Umana Yana in Albany
Site: http://www.umanarestaurant.com/
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:5–10PM
- Wednesday:5–10PM
- Thursday:5–10PM
- Friday:5–10PM
- Saturday:12–10PM
- Sunday:9AM–3PM
One of my favorite restaurants in albany, umana yana is so flavorful and delicious. they have a vegan menu and gluten-free options. i could eat here every dang day!
This is hands-down my favorite restaurant in Albany. I’ve been here multiple times now (for brunch & dinner) and everything I’ve eaten has been well-seasoned, perfectly cooked, delicious, and left me wanting more. My faves so far are the fish tacos (for dinner) and the Brazilian Breakfast plate with tofu (for brunch). I also love that they have an extensive and interesting non-alcoholic beverage menu. The service is top-notch, as well, as the servers are very friendly and knowledgeable and clearly love the restaurant. Come dine here—you won’t be disappointed!
Woah, that was incredible! I just drove to Albany and was not expecting such a culinary experience. I had the injera plate, woah! The spices, and curry, and egg, and beets, and and and all were incredible together. Incredible. I ordered dessert (I never have dessert, not my thing), woah! Some kind of tahini cookie with golden milk, incredible. The food was 5 stars no questions.The staff was so kind and authentically themselves. Thank you for the experience!! Check them out and say hey.
Umana Yana is my favorite place to brunch in the capital region! The food is simply delectable. The staff was attentive and friendly. You will not be disappointed
I loved the interior of the restaurant. Service was super friendly, food was delicious. I recommend trying injera with chicken. Slow roasted goat was also really good, but injera impressed me more. The only downside is that the food is in my opinion slightly overpriced.
Went back to try the restaurant for a 2nd time and left disappointed with the food and quality of service. The restaurant gave the wrong protein that I ordered (goat instead of chicken) and gave less than half the portion sizes from the 1st time going there. For a family-size dinner, 2 pieces of goat and 4 pieces of shrimp with a spoonful of rice and a handful of fries is simply not good enough. Spending $40 on a family dinner for 2 should not leave one feeling that the restaurant is skimping out or doesnt care about the experience of their customers. I reached out to the restaurant and they apologized and said theyd be following up in response by email. In the email response from the manager, I was told that Id received TOO much food from them in the past and they were sorry (not sorry) for that. Very unprofessional and disappointing from a local Albany restaurant.
I was really impressed that their wine list included lesser known items. The two cocktails I enjoyed were excellent. I absolutely stuffed myself, but it was too good not to! The injera platter with chicken was delicious! The staff was warm and conscientious. Ill definitely return.
Mothers day brunch was amazing! Food delicious, service gracious and attentive. Cant wait to go back for the dinner menu!!
Amazing brunch! Great flavors & drinks! I went out on a limb & ordered the Cool Mango Bloody Mary & am so glad I did. It was perfection! Might be my new favorite brunch drink as I find typical Bloody Marys are usually overkill with the horseradish. The staff was so friendly. I really enjoyed the entire vibe of the space. We will definitely be back.
As good as the food is, I have to start by mentioning thr awesome waitstaff. Our main server had the patience of a saint, a sense of humor that put me at ease asking a dozen questions, and made the perfect suggestions. The atmosphere is perfect for a not-too-stuffy date night, while still feeling festive and special. Its hard to go wrong with any injera combo, and theirs was no exception. The haddock bites were were listed as an appetizer, but the portion was nearly large enough to be an entree - it was prepared to perfection. I rarely stray from the mildest forms of sole and salmon, never fried, but everything I had here _especially the haddock bites_ was so good (I didnt even need to use the sauce!) I have no choice but to make return visits to try the rest of their seafood.
This place is very warm and inviting! Today they had a live band for their brunch and they were very good. This was also my first time and I will be going back. The staff were very friendly and my food was made promptly and was delicious.
Excellent affordable food. Got the red curry fish tacos. Flavorful, good portions without being bonkers. Inventive cocktails with house made infusions. Ultra friendly staff. Good vibes, cool interior. Highly recommended.
Second visit & second total success. We loved every morsel and also the service. They have 2 outside tables which we appreciate as well. The food is eclectic and yum beyond words. They offer vegan as well as meat based choices. I enjoyed their home made ginger beer as a change of pace & like everything else we tried, it was a delight. BTW, bring some quarters (or a credit card) to feed street meters if coming by auto.
What a phenomenal food experience. First of all, the non-alcoholic beverages are delicious, and reasonably priced. The small plates we got, being the shrimp and yucca puffs, were amazing and so well seasoned. You could tell the shrimp were fresh, as were all the accompanying vegetables. The goat entree was tender and flavorful, even the Mac and Cheese was top notch. For dessert, having a Mexican hot cocoa done right sealed the deal on what was quite simply a perfect meal all around. Cute decor, easy to find, and delicious food, whats not to love?
Great cocktails. Interesting food flavors. Attentive but not invasive servers. Plenty of choices for vegans, gf eaters and omnivores. We will return!
Nice atmosphere :) but it’s not a legit Ethiopian restaurant. It’s an Afro Jamaican style place. The cumin was a bit overwhelming and didn’t seem cooked in enough in my dish. The injera wasn’t very flavorful- tasted a bit more like rye bread and lacked the fermented salty flavor of more authentic places. It’s the only one around tho. So extra credit for that. Very nice staff as well.
