Otoro Abu Dhabi

Otoro is a casual, contemporary Japanese restaurant at Al Qana Marina South on Al Maqta' Street, close to the National Aquarium. It holds a Bib Gourmand in the 2026 Michelin Guide Abu Dhabi, and the guide also includes it in its round-ups of the city's best Asian restaurants and best budget-friendly Michelin restaurants.

The space is relaxed and lively, centred on a large open kitchen where you can watch the team at work. It is the kind of place that suits a quick, high-quality meal as well as a longer dinner, and the terrace makes the most of the waterfront setting when the weather is cooler.

The kitchen is led by an experienced chef, with advice from consultant chef Akmal Anuar of 11 Woodfire in Dubai. Ingredients come from several regions of Japan: wagyu from Kagoshima, otoro (fatty tuna) from Tokyo and sea urchin from Hokkaido. Signature dishes highlighted by the Michelin inspectors include yellowtail with green chilli and leche de tigre, wagyu striploin with truffle jus and wasabi, and, fittingly, otoro nigiri. Combining a few raw dishes with something from the grill gives a good overview of what the kitchen does best.

Otoro suits couples, friends and families who want refined Japanese food at a moderate price, and it works well as a meal after a visit to the National Aquarium or an evening walk at Al Qana. No alcohol is served. Dress is smart casual.

According to the Michelin Guide, the restaurant is open every day from midday to 23:00, and bookings are handled by the restaurant directly, so call ahead for dinner at weekends. There is a car park with valet parking, and Al Qana is easy to reach by taxi. Arrive a little early to walk around the marina before your table is ready. If you are on a budget, lunch is a good way to try the kitchen's signature dishes, and it is a sensible choice before or after a visit to the aquarium with children. Let the staff know about allergies or dietary needs, as much of the menu is built around raw fish and seafood. Watching the open kitchen makes it an entertaining choice for solo diners too.