Vinyl Sound
Music played from vinyl is a major part of the experience, with reviewers praising the carefully selected sets.
Honeycomb Hi-Fi
Business Bay
Honeycomb Hi-Fi is a Japanese izakaya-style restaurant and listening bar in Business Bay, entered through a vinyl shop-style space. Reviews point to small sharing plates such as wagyu sliders and prawn udon, alongside DJ-led music and cocktails.
Reputation Score
4.4
★★★★☆
790 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Sharing Plates
The menu works well for sharing, with wagyu sliders, prawn udon and duck meatballs singled out as tasty choices.
Unique Entrance
The vinyl-store entrance leads into a speakeasy-style dining room, giving the visit a distinctive sense of occasion.
Terrace Views
There is an outdoor terrace, and reviewers particularly enjoyed garden seating overlooking the water.
Menu Guidance
Several reviews describe attentive staff who explain the menu and help match food and drinks to the occasion.
Standout Dishes
The eggplant, sweet potato, gyoza and short-rib skewers receive especially memorable praise across the reviews.
Japanese Drinks
The bar serves Japanese-style choices including highballs, shochu with green tea and yuzu-based drinks.
Indoor Outdoor
You can choose between an indoor dining room and an outdoor terrace, depending on the atmosphere you want.
What to Eat at Honeycomb Hi-Fi 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 Honeycomb Hi-Fi, 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.
Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of Honeycomb Hi-Fi, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 2
-
Short rib on skewers Net +3
“Food was 10/10, Music and Atmosphere was 12/10. We enjoyed it a lot and would highly recommend. Felt like New York. My favorite dish was the short rib on skewers and the seaweed&cucumber salad.”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food was 10/10, Music and Atmosphere was 12/10. We enjoyed it a lot and would highly recommend. Felt like New York. My favorite dish was the short rib on skewers and the seaweed&cucumber salad.”May 2024
“I would highly recommend the Hamachi Sashimi Salad, Chicken Sesame Skewers, and Short Ribs Skewers.”June 2024
-
Wagyu sliders Net +2
“I highly recommend trying the wagyu sliders and chicken yakitori, they were absolutely favor bombs.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I highly recommend trying the wagyu sliders and chicken yakitori, they were absolutely favor bombs.”October 2024
“The food is tasty, especially the wagyu sliders, the prawn udon and the duck meatballs.”April 2025
Honorable mentions (20)
-
Chicken karraage Net +1
“I had an amazing time the food was amazing and they have great promotions that are war friendly 😹😹😹 perfect way to end your week. Try the garlic prawn udon & chicken karraage. Special thanks to Richie , the har manager & our waiter Richmond for warm hospitality . Big up the reservation crew too 😁😁😁🙏🙏🙏”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had an amazing time the food was amazing and they have great promotions that are war friendly 😹😹😹 perfect way to end your week. Try the garlic prawn udon & chicken karraage. Special thanks to Richie , the har manager & our waiter Richmond for warm hospitality . Big up the reservation crew too 😁😁😁🙏🙏🙏”June 2026
-
Chicken sesame skewers Net +1
“I would highly recommend the Hamachi Sashimi Salad, Chicken Sesame Skewers, and Short Ribs Skewers.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I would highly recommend the Hamachi Sashimi Salad, Chicken Sesame Skewers, and Short Ribs Skewers.”June 2024
-
Duck meatballs Net +1
“The food is tasty, especially the wagyu sliders, the prawn udon and the duck meatballs.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food is tasty, especially the wagyu sliders, the prawn udon and the duck meatballs.”April 2025
-
Garlic prawn udon Net +1
“I had an amazing time the food was amazing and they have great promotions that are war friendly 😹😹😹 perfect way to end your week. Try the garlic prawn udon & chicken karraage. Special thanks to Richie , the har manager & our waiter Richmond for warm hospitality . Big up the reservation crew too 😁😁😁🙏🙏🙏”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had an amazing time the food was amazing and they have great promotions that are war friendly 😹😹😹 perfect way to end your week. Try the garlic prawn udon & chicken karraage. Special thanks to Richie , the har manager & our waiter Richmond for warm hospitality . Big up the reservation crew too 😁😁😁🙏🙏🙏”June 2026
-
Guioza Net +1
