99 Sushi Bar

The Verdict

99 Sushi Bar's Al Maryah outpost is the group's second UAE location (after Dubai) and the fifth worldwide. The brand was founded in Madrid in 2009 and has built its reputation on technically precise edomae sushi with a Spanish sensibility in the service and ingredient selection — Mediterranean tuna, Cantabrian anchovies, A5 wagyu, and the standard Japanese luxury fish flown in via Tsukiji and Toyosu. The Al Maryah room seats 80 across the main dining area and 10 at the omakase counter.

The omakase counter is the reason to come. The 14-course sequence (AED 900–1,200 depending on the day's fish) opens with sashimi, moves through hot and cold tapas-style preparations, and settles into a 10-to-12-piece nigiri progression that walks from lighter whites to otoro and seared A5 wagyu nigiri. The kitchen's miso black cod and its tuna tartare with avocado are the dining room's established signatures for guests who don't choose the counter.

Expect AED 550–900 per person in the dining room with moderate wine, AED 900–1,400 at the omakase. The sake program is serious — around 40 labels, most poured by the glass. Reservations at the counter require specific booking; the dining-room floor works one week ahead for most weeknights. The restaurant sits inside The Galleria, and the best approach is from the waterfront side to open the meal with a walk.

Why It Works for Solo Dining

The counter at 99 Sushi Bar is among the cleanest deal-closing tables in the city — eight to ten seats, one itamae, a 90-minute omakase sequence that structures the meal without requiring you to manage it. The room is quieter than Zuma or COYA, and the service is Spanish-trained (the brand's origin) rather than generically international.

Signature Dishes

Omakase at the counter; otoro nigiri; seared A5 wagyu nigiri; miso black cod; yuzu sorbet.

Also in Abu Dhabi

For the broader Abu Dhabi picture, see our full Abu Dhabi dining guide. Related rooms at this level: Hakkasan Abu Dhabi (Modern Cantonese) and Zuma Abu Dhabi (Contemporary Japanese Izakaya). For the solo dining cross-city picture, see our Solo Dining directory. Travelling on? Consider Dubai, Doha, or Riyadh for your next leg.