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About
IZAKAYA UMINA
Welcome to IZAKAYA UMINA, where the vibrant heart of Japanese cuisine meets the charming ambiance of Cremorne, Sydney. Nestled at 8/255 Military Rd, this izakaya offers a captivating blend of traditional and creative dishes that will transport your palate to the bustling streets of Tokyo.
As you step into IZAKAYA UMINA, the cozy, dimly lit environment welcomes you with warmth. It's a perfect setting for casual dinners, a gathering with friends, or a romantic night out. The new design, with its wooden screens and private booths, offers both comfort and a touch of intimacy while you savor a journey through inventive Japanese flavors.
The menu at IZAKAYA UMINA is a delightful homage to the izakaya tradition, emphasizing small plates and an array of skewered delights. Signature dishes like the beef tartare paired with smoked bone marrow have garnered local acclaim, celebrated for their velvety texture and stunning presentation. Diners rave about the mixed sashimi featuring Tasmanian salmon, bluefin tuna, and hiramasa kingfish, with the tuna often cited as a standout for its incredible freshness.
For ramen lovers, the scampi ramen delivers a balanced broth that perfectly showcases the rich flavors of its namesake, with noodles cooked to perfection. Meanwhile, the tsukune chicken and pork meatballs shine with their juicy goodness and the delightful pairing of onsen egg dipping sauce—a true reflection of the izakaya's dedication to authenticity and taste.
Another highlight is the seasonal special hibachi charcoal-grilled broccolini, which tantalizes the palate against the silky backdrop of miso butter. Chef Tomoyuki Usui brings a wealth of experience to the kitchen, infusing French technique into dishes like the exquisitely presented Tasmanian octopus on cauliflower puree, ensuring you find a delightful surprise in every bite.
While the food more than holds its own, the beverage selection at IZAKAYA UMINA enhances the overall experience. Whether you're indulging in a refreshing Calpis Highball or selecting from the sake menu—highly recommended for those looking to complement their meals—there’s something for every palate.
In a landscape where dining often feels transactional, IZAKAYA UMINA stands apart, promising an engaging dining experience filled with warmth, creativity, and, most importantly, mouthwatering flavors. With rave reviews from locals and visitors alike, it’s a culinary gem beckoning you to explore the fascinating world of Japanese izakaya dining right here in Sydney.
Make a reservation or simply drop in at +61 451 331 551 to revel in the delicious offerings of IZAKAYA UMINA. Trust me, every bite is a celebration of flavor that you won’t want to miss!
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ After reading some bad reviews we were bracing ourselves but were wonderfully surprise with a fantastic atmosphere, really good service and very good food. Very impressed. Highly recommend. Conveniently close to the cinema. And nice little poor person//table booths for an intimate atmosphere with friends. ”
“ The cost of living crisis has impacted heavily on the restaurant industry. One survival strategy for fine dining chefs is making the pivot from fancy to everyday. This is just what chef Tomoyuki Usui has done in Cremorne, remaking his former French-Japanese fine diner Restaurant Plage into Izakaya Umina: a casual Japanese gastro-pub. The internal makeover has seen wooden screens break up the two-room space into booths and private dining spaces. The menu has been remade into a more drinking snack-friendly selection small plates and sticks (yakitori). Refresh your palate with cucumber sesame oil, salted kombu and bonito flakes ($7) before getting stuck into skewered proteins. Tasmanian salmon ($13/each), black Angus beef tenderloin ($18/each), and Tasmanian octopus ($13/each) all eat well, with hints of French technique creeping into the octopus presented on cauliflower puree with diced cornichons and capers. You’ll also find hints of Restaurant Place in the fried cauliflower ($16) set on eggplant and saikyo miso with yuzu and mirin, and a dusting of pea and quinoa crumbs. Chef Usui is over-skilled and over-qualified for this sort of cooking which adds up to an izakaya that over-delivers at the price point. While you could easily stop there, we made a meal of our visit by adding in sashimi ($45/15 pieces) where Tasmanian salmon was the surprising standout over scallops and hiramasa kingfish. From the weekly specials, hibachi charcoal grilled broccolini ($12) shone against silky miso-butter. Pork ribs ($19) were the only misstep, feeling over-fatty rather than expertly rendered. All is forgotten with a delightful little bowl of sake steamed pipis ($18) with soy milk and parsley. This one should prompt a dip into the sake list: the Ima Nishiki Tokubetsu Junmai ($19/150ml) with mushroom and rice notes will work quite well. A final surprise for a drink-focused food venue is that you can also BYO for $8 or $15, depending on the night. ”
“ I have written a longer blog post on this on weekend food escapes blog. Overall, I had an amazing dining experience at Izakaya Umina. Modern Japanese with fusion of French technique is simply amazing, you must check it out. I loved the signature sashimi and scampi ramen! ”
“ We are Japanese family.My favourite menu is Sashimi bowl and Ramen. Service is also nice. I had a wonderful dining experience at this Japanese izakaya. The food was incredibly delicious, and I was especially impressed by the chirashi don and ramen—my personal favorites. Both dishes were of very high quality and packed with authentic flavor. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for great Japanese cuisine. ”
“ I’m dining at Izakaya Umina tonight. If you’ve haven’t been here before, I think you should. The food was absolutely delicious. Loved every bite. Think Tokyo back-alley izakaya vibes, but with Sydney polish. Fresh, bold, and dangerously moreish. I guarantee satisfaction. Thank you Izakaya Umina ”
“ Dimly lit and comfortable setting. The pace of the food service was well spaced out. The food was decent, wouldn’t say it’s the best I’ve ever had. However, the ice cream was delicious, it had a nutty taste paired with a light cheese taste on the bottom; an exquisite combo. Would come back here again just for the ice cream. ”
“ Dinner at Izakaya Umina (Cremorne, Sydney) A cozy izakaya in Cremorne with lively vibes, dim lighting, and a menu full of inventive Japanese dishes and plenty of drink options. Perfect for a casual dinner with friends or a date night. Highlights from our meal: - Beef Tartare & Smoked Bone Marrow – the best dish of the night! Velvety Angus beef tartare was fresh and perfectly paired with smoked bone marrow. Presentation was stunning, and we ordered a second one because it was that good! - Mixed sashimi (Salmon, Blue Fin Tuna, and Hiramasa Kingfish) – blue fin tuna was the standout, incredibly fresh and tender. - Scampi ramen – full scampi flavour, light, perfectly balanced broth, and well-cooked noodles. - Tsukune chicken & pork meatballs – juicy, flavourful, and perfectly complemented by the onsen egg dipping sauce - Mayura Wagyu Flap MB9+ – steak was okay, but the sauce flavour could be improved as it tasted a bit off. Drinks - Calpis Highball – mellow sweetness of Calpis with the richness of whiskey, yet refreshingly light. ⭐ Overall Ambience: 10/10 Hospitality: 10/10 Food: 9/10 Drinks: 9/10 Value: 9/10 ”