Brunch menu is greatly accommodating with vegan options and the food is absolutely delicious. I tried the Brazilian breakfast with home fries on the side.
With all the ratings and reviews for this place, wanted something new to try out. I found the food to be very dry with little to no oil (good for health but made the food taste bad) and food somewhat bland. The only thing I could pick out from the special was that egg, chicken curry, lentil, and parts of the bread. The spinach was way too bitter for my taste, raddish was not well pickled, and the black beans with sweet potatoes was way too dry. Had a really hard time finishing up my plate. I felt that all the food were expensive for its taste. Peri peri shrimp didnt have flavor either which was saddening because I pretty much love anything with shrimp. However, the server & the decorations were nice.
My friends and I were wandering about and stumbled upon this gem. The staff was incredibly friendly, and the food was incredible. We will be planning more adventures to Albany just to come back here.
Really nice laid back atmosphere. The staff were very pleasant. All smiles as you walk through the door. The restaurant was very clean as was the bathroom...I had the Channa Masala and it was amazingly flavorful. Definitely recommend dining or even just grabbing a drink
It was different. Tried the Injera Bread or Injera with rice, or The Egyptian Lo-mein.. Even their fries and chicken wings were good as per the others who tried it . Even the Ginger Beer was nice too..
$18 for beans and rice that is called “ stew” and the portion was more like an appetizerFelt completely ripped offDid not want to order a second plate for another $18So we went out to eat again
LOVE their ethnic food!!!! The ambience is cozy and the food is a welcomed surprise. Try the Ethiopian bread with an arrangement of little dishes, delicious!!! vegetarian and meat versions. Plan to visit during the week as they are very busy on Fri and Sat
This was the best take out I have gotten in a long time. The plantain soup was warm and delicious. The chickpeas were amazing with the chips they came with. The parsnip puffs were phenomenal. I was very impressed. The mac and cheese could have been a bit more flavorful but was still good. Can’t wait until we can try this in person!
I’m highly disappointed in this restaurant. I could not wait to visit with my family. We live an hour and a half away, and have been in the mood for some Ethiopian cuisine. Sadly all the food is not freshly made. Everything we ordered came out really fast , and cold. I asked for my prime rib to be reheated (as in put in the microwave) . They put it on the grill ,I believe and brought it back burnt. All the taste was gone because of how burnt it was. The waitress asked me if I would like something else, I didn’t. The food wasn’t bad, however I was disappointed that everything seemed to be re heated and not cooked to order. My waitress took 15% off my prime rib order, which was ridiculous being I didn’t eat anything on the plate besides the yuca and a little bit of the macaroni and cheese. I will not be returning .
I ordered take out from here last night. Everything was delicious. Really wonderful flavors and spice levels. I highly recommend this. We had the Injera plate with Berbere Chicken and the Red Curry Fish Tacos. We added the Chocolate Ganache cake as an after thought and were very happily surprised. Dont miss that one!
I really used to love Umana, especially their brunch but unfortunately they are no longer serving the chicken and red velvet waffle or the goat cheese omelet. I was really looking forward to it throughout the pandemic, especially since they started brunch again but it seems that is no longer part of the menu and I’m not sure why since it was a favorite. Very unhappy and sad about that.
Now in a new space the restaurant is bright and airy. The flavors are authentically a mix of indo and afro Guyanese however it seemed muted. The blackeye peas were hard, the concept of the salad was not fully executed. The yucca puffs were not puffy at all. Lastly, I was disappointed in the shrine rice. Overall, It was a decent meal and nice atmosphere.
I wish I could bring Chris, Ariel and Umana Yana with me everywhere I go. They’re infectious and might be the sole reason I return to Albany. This place is the best!
We all loved Everything! And staff was wonderful! Thanks for such a special morning!
A very unique experience for the Albany area, in a good way. The food was super flavorful and the staff couldnt have been nicer. A really great experience.
Amazing meeting place. Id definitely recommend
LOVED OUR DINNER THERE! So many delicious vegan options, satay tofu was amazing, as were our other two dishes. Will be back for sure
Absolutely amazed with the food and cocktails, 100% recommended! 🤩
I went in for brunch on Sunday and it was fantastic! The atmosphere was perfect - great for brunch with friends or a romantic night out. Our server, Al, was amazing! He was super friendly and pretty funny as well. I got the french toast which was delicious and I also tried my friends chicken and waffles and that was really good too! Everyone else enjoyed their food as well. Cant wait to come back to try some of their dinner foods!
Food was delicious! Beautiful decor. Friendly owner who came over and said hello!
Ethiopian food is GOOD.I was looking for somewhere to have some in Albany. I was hesitant to go here because of the fusion menu. The Ethiopian food is the real. You dont need the large menu youll see at a traditional joint because they have the best items already picked out for their menu. Ive had some of the fusion but just get the ethiopian food, especially as always the platters. Its the reason you come here.Great bar. Great atmosphere. You can tell the staff is like family and they know the food. Very underrated spot for celebrations.
