too.”February 2026
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Risotto Net +3
“A refined fusion of Japanese and European cuisine- from delicate Japanese-style dishes to rich risotto and perfectly made pizza.”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“A refined fusion of Japanese and European cuisine- from delicate Japanese-style dishes to rich risotto and perfectly made pizza.”December 2025
“Loved this place. The sushi was seriously next level — fresh, bold, and just perfect. Pizza and risotto were amazing too.”February 2026
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Gatsby brunch Net +2
“Fantastic Gatsby brunch at FRNDS restaurant. Biggest shoutout to Pablo who attended us and maintained everything so perfectly. Food, service and atmosphere top notch.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Fantastic Gatsby brunch at FRNDS restaurant. Biggest shoutout to Pablo who attended us and maintained everything so perfectly. Food, service and atmosphere top notch.”October 2025
“FRNDS Gatsby Brunch is always such a vibe — fun, lively, and full of energy! ✨ The atmosphere is electric, the music sets the perfect mood, and the food is absolutely amazing. Every dish is beautifully presented and packed with flavor — definitely one of the most enjoyable brunch experiences in Dubai! 🥂💃🏼”November 2025
Honorable mentions (8)
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Chicken skewers Net +1
“The food was so tasty, the chicken skewers and risotto were my favorites! Drinks were delicious, overall 1010. this is the perfect night for drinks with friends, dinner or to party!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was so tasty, the chicken skewers and risotto were my favorites! Drinks were delicious, overall 1010. this is the perfect night for drinks with friends, dinner or to party!”September 2025
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Edamame Net +1
“We had sushi, salad & edamame. The food was really good.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had sushi, salad & edamame. The food was really good.”January 2026
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Eggs with salmon Net +1
“I asked for eggs with salmon, but one dish arrived with salmon and the other with meat. Additionally, the avocado I requested was missing.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I asked for eggs with salmon, but one dish arrived with salmon and the other with meat. Additionally, the avocado I requested was missing.”December 2025
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Grilled fish with vegetables Net +1
“The food was beautifully presented , I had grilled fish with vegetables, and well-cooked, sushi amazing so tasty and fresh,”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food was beautifully presented , I had grilled fish with vegetables, and well-cooked, sushi amazing so tasty and fresh,”March 2026
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Matcha cake Net +1
“The saffron risotto was rich and perfectly balanced, and the matcha cake? Fabulous!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The saffron risotto was rich and perfectly balanced, and the matcha cake? Fabulous!”June 2025
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Roasted shrimps Net +1
“The dinner experience was amazing- fresh, perfectly made sushi and delicious roasted shrimps that were full of flavor.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The dinner experience was amazing- fresh, perfectly made sushi and delicious roasted shrimps that were full of flavor.”April 2026
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Saffron risotto Net +1
“The saffron risotto was rich and perfectly balanced, and the matcha cake? Fabulous!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The saffron risotto was rich and perfectly balanced, and the matcha cake? Fabulous!”June 2025
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Tuna salad Net +1
“• Food is widely praised: fusion of Mediterranean/French and Japanese dishes — sushi, grilled fish, tuna salad and desserts get lots of love.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“• Food is widely praised: fusion of Mediterranean/French and Japanese dishes — sushi, grilled fish, tuna salad and desserts get lots of love.”January 2026
Tips for a Better Visit
Reserve ahead. Book during busy hours; one review specifically says a reservation is needed then.
Use valet. Ask about valet parking, or use Dubai Mall parking as an alternative.
Expect music. Choose a quieter time if conversation matters; DJs and live music are a recurring part of the evening atmosphere.
Check breakfast. If ordering breakfast, confirm each item when it arrives because one diner reported missing and swapped ingredients.
Plan dessert. Leave room for dessert; reviewers specifically praise the desserts, including the matcha cake.
Try brunch. For a themed daytime occasion, look for the Gatsby Brunch, which includes music, dancers and 1920s-style décor.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Dubai Dubai Mall - Ground Floor
Burj Khalifa - Downtown Dubai, Dubai
| Mon | 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM |
| Tue | 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM |
| Wed | 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM |
| Thu | 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM |
| Fri | 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM |
| Sat | 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM |
| Sun | 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Manager conduct
One diner said a manager raised his voice and spoke rudely, spoiling an otherwise good meal.
Breakfast errors
Breakfast orders were reportedly taken incorrectly or forgotten, with salmon, meat and avocado mistakes.
Hostess welcome
One brunch review found the hostess unfriendly, while another described the welcome as poor.
Food inconsistency
A diner found the food only decent and said it could have been better, despite enjoying the setting.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
FRNDS is a polished restaurant and lounge in Downtown Dubai for diners who want more than a quiet meal. You can order sushi, pizza, risotto, grilled fish and French- or Italian-influenced dishes, then add drinks or shisha. The reviews make it especially appealing for dinner with friends, date nights and celebrations.
The setting does much of the work: an elegant Art Deco-style interior, cosy lighting and a lively terrace are recurring themes. Music is central rather than incidental. Depending on the occasion, you may find a DJ, live jazz, singers, dancing or a live show.
The Gatsby Brunch is the standout themed experience, with 1920s décor, dancers and energetic entertainment. Food is generally described as fresh, beautifully presented and full of flavour. Specific favourites include the sushi, saffron risotto, roasted shrimps and matcha cake, while the shisha is praised for being smooth and long-lasting.
Service is often attentive and friendly, although breakfast reviews report incorrect or forgotten orders, and one diner had a serious complaint about a manager’s manner. Reserve during busy hours. Valet parking is mentioned, with Dubai Mall parking as another option.
If you want conversation-friendly dining, check the entertainment schedule or choose a quieter period.