“Great dinning experience. The vibe with the vinil music is amazing. Food was delicious and very well prepared. The guioza is cooked to perfection. Also highly recommend the prawn. The pepper is an experience with the numbing in the tongue but flavor wise not my type - too aromatic, almost a perfume. Juan was super helpful and friendly. Chocolate desert with mascarpone is great as well.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Great dinning experience. The vibe with the vinil music is amazing. Food was delicious and very well prepared. The guioza is cooked to perfection. Also highly recommend the prawn. The pepper is an experience with the numbing in the tongue but flavor wise not my type - too aromatic, almost a perfume. Juan was super helpful and friendly. Chocolate desert with mascarpone is great as well.”October 2025
-
Hamachi sashimi salad Net +1
“I would highly recommend the Hamachi Sashimi Salad, Chicken Sesame Skewers, and Short Ribs Skewers.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I would highly recommend the Hamachi Sashimi Salad, Chicken Sesame Skewers, and Short Ribs Skewers.”June 2024
-
Hibiki highball Net +1
“The drinks kept flowing and brought the vibes with them - from their hibiki highball carrying a strong whisky punch to their immaculate cocktails (my favorite was their yuzu cocktail), these did not disappoint nor did they overpower the mood.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The drinks kept flowing and brought the vibes with them - from their hibiki highball carrying a strong whisky punch to their immaculate cocktails (my favorite was their yuzu cocktail), these did not disappoint nor did they overpower the mood.”November 2024
-
Lamb gyoza Net +1
“Alongside the above, the lamb gyoza and the spicy octopus salad were honorable mentions of the night. All the other dishes attached were seriously good but these were the most memorable.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Alongside the above, the lamb gyoza and the spicy octopus salad were honorable mentions of the night. All the other dishes attached were seriously good but these were the most memorable.”November 2024
-
Midori salad Net +1
“Midori Salad - 8/10”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Midori Salad - 8/10”July 2025
-
Prawn udon Net +1
“The food is tasty, especially the wagyu sliders, the prawn udon and the duck meatballs.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food is tasty, especially the wagyu sliders, the prawn udon and the duck meatballs.”April 2025
-
Seaweed&cucumber salad Net +1
“Food was 10/10, Music and Atmosphere was 12/10. We enjoyed it a lot and would highly recommend. Felt like New York. My favorite dish was the short rib on skewers and the seaweed&cucumber salad.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food was 10/10, Music and Atmosphere was 12/10. We enjoyed it a lot and would highly recommend. Felt like New York. My favorite dish was the short rib on skewers and the seaweed&cucumber salad.”May 2024
-
Spicy octopus salad Net +1
“Alongside the above, the lamb gyoza and the spicy octopus salad were honorable mentions of the night. All the other dishes attached were seriously good but these were the most memorable.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Alongside the above, the lamb gyoza and the spicy octopus salad were honorable mentions of the night. All the other dishes attached were seriously good but these were the most memorable.”November 2024
-
Sui gyoza Net +1
“Sui Gyoza - 9/10”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Sui Gyoza - 9/10”July 2025
-
Sweet potato Net +1
“Sweet Potato - 10/10”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Sweet Potato - 10/10”July 2025
-
Sweet potato with ginger butter Net +1
“The sweet potato, mushroom, burger and dessert were 10/10. Especially the sweet potato with GINGER BUTTER!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The sweet potato, mushroom, burger and dessert were 10/10. Especially the sweet potato with GINGER BUTTER!”December 2024
-
Wagyu rib cap Net +1
“The wagyu rib cap from their limited release menu presented the rich subtle fat that wagyu is known for, melting in your mouth.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The wagyu rib cap from their limited release menu presented the rich subtle fat that wagyu is known for, melting in your mouth.”November 2024
-
Wagyu rib eye Net +1
“The wagyu rib eye packed a wallop of flavor with a salty umami that did not overstay its welcome.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The wagyu rib eye packed a wallop of flavor with a salty umami that did not overstay its welcome.”November 2024
-
Yuzu high Net +1