I really enjoy Umana. The ambiance, service and delicious food make it an overall great choice. Ive never been disappointed here. The food has great flavor and the drinks are all very enticing.I only gave 4 stars because I always get the same thing whenever I go here for brunch or dinner. I get the red curry fish tacos. However, my friends love the goat, lamb and steak dishes and they usually stick with those options. I guess we like what we like 🙂.
One of the best kept secrets in Albany for sure! Went in for Brunch today and was greeted by a very friendly staff (our server was Mackenzie). All the tables were full so we sat at the bar. The most unique thing about this restaurant to me is how well the staff works together and shares responsibilities to ensure the customers are taken care of. Besides the service the food was AMAZING! Everything was a 10 out of 10. As we were leaving one of the waitress let us know about a special event they are having next Sunday and invited us back. Great place for brunch with a warm inviting atmosphere. Make sure to check it out!
Very unique brunch offerings. I was with a group so we were able to try an assortment of treats and they were all delicious! Every inch of my plate was cleared. I got the special curried duck tostadas and unfortunately they dont have any more because it was my favorite brunch ever.Also I have to give a shout out to the staff who were very friendly and funny. I recommend this place to anyone in the area
Great place to eat and relax. The staff took care of our party and the food was great
If you havent been to Umana you need to run, not walk to this restaurant. Every single meal my friends/family and I have ever had has been delicious and clearly cooked with love and thoughtful intention. The staff are friendly and the space itself is always warm and inviting to everyone - its my favorite restaurant in Albany. Ive held group dinners here for work events that were a success, and I recently ordered catering for a party at my house. Everything was impeccable as always, and served with a smile. Thank you Umana for your delicious cuisine and also for being such a welcoming space in the community!
Went there for dinner with my grown granddaughter who tends to be finicky about unfamiliar foods. She had goal cheese croquettes and crispy pork bellies and loved them. I had the Ethiopian platter with lamb. The food was delicious and plentiful,. The waitress was helpful and charming, the decor was interesting and creative. We loved it. Its a little expensive for an ordinary meal but perfect for a special night out. I want to try their brunch next.
I was at this restaurant for a meeting with a group I am working with. The food was great and the service was great too. There is a wide variety of ethnic food available here and was it delicious! I has the BBQ peach wings, WOW! The only thing was that they had live music, the group was good, but not good for our conversation. Otherwise, if going out to dine, top notch. Please let me know if this review was helpful by clicking like! Thanks.
Good food and relaxed place to catch up with friends and family. The southern fried chicken is an interesting combination with maple syrup. The injera chicken platter is tasty and is huge enough for 2 people to share. The jerk lamb is flavourful and spicy! Also, the fries are good. Quick and decent service.
We went there on Saturday night for dinner. I ordered the burger medium and it was very very well done. The slow cooked goat was good, be aware the rice is spicy. The whole place looks like it needs a deep cleaning. Cleaning and organizing the place and the kitchen, fresh coat of paint will make this place feel much better.
Went with group for birthday brunch and what a great find! Our server was knowledgeable efficient and warm and funny - wonderful variety of food for all of us - vegan, gluten free, meat lovers, vegetarians etc - best plantains ever! Coming back with more friends.
The chicken tacos and sweet plantains were hands down the 2 best dishes I have had in Albany. Not only are the dishes gluten free but they are full of flavor as well. Make sure you arent in a rush, with their small kitchen and clear attention to detail, the turnaround is longer than you might expect. Well worth the wait though. My boyfriend and I both cant stop talking about how good the food was.
Nice black owned hipster spot. Went for brunch and it was amazing. Good food, good people. Small and intimate.
Super local eatery with friendly staff, unique atmosphere, really interesting menu and the food is amazing! Brunch food is over the top delicious!
Amazing restaurant with excellent food and a fine beer selection. The Ethiopian appetizers and entrees served on the weekend were wonderful, and the bread pudding for dessert was surprisingly good as well. The staff and owner were very friendly and fun to chat with. Overall an excellent experience and we will be sure to go back soon.
Both the dinner and brunch menus are amazing, with plenty of options for various diets. They offer a variety of delicious mixed drinks and beer if wine is not your thing, the staff is quite amiable, and Dale, the owner, is absolutely wonderful. Hands down, Umana is one of my favorite places to eat in the area.
This place is the best! Really cool atmosphere, the friendliest staff, and AMAZING food. I had been meaning to make it for brunch for the Chicken and Red Velvet Waffles for a long time and they exceeded the hype!
This was my 2nd visit to Umana; the first being about 3-4 years ago. Fine presentation, prompt and courteous service. Sweet potato fritters and Thai style calamari were cooked well and had my taste buds dancing! The Red Bean Stew with Jasmine rice is a fine vegetarian alternative. Bread pudding dessert was served in a generous portion that could easily be shared for two. Moderately priced. A fine evening dinner.
Umana has a great, welcoming atmosphere. We were here for brunch and we will come for dinner for sure. It is vegan and gluten-free friendly and theres a great band playing. The food was super tasty and afforadable. One of the best resturants in Albany.
Christina, McKenzie, and Ariel were amazing.. Love the atmosphere and the food is delicious.. Really great place to grab a beer or stay for a meal.. Theres always really cool events art poetry music. Every one is super friendly and hospitable. Unique. 5 stars hands down.
