This restaurant is absolutely spectacular. When you walk in, it’s so cozy and both the decor and everyone working is incredibly welcoming.There is a great drinks menu and on the reverse side, a really interesting wine list. Then comes the hard part, choosing what to eat! We wanted to try everything but I guess we’ll just have to return in the future. The pepper shrimp had great flavor (and a lot of heat) which the cassava puffs tempered. And they had a curried goat special which was unbelievable. The goat was so tender and the flavors were perfectly melded together. We ended with the rum cake to go and it made a perfect treat later on in the night.This was a fantastic meal and we can’t wait to come back to try more!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: West African Pepper Shrimp, Yucca Fries
Olivia Pang
Delicious authentic gluten free and vegan! Had an amazing meal trying injera for the first time and I'm already looking forward to next timeVegetarian options: Almost everything veganDietary restrictions: Almost all gluten free
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ethiopian Vegan Platter
Patricia Flores
Service was phenomenal! Food blossomed taste buds I never knew I
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rosalind Jenkins
My experience on Feb. 13th at Umana Yama restaurant regarding the food was trouble. I ordered the Oxtail platter my fiancé ordered the Walkin Chicken basket. We asked the server if our choices were good, he said yes we made great choices. Where we were seated I was able to see inside the kitchen and there was little activity at the stove/grill and there was no smell of food being cooked. I noticed food being taken out of aluminum pans. Once the food came we were VERY disappointed! The food was warm not HOT. The Oxtails were hard and dry like they were leftover from days ago. The rice was hard and dry tasting like it was old/leftover, same thing regarding the plantains. My fiancé said the Walkin Chicken should have kept walking and take the cold French Fries with it. We would NOT recommend this restaurant. We were Very disappointed!!!
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 2
Nyah Moore
My entire meal was absolutely delicious! The setting of the cozy intimate experience was perfect. The service was quick, 10/10 recommend I will eat there multiple times again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: West African Pepper Shrimp, Jollof Rice
Some great chicken and rice with friendly service. If I were in Albany, I would go back! Really enjoyed the plantains too.
LaTisha C.
I was in town for work and heard great things about Umana Yana so I decide to visit them and I'm so happy I did. I am from Chicago, and I'm a world traveling, foodie. I have tasted some of the best Haitian, West African and Caribbean cuisines/dishes, but Umana Yana has them all in one place! I had the jerk lamb chops that came with a beautiful and yummy mango salsa, the Haitian Pikliz which was absolutely phenomenal & probably my favorite thing, although I loved every dish! And I also had the Jollof which was good. The best part was the customer service! I highly recommend visiting you will not be disappointed!
Kyle Montville
Delicious Ethiopian/Caribbean fusion with great vegan options.The red curry tofu satay was delicious paired with the coconut chickpea curry and injera.The service was responsive and friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Jollof Rice
Vincent K.
I think that this restaurant is worth trying as you might like it but it wasn't for me. I've sampled a small variety of African cuisines and was not Impressed with the options of this restaurant. One of our appetizers was still frozen in the center.
This is an amazing culinary experience. We have told our friends and Will shortly schedule an event here. The food, and the experience, is amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gina Torres
Umana Yana is a fantastic spot that truly captures the essence of international cuisine. Umana offers an authentic taste of the Caribbean with vegan, gluten free, & vegetarian options.The cozy, family-style ambiance adds to the overall experience, making it a must-visit for anyone craving a culinary adventure in Upstate, NY.I have attended their last 3 Jazz brunches. Make sure you reserve your table to elevate your dining experience and secure your table! It’s a highly recommend spot and can get busy!
What a wonderful restaurant next to the Capitol! We were passing by Albany on our way up to Saratoga Springs and so glad we found this restaurant! Very flavorful dishes and incredible portions! We had the chicken injeri platter (loved all the sides that came with the flatbread) and the fish tacos (super delicious and well seasoned). Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Red Curry Fish Taco
Mark D.
I recently discovered this restaurant and it feels like a hidden gem. The food is really spectacular - I'd especially recommend the oxtail, but I haven't yet gone wrong with anything on the menu.
Giselle G.
I came here and had a couple of their items to go. First the service was great and the place has a homey vibe. My boss recommended this place and I heard other people recommend it as well. I had the oxtail and jollof rice, a side of macaroni and cheese. I also had the rum punch and dessert which I ate at the restaurant. I would say the food was very good and a good size portion. The oxtail was flavorful and well cooked. There was enough meat on the oxtail and I liked the taste of it; it had a mix of flavors which I really enjoyed. The rice was also good and well cooked; the order came with plantains which were also good; they were not too sweet which I liked. The macaroni and cheese had a different taste than the usual southern macaroni and cheese; the cheese used did taste like macaroni and cheese from a Caribbean place. The rum punch was good and strong. The dessert was quite tasty and I cannot remember what I ordered but the cake was flavorful, light and airy. I would definitely recommend this place; it exceeded my expectations. I liked the fusion of the African and Caribbean flavors. I will be back when I am in Albany.
