Shinobi Dubai Opens on Al Wasl Road: New Handroll Bar Where Tokyo Meets New York

A made-to-order handroll bar with a Nobu pedigree, in-house sodas and DJ nights lands in Jumeirah on 6 July. Here’s what you actually need to know before you go.

Dubai’s been spoiled for sushi for years, but the handroll bar, the temaki-first format built around warm rice, crisp nori and seafood folded to order, has been the one format the city was missing. That changes on 6 July, when Shinobi Dubai opens its doors on Al Wasl Road. It’s the newest concept from Monarch Hospitality Group, the team behind Kraken and Mamati, and it arrives with a clear point of view: part Tokyo precision, part New York energy, built for a city that rarely sits still. Here’s the full rundown.

What is Shinobi Dubai?

Shinobi is a premium casual handroll bar, which is a useful way of saying the food is serious, but the room is not stuffy. The concept is built around made-to-order handrolls, with the kitchen leaning on quality ingredients, warm rice, crisp nori and premium seafood sourced from around the world. The chefs behind it have time at Nobu on their CVs, so the fundamentals are in safe hands.

The menu doesn’t stop at temaki, though. Expect nigiri, sashimi, tacos, salads, hot dishes and desserts as well, a modern read on Japanese dining that gives you room to graze or settle in for a full sit-down.

The vibe: more night out than quiet dinner

Founder Badr Benryane is upfront about the fact that this was never meant to be just a restaurant. Music, art, fashion, and street culture all shape the experience, and the interiors pull directly from the streets of Tokyo and New York, with bold visuals, curated sound, and a room designed to feel alive the moment you walk in.

“For us, Shinobi was never just about the food,” says Benryane. “It was about creating a place where great ingredients, music, design and people all have an equal role. We wanted something energetic, approachable and authentic, a place that feels just as relevant for a quick lunch as it does for a night out.”

WOW Emirates Insider tip: If you want the full sound-system-and-DJ experience, aim for an evening visit. Lunch is the move if you’d rather actually hear your table.

What’s on the menu and in the glass

The drinks programme follows the same logic as the food: made in-house and built to complement, not overpower. That means house-made sodas and kombuchas developed on-site, plus a focused selection of coffee and tea. It’s an alcohol-free-friendly, easy-drinking lineup rather than a sprawling cocktail list, which suits the place’s daytime-to-evening rhythm.

• Handrolls (temaki) made to order, the signature format
• Nigiri and sashimi for the purists
• Tacos, salads and hot dishes to round out a full meal
• Desserts to finish
• In-house sodas and kombuchas, plus speciality coffee and tea

Music is part of the menu

Sound is central to the identity here, not background filler. Playlists move between old-school hip-hop and contemporary tracks on a state-of-the-art system, and curated DJ sessions will run regularly to push the energy up a notch. If you’ve been to Mamati or Kraken, you’ll recognise the instinct, MHG builds rooms that feel like a scene, not just a seating plan.

Shinobi Dubai: details at a glance

• Opening date: 6 July 2026
• Location: Villa 8, Al Wasl Street, Jumeirah 2, Dubai
• Opening hours: Daily, 12 PM to 11 PM
• Cuisine: Japanese handroll bar (premium casual)
• Good for: Quick lunch, dinner with friends, an early night out
• Social: @shinobidubai on Instagram and TikTok

For more new openings worth your time, keep an eye on our Food & Drink section; we cover the launches that are actually worth the trip across the city.

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Images: Supplied

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