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Umana Yana

4.6 (360 reviews)
Closed • 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

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UMANA YANA ATMOSPHERE

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

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Recommended Reviews - Umana Yana

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Ajay V.

Was in town for work, and worked an appetite. Scrolling through Yelp and Umana caught my eye. Walked in on a Thursday and was the only customer like due to the frigid temperatures. However the service was great and they had an open mic/karaoke. I ordered the enjare platter and with the casava puffs and boy I was not disappointed! Healthy portions bursting with vibrant color and flavors will be back next time 1000%

Side of sweet plantains
Annie F.

I made reservations at Umana Yana for a special live music event and was sat immediately upon walking in. A server came over to greet us shortly after and gave us the drink menu, dinner menu as well as a specials menu. For drinks, we ordered the Spiced Sangria and Rum Moscow Mule. The Sangria was delicious as was the Mule, which included housemade ginger beer. For an appetizer, we started with an order of patties - one jerk chicken and one ground beef. They were the perfect size to start and had so much flavor! For our entrees, we ordered the Ethiopian Injera Plate with chicken, which comes with stewed veggies and cold salads on top of Ethiopian injera bread. If you've never had Ethiopian food - I highly recommend you order this to get a taste of an Ethiopian speciality. You use the thin, spongy bread to eat the meat and salads. Everything is incredibly flavorful! We also ordered one of the specials - a steak and shrimp "Surf & Turf" dish. It was absolutely incredible! The steak was cooked perfectly and was marinated in the most delicious garlic sauce. I also had to order a side of Sweet Yellow Plantains, which came with two dipping sauces - spiced honey and garlic sauce. Having one sweet and one savory sauce was such a great addition. They were delicious! Overall, we had such a great time listening to live jazz music, enjoying the most incredibly flavorful food and drinks, and being so warmly welcomed by the staff. I cannot wait to return and I will definitely be recommending Umana Yana to those looking for an incredible dining experience in Downtown Albany!

a view of the outside of a restaurant
Nischinth S.

This restaurant is a women owned minority restaurant. The restaurant has consistently great food. The restaurant moved from their prior location down the street a year or 2 ago to the current location. We ordered vegetarian injera, chicken injera and Lamb chops. Not a big fan of lamb but I tried it as I was told it was really good, however I'll pass on the lamb (though the pineapple mint chutney/sauce was excellent and may request it on the side) as i still can't get my mind to like lamb or red meat. I made a mistake of ordering 2 injeras, I should have ordered something else. I was so eager to eat the bits and bites plate that I had tried last time but they had an updated menu and left that dish out. I would definitely recommend that the restaurant management adds it back at some point in the future. I would definitely recommend the restaurant and now they have a brunch menu that I would like to plan for soon.

Beautiful large front windows of the new Umana Yana.
Pauline L.

Thanks to Dale and the Umana Yana staff for another awesome Sunday brunch ! My Southern Style Shrimp and Grits were delicious! So was the guava cocktail. I actually meant to visit in March for Women's History Month. Yelp suggested it would be great to highlight women owned businesses and Dale is a fantastic business owner! Unfortunately, my plans got delayed but what a gorgeous, sunny Sunday we picked to go to brunch at Umana ! It was so nice out that I wanted to sit outside and there is outside seating. My husband, however, wanted to be inside. Our server, Alexis, gave us a window seat which turned out perfect. She was welcoming and helpful. The food arrived beautifully presented and Alexis came back to make sure we were happy with our meals. We were. We cleaned our plates. Compliments to the chef!

Meghana A.

Was on my way to another restaurant to do a take out. I looked at this restaurant and was impressed with their ambience, menu, crowd and couldn't resist not entering the restaurant. I have been wanting to take my husband to an Ethopian restaurant for a while and I'm proud to say, my instincts weren't wrong. We ordered the vegetable injera and bits & bites. The flavors, variety of dishes, spice level were just perfect. Yelp check in gives you a free drink. At the time of my visit they were still awaiting their liquor license so had to settle for nohito. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, can't wait to go back for my next visit.

Sara K.

This place was outstanding! My husband and I live an hour outside of Albany and were in town to see a play nearby. The food, service (thank you, James) and atmosphere at Umana Yana was well the trip. The tofu injera plate (with a fried egg) and the walking chicken with sorrel jam were highlights. Can't wait for our next visit.

Scrimp and grits and eggs
Andrena F.

It's unfortunate that I'm downgrading my 8 year old review for Umana's from 5 to 3 stars. Frankly I'm finding it hit and miss these days for food and God knows for service!! I've been to private events that have been excellent but as a patron with and without reservations it's been below par in terms of service and the food inconsistent. My biggest reasons for the downgrade is: Food - when it's right OMG! So good! When it's wrong which lately has been more than is acceptable , no one gives a care if you're satisfied. No ONE. Service - I go back to no one cares if you're happy and don't ask a question about your meal because they don't know! Example: Me: What is this sauce? Waitress: it came with your meal. Me: (staring at plate with sauce) Yes I know but what is it? What is it made of? Waitress: I don't know. (Walking away). Me: uhmm could you ask the kitchen? Waitress: (clearly annoyed) Yeah, sure. Atmosphere: one of the hottest days of the summer. There is STILL no AC at the Central Ave location. I had to ask for ice for my water. Yup, over 90 degrees outside. No AC and you had to request ice!! She brought just enough for me not the other people. Explained we'd need more and that was rationed. Are they really rationing ICE?! Lastly, the bar - here I'm going to say.... There are plenty of licensed bartenders on Lark street have your cocktails at one of those places!! And whatever you do don't order the bottle of champagne mimosa that's on the menu for $35 because they are no longer providing you what's clearly written on the menu and are instead pouring HALF a bottle of champagne in a pitcher and filling the rest with juice! All in all a let down.

