The Best Sushi Near Number Five., by the Record

Rubber ducks cover every available surface at this Serkal Avenue sushi bar, which sets the tone nicely: serious craft, zero solemnity. The long counter puts the open kitchen front and center, and the hand rolls, made to order with yellowtail, scallop, or wagyu, are the reason to pull up a stool. It landed at number 15 on MENA's 50 Best Restaurants list, which the ducks seem unbothered by.

1. 50 Best #15 · MENA's 50 Best Restaurants

Eighteen counter seats on the fourth floor of the Bulgari Hotel, overlooking the Dubai skyline, is about as understated a flex as you'll find in this city. Hōseki is an omakase sushi counter run by a sixth-generation sushi master whose knife work the team tailors to each guest using fish imported from Japan. It holds a Michelin star, and service arrives in traditional kimonos, which somehow doesn't feel like a costume.

1. Michelin Guide 1 Star