Discover the Essence of Umami: A Culinary Journey
1. A Foodie Wonderland Awaits
Welcome to Umami Homemade Organic & Vegan Restaurant—where culinary artistry meets heartfelt hospitality. Nestled in the vibrant city of Heraklion, this charming eatery prides itself on serving wholesome and nourishing meals that are sure to satisfy even the most discerning palates.
2. Slow Food, Fast Friends
At Umami, the phrase "slow food" is not just a motto; it’s an experience. As indicated by the many delighted diners, the patience required for food preparation is more than compensated by the impeccable taste and freshness of every dish.
3. Watch the Magic Unfold
Dining here is more than just a meal; it’s a culinary show! Guests have the unique opportunity to watch the chef age-old techniques such as grating fresh tomatoes for handmade pasta sauces, which transforms eating into an engaging, sensory experience.
4. Health in Every Bite
Umami prides itself on wholesome, healthy options made entirely from scratch. The organic ingredients tell a story of their own—full of flavor, nutrition, and love. As one visitor noted, the meals are vibrant and packed with delightful freshness.
5. Thirst-Quenching Elixirs
Complement your meal with Umami’s cold-pressed juices, crafted from the freshest fruits available. Bursting with flavor and nutrients, these beverages are the perfect refreshment to elevate your dining experience.
6. A Touch of Hospitality
Patrons rave about the friendly and welcoming nature of the restaurant’s owner. His dedication to hospitality is apparent as he goes above and beyond to ensure every guest feels at home—whether offering late-night meals or graciously sharing homemade snacks.
7. Diverse Menu Delights
Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or simply a lover of fresh produce, Umami has something for everyone. The diverse menu includes exciting options like falafel wraps and innovative vegan dishes that showcase the best of organic ingredients.
8. Savor the Vegan Surprise
Don’t let the vegetarian label fool you! One unforgettable experience included a vegan mushroom gyro that ratcheted up traditional flavors to new heights, guaranteeing a culinary revelation for all who dare to indulge.
9. A Salad to Remember
The Cretan-style salad at Umami is a symphony of flavor, with layers of greens, avocado, pomegranate, and an intriguing mix of toppings, including inventive coconut bacon. It’s a beautiful representation of the restaurant’s commitment to providing hearty, satisfying meals.
10. Testimonials from Satisfied Diners
Umami consistently earns rave reviews. Diners like Sunil and Chris can’t stop praising the authenticity and deliciousness of the dishes, solidifying the restaurant as a must-visit hot spot for travelers and locals alike.
11. Intriguing Specialties
Take the plunge for unique concoctions like the “umami bombe” sauce—a delightful mixture that enhances dishes with depth and richness, evoking a medley of comforting flavors that keeps diners coming back for more.
12. A Gluten-Free Haven
For those with dietary restrictions, Umami shines bright! Visitors report how the restaurant is accommodating, ensuring everyone can relish the delightful meals without worry.
13. Affordable Gastronomic Bliss
While Umami boasts a culinary experience comparable to high-end dining, it maintains surprisingly reasonable prices. Guests appreciate the value they receive for the quality and craftsmanship of the dishes.
14. The Perfect Spot for Every Occasion
Whether you need a quick brunch or a leisurely dinner, Umami’s inviting atmosphere, complete with the enticing aroma of freshly prepared food, makes it the ideal destination for any dining occasion.
15. Join the Umami Family!
As you navigate Heraklion’s culinary landscape, don’t miss the chance to experience the flavor-packed world of Umami Homemade Organic & Vegan Restaurant. Make sure to join the community of satisfied diners who have embraced this unique gastronomic adventure. Your taste buds will thank you!
Useful Information
Address: Meramvellou 3, Iraklio 712 02, Greece
Opening hours: Monday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM, 7:00 – 11:00 PM
Tuesday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM, 7:00 – 11:00 PM
Wednesday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM, 7:00 – 11:00 PM
Thursday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM, 7:00 – 11:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM, 7:00 – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM, 7:00 – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 – 4:00 PM, 7:00 – 11:00 PM
Phone: 694 484 2085
Rated count: 4.9 of 533 ratings
Fantastic, slow food experience. You wait a bit for food prep and it’s well worth it.
