The award-winning restaurant is located on Bluewaters Island in Dubai.
Necessity is not only the mother of invention, but also the reason that foodies have been given the gift of Nikkei cuisine. The result of fusing typically Peruvian ingredients (think: corn, quinoa, aji amarillo peppers and freshwater fish) with traditional Japanese techniques, it continues to soar in popularity across the world – and the Middle East is no exception.
Case in point? Clay restaurant, which opened its doors in Manama, Bahrain less than two years ago and already boasts several accolades and loyal patronage. Now, this evocative restaurant has brought its sense of exploration and discovery to Dubai, opening a new outpost on Bluewaters Island. Here, diners can experience Clay’s unmistakable ambience and live DJ sessions with a direct view of Dubai’s most talked-about attraction: Ain Dubai.
Like its sister restaurant, Clay Dubai is designed by a renowned interior architect, so the space is set to inspire. Rich marble, elemental textures, eccentric patterns and artistic centrepieces make for a lush and electric setting. Incidentally, Clay Bahrain won the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards for the Middle East & Africa Luxury category in 2021, and the newcomer is set to one-up the original. Meanwhile, the Japanese-Peruvian dishes – each a journey of culture and flavour – are inspired by the elements and ignited by two cultures that came together to create something remarkable.
Clay’s kitchen combines classic ingredients and intricate techniques to create conditions that are diverse and intriguing, familiar yet unknown. With an extensive wine list of the Old and New World alongside cocktails that infuse tastes spanning from Tokyo to Lima, Clay celebrates creation and its forever muse, collaboration. “With every taste and texture, Clay tells a story of travel and discovery. Clay Dubai is one more opportunity for us to share the incredible cuisine that is Nikkei, and the magical experience that is Clay,” says Head Chef Jolbi Huacho, who hails from Peru and is passionate about taking Nikkei cuisine to new heights.
DSCVR: Clay Dubai, Bluewaters Island, Dubai (04 422 5600). @clay_dubai
