Japanese flavours
Reviews describe authentic Japanese flavours, fresh ingredients and polished presentation across the menu.
Matagi
Jumeirah
Matagi is a contemporary Japanese restaurant in Jumeirah, known for sushi, wagyu and carefully presented dishes in an elegant, intimate setting. The open kitchen adds a watchable element to dinner, while brunch brings sharing plates, a choice of packages and black cod from the robata grill.
Reputation Score
4.5
★★★★★
137 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Open kitchen
The glass-fronted open kitchen lets diners watch chefs prepare the dishes up close.
Wagyu highlights
Wagyu is a recurring favourite, including short rib and A7 cuts praised for their flavour and tenderness.
Cosy setting
The modern design combines elegant décor with comfortable seating and cosy tones.
Quiet service
One diner appreciated that staff explained the dishes while staying attentive without interrupting dinner.
Brunch choice
Brunch includes sharing starters, sushi and desserts, with individual mains and three beverage-package options.
What to Eat at Matagi 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 Matagi, 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.
These items at Matagi got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 10
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6Th sense Net +1
“Let me tell you, I tried one of the best cocktails ever - 6th sense, which had Tangy fresh flavour of 🍋 & refreshing 😋 #musttry”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Let me tell you, I tried one of the best cocktails ever - 6th sense, which had Tangy fresh flavour of 🍋 & refreshing 😋 #musttry”December 2022
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Black cod Net +1
“You can choose your own main course each which we thought was perfect (we all opted for the black cod which was divine).”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“You can choose your own main course each which we thought was perfect (we all opted for the black cod which was divine).”May 2022
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Black cod from the robata grill Net +1
“• The black cod from the robata grill was next-level.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“• The black cod from the robata grill was next-level.”June 2025
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Charcoal grilled salmon Net +1
“For Main Course- Charcoal Grilled Salmon & Chicken Katsu Curry & they were sooooo gooood 😋😋💯💯”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For Main Course- Charcoal Grilled Salmon & Chicken Katsu Curry & they were sooooo gooood 😋😋💯💯”December 2022
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Chicken katsu curry Net +1
“For Main Course- Charcoal Grilled Salmon & Chicken Katsu Curry & they were sooooo gooood 😋😋💯💯”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For Main Course- Charcoal Grilled Salmon & Chicken Katsu Curry & they were sooooo gooood 😋😋💯💯”December 2022
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Lobster gyoza Net +1
“Food was wonderful- quality of ingredients was very high- lobster gyoza, sushi/salmon tataki - wagyu beef short rib was outstanding !”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food was wonderful- quality of ingredients was very high- lobster gyoza, sushi/salmon tataki - wagyu beef short rib was outstanding !”September 2024
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Matcha pound cake Net +1
“For desserts we tried little of everything 😍 - Matcha Creme Brulee, Matcha Pound Cake(😋😋💯), Strawberry Swiss Roll, Seaseme Icecream & everything were Lip Smaaaaackiiing 😋💯💯”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For desserts we tried little of everything 😍 - Matcha Creme Brulee, Matcha Pound Cake(😋😋💯), Strawberry Swiss Roll, Seaseme Icecream & everything were Lip Smaaaaackiiing 😋💯💯”December 2022
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Miso soup Net +1
“Tried their lunch menu, which has a selection of widespread of Salads to choose & on the table, you get your Soup - Miso Soup (one of the best one I had 😋), Sushi Set was yummm 😍”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Tried their lunch menu, which has a selection of widespread of Salads to choose & on the table, you get your Soup - Miso Soup (one of the best one I had 😋), Sushi Set was yummm 😍”December 2022
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Rice pudding Net +1
“• Finished with the rice pudding, which was light, tangy, and just the right sweetness.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“• Finished with the rice pudding, which was light, tangy, and just the right sweetness.”June 2025
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Sushi set Net +1
“Tried their lunch menu, which has a selection of widespread of Salads to choose & on the table, you get your Soup - Miso Soup (one of the best one I had 😋), Sushi Set was yummm 😍”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Tried their lunch menu, which has a selection of widespread of Salads to choose & on the table, you get your Soup - Miso Soup (one of the best one I had 😋), Sushi Set was yummm 😍”December 2022
Honorable mentions (6)
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Sweet potato mash Net +1
“Instead of fries we receive a Sweet Potato Mash (AED 40) made with coconut milk which is a surprise in itself for the delightful sweetness it brings to the course.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Instead of fries we receive a Sweet Potato Mash (AED 40) made with coconut milk which is a surprise in itself for the delightful sweetness it brings to the course.”February 2019
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Wagy short ribs in own bone marrow Net +1
“The Wagy short ribs in own bone marrow were delicious, beautiful taste but not every day taste, something extraodenery, i recomend it to ever wagy eater fans.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Wagy short ribs in own bone marrow were delicious, beautiful taste but not every day taste, something extraodenery, i recomend it to ever wagy eater fans.”November 2025