Very nice variation of foods here. Almost like an Ethiopian-Caribbean fusion restaurant. The spices and herbs compliment the fresh ingredients quite well.
My husband and I decided to get takeout from here to celebrate our 10 yr wedding anniversary. We couldn’t dine in because of the pandemic. All I have to say about the food is it is Delicious!!!!!!!!!!!The food was so good and fresh!I can’t wait to dine in and try the other dishes!Thanks Umana
Fantastic food, drinks, and wait staff. Everything that came out of the kitchen was *amazing*. Especially loved how excited the front of house team was to share all the food and get people excited about things they might not have tried. Extra praise goes to the sweet potato fritters, red beans, and bread pudding!
Went there today for brunch and couldnt wait to share our review. My husband had the fried chicken with red velvet waffles and a side of sunny-side-up eggs. OMG, best fried chicken ever! Crisp on the outside, juicy, tender and FLAVORFUL on the inside. Hit the spot! The egg white were cooked all the way and the yolks perfectly runny. My husband doesnt generally stop to savor his food and he just started eating more and more slowly as his plate emptied wanting to make the experience last. Waffles were also delicious. I had one of the benedict specials: Toston (fried green plantain) as the base with jerk (I think) duck, then poached egg and a mango salsa and tamarind jam on top. So good! And the homies (as our friendly and attentive waitress called the homefries) were also perfectly crisp on the outside, pillowy on the inside and TAS-TY. Coffee was strong and good and we took a slice of the spiced bean bread (another special cleverly reformulated from a failed bean soup) to go. We didnt want plastic, so the waitress had it wrapped in wax paper. It was warm as we took it and had to take a bite even though we were full and so satisfied with our meals already. Perfectly spiced to my tasted buds. Will definitely be going again to experience more dishes because they all sound great, and all the staff we interacted with were friendly and attentive. Everyone working there seemed to be having fun and not just showing up for the job which added to the pleasant ambiance. Just wished we didnt live an hour away so we could be there more often.
We got delivery last Wednesday and everything was spectacular as always. The Senegalese Dibi lamb lollipops are the stuff of dreams-absolutely exquisite. We live half way across town, and the food arrived piping hot and exactly when they said it would. The telephone ordering process was simple. If anything, the four of us reaffirmed that Umana is one of the finest restaurants in the entire Capital Region; there’s nothing else like it. Looking forward to the day when we can return - until then, there’ll be more takeout in our future.
Just got a taste of a wonderful meal delivered nextdoor to a friend. Immediately went to order takeout...door locked with customers inside 1/2 hr prior to advertised closing time. With your already minimal hours, absolutely not the best customer service. No problem! Pizzaroni treats me great and theyre open when advertised!
Amazing food and beautiful space. We had haddock bites, as an app, jerk lolipop lamb chops, and a steak tip disd with plantains (in a leaf bowl). Everything was wonderfully spiced with a variety of flavors. We will definitely be back.
Interesting red waffle, it looks better than it tastes. Great mimosa, I tried guava and passion fruit and theyre both really good. Service is great, the food is a bit slow when I went with a larger group.
Went with gf and family after our initial choice of the evening was full. It was late, we were all hangry. We called and the host Al said to get in right away before the kitchen closed. He and the rest of the staff were very friendly and accommodating. The food was delicious and portions were heartier than I expected.
This is a lovely little place with street-only parking and a wide, warm ambiance once you walk in the door. I ordered my food as take-out but I wish I had been able to stay -- it seemed the perfect antidote to the chilly weather outside.The sweet potato fritters were very good by themselves, but that honey cardamom sauce was an absolute game-changer. It was a surprising combination of flavors that enhanced the fritters from very good to amazing.I had the chana masala for my main dish. The chana masala itself was very, very good. Great consistency and perfect flavor. The naan that came with it was also very good, but I have suspicions that its grilled on a surface that is shared with animals because it had a very savory taste to it. Im not vegan, so it tasted very good to me. But if youre vegan, you may want to ask about it first just in case.I had the sweet yellow plantains for dessert. I ordered them with the ginger-garlic dipping sauce and also tried them with the cardamom honey sauce, but in the end, I liked them just the way they were.I had chana masala and plantains left over and warmed them up the next day - they were still just as delicious. This place is an absolute gem and I hope to go back soon.
Unique menu, good tasting dishes and pleasant staff. My wife had a lamb dish and I had a seafood paella. We were both very satisfied. The music of Taina Asili was an added benefit. Great evening.
Brunch was just ok. I had the biscuits and gravy, the gravy was thin and there wasnt much of it. I had to use a knife to cut the biscuits.
The Ethiopian food was excellent. The Cabernet was superior as well as the service.The owner was present and was very lovely and the restaurant had a comfortable vibe. It was an excellent experience. I cant wait to go back.
I had the peri Peri shrimp and thai calamari. Not a fan. The food was not hot at all. Shrimp was fishy like. Calamari didnt have many rings at all just the baby squids which freaks me out. The rings that were there were all baby rings. Didnt even know That was a thing. The place was very cozy though and the people were nice. Didnt check on us after we got the food but they were nice.
