Burj views
The beachside setting gives diners a direct view of the Burj Al Arab.
Kinugawa Dubai
Umm Suqeim
Kinugawa Dubai is a Japanese-French restaurant in Umm Suqeim, set beside the beach with views towards the Burj Al Arab. Reviews highlight sushi and sashimi, black cod, and a pool-and-beach experience, making it suitable for stylish lunches, dinners, and celebrations.
Reputation Score
4.4
★★★★☆
287 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Black cod
Black cod is repeatedly recommended, including a pairing with Japanese risotto and another with garlic rice.
Business lunch
The business lunch is praised for its food options, presentation, and portions, though another review found the portions too small.
Warm service
Several reviews describe attentive service, with staff checking in regularly and helping guests choose dishes.
Pool setting
The pool and beach facilities are described as beautiful, with a relaxed daytime atmosphere and appealing views.
Cocktail choice
Reviews mention distinctive cocktails as well as enjoyable mocktails.
What to Eat at Kinugawa Dubai 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 Kinugawa Dubai, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. 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 Kinugawa Dubai, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 10
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Avocado carpaccio Net +1
“I’ll be for sure coming back for that lava cake soon, and the avocado carpaccio which was shockingly simple but complex in flavor - that’s pure magic and I unexpected how a simple dish can have sooooo much flavor in it .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I’ll be for sure coming back for that lava cake soon, and the avocado carpaccio which was shockingly simple but complex in flavor - that’s pure magic and I unexpected how a simple dish can have sooooo much flavor in it .”March 2025
-
Black cod Net +1
“For the main course, the black cod is a must-try: beautifully cooked, silky, and full of depth.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For the main course, the black cod is a must-try: beautifully cooked, silky, and full of depth.”February 2026
-
Caviar platter Net +1
“What a caviar platter!!! Perfect place for date night or girl talks🩵🩵🩵”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“What a caviar platter!!! Perfect place for date night or girl talks🩵🩵🩵”March 2025
-
Ceviche Net +1
“We ordered some fish and meat, the sushi was not impressive at all, the ceviche was excellent and the meat ordered was good although the wagyu was not the category A5 as mentioned on menu.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered some fish and meat, the sushi was not impressive at all, the ceviche was excellent and the meat ordered was good although the wagyu was not the category A5 as mentioned on menu.”January 2026
-
Chocolate lava cake Net +1
“My friend got also a chocolate lava cake and in her opinion it was 100 out of 10.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My friend got also a chocolate lava cake and in her opinion it was 100 out of 10.”January 2026
-
Duck salad Net +1
“The duck salad was amazing, and the sushi and sashimi were very yummy too.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The duck salad was amazing, and the sushi and sashimi were very yummy too.”January 2026
-
Lamb chops shiso Net +1
“The food is absolutely delicious, you HAVE to try the Lamb Chops Shiso, and the staff greet you with warm smiles and outstanding friendliness.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food is absolutely delicious, you HAVE to try the Lamb Chops Shiso, and the staff greet you with warm smiles and outstanding friendliness.”April 2025
-
Lava cake with black sesame ice cream Net +1
“I’m not likely to order dessert as it is a high risk to get some standard flavor or not really a good quality so I usually skip but it was highly recommended to order the lava cake with black sesame ice cream is like a taste of heaven, it’s the perfect balance between sweet and fresh that simply takes deserts to a different levels!!!!!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I’m not likely to order dessert as it is a high risk to get some standard flavor or not really a good quality so I usually skip but it was highly recommended to order the lava cake with black sesame ice cream is like a taste of heaven, it’s the perfect balance between sweet and fresh that simply takes deserts to a different levels!!!!!”March 2025
-
Miso glazed eggplant Net +1
“I highly recommend starting with the miso glazed eggplant — it literally melts in your mouth, incredibly delicate, rich in flavor, and perfectly balanced.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I highly recommend starting with the miso glazed eggplant — it literally melts in your mouth, incredibly delicate, rich in flavor, and perfectly balanced.”February 2026
-
Business lunch Net 0
Mixed feedback
“The business lunch is exceptional — refined, well-portioned, and beautifully presented.”
Positive 1Negative 1
Review excerpts
“The business lunch is exceptional — refined, well-portioned, and beautifully presented.”February 2026
What to Avoid (2)
Food 2
-
Edamame Net −1
“Food was so so - the edamame was served cold. The portions on the business lunch were miniscule.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Food was so so - the edamame was served cold. The portions on the business lunch were miniscule.”January 2026
-
Wagyu Net −1
“We ordered some fish and meat, the sushi was not impressive at all, the ceviche was excellent and the meat ordered was good although the wagyu was not the category A5 as mentioned on menu.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We ordered some fish and meat, the sushi was not impressive at all, the ceviche was excellent and the meat ordered was good although the wagyu was not the category A5 as mentioned on menu.”January 2026
Tips for a Better Visit
Check dress code. Ask about current attire rules before arriving; one group had to change dressy T-shirts to polo shirts at the door.
Choose timing. For easier conversation, consider a quieter period rather than a busy music-led evening.
Confirm portions. If you arrive hungry, ask about business-lunch portions first; one diner said they left hungry despite the views.
Plan birthdays. For a genuine birthday surprise, explain the plan to the team in advance after one candle presentation was handled openly at the table.
Ask about outdoors. Check mosquito arrangements before choosing outdoor seating, particularly for a long birthday dinner.
Check child policy. If dining with a young child, confirm entry and seating arrangements before booking.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Beachfront Restaurant, Jumeirah Marsa
Al Arab - Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai
| Mon | Closed |
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | Closed |
| Thu | Closed |
| Fri | 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Sat | 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Sun | 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Slow service
Some diners experienced long waits, forgotten orders, limited table attention, and delayed clearing.
Small portions
At least two reviews found the fine-dining and business-lunch portions too small to feel filling.
Loud music
Music was too loud for dinner conversation in multiple reviews, including on a relatively quiet Wednesday.
Dress policy
One group reported inconsistent enforcement, with guests in dressy T-shirts asked to change before entry.
Child access
A family reported being refused entry at lunch because the restaurant did not have a high chair for a child under seven.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Kinugawa Dubai is a Japanese-French restaurant in Umm Suqeim with a beachside setting and clear views towards the Burj Al Arab. You can come for sushi and sashimi, order the black cod with Japanese risotto, or book the business lunch. The pool and beach facilities also attract guests looking for a daytime visit rather than dinner alone.
The setting is the strongest constant in the reviews: elegant, lively, and especially photogenic around sunset. Food feedback is more mixed but includes specific standouts such as miso glazed eggplant, lamb chops shiso, and chocolate lava cake with black sesame ice cream. Cocktail and mocktail choices also receive praise.
Service varies sharply. Many diners describe warm, attentive staff who check in often, while others report forgotten orders, slow delivery, poor table layouts, or an awkward birthday presentation. Portions are another watch-out; some found the business lunch generous, while others called it minuscule and left hungry.
Check the dress code and child policy before arrival. Outdoor diners have reported heavy mosquitoes, and the music can be loud enough to make conversation difficult, especially during party-style evenings.