Otoro
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Al Qana Marina South, Al Maqta' Street, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Otoro offers a relaxed way to explore contemporary Japanese cooking at Al Qana. The restaurant’s open kitchen and marina-side surroundings create an atmosphere less formal than Abu Dhabi’s grand hotel dining rooms, while the culinary direction associated with Akmal Anuar keeps attention on ingredients and flavour. The name itself points towards a particular interest in carefully sourced seafood. The restaurant identifies produce from several Japanese regions, including wagyu from Kagoshima and seafood linked with Tokyo and Hokkaido. Michelin describes dishes such as yellowtail with green chilli and leche de tigre, showing how the kitchen can move beyond a strictly traditional Japanese repertoire while retaining precision. The menu rewards ordering a range of smaller preparations and sharing the contrasts. A Bib Gourmand in the Abu Dhabi 2026 guide recognises quality at comparatively accessible prices. This is still ingredient-conscious dining, so the final cost depends on the selections made. Otoro’s value to a visitor lies in the combination of a clear culinary focus and an easygoing setting. It provides a convincing destination meal without requiring the ceremony of a tasting menu, and adds another perspective to the city’s increasingly varied waterfront restaurant scene.