Brunch of the Month: Ongaku at Clap

The FACT Award-winning bar is now home to a bombastic brunch. 

We love a secret bar at FACT. So when the already excellent Clap launched its own speakeasy, we knew it had to be something special. Thanks to its tucked-away entrance, stunning terrace and resident DJs, Ongaku has quickly become a bar to give you FOMO. Yet the recently launched Buranchi is fast becoming the main draw to this Tokyo-inspired rooftop.

Located at the rear of the Clap restaurant, Ongaku is a place for those in the know. Behind a soundproof door lies a lively bar encapsulating the vibrancy of Tokyo’s Shinjuku district upon the largest rooftop in DIFC. The pretty pink parasols flapping in the breeze with Emirates Towers as a backdrop may be breathtaking. Still, the bar is the main attraction, with an innovative LED lighting display enveloping the entire structure.

Usually renowned for electric nightlife, Ongaku at Clap comes alive during the day with a brunch that channels Tokyo vibes. There’s an inescapable charm to dining at Ongaku or Clap, further enhanced by a menu of beguiling beverages and top-notch Japanese food. Here, the bar becomes a lavish buffet laden with fresh oysters, a show-stopping display of sushi, signature rolls and sashimi, ceviche, poke bowls and salads (don’t miss the crunchy shiitake or the cool wakame mix).

Once you’ve had your fill of raw items, it’s time to indulge in a main course from a selection that includes a sweet miso-infused black cod that flakes at the mere touch of a fork, tender pistachio-crusted baby chicken and the glorious beef sando, where prime cuts are sandwiched between pillow-soft milk bread. By this time, the atmosphere has evolved from dining to dancing, thanks to a live duo on the electric violin and roaming entertainment. The party has truly begun!

Backed by a soundtrack of hip-hop classics injected with a modern twist, the brunch becomes a raucous affair by mid-afternoon whilst retaining the classiness upon which Clap has staked its reputation. By the time the impressive dessert platter rolls around, you’ll have just enough time to indulge in matcha cheesecake, miso chocolate tart and mochi before the after-party begins.

Beirut-born Clap has fast become a place to see (and be seen at) in Dubai, combining vibrant interiors, proficient service and a pulsating and somewhat contagious atmosphere. But for an unexpected party vibe that belies the Clap restaurant experience, Ongaku deserves a round of applause.

Buranchi at Ongaku takes place on Saturdays from 12.30pm to 4pm. AED 495 (house beverages) and AED 650 (premium Champagne and sake).

GO: Visit https://claprestaurant.com or call 04 569 3820 for reservations and more information.