A new Japanese dining concept is set to join Dubai Mall early next year as FYTE Hospitality prepares to open Kokoro, a handroll-focused restaurant built around craftsmanship and an intimate counter experience.
Kokoro will open in January 2026 and aims to offer a quiet, minimalist setting inside one of the city’s busiest destinations. The space features plaster finishes, oak wood, brushed nickel details and soft lighting. According to the team, the design is meant to create a calm environment where guests can watch chefs prepare each dish at the central sushi counter.
Kokoro restaurant menu
The restaurant’s menu centres on handrolls, sushi and seasonal Japanese dishes prepared with a focus on fresh ingredients and minimal intervention. The approach is based on presenting flavours cleanly and allowing the natural character of each ingredient to stand out. FYTE Hospitality describes Kokoro as a space where interaction between chefs and guests is part of the dining experience.
Dining approach
Kokoro follows FYTE Hospitality’s premium-casual, alcohol-free model, with seating kept intentionally limited to maintain a close-knit atmosphere. The brand emphasises authenticity, craftsmanship and a slower pace of dining shaped by genuine connection.
Kokoro Dubai Mall will welcome guests in January 2026. The venue will offer a curated menu of handrolls, sushi, sashimi and seasonal dishes, presented in a small, counter-led setting designed around precision and simplicity.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
