Nikkei flavours
Peruvian-Japanese dishes bring vivid flavours, with sea bass ceviche repeatedly singled out as a strong order.
Issei
Damac Hills
Issei is a rooftop Nikkei cocktail bar and restaurant in Damac Hills, pairing Peruvian ingredients with Japanese flavours. Reviews point to standout tacos, ceviche and cocktails, alongside sunset views from its 27th-floor terrace and occasional live Latin music.
Reputation Score
4.9
★★★★★
272 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Signature tacos
The tacos are a recurring highlight, including versions served in crunchy seaweed or homemade seaweed shells.
Rooftop views
The 27th-floor terrace overlooks Damac Hills and the golf course, making sunset a particularly useful time to visit.
Cocktail craft
Reviews praise the pisco sour and distinctive cocktails, including drinks with thoughtful presentation and ingredient explanations.
Omakase menu
The set Omakase menu was described as exceptional and worth choosing for a fuller dinner experience.
Live music
Friday nights can include live Latin music, while other reviews mention varied live music and dancing-friendly evenings.
Cooking classes
The venue has hosted ceviche classes as well as cooking and salsa-dance sessions for groups.
Tips for a Better Visit
Book ahead. Weekend visits can get busy, so reserve through OpenTable or call directly rather than relying on a walk-in table.
Flag spice. Tell the team upfront if you are not comfortable with hot food; the menu includes dishes with noticeable spice.
Time sunset. Plan an outdoor table around sunset for the terrace view over Damac Hills and the golf course.
Use valet. Valet parking is available, which is useful when visiting the hotel rooftop for dinner or drinks.
Check season. Confirm opening dates before planning a summer visit because one review says the restaurant closes during summer.
Check offers. Ask about current happy-hour or ladies-night availability before arriving; both were specifically mentioned by a reviewer.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Dubailand - Hessa St
Al Hebiah Third - DAMAC Hills, Dubai
| Mon | Closed |
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | Closed |
| Thu | 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Fri | 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Sat | 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Sun | Closed |
Common Concerns
Premium pricing
One reviewer found the restaurant expensive, while another said the standard menu was quite pricey.
Spice warning
Some dishes can run hot, so diners who do not enjoy spicy food should flag that before ordering.
Summer closure
A review notes that the restaurant closes during summer, so seasonal availability is worth checking before you go.
Service lapse
One regular reported that staff removed a spare chair from a solo diner’s table for another guest’s handbag.
DXB
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The Bottom Line
Issei is a rooftop Nikkei cocktail bar and restaurant in Damac Hills, with Peruvian ingredients worked into Japanese-style dishes. It suits a sunset dinner, drinks with friends or a date where the view matters as much as the menu. The outdoor terrace sits on the 27th floor and looks across Damac Hills and the golf course.
For food, reviews repeatedly mention the tacos, including crunchy seaweed shells, and the sea bass ceviche. The set Omakase menu also received a strong recommendation, while churros and yuzu ice cream are useful dessert pointers. On the drinks side, the pisco sour is a standout, alongside distinctive cocktails such as Gin Basil and Machu Pichu.
The atmosphere shifts from relaxed and intimate to lively: Friday nights may bring live Latin music, and reviews also mention dancing, salsa classes and ceviche workshops. Service is usually described as attentive and knowledgeable, with staff helping explain the Peruvian-Japanese flavours. Two practical cautions: pricing is on the expensive side, and some food can be spicy, so mention your preference before ordering.
Weekend tables may need advance booking, valet parking is available, and the restaurant reportedly closes during summer.