The Robata

Sitting just a few minutes away from Takahisa, the two-toque Japanese restaurant at Banyan Tree Dubai hotel (formerly Caesars Palace), The Robata has a rather intimidating neighbour to go head-to-head with.

However, this smaller restaurant, which focuses more on grill cooking, comes from the same owners, so is more of a complementary venue than a rival.

Offering the same (very) high-end ingredients and the price tag to match, The Robata’s experience is more relaxed than its big sister, but no less expensive.

Tucked away at the renamed Bluewaters Beach Hotel, it’s somewhat difficult to find. Once there, however, guests are rewarded with an outdoor terrace, plus tables inside, but the bar counter is the prime spot, there you can see the chefs at work and engage with them while the food is being prepared.

There are set menus to be had, offering an omakase experience filled with rich, prime Japanese beef and top-quality fish from Japan, flown in weekly.

As the name suggests, the robatayaki technique (described as ‘fireside cooking’ is the focus, meaning there’s a lot of hot charcoals, in an environment where temperature cannot be controlled.

There’s no doubting the quality of ingredients, or the amount of food, which, to many, will be overwhelming thanks to the quantity and richness of it all.

But with a bill likely to approach AED5,000 for two, it really should be indulgent, as well as impressive.

It’s hard not to compare The Robata with Takahisa, and while the latter offers a more refined overall experience, the younger sibling is perhaps a more enjoyable place to relax over what, for many, will be a once-in-a-lifetime meal.