Handroll bars are having a proper moment in Dubai right now, and the next one to watch is landing in Business Bay. Neo-Temaki, the fast-rolled temaki concept that first caught the city’s attention at Sole DXB, is opening at JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai this July.
If you missed the pop-up, here is the short version. Neo-Temaki does made-to-order Japanese handrolls at a counter, with the chefs working right in front of you. It is loud, it is fresh, and it is built for people who like watching their food get put together as much as eating it. Now it is getting a permanent home inside one of the tallest hotels in the world.
Here is everything you actually need to know before you book.
What Neo-Temaki Actually Is
Temaki is the cone-shaped Japanese handroll: a sheet of nori wrapped around warm rice, fish and toppings, rolled to order and eaten straight away before the seaweed loses its crunch. That last part matters. A handroll is a race against the clock, which is exactly why the counter format works. You order, the chef rolls, you eat within seconds.
Neo-Temaki leans into that energy. The concept is built around counter dining, so you are sitting close to the action rather than tucked away at a table. The kitchen is led by Chef Miguel Huelamo, who has put together a menu that runs from signature handrolls to Japanese-inspired small plates.
The brand already did a trial run in front of a Dubai crowd at Sole DXB, where the handrolls flew off the counter. That preview is a big part of why this opening has been on so many watch-lists since the start of the year.
The Menu: What to Order
The handrolls are the headline act, and three of them are doing the heavy lifting.
- Otoro Bomb. Bluefin tuna belly with crispy scallions. Otoro is the fattiest, richest cut of the tuna, so this is the indulgent one on the list.
- Hamachi Crunch. Yellowtail with plum-coated sesame. Expect a sharper, brighter flavour with texture from the sesame.
- Scallop Lux. Hokkaido scallop with yuzu kosho. Hokkaido scallops are prized for their sweetness, and yuzu kosho brings a citrus-chilli kick to balance it out.
Beyond the rolls, there is a spread of small plates to build a full meal around. The Salmon and Hamachi Ponzu, the Neo Nigiri Selection and the Spicy Wagyu Tartare are all on the opening menu. It reads as a sit-down experience rather than a grab-and-go one, so plan to make an evening of it.
The Drinks List
The bar is Japan-influenced without being one-note. You will find a sake selection, cocktails built around Japanese flavours, a curated range of wines and a proper list of non-alcoholic options. That last point is worth flagging if you are eating in a group where not everyone drinks, since the alcohol-free menu here is a considered part of the offering and not an afterthought.
Why JW Marriott Marquis Is Worth the Trip
The JW Marriott Marquis sits on Sheikh Zayed Road in Business Bay, minutes from the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and Dubai Opera. It is one of the tallest hotels in the world, spread across twin towers, and its dining line-up is one of the strongest in the city.
Neo-Temaki is part of a bigger shift at the hotel. Rather than bringing in established names, the Marquis has been building its own concepts in-house, developing each one from the ground up. Neo-Temaki joins that wave of home-grown venues, which means this is a Dubai original rather than an imported franchise. If you like backing a concept before it becomes the place everyone talks about, this is your window.
Details at a Glance
- What: Neo-Temaki, a contemporary Japanese handroll bar
- Where: JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, Business Bay
- Opening: July 2026
- Cuisine: Japanese handrolls, small plates, sake and cocktails
- Format: Counter dining, made to order
- Chef: Miguel Huelamo
- Reservations: jwmm.restaurants@marriott.com
More Dubai Dining to Bookmark
If Neo-Temaki is going on your list, here are a few more to keep close.
- Our guide to the best Japanese restaurants in Dubai
- The new restaurants opening in Dubai in 2026 (internal link)
Images: Supplied
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