Delicious and varied selection of food. I felt cared for by staff and even customers. Fried chicken was extremely scrumptious as were the garlic-mashed sweet potatoes. Injera was a delight. Yum.
A very welcoming and relaxing place with an eclectic menu of unique global street food. The Jerk lamb lollipops are killer! They also have vegetarian & vegan options that are not lame. Definitely worth a try!
I ordered injera with berbere chicken and theres hardly any berbere used in any of the foods on the platter...including the chicken. Interested to see if shiro wat will be added to the menu
Excellent food! Wonderful people!Had the Garlic Ginger Steak and Djon Djon rice, Egyptian Chicken Lo Mein, BBQ peach burbon wings, Kabrite Goat and Djon Djon rice. The meat was tender, wonderfully spiced.
Great food and service. The brunch here is very good. Dont forget to get the grits. They serve Ethiopian food on Friday amd Saturday nights but have more traditional fare the rest of the week.
The shrimp and grits are delicious! Gluten Free! Our host was amazing, engaging, and funny. A great spot for Sunday Brunch.
The menu at this place is amazing, and the atmosphere as created by the friendly staff is great. If you havent been, definitely try it out. One of my favorite places in Albany.
Absolutely amazing experience beginning to end. Server Allen was attentive, knowledgable and a real person, not a Hello, my name is X. I will be your server tonight. Our soups and specials are X. How frequently are you greeted with a handshake and an introduction to a restaurant that you walk into? The theme of this hidden gem: genuine. I had the Injera special per Allens suggestion. It was comparable to vegetarian heaven. But meat eaters, do NOT shy away. Here is where your creativity soars. Swing by. Try it. You will not be disappointed. Spread the word and keep places like this in business!
Phenomenal brunch! N.B. Sundays menu is not traditional Ethiopian, but brunch fare with touches from various cuisines. Try the Southwest Tofu Scramble!
Concept is cool, atmosphere was inviting, service was good... but if you go for their special of Ethiopian food.. prepare to be disappointed. Not authentic in the slightest, mostly a salade on top of injera with an egg that was sunny side up.. if you know Ethiopian food then you know that this isnt authentic. My girlfriend is from Ethiopia and was not satisfied.
I went here a month ago, so a little delayed in the review...alas! This place is awesome in all respects. The ambiance is bohemian chic, the staff (servers and cooks alike) are very warm and hospitable, and the food is delicious and a reasonable price. I got the Ethiopian mixed platter, which was naturally spicy (I usually ask for chili paste when I eat Ethiopian food, but you wont need it at Umana!) I also got some red wine to pair. Umana Resto and Wine Bar is a gem, and I would definitely go back. P.s. They have Ethiopian food every night, though it was not mentioned on the menu. Just ask! The only critical feedback I would suggest is for the resto to give more injera with the platter (because it only comes with injera under the food, but none on the side to pick the initial food up with, which is atypical of all other Ethiopian restos Ive been to). OR, dont plate the food on top of the injera, and just present that injera on the side in rolls. We asked for a little extra and were charged extra for it.
I reach the place at 9:45pm for dinner win my sister. I had no reservation. And the place closes at 10:30pm. I thought I would be able to squeeze in time.The attendee asked me if I had reservation and I said no. He said that he will ask if the kitchen is open. He comes back saying that the kitchen closes at 10pm. I said it’s still 9:45pm. Then he corrects (pretends) himself saying oh no not at 10 but at 9. I did not like that. How come the place closes at 10:30 but kitchen at 9? Just a benefit of doubt that it might take more time to cook a meal. Just for benefit of doubt 3 stars.
Truly a hidden gem lived in center square for 2-3 years and just Umana Yana for the first time thank you for an amazing dinner
We had great food & service the other night. The sorbet at the end had a fun presentation coming out in a halved lemon. We would definitely go back!
Amazing service, staff, drinks, and food! Best 3rd anniversary dinner, we recommend the shrimp appetizer, and the coconut goat and the lamb lollipops entrees!
Very tasty, unique flavors! Cant wait to try more of the menu!
Alan and Noah were awesome hosts! Owner greeted us treated us like family. Food was amazing, atmosphere was super nice and inviting. Highly recommend!
They get four stars because theyre the one and only place in Albany that offers any Ethiopian food, which is a special available only on Friday and Saturday nights. The injera is decent but not amazing (its a little hard at the edges, and doesnt have a consistently soft texture throughout), but only some of the wots taste like typical Ethiopian wots (the doro wot for example is good, while one of the vegetable samples does not taste like other Ethiopian food). It was decent, but very expensive (I think it was around $18) and definitely far from the best Ethiopian Ive ever had. (Note that if you ask for a side of more injera, you get one piece for $5 -- in most convenience stores, $5 is the going rate for six whole pieces of injera, and $1.50/$2 is what most Ethiopian restaurants will charge, if anything, for extra injera.) Note also that this rating is based solely on this one Ethiopian platter and I have no idea what the rest of their food is like.
Friendly staff and wonderful entertainment!
Beautiful, attentive staff. Excellent food. Great atmosphere and ambiance. What more could you ask for?!? Owned and operated by a woman of color! #SupportBlackBusiness #BlackExcellence I love this place.
