Dubai Superyacht Dinner Cruise: Omakase Sushi, Drinks & DJ

4.97

(198 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

“You ever tried sushi while floating past the Burj Al Arab?” That’s what Samir asked as we stepped barefoot onto the deck — shoes off was the rule, which felt odd at first but honestly kind of freeing. The yacht, Encore, was bigger than I’d pictured and there was this low thrum from the engines that mixed with laughter and clinking glasses. Even before we left Dubai Harbour, you could smell something sharp and sweet — maybe yuzu? — drifting from the kitchen. I kept glancing at the skyline, half-distracted by all the lights.

Our chef (I never caught his name, too busy watching his hands) started us off with these little golden crispy rice bites topped with spicy tuna. I tried to eat slowly but failed. There was a steady flow of bubbly and cocktails — someone behind me ordered a lychee martini and I just copied them, no regrets. Every so often our guide pointed out things on shore: “That’s Ain Dubai,” he said once, nodding at the giant wheel lit up in blue. The Palm Jumeirah looked almost unreal from this angle — like it was drawn on glass.

The omakase menu kept surprising me; one bite would be buttery black cod with miso, another would be some delicate slice of yellowtail that just melted away. At one point the DJ switched tracks and people actually started dancing (not me — not after that much sushi). There were towels everywhere and staff who somehow always knew when your glass needed refilling. I remember leaning against the rail as we cruised past Atlantis and thinking how weirdly quiet it felt out there compared to downtown Dubai — just wind and soft music and sea air. Kind of wish I’d tried the shisha but I got caught up talking to Li about her favorite Japanese food instead.

I still think about that last view of Burj Al Arab all lit up against the dark water. If you’re into food or just want to see Dubai from a different angle (literally), this superyacht dinner cruise is… well, not what you expect in all the best ways.