Four years after opening in Dubai and establishing itself as one of the city's top dining establishments, New York import SushiSamba is now ready to treat residents of Abu Dhabi to its “tri-cultural coalition” – a blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian flavours.
Judging by the packed venue on the Saturday evening my dining partner and I visited, with a few guests waiting to be seated at the lounge, it looks like SushiSamba Abu Dhabi has already made the hot list since it opened in late December.
What to expect and where to sit
Located at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, SushiSamba Abu Dhabi replaces Vakava, the pan-Latin grill and lounge that closed a year ago. Spread across two levels, the main restaurant is located on the ground floor with both indoor and outdoor dining areas as well as the sushi and robata grill counters.
On the first floor is a stunning outdoor terrace and bar, as well as a private dining room and the restaurant chain's Samba Lounge, a for-hire space with its own dedicated bar.
While part of Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, the restaurant is not physically attached to the hotel and boasts its own entrance and valet. Jutting out into the corniche waters, its curved architecture ensures great views wherever you're seated.
We are shown to a table on the balcony close to the water. Despite the striking views, however, the UAE cold snap soon gets the better of us, and we request to be moved indoors. The cold doesn't seem to bother many other diners, as I notice the balcony area packed too, with some keeping themselves warm with blankets provided by the restaurant.
Like its Dubai counterpart, the interiors are dimly lit, with lush greenery paying tribute to the Amazon rainforest, and also separating tables. It's warm and intimate, while the service is quick and polite.
The menu
With the exception of Wagyu Dhabi (Dh175), a sushi roll with Japanese wagyu, fried leeks, truffle aioli or sauce and avocado, SushiSamba Abu Dhabi employs an "if it ain't broke" policy as far as the menu is concerned. It features all the hits from the Dubai branch, including my personal favourite green bean tempura – stalks of green bean coated lightly with batter and served with black truffle aioli.
There's also a huge selection of sushi to choose from, including SushiSamba's own creations as well as classic rolls and a selection of nigiri and sashimi. Those who wish to take it up a notch can pair them with the restaurant's selection of caviar, priced between Dh999 to Dh3,800.
From the selection of ceviches, we tried the sea bream ceviche (Dh80), which comes with a kick of green chillies.
But it's the fusion foods where the restaurant truly shines, like the yellowtail crispy taquitos (Dh58) for starters. Served taco-style, the yellowtail with avocado, white miso, coriander and lime is full of texture and flavour. And so is the salmon tartare (Dh89) – shredded pieces of salmon mixed with avocado, tobiko and caviar and served on a plate of crispy nori.
For mains, we tried the Chilean sea bass robata (Dh118), grilled fish dunked in white miso sprinkled with finely chopped chives. It balances perfectly with the Australian black angus tenderloin (Dh298), buttered on top with foie gras and spicy soy. The beef is so perfectly cooked you can pick pieces with chopsticks, before they melt in your mouth.
Standout dish
While there was no space for seconds, I'd pick the salmon tartare if compelled. The crispy nori and perfectly flavoured salmon starter is a must-have. And so is the simple green bean tempura, which will disappear from the plate faster than you think. From the mains, you can't go wrong with anything from the robata selection, fishy or meaty.
And absolutely do not miss the Japanese doughnuts (Dh65). The soft and warm doughy balls, sugary on the outside and filled with dolce ganache inside, are a slightly irreverent but fun way to bring to a close what's been a sophisticated, near-perfect meal.
Contact information
SushiSamba is located at Podium 1, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi and tables can be booked by calling 02 811 5882.
This review was conducted at the restaurant’s invitation
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Richard Jewell
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley
Two-and-a-half out of five stars
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
DUBAI WORLD CUP CARNIVAL CARD
6.30pm Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 2,410m
7.05pm UAE 1000 Guineas Listed $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.40pm Dubai Dash Listed $175,000 (T) 1,000m
8.15pm Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions $100,000 (D) 1.900m
8.50pm Al Fahidi Fort Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,400m
9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (D) 2,000m
The National selections
6.30pm: Gifts Of Gold
7.05pm Final Song
7.40pm Equilateral
8.15pm Dark Of Night
8.50pm Mythical Magic
9.25pm Franz Kafka
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
More from UAE Human Development Report:
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
More from Aya Iskandarani
Tuesday results:
- Singapore bt Malaysia by 29 runs
- UAE bt Oman by 13 runs
- Hong Kong bt Nepal by 3 wickets
Final:
Thursday, UAE v Hong Kong
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More on animal trafficking
Key 2013/14 UAE Motorsport dates
October 4: Round One of Rotax Max Challenge, Al Ain (karting)
October 1: 1 Round One of the inaugural UAE Desert Championship (rally)
November 1-3: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Formula One)
November 28-30: Dubai International Rally
January 9-11: 24Hrs of Dubai (Touring Cars / Endurance)
March 21: Round 11 of Rotax Max Challenge, Muscat, Oman (karting)
April 4-10: Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (Endurance)
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'Falling%20for%20Christmas'
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Janeen%20Damian%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Lindsay%20Lohan%2C%20Chord%20Overstreet%2C%20Jack%20Wagner%2C%20Aliana%20Lohan%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%201%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test Thursday-Monday at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