First time trying Ethiopian food. I had the Kabrite Goat and Djon Djon Rice. The goat was juicy, succulent, and cooked to absolute perfection. One of the hidden gems of the Capital District.
Nice spot, great food and atmosphere. The service has been fantastic and the waiter has give us useful information on the menu. Will come back
Awesome place the food was delicious, the waiter was very nice and informative of the dishes. Brings a sense of cultural awareness and eclecticism to the city of Albany.
Love this place. The people here are wonderful and the food is excellent. Creative African fusion dishes with delicious vegetarian options that have flavor.
The hidden gem of Lark Street, literally hiding just behind the corner. Both the vegetarian and the meat-based dishes are good.
Lamb lollipops were excellent. Friend had excellent fried chicken. Service was friendly, and warm! Whats not to like??
Great food, interesting menu, fun space, highly recommend. A rare find!
Amazing restaurant. Great atmosphere for a date. Everything they make there is delicious. On Sundays, the brunch is a must eat.
Went here with a group of friends, and it was one of the best dinning experiences Ive had in a while. The food was amazing and the servers were very friendly and polite.
Amazing food and drinks. Great service and atmosphere.
The menu is novel but amateurish.
This place is DOPE! the staff was super attentive, the food was amazing, and their desserts was phenomenal. Definitely eat here please!!!!
Amazing and unique food. Probably my favorite restaurant in Albany!!
This restaurant is one of the few with amazingly authentic ones in Albany with variously spiced dishes. Amazing service, amazing suggested wine pairings, amazing food!
This gem was recommended to me and I can see why. I was easily blown away by the food and the service. This is one of the few stars in Albany and I will be back on my next visit to town.
Absolutely incredible and eclectic collection of food. Their breakfast is absolutely deli ious, and the staff are fantastic people.
Delicious international food! The fish tacos were amazing. The service is friendly and quick.
Great atmosphere, amazing food! Do yourself a favor. Park in 208 lot, easy in, easy out. Want something different? This is your place.
Delicious, love lamb and the lamb lollipops were the best Ive had. Everything Ive had there has been great.
Tasty food. Not extraordinary, but still good. Spicy, and some interesting flavors. Lamb sliders are pretty good.
Owner Della and Allan our waiter made it an incredible experience. Food was good as were the drinks
The food and service at Umana are great! Its one of our go-to spots when out of town friends visit.
Amazing food!! So many great flavors, spices and a combination of tasty ethnic foods ❤️
Had a terrific brunch there. Its a really cute place. Cant wait to check them out for dinner.
Very cool unique place with a great menu and welcoming friendly wait staff. The kind of place Albany needs more. Dont let the location fool you...get there soon.
Food is really good.... authentic....service is good staff very friendly. I would suggest a visit. Just have to look past the neighborhood
Great food, inviting atmosphere, unique and diverse menu, great service. All around delicious place to eat!
Food was cool and not completed. The tip was added on. Would have paid less. Staff was friendly tho. Dont think I will visit again.
Cute, hidden spot. Friendly staff and they know flavor when it comes to food. Definitely recommend.
Nice waitstaff in a friendly atmosphere. Funky, vegan-friendly food. Generous portions.
Well, first time there I loved the omelette, super delicious but returned following week and breakfast was horrible...imma give them one mo shot, well see!!!
Great food I love the lamb lollipops and spicy rice.brunch on Sunday is good too.
Excellent service and fun atmosphere. We had a group of 6 for a birthday celebration and they treated us wonderfully!
Great service and staff - highly reccomend!
I felt like I was in NYC when I dined at Umana. The food was great as well as the service... highly recommended!
I make sure to get dinner here every time Im in Albany! So great! Amazing food!
Great food...Al was wonderful in helping us select plates for a family smorgasbord with our crew!
Great food and service is excellent. Our waiter is personable and hilarious.
Had brunch here and it was a great departure from the typical eggs Benedict and mimosas.
Went for a girls Sunday brunch. Quiet atmosphere, interesting food choices, and great brunch cocktails!
Great brunch options and enjoyable atmosphere. Friendly staff as well.
Awesome, flavorful food, attentive, kind and fun staff, great atmosphere!
Always delicious. Loved the DJ today and staff is always on point!
Some curries were cold. Most of the curries are very dry. Doesnt seem anywhere close to real Ethiopian food.
I love this place. It always feels warm and welcoming, and the food is awesome
Delicious Ethiopian food, perfectly spiced. Try the coconut chick peas.
I love this restaurant. Great service, delicious food. Wonderful ambiance.
Good food, ambience and service. Would go back.
Great brunch although no Ethiopian dishes for brunch.
Every single dish I’ve ever gotten here has been incredible.
Fabulous food/atmosphere, attentive staff, reasonably priced. Must try the plantains!!
Food is very good, staff met all my expectations I would go again
Yummy! Great food and atmosphere. Friendly staff. Give it a try.
As always ... Amazing flavorful and creative food and exceptionally friendly service.
Love the food, just wish most dishes vame with sizes for the price
Eclectic menu, friendly service, great place if you want something different.
Easily the best spot in town for food, genuine good time, and great wine
Food was great, nice atmosphere and good customer service
Excellent cuisine, attractive and unique ambience and very courteous and friendly wait staff.
