Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Umami Cafe

    3.6 (155 reviews)
    ModerateCafes, Tea Rooms
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

    Umami Cafe Photos

    UMAMI CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Umami Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Matcha gelatin dessert
    Abby S.

    This was an excellent stop. It's within the Japanese garden (ticket required for entry). They have a nice assortment of sweets and a few sandwiches. I tried a matcha gelatin dessert which was more art than food, but very interesting nonetheless. The real star is the teas. There is a fantastic selection of green, black, and herbal (of course including matcha). I tried the Genmaicha and loved it. Really unique flavor and not like any tea I've had before. A must stop before or after the garden.

    Sarah S.

    I highly recommend the Umami Café which was just one of the best experiences I've ever had. It makes sense to come here while at Portland's Japanese Gardens as it's within the grounds. Walking up to the cafe is beautiful. Even better? Sitting at their lovely tables with a hillside view over the grounds while sipping on delicious bites and soothing green teas. It was heaven. Make a reservation here to be safe. My friends and I made 11am reservations for some snacks which features locally made of which we have the fried rice, castella cakes and matcha brownies. It was an adorable spread and everything tasted wonderful. Not to mention, service was excellent the entire time. Be sure to get some cute photos outside, as well! The Cafe is desgined like Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera Temple. It gives me Falling Water vibes just floating out over the hillside.

    Exterior
    Payton H.

    Umami cafe is situated inside the beautiful and serene Portland Japanese Garden. You cannot beat the relaxing setting and I was thankful we were able to sit outside. It was bustling with people, yet, our drinks came out in under 10 minutes. We got the Mugicha and Genmaicha teas. They came in small-ish to-go cups, which was slightly disappointing, as having an actual mug would add to the experience. Nonetheless, both the teas had unique flavor profiles that made for pleasant sipping. The genmaicha was more nutty tasting, while the mugicha had a toasted, slightly smokey flavor.

    3/14/2025 - I dropped into the Umami Cafe for a yuzu soda and mango mochi
    Mikhail H.

    I did not intend to drop in here while visiting the Japanese Garden for a performance. Then I realized I needed to take some medication. I am not a tea drinker and was making all these assumptions. I assumed they would be busy and they were not plus they are very well staffed so even if they were I do not see it as an issue. There are a great number of seats through the in and outside or you can take your tea and snacks with you. The tea, per my friend who got some, said it was truly amazing. And they mindfully make your chosen blend. The whole building is window and there is a cherry tree {currently just about to blossom!} right next to the building. There are not bad views anywhere around the Japanese Garden so taking a moment for a snack and sip is lovely. I love yuzu and they carry a soda {there are two other flavors I could not tell you anything about since they had me at yuzu!} which is just juice, cane sugar and fizzy water. I am pretty picky about soda and always expect I will loathe it. These are crazy good! I also appreciate a glass bottle I can screw the top back on since I was not able to finish it until later. They have quite a few flavors of mochi. I grabbed my favorite which is mango so I knew that would be great. I also got to try my friend's brownie which was a slight chocolate with so much hazelnut. They have a chicken teriyaki I would be curious to try. I definitely recommend grabbing even some water here to pause.

    Alison M.

    This is a beautiful glass cafe at the top of the path in the visitors section of the Portland Japanese Garden. Small menu with some teas and tea cakes but it's cute and we tried a sencha tea and honey cake combo. Sitting on the deck is relaxing and nice. Worth it if you have time to spare and enjoy tea.

    Jaimee S.

    Umami Cafe was not here the last time I was in Portland & I knew we had to try it! Bringing my family here was a wonderful experience and decided to stop by after our hike into the ever beautiful Japanese garden. It did not disappoint. The line upon entering moved quickly and efficiently. I loved the ambiance of it & with it being nestled in the woods left a tranquility I'll never forget. The Matcha was mixed to perfection & it was overall a great experience leaving a vibe of being transported to Japan. My husband & I enjoyed this & will have to try the assorted desserts on our next visit!

    Beverages available
    Lisette M.

