At “Marui” Sushi Bar” (Plaça del Progrés, 17, Santa Catalina, Palma de Mallorca), sushi isn’t just a meal — it’s an experience in a whimsical, dollhouse-inspired setting that seems plucked from a dream. With its sandy-hued walls, playful decor, and delicate dishes like translucent corvina or perfectly prepared nigiri, this quirky spot offers more than just food; it’s a visual and culinary escape. While some may find the ambiance a bit too playful, it’s the perfect setting for those looking to combine artistry, fun, and the fine details of Japanese cuisine.

Pros:

– the interior resembles the inside of a sandcastle if we all had the chance to really peek inside. Smooth gray tabletops are decorated with white circles, as if pebbles were polished to a shine. From the lampshades, white plastic stones dangle over your head. Soft yellow lighting accentuates the sandy hues of the walls;

– looking at Marui from the street, it’s impossible to imagine how fun it is inside;

– the uniforms of the chefs, bartenders, and waitstaff feature black shirts with large white flowers, further emphasizing the doll-like atmosphere. If Japanese elves landed in Mallorca, this is exactly how they’d dress, no other way;

– the focused and swift work of the sushi chef behind the counter;

– the charming manner of the bartender and waiter lures all the female patrons into ordering cocktails, even if they don’t usually drink alcohol. In such cases, fun mocktails are made for the ladies;

– the “Seasonal White Fish, Mallorquin olive oil, lemon, salt” (19.5 euros) is a delightful dish featuring translucent, silky slices of corvina delicately seasoned with drops of oil and lemon juice. The natural flavor of the fish is perfectly enhanced. Sprouts in the center of the plate intensify this impression;

– perfectly cooked rice and the delicate nobility of the fish if you order the Nigiri Tuna Belly (12 euros);

– white pickled ginger petals and freshly grated wasabi root — details that confirm the quality of the kitchen’s work;

– women at nearby tables with happy blushes on their cheeks.

Cons:

– the sad view out the window of the road and a gas station;

– the playful service can feel like a clown show, so those looking for a quiet tête-à-tête should find another spot;

– the hot dish “Tataki de Ternera con yuzu y wasabi” costs 32.5 euros, and it’s not the most expensive item on the menu. This dish feels overly elaborate and out of place compared to the fresh fish, the dollhouse-like interior, and the blondes at the neighboring tables. It seems like this meat dish is specially reserved to calm any macho man who accidentally finds himself here. But real machos would find the thin slices of beef, fanned out on a plate with a handful of greens and a tomato, too pointless a dish, and there’s too little meat to satisfy.

By Lana Kesoyan