Chicken and Red Velvet Waffles for Brunch with Mango Mimosas....Buzzed and Full...
The food is truly out of this world. Shoutout to the staff for the great service.
Charming place. Friendly staff. And Ethopian and other ethnic cuisine. Fabulous!
Great place. Friendly staff and amazing food. I will be back for more.
Great food and drink. Enough craic youd think they were Irish!
Had a delicious salad in a very comfortable relaxed atmosphere.
The fish tacos are amazing and so are the mango bloody marys!
Al is the man, food is amazing and the international comfort food description is perfect. Check out this place!
Amazing food and ambience, make sure to leave room for dessert!
Wonderful food, a great atmosphere and present staff
Love this place. Had the Brazilian breakfast and it was delicious.
Great place, very nice environment, taste food. :). Very good but pricy
Alan is awesome and food was great. Little pricey, but good.
Best food in the Albany Area in my opinion.
Great food and service. Cant wait to go back.
The food, the service, and the atmosphere are all fantastic.
Good service. Fast meal prep and friendly staff
The food is really good, and service was excellent.
Unique food and atmosphere. Highly recommend this restaurant
I thought I knew what a burger was before eating one here. I was wrong. The People’s burger is THE burger for me. Period.
The staff is super friendly and the food was great!
Enjoyed the food, wine and atmosphere immensely!
Amazing. Full of exotic flavors and nice folks.
Outstanding Food And Service.
A euphoric takeout experience all around
Nice decor, nice staff, good food.
Fresh and delicious. Nice kick of spice.
Great food and a nice atmosphere
Great service and awesome menu
Great food waiter was fantastic
Surprising and delightful restaurant. Very tasty.
Best place to eat on all of Central Ave
Good food, nice atmosphere
3 words, Best Brunch Ever!
Great flavors, service, and ambiance
Great ambiance and food.
Delicious Ethiopian on Friday and Saturday
Love the place~ love the food.
Friendly staff & good food,
Great Caribbean fusion food.
Total reviews rating 4.6
199 Reviews for Umana Yana 2023:
Review №1
2022-06-27My table of 2 ordered the yucca puffs as an appetizer, which were well seasoned, soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. For our main dishes we ordered the red curry fish tacos and the injera plate with chicken. Everything was super tasty, and fun to eat. I think my favorite part of the meal was the fish tacos. This was a great experience because everything tasted amazing while also being easy to share.The servers were very kind and attentive as well. I enjoyed the experience of eating here and will be back again for sure!
Review №2
2022-01-03Food is pretty good and it was fairly easy to get a last minute reservation on a Sunday morning for brunch. The name of the restaurant has its roots in Guyana, but it’s not a Guyanese restaurant. Instead, the menu draws from the foreign historical connections of its namesake. The art work on the walls are so beautiful, including a creative portrait of the owner’s (Dale) mother. I would definitely recommend trying the food if you’re looking for something different.
Review №3
2022-02-16One star to any restaurant which takes the time to read their reviews and respond. Another star for responses that show they care. But its an automatic 5 when they serve food as good as it is at Umana Yana!We just moved into the neighborhood and have been eager to try this restaurant. Umana Yana exceeded our every expectation.My husband ordered the Chicken and Waffle. While the menu states chicken on the bone, it was served boneless (my preference always!). He said the waffle was cooked perfectly and had a hint of...cardamon perhaps? Whatever it was, he liked it. The chicken seems to have been marinated before being battered and fried which added a nice depth of flavor to the poultry. The spicy, syrupy sauce was the perfect match for the chicken, while he opted for standard syrup for his waffle.I chose Shrimp and Grits. Tail-on shrimp lay atop a large bowl of creamy grits with chunky chorizo and tender peppers and onions piled high in the middle. I added hot sauce only because I like a bit of spice but the dish has enough flavor to stand on its own.Wheat Ale with Earl Grey Tea (beer)...its a winner too!The staff was most pleasant and helpful. The dining room and bar provide a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. Staff wore masks as did patrons while they were away from their tables.Were excited to have found this gem of a restaurant in our neighborhood. Its definitely worth a visit.UPDATE:Valentines Day Dinner w/ picturesAnother winning meal at Umana Yana with live music made our Valentines Day a memorable one.Check out the creative menu they came up with for their prix fixe evening.
Review №4
2021-09-23Cannot recommend more highly. We had the yucca scallion puffs, the shrimp appetizer, the goat entree, and two desserts. Everything was delicious and had a perfect spice level. Service was great, decor was lovely. Will definitely be back. They have a large vegan menu, photo attached, and easily accommodate those with peanut allergies. Could not be happier with our experience
Review №5
2022-03-26I came here today with my partner for brunch! The servers were all amazing and the atmosphere was very welcoming. We were immediately seated and handed menus, waters, etc. when our food came we were blown away! We got the sweet plantains and spiced cornbread(which I personally didn’t like but my partner loved) and both were great, plantains being my preference. I got the Pina colada challah French toast, and it was so good!! I was expecting more fruits/icing but it was mostly just toast. My partner got the chicken and waffles and surprisingly the chicken portion was pretty small. He barely had enough chicken for the amount of waffles he received, and small amount of meat on the bones. He did say he enjoyed the chicken, just wasn’t a good meat to waffle ratio.The food was good but peculiar portions for the price we were paying, which was a bit pricier than most brunch places in the area. The Fluffy Mango drink is literally just a vegan mango lassi with a coconut salt rim for $9, which was NOT worth it at all to me but was good. The Mexican hot cocoa was alright, good for a cold day but tasted like a normal hot chocolate :( ! Nonetheless we were satisfied with our brunch today but it could’ve been better for the price we paid.
