Where to eat the best sushi in Abu Dhabi

99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant
This glam Japanese restaurant (which was born in sunny Spain) knows how to wow, and the dishes are just as pretty and flashy as the black and gold interior. Highlights of the inventive menu include the lobster maki, king crab gunkan and toro flambé, however the Golden Bricks is some of the best sushi in Abu Dhabi. So shiny it literally matches the decorations, it consists of six nigiri constructed from tuna tartare, avocado, tobiko and of course, gold leaf.
Dhs150 (Golden Bricks). Open daily 7pm-11.30pm. The Galleria, Al Maryah Island (02 672 3333).

Aquarium
Shortlisted as a top seafood restaurant back in 2019 and with, as the name suggests, a giant aquarium built into the wall there is a lot to enjoy here. Including, we’re glad to say, some of the best sushi in Abu Dhabi. We’ll be honest, we’re not really sure what passion dragons are, but having had a look inside the rolls can assure you it includes tuna, cucumber, spicy mayo, avocado. It comes topped with salmon and roe.
Dhs79 for six pieces. Open daily 6pm-3am. Yas Marina, Yas Island (800 6996).

Benihana
The Japanese-American international chain pioneered the “eatertainment” concept with its charming cooking styles. While much is focussed on the teppanyaki, it is great to see sushi chefs at work. The Benihana tempura roll gives you the choice of four of salmon, eel, shrimp tempura, tuna and king crab leg, with extra added crunch and some spicy mayo as well. It is a restaurant that never forgets dining should be fun along with providing some top quality sushi in Abu Dhabi.
Dhs115 for eight pieces. Open daily 6.30pm-11.30pm. Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiyah (02 697 9011).

Buddha-Bar Beach
When a dish is called King of the Beach it better be good and with a whopping 48 pieces of sushi including ceviches, sashimi, nigiri, signature rolls and oysters, this is one catch that was always making it on to list of best sushi in Abu Dhabi. But if you decide not to go for this feast, enjoy a pretty mixed drink out on the white sands of Saadiyat.
Dhs555 (King of the Beach). Open Mon-Wed 5pm-midnight, Thu-Sat noon-midnight. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi (02 498 8888).

Café Sushi
Super-modern and fresh, this joint is perfect for a casual lunch with friends and those looking for tasty sushi in Abu Dhabi. We’re mesmerised by the conveyor belt of sushi, which as well as being so fun to watch, also has a practical purpose if you’re stuck for time. We recommend making the effort to sample some of the very out-of-the-ordinary signature rolls especially lobster tempura. After all, how can something topped with fried lobster not be fantastic? So big they’re tricky to eat in just one bite, this octet of maki rolls are filled with perfectly ripe avocado, yet more lobster and a sweet teriyaki sauce.
Dhs119. Open daily 6.30pm-midnight. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Khor Al Maqta (02 654 3238).

Catch
Something about the floor-to-ceiling windows, light, minimal interiors and expansive terrace ticks our boxes and the sushi is pretty scrumptious as well. The vegetarian roll jumps out from the menu for not only its ingredients but also its price. Top quality sushi in Abu Dhabi without hurting the back pocket? Yes please.
Dhs45. Open Mon-Sat 1pm-11pm. Nation Riviera Beach Club, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, Corniche West (02 694 4444).

Cho Gao Marina Walk
This funky venue has plenty of super dishes from across Asia to try. However, its signature Cho Gao roll is one you’ll always hear good things about, thanks to a stonkingly tasty combination of avocado and cucumber alongside the show-stealing tempura prawn, punched up with a slick of spicy mayo. Sound like some of the best sushi in Abu Dhabi? Spot on.
Dhs58. Open Tue-Wed 4pm-1am, Thu-Fri 4pm-2am. InterContinental Abu Dhabi, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street (02 418 2477)

COYA
From the colourful entrance lift to the buzzing dining area, everything about COYA is vibrant and funky. The sushi selection is equally well presented and pretty much every dish is worth its own Instagram post (and Insta story, obvs). We recommend trying the maki acevichado, with scorched sea bream, sweet potato and coriander, for a light, punchy and utterly unique sushi experience (will, it is part-Peruvian). The presentation is beyond immaculate, and the taste is even better.
Dhs74 (maki acevichado). Open daily 12.30pm-4pm, 7pm-midnight. The Galleria Al Maryah Island (02 306 7000).

Leen’s Casual To Gourmet
As the name suggests this is a casual restaurant that has gourmet ambitions. While the menu is an enormous continents-spanning selection, you can find some of the best sushi in Abu Dhabi in the mix. The fried soft shell crab is a lovely alternative to the more common cold crab. Presentation, we have to say, is beautiful and with teriyaki sauce, avocado, wasabi and garlic as well as a shred of lettuce it is set up to deliver substance with the abundant style.
Dhs71. Open Sun-Thu 8am-9.45pm, Fri-Sat 8am-10.45am. WTC Abu Dhabi (02 633 3774).

Matsu
In the unlikely event that Time Out is asked to entertain a visiting delegation of Japanese businessmen we’d bring them straight here. After a round of golf we’d happily swap stories and knock back plate after plate moreish sushi. Try the interestingly named spider maki, a deep-fried soft-shell with avocado, sesame and mayo.
Dhs65. Open Mon-Thu, Sat 12.30pm-11pm, Fri 12.30pm-4pm, 5pm-11pm. Yas Links Golf Club, Yas Island (02 556 0096).