Wonderful, healthy food prepared from scratch. Cold pressed juices from fresh fruit.
The chef cooked everything right in front of us. I mean, we watched him grate tomatoes for a pasta sauce.
I have never had slow food that was this delicious and fresh.
Don’t miss eating at this place!
Outstanding experience in this authentic organic restaurant. Very good food and a very friendly chef to welcome and cook you great food such as the bowl I got today for lunch.
Absolutely fantastic food! Everything is prepared from scratch so takes a little longer but it is absolutely worth it. We had the falafel wraps and it’s the best falafel I’ve had in my life. The pressed fruit drinks were beautifully fresh and tasty as well. The owner is such a lovely man who gave us some free homemade snacks for the road. ευχαριστώ!
We stumbled upon Umami on a cold night in Crete around 10pm, when the owner was just about to close shop. Luckily, our bedraggled appearance was pitiful enough that he kindly allowed us to have a late dinner at his restaurant. The food he served was a revelation — definitely some of the best I’ve had in Greece in my week of travel thus far. His menu is diverse and flexible, incorporating both vegan and meat-centric options, though I definitely recommend the vegan stuff.
We ordered a masala chai, a mushroom gyro and a coconut bacon salad. The masala chai incorporated black tea and spices, and though it’s certainly not an authentic chai one usually finds in Indian restaurants around the world, it was enough to warm us to the core, a welcome respite from the drizzle outside. The mushroom gyro was mind-blowing. The owner sauteed three different types of mushrooms (brown, white and oyster) with a greater proportion of the latter, which he taught us is ideal for grills. The mushrooms themselves took on a heavy meaty flavour, smelled and tasted akin like a rich beef steak in my opinion. The homemade hummus was the best hummus we ever tried, buttery and smooth, but packed full of rich flavour. Even the tortilla wrap that was used was toasted to brown-spotted perfection. For the salad, we were treated to a generous pile of various leafy greens, avocado, pomegranate, what seemed to be apple chunks, Cretan cheese, and an interesting coconut bacon — fried strips of coconut. The coconut bacon gave the salad a strong umami taste that paired really well with the avocado and the cheese, giving rise to a fascinating mix of musky, fatty, savoury flavour, offset by the well-curated selection of rocket, cabbage, and other greens. Overall, the food was a mind-bending journey into what vegan food should aspire to be –flexible and diverse, encompassing vastly different tastes and feelings, amazing, powerful, original.
After we ate, we spoke a little to the owner who had been gracious to allow us to eat late in his restaurant, prepared the food in front of us, shared his ingredients and process, even let us taste a sample of his umami bombe(?) sauce which was a very potent mix of soya sauce, sesame oil, mirin, and other Asian-inspired ingredients, and taste-wise evocative of caramalized onions, Worcestershire sauce, and Chinese braising sauce. He was kind and welcoming, and made us weary travellers feel at home. He even gave us some of his homemade velvet sponge cake to bring home, which was absolutely wonderful.
All in all, Umami’s food is exactly that: umami as hell, packs a powerful punch while not trying to replicate or mimic meat-centric foods (like certain Impossible meat brands) but instead showcasing what vegan food can achieve if given access to homemade ingredients, fresh produce, and a whole lot of love. If you’re in Heraklion and are looking for a good meal that showcases a whole different side of Greek cuisine, then Umami is a must try.
The owner of the place has become an expert at putting together the best flavours. He uses fresh produce, and everything he does tastes amazing. The menu has vegan, vegetarian, and some dishes with salmon and chicken. I tried the avocado toast with egg, and it was perfection. Also, the mushroom gyro was really good. Give this place a go. It’s worth it, and prices are really good, too.