The homegrown hit drops anchor in the capital.
3Fils has become a Dubai institution. The harbourfront original built its reputation on precision and personality, and while its name relates to a minimal denomination of the UAE currency, the flavours are anything but small. The acclaimed eatery, currently ranked fourteenth in the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants, has sailed down the coast, taking over the space formerly occupied by the nightclub ANNEX at The Abu Dhabi EDITION, offering three levels and two terraces that lean out over Al Bateen Marina.
The transformation from nightclub to restaurant is remarkable. Gone are the blacked-out windows of my pre-COVID clubbing days, replaced by floor-to-ceiling glass panels that look out onto a yacht-studded marina. The room is industrial and minimal, all concrete ceilings and exposed pipework, but softened with personality. Look closely and you will spot playful figurines and artworks of Emiratis in kandura and sneakers on surfboards. What was once the bar is now an open kitchen, humming with activity as the culinary team perfects precise plates.
From the open kitchen, Head Chef Jhovani remains faithful to the original formula of bold, umami-rich flavours and technically polished plates. 3Fils’ signature dishes are present, but the Abu Dhabi menu offers a few exclusives, mirroring the group’s philosophy of elemental cooking that has helped 3Fils collect accolades, from topping MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2022 to earning a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand in 2023.
We begin with 3Fils classics such as the Salmon Carpaccio (AED 54), which arrives in a concentric fan, lightly dressed in ponzu with sesame, lime and a brush of black chilli. The lift is immediate. Citrus brightens the fish without bullying it, while the chilli adds warmth rather than heat. The Spicy Tuna (AED 62) follows, a marvellous maki rolled with samjang, wasabi mayo and a dusting of furikake that is unafraid to be fiery. The Otoro Nigiri (AED 81) is unashamedly plush, the fat melting on contact, the rice warm, seasoned and precisely packed.
However, it’s the specials and signatures where the 3Fils Abu Dhabi really shines. For those in search of theatre, the Nigiri Bomb (AED 178) is as audacious as it sounds, compressing premium products such as A5 wagyu, foie gras, Hokkaido uni, kaluga caviar and truffle compressed into one boujee bite. It’s peak Dubai, but it actually works and shows that, despite the UAE’s geographical limitations, 3Fils thrives on sourcing quality ingredients, including from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market.
The Gyu Grab (AED 96) is a firm FACT favourite. A5 wagyu chashu, kizami-negi salsa, sesame and nikiri sauce arrive with spiced crispy nori. The dish works like a deconstructed taco, with a piece of nori used to scoop up the wagyu and rice, resulting in a rich, robust mouthful. If you want richness dialled up, the Wagyu Carpaccio (AED 187) layers A5 wagyu with foie gras, shoyu Yamasa and plenty of truffle. It’s a touch overpowering, but the flavours of foie and truffle shine through.
The kitchen’s confidence with fire shows on the Yakitori Platter (AED 46), a duet of chicken thigh and crisp skin skewers are beautifully lacquered and sharpened with ponzu-shiso butter, chives, togarashi and negi. The glaze is sticky, and the meat is juicy. Elsewhere, the A5 Wagyu Claypot (AED 187) is a comforting dish mixed tableside. Dashi-porcini rice anchors the bowl, smoky maitake and shiitake bring woodland depth, and oba crisps lend crunch.
As ever, desserts are no afterthought. The Karak Ice Cream (AED 48) packs cardamon, black tea crumble and butterscotch into a cone that is theatrically crushed tableside into a bowl, turning nostalgia into texture. But it’s the Take Me To The Moon that truly steals the show. This textural puzzle of chocolate sponge, frozen milk chocolate aero, hazelnut praline crunch and salted caramel uses a pour of hazelnut milk to tie it together. It is smashed at the table, yes, but the drama serves the dish. The payoff is the contrast of cold and warm temperatures and airy and dense textures, playing into the expectation of what it would feel like to take a bite of the moon’s surface.
The team, affectionately known as ‘the umami warriors’, offers service that is friendly, fast and efficient. Plates are well-paced, and there is clear pride in the product. Prices are considered for the quality of the product, and portioning encourages ordering across the sections without fatigue.
The homegrown hit finally arrives in the capital and lands with assurance. 3Fils Abu Dhabi speaks to a philosophy rooted in Japanese technique, filtered through a Middle Eastern pantry, and informed by a UAE sensibility.
GO: Visit https://3fils.com for more information.