    We visited Portland Japanese Garden and stopped here for a little treat! The mochi ice cream was delicious. I'm not a fan of red bean but this dorayaki was sooo good.. it really tasted like authentic red bean paste. So if you're in town give it a try and check this place out!

    Castella Cake and Tea
    Mia H.

    Located at the Japanese Garden, this cafe is a great spot to stop by as you stroll through the gardens or to check-out before you leave! The cafe is bright with lots of windows and plenty of seating. However, depending on when you go there might be a wait as it typically gets very busy! When I came there was about a 10 minute wait, but we got sat down after putting our names on the list. I ordered a castella cake and some tea to enjoy with it. It was a nice and relaxing stop after walking around the gardens, but I wouldn't say that it was the best cake or teas that I've had. Nonetheless, I would still come back next time I'm at the gardens and I would love to check out other items on their menu!

    Victoria H.

    Umami was a very delicious cage inside the Portland Japanese Garden. The traditional Japanese Desserts, tea, and soup were all amazing. The staff were also great and quick. I had the Miso soup, a Japanese sponge style cake, and a sparkling soda with mochi ice cream. It was all really good and had excellent flavors. I highly recommend this spot if you're in the gardens for the day. I would highly recommend a reservation as they get busy!

    Menu
    Samantha J.

    Been meaning to check this place out. The last time we visited the Portland Japanese Garden was back in 2020 and Umami Cafe wasn't open to the public due to local Covid restrictions. We decided to go back to the Portland Japanese Garden this past Saturday since the fall foliage was in full effect and, of course, to check this little cafe out. ~ MAKE A RESERVATION ONLINE ~ I highly recommend you make a reservation online at Umami Cafe ahead of time. Once you have that finalized, you'll need to purchase an entrance fee for the Portland Japanese Garden. We paid a total of $43.90 for 2 adults, or $21.95 each with the added fees. When you purchase an entrance fee, you have to choose an entry time, so make sure you give yourself at least 30 min. before your Umami Cafe reservation so you're not rushing and have a bit of time to explore before. Our reservation at Umami Cafe was at 11:00 AM on a Saturday, and we entered the Portland Japanese Garden at 10:00 AM, giving ourselves an hour to enter and wander around for a bit. ~ SIT OUT ON THE PATIO & ENJOY THE GREENERY ~ We went on a gloomy, fall day, so the vibes were just perfect for sipping some tea and enjoying the gardens. We were seated right away and had a choice to sit indoors versus outdoors. We chose a table on the outside patio because the weather was just too perfect. ~ SIMPLISTIC & TRADITIONAL MENU ~ The menu is minimal which made it easy for us to order something right away. I went with the Genmaicha & Manju tea set and my husband ordered the Matcha & Chocolate Mochi Ice Cream tea set. The platter it came with was very traditional and minimalistic. It was my first time trying the Genmaicha and I felt it to be an acquired taste, but I still enjoyed sipping it while enjoying the greenery. I definitely enjoyed the Manju that it came with. It wasn't too sweet, just perfect. My husband also enjoyed what he ordered. Although the serving size is small, it was the perfect size for a little snack break while visiting the Portland Japanese Garden. ~ ATTENTIVE SERVERS, NO COMPLAINTS ~ The service was great! The hostess and servers were all attentive and made sure that we got everything we needed. All in all, this was a unique and beautiful experience that's definitely worth trying once.

    Jasmine D.

    The tea was great as well as the service! It's a tight space to sit in but if you sit outside the scenery is beautiful. My friends weren't a fan of the matcha but maybe because it's made more authentic? Not sure.

    Katie B.

    Umami Cafe is expensive, considering you can get similar stuff from Behind the Museum Cafe, but what you're really paying for is the view and sitting amongst the tall trees at the Japanese Garden. After all, it's a cafe inside a museum/garden attraction so prices reflect that fact they have a monopoly on the clientele. With that aside, we had a good visit. We opted for a set with matcha and kinako mochi , a set with kukicha and a daifuku, and the matcha hojicha brownie set. The kukicha was very good, the matcha was so-so, per my tea ceremony performing mother, but most folks wouldn't notice a difference. The sweets are also bite sized - it makes for an authentic Japanese experience but most folks might leave surprised and hungry. Again, yea, it's overpriced but you're also paying for experience. Service from one server was wonderful while the other server was too quick to take dishes and cups away, making us feel rushed. Overall I'd still come back again with the changing seasons and to try their monthly specials. It's just relaxing to sip some tea after walking the gardens.

