Urban Umami: Cosmopolitan Asian-Inspired Dining in Century City

Modern, cosmopolitan and thoroughly urban (the name says it all), Urban Umami spills out onto a tree-shaded piazza in Cape Town’s Century City. With bold Asian inspiration meeting hearty South African ingredients, the flavours at the sophisticated restaurant are as globe-trotting as its clientele, drawn from far and wide to its spot at the walkable heart of Century City. It’s a comfortable, industrial-chic space that encompasses professional power breakfasts and business lunches, as well as live-music evenings with cocktails, date-night dinners and mimosa-fuelled Sunday jazz brunches, all infused with a dash of urban sophistication.

Asian fusion with local heart

Born and raised in Cape Town, chef Naseer Abdullah clearly has a passion for Asian flavours. He’s worked in Qatar, travelled to Singapore, Thailand and Japan, and brought back inspiration for a diverse menu that weaves South African ingredients with Asian flair, and covers all your umami cravings.

Think sushi (some classic, some with a creative twist) such as the beautifully fresh salmon rolls, kuromai black rice with cream cheese and prawn, peppadew and sweet chilli, and a kingklip sashimi with citrus, avocado and pomegranate. Among the small plates, a wagyu beef tartare gets a twist with ginger, ponzu and chili threads on a black rice base, then there are bao buns, spring rolls, moreish crispy calamari, potstickers, and umami chicken wings with sriracha caramel. Bold flavours, well-executed and deftly balancing the familiar and the exotic.

A stand-out main dish on our visit was kingklip poached in a red thai broth with edamame, black garlic and a deliciously creamy sauce. Then there’s a winter-warming South African favourite reimagined with Asian flavours: hoisin-braised beef short rib with a miso butternut purée, or the teriyaki-marinated lamb loin chops. You’ll find burgers, curries, salads and ramen bowls too, for a versatile offering to suit any occasion.

We finished with a chocoholic’s dream of a mud pie dessert topped with a macaron, and a refreshing trio of imaginative sorbets.

Good to know Every day from 12pm there’s a small-plates special: 5 small plates for R465.
The Ryoku lunch menu runs Monday – Friday (12pm – 3pm) with everything on the menu for R150.

Cocktails, wine and Japanese whiskies

A cocktail menu designed around the five flavour profiles of sweet, bitter, sour, salty and umami rewards exploration. We enjoyed the Suppai (tequila, lime and ginger) and the First Sunrise (tequila, agave syrup, smoked salt and lime), the perfect after-work excuse to sit under the fairy-light-strung trees on the terrace. Or explore the wine cellar (30 wines available by the glass, and a list of 120 vintages to choose from), which hosts complimentary wine-tastings on Friday evenings (5pm – 6pm, first come first serve). Then there’s an extensive list of high-end Japanese whiskies.
Good to know On weekdays (4pm – 6pm) there’s a social-hour special with a 2-for-1 on house wine or cocktails (R150). On Friday and Saturday evenings (6pm – 8pm) live music amps up the ambience.

Bottomless Sunday brunch

With live jazz playing and an opulent brunch buffet with a difference, Urban Umami comes alive in soulful weekend fashion on Sundays. Tables are laden with everything from Danish pastries and croissants, fresh fruit and artisan breads, to sushi, satays, tataki and poke bowls. There are curries and stirfries, chowders and goujons and a whole array of desserts to finish. It’s an essential and leisurely Sunday ritual for a catch-up with friends.
Good to know Booking essential
Cost R325 per person (bottomless brunch); R75 (mimosas)
When Sundays, 11.30am – 2pm

An urban oasis of bold flavours and all-day sophistication.

Good to know The Gallery is a semi-private dining room seating up to 20 guests and can be booked for business lunches and family celebrations.
Opening times Daily, 6.30am – 10.30pm
Contact 021 202 9133
Where to find it 3 Energy Lane, Century City, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan

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