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Wagyu a7 Net +1
“The wagyu A7 is out of this world.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The wagyu A7 is out of this world.”August 2022
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Wagyu beef short rib Net +1
“Food was wonderful- quality of ingredients was very high- lobster gyoza, sushi/salmon tataki - wagyu beef short rib was outstanding !”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food was wonderful- quality of ingredients was very high- lobster gyoza, sushi/salmon tataki - wagyu beef short rib was outstanding !”September 2024
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Wagyu gyozas Net +1
“We ordered wagtu grade A7, fried squid, prawn tempura sushi, wagyu gyozas, and side of mustard sesame asparagus. The gyozas are seared to perfection and can't begin to describe how amazing the taste is.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered wagtu grade A7, fried squid, prawn tempura sushi, wagyu gyozas, and side of mustard sesame asparagus. The gyozas are seared to perfection and can't begin to describe how amazing the taste is.”August 2022
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Wagyu sirloin Net +1
“The name is entirely fitting for an Asian steakhouse and we cannot resist the 350g Wagyu Sirloin (AED 245), a fairly large cut seasoned with Siracha and served with an irresistible Soy butter. The beef is sliced which adds visual appeal and cooked to our preferred medium-rare, makes for a tender cut we’d not hesitate to order again.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The name is entirely fitting for an Asian steakhouse and we cannot resist the 350g Wagyu Sirloin (AED 245), a fairly large cut seasoned with Siracha and served with an irresistible Soy butter. The beef is sliced which adds visual appeal and cooked to our preferred medium-rare, makes for a tender cut we’d not hesitate to order again.”February 2019
Drinks 1
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Espresso martini Net +1
“Atmosphere was nice, food was amazing and the service was top notched ❤️❤️❤️ Thanks to Fitrah who made the best espresso martini and Prasun, Dala and Ruchika for a wonderful service ❤️”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Atmosphere was nice, food was amazing and the service was top notched ❤️❤️❤️ Thanks to Fitrah who made the best espresso martini and Prasun, Dala and Ruchika for a wonderful service ❤️”July 2024
What to Avoid (2)
Food 2
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California roll Net −1
“No gluten free options so they basically made a California roll. Worst tasking sushi roll I ever had. I had two pieces and didn’t finish the rest.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“No gluten free options so they basically made a California roll. Worst tasking sushi roll I ever had. I had two pieces and didn’t finish the rest.”March 2023
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Chicken bowl Net −1
“Even when I did not enjoy my main dish, chicken bowl, Raphael made sure to replace for something delicious.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Even when I did not enjoy my main dish, chicken bowl, Raphael made sure to replace for something delicious.”October 2023
Tips for a Better Visit
Discuss salt. If you prefer lighter seasoning, tell your server before ordering; one diner said staff could help adjust expectations.
Check dietary needs. Ask about gluten-free choices in advance, as one guest reported that no gluten-free options were available.
Share dishes. For groups, sharing makes it easier to try the broad sushi, sashimi and wagyu selection.
Save room. At brunch, leave space for dessert: the sharing spread includes sushi and several sweets.
Choose brunch. Brunch guests can select between soft drinks, house beverages and sparkling packages.
Plan the visit
Practical details
West Cresent, Palm - 213208
The Palm Jumeirah - Jumeirah, Dubai
Common Concerns
Billing pressure
One family reported repeated pressure to close the bill while they were still eating.
Gluten-free limits
A diner reported no gluten-free options and received a basic California roll instead.
Small portions
One supper review found the portions too small despite praising the plate presentation.
Salty dishes
A diner found the food overall too salty and suggested discussing this with the server.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
AED 245
350g Wagyu Sirloin
“The name is entirely fitting for an Asian steakhouse and we cannot resist the 350g Wagyu Sirloin (AED 245), a fairly large cut seasoned with Siracha and served with an irresistible Soy butter”Google review · February 2019
DXB
LOCAL
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The Bottom Line
Matagi is a contemporary Japanese restaurant in Jumeirah with an elegant, intimate feel and a menu built around sushi, sashimi, wagyu and robata cooking. It suits a celebratory dinner or date night, with reviewers also mentioning birthdays, anniversaries and pre-wedding meals. The open kitchen is visible through glass, so dinner comes with a close-up view of the chefs working.
Several dishes stand out in the reviews: wagyu short ribs served in their own bone marrow, A7 wagyu, sushi, tartare and black cod from the robata grill. Brunch is a more generous, social format, with sharing starters, sushi and desserts, individual mains and three beverage packages; one family also noted that high chairs were available and the DJ stayed quiet enough for conversation. There are a few things to clarify before booking.
One diner reported no gluten-free options, while another found the food somewhat salty. A separate family review described repeated pressure to close the bill while they were still eating, so families may want to confirm the expected dining experience. Portions were also called small in one supper review.
For groups, sharing dishes is a sensible way to explore the menu, and brunch desserts deserve some appetite saved.