Nippon Bottle Co
The phrase hidden gem is bandied about quite often in Dubai restaurant reviews but at least in this instance it can be taken quite literally as Nippon is actually hidden behind a bookcase just off the main lobby of the Dusit Thani in Trade Center, Downtown Dubai or DIFC depending on who you ask.
Let's face it, being hidden doesn't actually automatically guarantee 'gem' status but Nippon has been exceptionally well executed to deliver an off beat Japanese street culture infused, whisky quaffing, prohibition style bar that mostly hits all the right notes.
Designed by Creneau, the relatively small space is well considered and filled with touches of wood, neon lights and old style Japanese paintings to deliver an interior that feels part industrial chic and part old train cabin, with the bench seating and blinds that run the length of the windows that face out towards SZR.
Despite having been around for a few years now, it's still a cool spot. Perhaps with so many new entrants to the market and a very much bustling DIFC just up the road Nippon does have its work cut out for it and it's not really super busy - thankfully the bar bites are on point which is definitely a plus.
The Wagyu Beef Teriyaki is prefect melt in mouth stuff and seasoned very nicely, while the Chicken Yakitori is also a stand out item that offers a beatifically charred and succulent set of skewers that are peppered with sesame seeds and a well balanced marinade.
As the first speakeasy bar in Dubai it was launched with a few fun social media angles and was at one time purposely hard to get into and a secret membership was also on the cards, those days seems behind Nippon and the bookshelf remains always open which in some ways takes a little of the cache away from the place. That said, it is a great spot of post work beverages and if you love Japanese Whiskey, Sake or Hops then this could well be worth going out of the way for.
