On Bluewaters Island, SHI Dubai has opened a new chapter. The restaurant has added four new dishes to its menu and reworked seven of its best-known plates, giving regulars a reason to return and newcomers a clear place to start.
The headline additions include an Otoro Maki built around fatty tuna belly, a delicate Eel Roll and soft Duck Bao Buns. Around them sit the reimagined favourites, refined rather than replaced.
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What is new on the SHI Dubai menu
The refresh adds up to eleven plates: four new creations and seven updated classics. The restaurant describes the result as a celebration of the artistry, precision and contemporary elegance of Asian cuisine.
Three dishes lead the launch. Each one shows a different side of the kitchen, from rich and indulgent to light and careful.
- Otoro Maki: otoro is the fattiest cut of the bluefin tuna belly, prized for a texture that almost melts. Rolled into maki, it is the richest bite on the new list.
- Eel Roll: eel is usually glazed and lightly grilled for sushi, giving a sweet, smoky contrast to the rice. Here it is the lighter, more delicate choice.
- Duck Bao Buns: steamed bao are pillowy and slightly sweet. Filled with duck, they bring a familiar Chinese pairing into a shareable format.
The mix suits the way most tables order at SHI Dubai: several plates to share, a few rolls, then something more substantial. The new dishes slot easily into that rhythm.
A terrace facing the Dubai Marina skyline
The setting does a lot of the work. SHI sits on the boardwalk of Bluewaters Island, the man-made island off Jumeirah Beach Residence that is home to Ain Dubai, one of the tallest observation wheels in the world.
At night the terrace looks back across the water to the towers of Dubai Marina and JBR. Chandeliers hang between the plants, so the space feels closer to a garden room than a typical waterfront patio.
When it opened in 2022, The National described SHI as the first gourmet Chinese restaurant on Bluewaters’ main island. The two-level venue was laid out with open kitchens downstairs and a lounge upstairs, with music to carry the evening.
Why the refresh matters
Bluewaters has become one of the busiest dining addresses in Dubai, with restaurants competing for the same evening crowd. A menu refresh is how a venue keeps its regulars curious.
SHI Dubai has chosen to refine rather than reinvent. Keeping seven favourites, and reworking them, protects the dishes guests already come for. The four new plates give the menu fresh talking points for the season.
It also fits a wider shift in the city. Diners in Dubai are asking for clearer flavours and better ingredients, not only a dramatic room. A cut like otoro is a signal that the kitchen is putting the product first.
How to plan your visit to SHI Dubai
SHI is on the Boardwalk at Bluewaters Island, a short walk from Ain Dubai. The island is reached by car over the bridge from Sheikh Zayed Road, or on foot across the pedestrian bridge from JBR.
- Opening hours: the Bluewaters directory lists 10am to midnight on weekdays and 10am to 1am at weekends. Check with the restaurant before you go, as kitchen hours can differ.
- Reservations: booking is recommended for dinner and terrace tables, especially from Thursday to Saturday.
- When to go: book after sunset for the skyline view, and ask for a terrace table in the cooler months.
For a first visit, order the three headline dishes to share, then add one or two of the reworked favourites. It is the quickest way to judge the new direction of SHI Dubai for yourself.
How to pace a meal at SHI Dubai
The menu works best in waves. Start with the cold dishes and rolls while the table settles in, so the Otoro Maki arrives at its best, cool and freshly cut.
Move on to the steamed and fried plates next. The Duck Bao Buns are best eaten straight from the kitchen, while the buns are still soft and warm.
Leave the larger signatures for the end, and give the kitchen time between rounds. A slower meal suits the terrace, where the view changes as the city lights come on.
If you are unsure what to add, ask the team which of the reworked favourites have changed the most. It is the easiest way to taste how far the kitchen has taken them.
Who SHI Dubai suits best
The terrace, the music and the skyline make this a natural choice for a celebration or a date night. Book a table for two at sunset and let the kitchen set the pace.
Groups will get the most from the sharing format. A table of four or six can cover the three headline dishes, a round of rolls and a couple of the reworked favourites without over-ordering.
For a quieter meal, go earlier in the evening on a weekday. The room is calmer, the service has more time, and the view is just as good before the weekend crowd arrives.
The verdict
This is a confident update rather than a reinvention. The new plates add richness and lightness in equal measure, and the setting remains one of the most photogenic on the island. For anyone planning an evening on Bluewaters, SHI Dubai deserves a place on the list.
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Sources: Bluewaters Dubai, The National, BBC Good Food Middle East