    Our table on the narrow  balcony, among the trees.
    Nancy H.

    I recently visited this lovely treetop-like cafe up high in the trees. I visited with my daughter last Saturday (early July). The whole garden was quite busy (see my review for the garden), and this amazing cafe was no exception. My daughter informed me that one has to make a reservation in advance to go to this cafe; the last time she visited the garden, she wasn't aware of this and she was unable to go into the cafe without a pre-made reservation. So this time, she planned accordingly. Truly, what a special little cafe this is! It's cubed-shaped and made of glass, with a narrow balcony around the perimeter where my daughter and I sat. It felt as if we were up high in a treehouse, among the tree canopy. So very beautiful. If you plan on visiting here, wanting a salad or sandwich and a glass of wine, I'm sorry to say you're out of luck. This cafe has a very limited offering of Japanese fare: matcha and other teas and beverages (no coffees, no mainstream sodas, no wines or beer), mochi and a few other specialty Japanese treats, and miso soups. All foods and drinks are served in authentic Japanese ceramic dishware /serviceware, and the servers don Japanese-inspired uniforms. The whole experience of dining here feels .... authentic. My daughter ordered the matcha & watermelon kanten. Not being that familiar with legit Japanese foods, this kanten was very interesting to us. It's like a Jello-like small square, infused with a subtle watermelon flavor. Not overly sweet, and not a large portion, but refreshing and quite interesting. She said the matcha was delicious. I ordered the ochazuke which was like a small platter containing a small mound of rice with bits of shredded chicken on it in a bowl, and the server pours some sort of Japanese tea over the rice, creating a soup of sorts. I'm probably not describing this well, and it sounds intriguing and different, and we didn't expect much in the way of taste here, but we were surprised, how delicious this was! My kid and I shared this and we both loved it. Visiting this glassy treetop cafe really enhanced my visit to the garden, and I highly recommend visiting it! Very special experience.

    counter seating and service area

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dada V.
    397
    92
    83

    29 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Umami Cafe M.

    Umami Cafe M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Grace K.
    55
    184
    128

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 24
    Thanks 10
    Love this 26
    Oh no 0

    4 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mikhail H.
    5000
    2106
    18625

    1 year ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 1
    Love this 10
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Umami Cafe M.

    Umami Cafe M.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Umami Cafe M.

    Umami Cafe M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of David E.
    70
    1561
    0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Umami Cafe M.

    Umami Cafe M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Umami Cafe M.

    Umami Cafe M.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Zoey B.
    210
    8
    4

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nancy H.
    630
    2099
    1118

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ana M.
    173
    305
    1218

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kirsten P.
    124
    246
    7

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joan F.
    249
    1209
    1645

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mariah M.
    65
    82
    98

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Umami Cafe M.

    Umami Cafe M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Umami Cafe M.

    Umami Cafe M.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Umami Cafe M.

    Umami Cafe M.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Vivi W.
    1
    68
    101

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Umami Cafe M.

    Umami Cafe M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Umami Cafe

    You might also consider

    The Spice & Tea Exchange - 1st wall. Spices. Yummm

    The Spice & Tea Exchange

    4.3(111 reviews)
    1.4 miDowntown, Southwest Portland
    $$

    I like to drink decaf chai and it can be difficult to find. I stopped in here to see if they had…read moreany. I was promptly greeted and the sales associate was so friendly. I asked her about what I was looking for and she immediately brought me to it (they had two to choose from). She explained the differences to me then left me to decide and explore. I appreciated that she was so helpful but also not pushy or hovering after she answered my question. I explored the rest of the store and even grabbed another tea to try. The store has a lot of teas and spices in various sizes. It was well organized and stocked. They all had various tea and spice related items. When I checked out she told me that if I bring the container back they will refill with any tea and take $3 off the purchase which I thought was great! I will be back to get my chai tea here from now on.

