Chef Jacqueline Chang, known professionally as Jackie Chang, has built a strong culinary career in the Atlanta dining scene, specializing in Japanese and Asian cuisine. She has held executive chef positions at...
Insights
JapaneseSushi BarSteakhouseSeafoodVegan-friendlySeafoodFine diningDinnerFine DiningCocktail Bar
Last updated: 6/29/2026, 8:20:30 PM
Key Information
Umi Buckhead is a nationally acclaimed modern Japanese restaurant located in Atlanta's thriving Buckhead food scene, adjacent to the St. Regis. It is known for its sophisticated ambiance, high-quality ingredients, and impeccable service, offering a premium dining experience.
Customers consistently praise Umi Buckhead for its incredible food quality, describing dishes like nigiri and miso soup as 'life-changing' and 'the best.' The service is frequently highlighted as excellent, with staff being friendly and attentive. The ambiance is noted as dark and intimate, which some appreciate for its moodiness, though others find it 'extremely dark and loud.' Occasional long wait times, even with reservations, are a minor point of criticism.
Additional Details
Umi offers a signature 'UMI-KASE' chef's premium tasting menu, available at the sushi bar for $225+ per guest. The restaurant is also known for its extensive dessert menu and craft cocktails.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner, due to the restaurant's popularity. Sitting at the sushi bar is a preferred option for some guests when visiting as a pair.
Awards & Recognition
Nationally Acclaimed
5
My favorite sushi restaurant period. We have been going here almost weekly for the last 7-8 years. We prefer to sit at the sushi bar when it’s just the two of us and order as much as we can eat. Our usuals include yellowtail jalapeño, miso soup, spicy tuna crispy rice & edamame. This is all then followed with sashimi, nigiri, signature nigiri and sometimes a lobster tobanyaki. Everything… and I mean EVERYTHING is AMAZING. I can honestly say I’ve never had a single thing I didn’t like or a day when anything wasn’t beyond perfect.
The only downside is that I love every single dessert and have room for only 1 or 2 each time. The chocolate kyu, angel food cake, green tea ice cream + chocolate soufflé, donut… ALL THE BEST DESSERTS. Out of all the restaurants in Atlanta- Umi’s the best.
I’ve also been to M upstairs (10000000/10) and love Himitsu as well but I wanted this review to only be for Umi.
Absolutely amazing! Kept hearing great things about this place and now I know why. Incredible service, impeccable flavors- BEST MISO SOUP IVE EVER HAD! Life-changing nigiri as well. Can't wait to be back :)
The food was incredible. We ordered the Wagu nigiri, Sake aioli nigiri, Lobster Toban-yaki, Crispy rice, seaweed salad and spider roll. For desert we got the chocolate bento box which is similar to lava cake with green tea ice cream. The Hakuto cocktail was also divine. The first three are a must!
The only downside is it’s extremely dark and loud.
Think about running a marathon. Instead of every mile getting harder, every mile is another level of flavor that you didn’t believe was possible. That is how our night went at Umi. Our experience started off rough. We had a reservation at 7pm, but were seated at 7:46. Management offered our party of 6 a free round of drinks. Our server made our experience one to remember; she engaged with us all, made us laugh, and impressed us all with her memory. She took an order of 15+ things and instead of going straight to enter it into her computer, she went to wait on another table. She may be a robot. Despite our 46 minute wait time, this restaurant’s food, service, and atmosphere deserve a 5-star. I cannot think of a better restaurant I’ve been to. The overall 4-star is due to the wait. I would go back.
This is the best sushi spot in Atlanta. The service is incredible as is the ambiance and food. The spicy tuna crispy rice was awesome andnm the rolls were all excellent.