This restaurant is absolutely spectacular. When you walk in, it’s so cozy and both the decor and everyone working is incredibly welcoming.There is a great drinks menu and on the reverse side, a really interesting wine list. Then comes the hard part, choosing what to eat! We wanted to try everything but I guess we’ll just have to return in the future. The pepper shrimp had great flavor (and a lot of heat) which the cassava puffs tempered. And they had a curried goat special which was unbelievable. The goat was so tender and the flavors were perfectly melded together. We ended with the rum cake to go and it made a perfect treat later on in the night.This was a fantastic meal and we can’t wait to come back to try more!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: West African Pepper Shrimp, Yucca Fries
Delicious authentic gluten free and vegan! Had an amazing meal trying injera for the first time and I'm already looking forward to next timeVegetarian options: Almost everything veganDietary restrictions: Almost all gluten free
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ethiopian Vegan Platter
Service was phenomenal! Food blossomed taste buds I never knew I
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My experience on Feb. 13th at Umana Yama restaurant regarding the food was trouble. I ordered the Oxtail platter my fiancé ordered the Walkin Chicken basket. We asked the server if our choices were good, he said yes we made great choices. Where we were seated I was able to see inside the kitchen and there was little activity at the stove/grill and there was no smell of food being cooked. I noticed food being taken out of aluminum pans. Once the food came we were VERY disappointed! The food was warm not HOT. The Oxtails were hard and dry like they were leftover from days ago. The rice was hard and dry tasting like it was old/leftover, same thing regarding the plantains. My fiancé said the Walkin Chicken should have kept walking and take the cold French Fries with it. We would NOT recommend this restaurant. We were Very disappointed!!!
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 2
My entire meal was absolutely delicious! The setting of the cozy intimate experience was perfect. The service was quick, 10/10 recommend I will eat there multiple times again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: West African Pepper Shrimp, Jollof Rice
Incredible flavors and dishes- Highly recommend!!! Dietary restrictions: Amazing Gluten Free options??????
Some great chicken and rice with friendly service. If I were in Albany, I would go back! Really enjoyed the plantains too.
I was in town for work and heard great things about Umana Yana so I decide to visit them and I'm so happy I did. I am from Chicago, and I'm a world traveling, foodie. I have tasted some of the best Haitian, West African and Caribbean cuisines/dishes, but Umana Yana has them all in one place! I had the jerk lamb chops that came with a beautiful and yummy mango salsa, the Haitian Pikliz which was absolutely phenomenal & probably my favorite thing, although I loved every dish! And I also had the Jollof which was good. The best part was the customer service! I highly recommend visiting you will not be disappointed!
Delicious Ethiopian/Caribbean fusion with great vegan options.The red curry tofu satay was delicious paired with the coconut chickpea curry and injera.The service was responsive and friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Jollof Rice
I think that this restaurant is worth trying as you might like it but it wasn't for me. I've sampled a small variety of African cuisines and was not Impressed with the options of this restaurant. One of our appetizers was still frozen in the center.
Restaurantji Recommends
This is an amazing culinary experience. We have told our friends and Will shortly schedule an event here. The food, and the experience, is amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Umana Yana is a fantastic spot that truly captures the essence of international cuisine. Umana offers an authentic taste of the Caribbean with vegan, gluten free, & vegetarian options.The cozy, family-style ambiance adds to the overall experience, making it a must-visit for anyone craving a culinary adventure in Upstate, NY.I have attended their last 3 Jazz brunches. Make sure you reserve your table to elevate your dining experience and secure your table! It’s a highly recommend spot and can get busy!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish, Pina Colada French Toast, Wings & Waffles, Southern Style Shrimp & Grits, Yucca Fries, Jerk Lamb Lollipops, Jollof Rice
What a wonderful restaurant next to the Capitol! We were passing by Albany on our way up to Saratoga Springs and so glad we found this restaurant! Very flavorful dishes and incredible portions! We had the chicken injeri platter (loved all the sides that came with the flatbread) and the fish tacos (super delicious and well seasoned). Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Red Curry Fish Taco
I recently discovered this restaurant and it feels like a hidden gem. The food is really spectacular - I'd especially recommend the oxtail, but I haven't yet gone wrong with anything on the menu.
I came here and had a couple of their items to go. First the service was great and the place has a homey vibe. My boss recommended this place and I heard other people recommend it as well. I had the oxtail and jollof rice, a side of macaroni and cheese. I also had the rum punch and dessert which I ate at the restaurant. I would say the food was very good and a good size portion. The oxtail was flavorful and well cooked. There was enough meat on the oxtail and I liked the taste of it; it had a mix of flavors which I really enjoyed. The rice was also good and well cooked; the order came with plantains which were also good; they were not too sweet which I liked. The macaroni and cheese had a different taste than the usual southern macaroni and cheese; the cheese used did taste like macaroni and cheese from a Caribbean place. The rum punch was good and strong. The dessert was quite tasty and I cannot remember what I ordered but the cake was flavorful, light and airy. I would definitely recommend this place; it exceeded my expectations. I liked the fusion of the African and Caribbean flavors. I will be back when I am in Albany.