Samurai brunch
The Saturday Samurai Brunch combines plentiful food and drinks with performances throughout the meal, including audience participation.
TABŪ Dubai
Downtown Dubai
TABŪ Dubai is a contemporary Japanese restaurant in Downtown Dubai, set within The St. Regis Downtown Dubai. It combines modern Japanese dishes with live performances, while the Samurai Brunch gives diners a more theatrical Saturday experience.
Reputation Score
4.6
★★★★★
998 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Live shows
Dinner can include Japanese-themed performances, DJs, singing, drumming, sumo or aerial acts, adding more than background music.
Standout dishes
The beef gyoza, prawn tempura, wagyu rice and Chimichurri Chicken are among the specifically praised dishes.
Atmosphere
The interior blends traditional Japanese references with sleek modern design, dim lighting and an intimate, lively feel.
Helpful service
Reviews describe attentive staff who give useful food and wine suggestions without hovering.
Burj Khalifa views
The terrace and restaurant views add a Downtown backdrop, including reported views toward the Burj Khalifa.
Valet parking
Complimentary valet parking was reported, with one guest finding the basement collection point and waiting area convenient.
What to Eat at TABŪ 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 TABŪ Dubai, 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 TABŪ Dubai got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 1
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Samurai brunch Net +3
“The Samurai Brunch was one of the best brunches I've ever been to in Dubai and I've visited several.”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Samurai Brunch was one of the best brunches I've ever been to in Dubai and I've visited several.”July 2024
“Tabu offers the Samurai Brunch, and what can I say about it? The food, the vibe, the decor, the performances, and so much more! Throughout the brunch, there are various performances, ensuring a vibrant atmosphere during the entire experience – it’s impossible not to have fun! The dancers are gorgeous and super friendly, always smiling and making sure everyone is having a great time. The food is amazing and plentiful, and the best part is the dessert, where a samurai comes to break it, ensuring your perfect Instagram story.”July 2024
Honorable mentions (22)
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Beef gyoza Net +1
“Their Beef Gyoza is unmatchable!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their Beef Gyoza is unmatchable!”October 2024
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Birthday cake Net +1
“And to top it off, the surprise birthday cake was an absolute masterpiece, both in taste and presentation!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“And to top it off, the surprise birthday cake was an absolute masterpiece, both in taste and presentation!”October 2024
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Brunch set Net +1
“There’re a lot Japanese performance and amazing brunch set!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“There’re a lot Japanese performance and amazing brunch set!”August 2024
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Chimichurri chicken Net +1
“One standout dish I have to mention is the Chimichurri Chicken — an unexpected twist on traditional flavors that completely stole the show. The chicken was tender, juicy, and perfectly grilled, with the chimichurri sauce adding a bold, herby kick that complemented the Japanese-style sides beautifully.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“One standout dish I have to mention is the Chimichurri Chicken — an unexpected twist on traditional flavors that completely stole the show. The chicken was tender, juicy, and perfectly grilled, with the chimichurri sauce adding a bold, herby kick that complemented the Japanese-style sides beautifully.”April 2025
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Crispy rice with wage beef Net +1
“We had very nice bits with amazing tuna and crispy rice with wage beef, they were delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had very nice bits with amazing tuna and crispy rice with wage beef, they were delicious.”May 2024
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Eggplant karaage Net +1
“The foods is absolutely wow, especially with standout dishes like selection of sushi , eggplant karaage, red snapper misoyaki and many more can be quite special.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The foods is absolutely wow, especially with standout dishes like selection of sushi , eggplant karaage, red snapper misoyaki and many more can be quite special.”October 2024
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Grilled octopus Net +1
“We ordered the kagutshuci cocktails, wagu beef starter, miso soup, grilled octopus, wagyu beef short rib, sashimi and the Japanese rice. Everything was delicious with unique flavors.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the kagutshuci cocktails, wagu beef starter, miso soup, grilled octopus, wagyu beef short rib, sashimi and the Japanese rice. Everything was delicious with unique flavors.”February 2025
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Japanese rice Net +1
“We ordered the kagutshuci cocktails, wagu beef starter, miso soup, grilled octopus, wagyu beef short rib, sashimi and the Japanese rice. Everything was delicious with unique flavors.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the kagutshuci cocktails, wagu beef starter, miso soup, grilled octopus, wagyu beef short rib, sashimi and the Japanese rice. Everything was delicious with unique flavors.”February 2025
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Kagutshuci cocktails Net +1
“We ordered the kagutshuci cocktails, wagu beef starter, miso soup, grilled octopus, wagyu beef short rib, sashimi and the Japanese rice. Everything was delicious with unique flavors.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the kagutshuci cocktails, wagu beef starter, miso soup, grilled octopus, wagyu beef short rib, sashimi and the Japanese rice. Everything was delicious with unique flavors.”February 2025
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Main course set Net +1
“If you want enjoy dance, you can join:) my favorite is main course set and 10 out of 10!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“If you want enjoy dance, you can join:) my favorite is main course set and 10 out of 10!”August 2024
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Miso soup Net +1
“We ordered the kagutshuci cocktails, wagu beef starter, miso soup, grilled octopus, wagyu beef short rib, sashimi and the Japanese rice. Everything was delicious with unique flavors.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the kagutshuci cocktails, wagu beef starter, miso soup, grilled octopus, wagyu beef short rib, sashimi and the Japanese rice. Everything was delicious with unique flavors.”February 2025
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Prawn tempura Net +1
“The prawn Tempura was the best I have ever tried in Dubai.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The prawn Tempura was the best I have ever tried in Dubai.”November 2024
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Red snapper misoyaki Net +1
“The foods is absolutely wow, especially with standout dishes like selection of sushi , eggplant karaage, red snapper misoyaki and many more can be quite special.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The foods is absolutely wow, especially with standout dishes like selection of sushi , eggplant karaage, red snapper misoyaki and many more can be quite special.”October 2024
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Salmon fillet Net +1
“The salmon fillet was also great.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The salmon fillet was also great.”November 2024
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Set menu Net +1
“There is a set menu for each evening. The food is really amazing, served in earthenware.”