Review №6
2022-04-04I’m a NY long islander Traveling to a conference upstate in Saratoga. I took a detour to this restaurant.I’m sorry but I was let down with my first experience here.We come in and the waitress tells me “she has a table for me, let me clean it up for you. “ I say ok cool” let me go get my lady.I come back in and the lady goes “ I’m sorry it’s going to be a 5 min wait. So I’m still like cool. 10min later we sit down.We ordered And 5 mins later The biscuits come out and they were cold And didn’t taste fully cooked.The waitress come back to tell us They didn’t have hashes that’s in my fiancé order so they switch it with something else. Cool, 5 mins later she comes back and tells us their out of order on her meal, is there something else she’s wants.So she goes with the chicken and waffles. And there’s were it went down hill. The chicken was like baked bbq chicken! And waffles!She tried one piece and she couldn’t eat her food!I tried to eat my food but I started feeling strange. I couldn’t finish my food. Talk about hurt. we had high hopes for this restaurant. And then I didn’t even tell the waitress about my food. I just told her my fiancé didn’t like her food. And she saysaww I’m so sorry about that” “ do you know why she didn’t like it” I couldn’t even say anything to her. And she told everyone in the back and no one said anything. And then the waitress try’s to offer us a piece of chocolate cake for the road. Just sad!And the owner was there.I took a whole detour and spent $68 and didn’t enjoy nothing not even the drinks.Thank you.
Review №7
2021-10-07Food, atmosphere, service - All AMAZING! The place itself is such a cute spot and the decor in there made it such a vibe. The food was delicious and now that Ive been, I will definitely be going back. I got the Ethiopian Injera Platter with the chicken and omg... it tasted super authentic, full of flavour, and was one of the most delicious plates I had in a while. Their drinks/cocktails are super good as well! Staff working there were lovely. Definitely recommend.
Review №8
2022-06-22Adventures in brunching dont even ask what number LOLThis was a spur of the moment choice since we waited last minute to think about foods.Nice, small, cozy, quaint place. Right on the main road so easy to find.Jamie seated us and told us about the specials. Drinks ordered - daughter tropical mimosa, me - Bloody Mary (rare occasion if I get something else LOL), GP kiddie mimosa (OJ n soda (?) - asked for Sprite, Sierra Mist, etc but didnt taste like it at all. Thinking the OJ might have been fresh squeezed but not sure.) Daughter happy with her drink. Mine was like spicy tomato juice. I added some salt n pepper hoping it helped - nope.For foods - daughter - shrimp n grits, me - my mouth was fixed for chicken n waffles but Jamie said one of the specials was oxtails and grits so I ordered that, GP had her eggs (no cheese cause all they had was goat cheese), bacon n home fries.The shrimps and grits looked good. Daughter liked it - had extra sauce like she requested. GP liked the plain eggs (edit - she gave the chef an awesome amount of stars for the eggs), picked through the bacon and home fries - they were cooked too much for her liking. Crispy is nice but hard to bite/chew is too much. I tried it along with her.So I was excited to get oxtails and grits as havent had either in a while. The oxtails were cooked perfectly - nice and fork tender. The taste was decent - not overpowering seasonings maybe made with onion soup mix?? It was good and familiar. The grits left a lot to be desired. Being served with oxtails an extra side of gravy or even pouring some gravy over the whole dish would have cut some of the stiff and dry of the grits. They were not really seasoned (maybe extra s & p and some butter would have worked) but tasted ok. Grits should be creamy and smooth with a touch of gritty.Overall it was a decent meal. The atmosphere made it welcoming and pleasant. May or may not return on our second round reviews.
Review №9
2021-07-14Beautiful dishes served in generous portions with well prepared and flavorful spices. Our group had yucca fries, the scallion puffs, tofu satay, injera plates and fish tacos, with sauces, sides like plantains and cabbage. We had a couple of non-alcoholic beverages which were very enjoyable and unique. We were quite stuffed by the time we left.
Review №10
2021-08-01We love Umana Yana! This was our first visit to their new location. Its a cozy space and the food is just as amazing as always. Their menu has something for everyone. Our party of 4 tried the boneless cocktails (yum) and shared the fried plantains and chickpea puffs as appetizers. I dont know what magic is used in that kitchen, but Im here for it!Plantains were perfect and served with two sauces. The chickpea puffs were lightly crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. My husband got the fish tacos and loved them and I got the tofu satay, which was the perfect choice. I need to learn how to make tofu that perfectly crispy! Our friends loved their food, too (Injera plate with tofu and short ribs). One person got the rum raisin bread pudding and I had to try it. Yum!!The service was exceptional and I cant wait to try brunch!