“My preferred seating is in the ‘garden’ because it has views of the water where you can enjoy Japanese food and cocktails including my favourite the Yuzu High.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My preferred seating is in the ‘garden’ because it has views of the water where you can enjoy Japanese food and cocktails including my favourite the Yuzu High.”December 2025
-
Chicken yakitori Net 0
Mixed feedback
“I highly recommend trying the wagyu sliders and chicken yakitori, they were absolutely favor bombs.”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“I highly recommend trying the wagyu sliders and chicken yakitori, they were absolutely favor bombs.”October 2024
-
Dan dan noodle Net 0
Mixed feedback
“The Dan Dan noodles could've been even spicier but they were good for the point in the night we had them at.”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“The Dan Dan noodles could've been even spicier but they were good for the point in the night we had them at.”November 2024
Drinks 1
-
Yuzu cocktail Net +1
“The drinks kept flowing and brought the vibes with them - from their hibiki highball carrying a strong whisky punch to their immaculate cocktails (my favorite was their yuzu cocktail), these did not disappoint nor did they overpower the mood.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The drinks kept flowing and brought the vibes with them - from their hibiki highball carrying a strong whisky punch to their immaculate cocktails (my favorite was their yuzu cocktail), these did not disappoint nor did they overpower the mood.”November 2024
What to Avoid (1)
Food 1
-
Katsu sliders Net −1
“The menu made by Chef Matt Abergel of Hong Kong’s Yardbird is mainly small bites. Apart from the Katsu sliders everything else I tried was delicious.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The menu made by Chef Matt Abergel of Hong Kong’s Yardbird is mainly small bites. Apart from the Katsu sliders everything else I tried was delicious.”May 2025
Tips for a Better Visit
Book Ahead. Reserve before visiting, especially on weekends or busy nights; several reviews say walk-in seating is limited.
Arrive Early. Come before 10 p.m. if you want a calmer dinner, as the venue becomes a high-volume listening bar later.
Choose Garden. Ask about garden seating if you want outdoor views over the water rather than a bar seat.
Share Plates. Plan to order several dishes for the table: portions are small, which makes it easier to sample the menu.
Confirm Timing. When booking, ask how long the table is available so the meal is not unexpectedly cut short.
Check Seating. If you do not smoke, confirm your table location in advance; a walk-in reviewer was offered smoking-area or kitchen-door seating.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Pullman Dubai Downtown - Level 2
Business Bay, Dubai
| Mon | 7:30 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Tue | 7:30 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Wed | 7:30 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Thu | 7:30 PM – 2:00 AM |
| Fri | 7:30 PM – 3:00 AM |
| Sat | 7:30 PM – 3:00 AM |
| Sun | 7:30 PM – 2:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Table Pressure
Multiple reviews describe guests being pushed to leave at the end of a booking, including a particularly uncomfortable Valentine’s Day incident.
Diluted Cocktails
Cocktail quality is uneven: one group found every drink overdiluted, while another described cocktails as overly sweet.
Small Space
The venue can feel cramped, especially for walk-ins who may be offered less desirable seating.
Poor Cooling
One August visitor reported that the air conditioning was not working properly.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Honeycomb Hi-Fi combines Japanese izakaya-style dining with a vinyl-led listening-bar atmosphere in Business Bay. You come here to share dishes such as wagyu sliders, prawn udon, short-rib skewers and gyoza while listening to a DJ; the entrance through a record-store-style space adds to the speakeasy feel. The food is often the strongest reason to return.
Reviews praise the eggplant, sweet potato with ginger butter, wagyu dishes and garlic prawn udon, while the small portions make it easy to try several plates. Drinks are more divisive: some guests loved the highballs and yuzu cocktail, but others found cocktails diluted, overly sweet or unusually small. m.
The venue has indoor and outdoor seating, with garden or terrace spots offering water views. Book ahead for weekends and ask about your table location if you avoid smoking areas. It is also worth confirming the table’s time limit when reserving, as some guests were asked to leave after two hours or at the end of a booking in an uncomfortable way.
Service reviews are often warm and attentive, but a few report serious inconsistency.