Kinoya

Kinoya is a Japanese ramen bar and izakaya in The Onyx Tower 2, next to Zabeel House in The Greens, and it has become one of the best-known ramen addresses in the city. The Michelin Guide has awarded it a Bib Gourmand every year since the Dubai guide launched in 2022, and the restaurant has since opened a sister site in London. The inspectors praise good-quality ingredients, careful cooking and low prices.

Ramen is still the main draw, in shio, shoyu and miso styles and as wontonmen, with eight ramen dishes on the menu in all. The broths are rich and carefully balanced, and toppings such as onsen tamago, the soft, slow-cooked egg, are done properly. The izakaya side of the menu is just as good: yakitori skewers of chicken, meat, fish and vegetables from the grill, small kobachi plates, tempura, sushi and sashimi, donabe rice cooked in a clay pot and omurice. Japanese drinks round things out.

The room is lively, with a long counter where you can watch the chefs at work; counter seats are popular and worth requesting when you book. Reservations are taken online and by email, which is wise for dinner at weekends. Kinoya is closed on Mondays and open from midday to 1am from Tuesday to Sunday, with the kitchen closing at 11.30pm on weekdays and 11.45pm at weekends. Ramen has last orders in the afternoon and late evening, so check timings if you are coming for noodles.

It suits solo diners, couples and small groups looking for a casual, good-value meal of real quality. Families are welcome. Prices are moderate, and a bowl of ramen with a couple of small plates makes a full meal. Vegetarians should ask the staff which broths and small plates suit them, as many Japanese stocks use fish.

The Greens is a leafy residential area between Al Barsha and Dubai Marina, just off Sheikh Zayed Road. Dubai Internet City Metro station on the Red Line is about a ten-minute walk away, and drivers can use P2 parking or the valet in front of Zabeel House. Dubai Marina, Media City and the beach at Al Sufouh are a short drive away.