The 3Fils journey: How Japanese restaurant grew from tiny Dubai gem to sprawling Abu Dhabi hot spot

From an unassuming single-room dining space in Jumeirah Fishing Harbour to a full-blown, four-storey restaurant at the swanky Abu Dhabi Edition Hotel, 3Fils has come a long way since it opened 10 years ago. Back then, its approach to modern Japanese fusion cuisine was a revelation for Dubai and it quickly garnered a cult following, among both the city’s chefs and foodies.

The three original founders – Emiratis Abdulhakim and Adnan Ali, along with Singapore-born chef Akmal Anuar – maintained the restaurant has always been about “making complex simple” – offering their three fils (a play on two cents) on what dining should be.

It’s this ethos that has won the Emirati-owned eatery accolade after accolade, including securing the No 1 spot on the inaugural Mena’s 50 Best Restaurants list three years ago and making Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list annually since 2023. And while the original location in Dubai is still very much a coveted spot, expansion to the capital seemed like a natural progression. “It was time,” says head chef Jovani Manalo, who was involved in the launch.

Executive chef Jovani Manalo wants to share his love of raw food with more diners. Photo: 3Fils

The restaurant, which opened in July, has a kitchen on one floor, plus three sections for diners, including an outdoor rooftop space that’s buzzing now it’s winter, says Manalo. The team worked hard to replicate what they’ve achieved in Dubai, but the venue in Abu Dhabi is considerably larger than its sister down Sheikh Zayed Road. “We tried to focus on every detail and we asked ourselves if we needed to do more in a bigger space. I was like: ‘No, let’s keep the same vibe, make it simple.’”

Simple is something of an understatement for the grand venue that sits alongside Al Bateen Marina, but the simplicity is in its stylish, minimalist design, where wood meets marble, a sweeping staircase and oversized chandeliers.