Positive 1Negative 0Neutral 1
Review excerpts
“There is a set menu for each evening. The food is really amazing, served in earthenware.”December 2024
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Slow cooked beef gioza Net +1
“Food & Beverage selection is impressive, with a huge selection of gourmet dishes: amazing sushi and sashimi selection...the slow cooked beef gioza were so delicious that we ordered them twice.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food & Beverage selection is impressive, with a huge selection of gourmet dishes: amazing sushi and sashimi selection...the slow cooked beef gioza were so delicious that we ordered them twice.”August 2025
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Spicy shrimp Net +1
“The appetizers are to die for! The spicy shrimp, scallops and calamari!!! Top choices.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The appetizers are to die for! The spicy shrimp, scallops and calamari!!! Top choices.”April 2023
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Tuna balls Net +1
“Loads of fun. Decent service. Good food. Especially the chicken breast and tuna balls.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Loads of fun. Decent service. Good food. Especially the chicken breast and tuna balls.”May 2023
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Wagu beef starter Net +1
“We ordered the kagutshuci cocktails, wagu beef starter, miso soup, grilled octopus, wagyu beef short rib, sashimi and the Japanese rice. Everything was delicious with unique flavors.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the kagutshuci cocktails, wagu beef starter, miso soup, grilled octopus, wagyu beef short rib, sashimi and the Japanese rice. Everything was delicious with unique flavors.”February 2025
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Wagyu beef Net +1
“The brunch also included unique and delightful dishes that added a special touch to the meal, such as perfectly seared wagyu beef and delicate, flavorful dumplings.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The brunch also included unique and delightful dishes that added a special touch to the meal, such as perfectly seared wagyu beef and delicate, flavorful dumplings.”July 2024
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Wagyu beef short rib Net +1
“We ordered the kagutshuci cocktails, wagu beef starter, miso soup, grilled octopus, wagyu beef short rib, sashimi and the Japanese rice. Everything was delicious with unique flavors.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the kagutshuci cocktails, wagu beef starter, miso soup, grilled octopus, wagyu beef short rib, sashimi and the Japanese rice. Everything was delicious with unique flavors.”February 2025
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Wagyu rice Net +1
“We tried the Wagyu rice and it was amazing. Very rich in flavor.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried the Wagyu rice and it was amazing. Very rich in flavor.”November 2024
Drinks 2
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Espresso martini Net +1
“I had the espresso martini and it was great.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had the espresso martini and it was great.”April 2023
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Whisky sour Net +1
“Especially the whisky sour made by Raphael.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Especially the whisky sour made by Raphael.”July 2024
Tips for a Better Visit
Book brunch. Choose Saturday if you want the Samurai Brunch, where performances run between courses and the food is served generously.
Order generously. For à la carte dining, plan on two or three dishes per person because one review found the portions small.
Bring a layer. If you feel the cold easily, bring a light layer or ask staff about the air-conditioning; one diner needed blankets.
Use valet. Ask for the complimentary hotel valet; the basement collection point has a waiting area, according to one brunch guest.
Try the gyoza. The beef gyoza received unusually strong praise, with one table ordering the slow-cooked version twice.
Consider set menus. The restaurant has an evening set menu, and reviews also mention packages with flowing food and drinks for brunch.
Plan the visit
Practical details
St Regis
Business Bay - Downtown Dubai, Dubai
Common Concerns
Strong air-conditioning
One diner found the air-conditioning uncomfortably cold and had to ask for blankets.
Small portions
A review advises ordering two or three dishes per person because the individual portions can be small.
Brunch pricing
One customer felt the Saturday brunch price could be higher than competing options.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
495aed
Prosecco package
“I got the Prosecco package for 495aed * (I think)”Google review · May 2023
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
TABŪ Dubai is a contemporary Japanese restaurant in Downtown Dubai where the meal is as much about the setting and entertainment as the plate. You can order sushi, sashimi, tempura and modern fusion dishes, or book the Saturday Samurai Brunch for a fuller, performance-led experience. Reviews also mention evening set menus and drink packages.
The food gets detailed praise rather than just general approval. Beef gyoza, prawn tempura, wagyu rice, Chimichurri Chicken and premium sushi all stand out in individual reviews. Cocktails are another strong point, with creative drinks and a whisky sour specifically remembered from brunch.
Staff are often described as attentive and knowledgeable, particularly when suggesting food and wine pairings. Expect a stylish interior that mixes traditional Japanese touches with contemporary design, plus music, live shows and occasional audience participation. The terrace and reported Burj Khalifa views add appeal for a special evening.
Complimentary valet parking is available, and a basement collection point has a waiting area. A couple of practical cautions matter: à la carte portions may be small enough to require two or three dishes per person, and one diner found the air-conditioning cold enough to request blankets. Saturday brunch may also cost more than competing options, so check the package before booking.