    The shop is so cute with teas and spices lining the walls. I appreciate being able to smell the…read moreteas to get a feel of what I'm buying. I have to say a lot of their blends smelled really good but I ended up going with their peach blossom herbal tea. I was able to buy a go cup of the brewed tea and some of the tea leaves. The sales associate was so helpful letting us know which teas are similar. She was bright and friendly and offered to help me create a new mix when I mentioned looking for a dupe of a discontinued brand. I definitely recommend if you're a tea lover.

    Photos
    The Spice & Tea Exchange
    The Spice & Tea Exchange - One wall of yummies to smell Sugars, salts & more teas

    One wall of yummies to smell Sugars, salts & more teas

    The Spice & Tea Exchange

    See all

    redstraw - Thai sea salt with boba

    redstraw

    4.6(40 reviews)
    1.5 miDowntown, Southwest Portland

    Had a wonderful mid-day treat here. I didn't realize that this shop was in the mall at first, but…read moreit was nice to walk around and window shop. The store itself is very clean and has a lot of cute decorations. Drinks are very colorful and have some fun seasonal themes. The employee behind the counter was super sweet and friendly. Service was really fast event though I think they were working alone. I really enjoyed my French Daisy-- the purple is SUPER vibrant in person, even though the yellow is a little duller than the ad. It was refreshing and very sweet (my preference, my partner got his 50% sweet and said that was perfect for him). The tapioca pearls were just the right consistency. Perfect for a little pick-me-up on the weekend.

    I tried the French Daisy and loved it…read more I was in town for work and was craving some tea. This place was just around the corner from the office, so I headed over with a few colleagues. We got there at 2:15 p.m., and there was a "be back soon" sign on the door. Lee showed up at 2:30 p.m. and was absolutely wonderful--super friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. My drink was spot on; the tea flavor came through, it had a nice bitterness, and wasn't overly sweet, which I prefer. My colleagues ordered a matcha latte and the Redstraw signature drink and weren't as happy due to the sweetness. They went for 25% sweetness in theirs, but still found it a bit too sweet.

    Photos
    redstraw - Exterior

    Exterior

    redstraw - Storefront. Kids AI replaced for privacy.

    Storefront. Kids AI replaced for privacy.

    redstraw

    See all

    Less & More Coffee - Ube Latte in the park

    Less & More Coffee

    4.7(294 reviews)
    1.4 miDowntown, Southwest Portland
    $$

    Stopped by Less and More Coffee and really enjoyed the creativity of their drinks along with the…read morequality of their coffee. They are located outdoors within a repurposed trimet station, which add such a a unique Portland touch to their vibe. Although usually a 1-2 person operation, drinks always come out relatively quick! I tried the tiramisu latte and the black sesame latte. The tiramisu latte was easily my favorite. The cream top is rich and delicious, and when mixed into the coffee it really tastes like a classic tiramisu dessert. It's sweet, smooth, and feels like a treat without being overwhelming. The black sesame latte was also great, especially if you like nutty flavors. It has a natural sweetness with a deep roasted sesame taste that almost reminds me of peanut butter, making it both comforting and unique. I've also had their regular latte before and really appreciate the quality of their espresso. The coffee itself has a smooth, balanced flavor that stands out even without added syrups or toppings. A great spot to visit if you enjoy creative specialty drinks but still want genuinely good coffee underneath it all.

    Very interesting variety of coffee types, including unique Korean styles and flavors. Outside stand…read morewith minor cover and a few seats. So careful of rainy days like today. First customer of day. Service was obviously quick. :) Hojicha for me. Tiramisu for the wife. Nice treat on a wet day.

    Photos
    Less & More Coffee - Hojita Latte

    Hojita Latte

    Less & More Coffee - Ube Latte

    Ube Latte

    Less & More Coffee - Deliciousness in a cup

    See all

    Deliciousness in a cup

    Umami Cafe - cafes - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...