Umbra - Melbourne

"Umbra" is shrouded in darkness or shadow. At Umbra, we are enthusiastic about all things plant-based that thrive in shaded areas. Nutrient-rich plants form the foundation of our satisfying dishes and signature cocktails, all crafted to tantalize the taste buds and kickstart a flavorful journey. We invite you to savor the Umbra experience and unwind in our tranquil ambiance. The Umbra team. Updated review as of 2022-05-21.

We tried a variety of dishes among the three of us, and all were delicious. The standout was the rich and flavorful mushroom pate, but the fresh potato crisps, jackfruit bao, and chickpea croquettes with Romesco sauce were also tasty, despite being a bit crumbly. The cocktails were expertly crafted and beautifully presented, ranging from the mellow and spicy Cherry With a Twist to the fresh and slightly nutty Grower's Daughter. I made the mistake of ordering a Berry Berry Good cocktail without realizing it contained lavender vodka, but overall, it was a fantastic dining experience.

We stumbled upon this bar by chance and were pleasantly surprised to find another vegetarian restaurant that also serves cocktails. We returned a few days later and discovered that while the menu is not entirely vegan, there are plenty of options available. We tried the storms, mushroom organic, crispy calamari, and tofu tacos (some of which had to be ordered specifically vegan). All of the dishes were delicious, with the spicy bao being a standout. The limelight cocktail with chartreuse and elderflower was fantastic, as was the vodka and blueberry cocktail, which was a bit sweeter but still very good. The staff were lovely and attentive, although as the bar had just opened, there were some minor hiccups like the card machine not working. The prices for the tapas style dishes were reasonable and we look forward to returning in the future.

This restaurant has really stepped up its game since my last visit. It was crowded when we arrived and we were lucky to snag the last table. The interior has been beautifully updated with front seating and a video projection, and the decor is as stunning as ever. The menu has completely changed and is now entirely vegan. However, the beverage menu still offers non-vegan options like yellow Chartreuse and Chambord, which contain honey. Among the three of us, we tried a few dishes, all of which were good to very good. The standout was the rich and incredibly delicious mushroom pate, but the super fresh potato wedges, Jackfruit-Bio, and (though slightly crumbly) chickpea croquettes with tasty Romesco sauce were also quite delicious. The cocktails were expertly crafted and beautifully presented, ranging from a milky, spicy cherry with a twist, to a surprising gin concoction, and a fresh (especially for a rum drink) yet slightly nutty Grower's Daughter made with Frangelico. I made the mistake of ordering a Berry Berry Good, not realizing it contained Lavender Vodka.