Leo E.

Just randomly stumbled on this place and let me tell you, I was impressed. The food was *immaculate.* I got the special oxtail over grits and my friend got the Brazilian Breakfast (Egg option) and we were silent for the meal, tells you how good the food was. I recommend the sorrel iced tea if you have a sweet tooth (which I do) and I don't recommend the corn bread (it was dry). I forgot to ask our server's name but she was a curly haired lady and she was so welcoming and kindly, give that woman a raise. If you have enemies, I recommend to tell them this place is bad, deprive them of city-level soul food. Will come again!

Oxtail and Sweet Yellow Plantains
Heather G.

What an amazing experience! Our server was attentive and patient when we had questions. It was quiet inside and a window table gives you great people watching opportunities! I ordered the oxtails and was so happy I did. I ate every bit of it even though I was stuffed. I normally don't like sweet plantains, but these were caramelized and slightly chewy and I ate all of them too! We both had the flourless cake for dessert and I was perfect. I'm always happy when a restaurant has a gluten free desert option that involves chocolate. We will be back!!

Masala Omelette
Ruth M.

The long wait at the Iron Gate brought us over to this AMAZING spot!! So grateful to have discovered it. The plantains, pone sticks, garlic ginger sauce, eggs, masala omelette... and ginger juice Demi shots! Wow. Service was great too! Highly recommend.

Shrimp and Grits

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5 months ago

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2 years ago

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4 years ago

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7 months ago

The food, service and ambiance are all excellent. We enjoyed our Sunday brunches and Saturday dinners.

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8 months ago

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1 year ago

The space is inviting and warm, the food is delicious, and the staff are kind and dedicated. Highly recommend.

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3 years ago

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Ariel R.

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Ariel R.

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2 years ago

Amazing freshly cooked food and friendly staff. Definitely my go to place when I am in the area.

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2 years ago

Some great chicken and rice with friendly service. If I were in Albany, I would go back! Really enjoyed the plantains too.

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Ariel R.

OMG Thank You! We can't wait to see you again

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Ariel R.

Trisha thank you! Look forward to see you soon!

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3 years ago

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Thank you!!!

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Woohoo! Thanks!

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A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant

A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant

4.7(18 reviews)
4.6 mi

Every person who comes to the U.S. brings their rich culture, beautiful art and music, and, oh…read moreyeah, delicious cuisine with them, and the Haitian community is no exception. Our communities are enriched by the gifts they bring. Yesterday, I got to experience it firsthand thanks to Amy and her crew over at A.J. W Caribbean Restaurant! They hooked me up with a FANTASTIC meal--a TON of fall-off-the-bone tender stew and delicious black rice and pigeon peas with some of the biggest plantain pieces I've ever seen! They've been open here in Albany for just over a year (a critical milestone in restaurant operations!), and if you haven't been here yet, you're missing out! I'll definitely be back (hopefully to try their snapper!)

Sometimes a single dish is reason enough to try a new restaurant, and this is the case with akra…read moreat AJW. It's not fried okra as I assumed but a fritter based on taro. Moist inside, crispy outside with just a bit of heat. A must. Also had a medium portion of the beef stew with vegetables which was easily enough to serve 2. Stew was pleasant with harmonious flavors but the available spicy slaw kicked it up a notch. Accompanied by black rice which now comes with green peas, not mushrooms, and a pleasant plantain patty. (I'm used to plantains sliced like bananas at Cuban places and guess this one is mashed then reconstituted into a patty.) Slices of onion and bell pepper, shown in previous photos, no longer included nor is what looked like a pretty ordinary side salad. Still a very good value for what I received. The interior is spacious and pleasant (apparently a former Starbucks) and a little hard to find with a difficult to read sign. It's to the left of the Men's Wearhouse store in a strip mall facing Colonie Center. Give it a go so this cuisine newcomer does not go away!

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A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant - Fresh pretty authentic

Fresh pretty authentic

A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant
A. J. W Caribbean Restaurant

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Lo Nuestro Dominican Restaurant - Lunch specials

Lo Nuestro Dominican Restaurant

4.3(37 reviews)
0.6 mi

Incredible spot for a delicious lunch! I stopped in on a…read moreweekday for lunch with a friend and was delighted to see so many tables and a fully stocked buffet that smelled amazing. You first choose your size: either the medium, which will run you between $8-10, or the large size for $11.50-13.50. I got the medium stewed chicken with yellow rice. They filled it to the brim and it was $10 - you cannot beat that! It was absolutely delicious. I got a bottle of water too and sat in their comfortable dining room. They had several different protein options: salmon, pernil (pork), stewed beef and more. There's definitely something for everyone. Do yourself a favor and stop in!

Los Nuestros Dominican Restaurant in Albany has gone to bad serving food. The display is…read moremis-managed and sloppy. The quality of the food has decreased in both flavor and appearance. Seems to be just thrown up there in the window and not appetite appealing as customers" we eat with our eyes first". Presentation is everything. I called back to complain to a manager on the phone but no one spoke English to hear my grievance. I noticed new server's at the front end that doesn't seem to know what they're doing. I am and about to say "was" a frequent customer for years. But I'm thinking of leaving that business camaraderie. Also they lost the business at Crossgates Mall. Hummmmm I wonder why

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Lo Nuestro Dominican Restaurant - Interior seating

Interior seating

Lo Nuestro Dominican Restaurant - Chicken stew with yellow rice, and beans.

Chicken stew with yellow rice, and beans.

Lo Nuestro Dominican Restaurant - Front of the restaurant

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Front of the restaurant

Umana Yana - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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