Samba dancers, city views: World-famous F&B brand Sushisamba opens first Asian outlet in Singapore's CBD

Sushisamba, the global brand focusing on food, drinks and entertainment driven by Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian influences, has officially opened its doors in Singapore to the sound of percussion beats and clinking glasses.

Known for atmospheric settings, each Sushisamba in cities including Las Vegas, London, Edinburgh, Dubai, Doha and Bahrain is a spot to get a little dressed up for, enjoy the views and knock back some drinks.

Sushisamba was first opened in New York City in 1999 by Shimon Bokovza, the restaurateur also behind London’s famous sky-high dining destination Duck & Waffle.

For its first – and, for the foreseeable future, only – Asia outpost, the brand has chosen the 52nd floor of Capital Tower in the Central Business District, a former club space that offers 360 degree panoramic views from floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap around the entire restaurant.

In addition to the main dining room, there’s a bar area, a mezzanine level that will house the soon-to-open Samba Bar serving exclusive cocktails, and three private dining rooms. The 12,000 sq ft space can seat 250. While it’s currently open for dinner only, lunch seatings will open from Sep 2.

In a few weeks, the establishment, which opened officially on Jul 18, will debut their iconic costumed samba dancers, who will be flying over from Brazil for regular performances on selected evenings, restaurant representatives revealed. Meanwhile, live percussion performances and DJs set the mood.

Restaurant interiors feature lush greenery, an open kitchen area with a robatayaki station and a “Tsukiji Seafood Market counter”, and 3D wall-to-ceiling bamboo installations crafted using 9,000 pieces sourced from Dubai. 

The menu ranges from maki rolls and nigiri sushi to empanadas, crispy tacos, meats, seafood and vegetables grilled over Japanese charcoal or in a Josper oven; and signature “seviches”.

Two of the Samba rolls are exclusive to Singapore: The Samba Chilli Crab Roll featuring crispy soft shell crab with chili crab sauce and yuzu mayo; and the Sambazonia  roll with piquillo pepper, asparagus, avocado, cucumber and chilli salsa.

Another Singapore exclusive is a Crispy Pork Taquito comprised of barbecued pork, smoked aji panca pepper, garlic, pickled cabbage, yukari and aji amarillo or yellow pepper.

For dessert, the Samba Pops are an interesting taste of Peru’s culture: Mini popsicles of refreshing chicha morada sorbet. Chicha morada is a Peruvian drink made from purple corn and flavoured with spices like cinnamon and clove.

On the drinks list, you’ll find a selection of fruity Caipirinhas, Brazil’s national cocktail; signature cocktails based on street art in Japan, Brazil and Peru; and some on-tap cocktails like the El Capitan, a famous Peruvian cocktail reimagined with a twist on the Manhattan, melding pisco with vermouth and Ratafia.

Sushisamba is at 168 Robinson Road, Capital Tower Level 52.