NIRI Restaurant & Bar

Sushi, robata grills, cocktails and a gorgeous view

Like a cherry-petalled sakura springing to life in the fresh sea air, Niri Restaurant and Bar has blossomed ever since it landed in the foodie strip of Saadiyat Island, Mamsha Al Saadiyat in 2021. 

Under the helm of Imad Obeid, a veteran of LPM Restaurant & Bar and Zuma Abu Dhabi and executive and head chef Yasuyuki Takemoto, this Japanese restaurant in Abu Dhabi took the Izakaya culture (the traditional Japanese bar, where drinks are served alongside tasty and affordable dishes and snacks) and gave it a contemporary, upscale spin.

The decor, borrowing from Japanese aesthetics, features floor-to-ceiling windows that let in plenty of natural light, minimalist wooden furnishings contrasted with dark stone, a long sushi bar, and a spacious beachfront terrace. So, whether you’d like to sit at the counter and watch the chefs at work, whipping up yakitori (charcoal-grilled chicken on skewers) and sushi at lightning speed, or time your visit to catch the sunset out on the terrace before the moon and live music take over, you’re in for a treat.

The Niri Mamsha menu also follows the same cross-continental stance as the interior. You’ll find signature dishes like sushi, wagyu beef, yakitori and tempura served alongside imported seasonal Japanese ingredients and sides like myoga, perilla leaves, Japanese honewort and wasabi. 

The chefs at Niri source only the best ingredients for their dishes. For sushi lovers, the restaurant flies in young yellowtail, salmon roe, sea urchin, alfonsino and scallops by air from Japan to ensure the utmost freshness. They also constantly experiment with new flavours and dishes and adjust traditional recipes to accommodate the diverse palates of their multinational clientele.