Umami Global Bistro Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Catonsville for healthy meals suggestion.

  • Danny C.

    This is my first time going to Frederick Road on my own and since it was my day off yesterday, I decided to go to numerous places there before dropping lunch off at my brother's work. This place was the first because I love Mediterranean foods and I heard this place takes a while to cook their food according to some Yelpers here. Thanks fellow Yelpers! :) I ordered their Falafel Flatbread, Chicken and Beef Schwarma and the Lamb Gyro. They said it'll take 20-30 minutes. Perfect! I walked to some nearby places (Reviews coming after this!) and came back in about 25 minutes. The food still wasn't ready so I went to a place I didn't have bookmarked then came back again. Food was ready! It took about 30-35 minutes for the food to get done. Mind you, all of the place's tables were filled with people so I understood. I drove to my brother's work which took about 20 minutes and decided to try out the Lamb Gyro. It was fantastic. The gyro was packed with tender and juicy lamb and the bread was a bit chewy, which I love. I gave the Chicken and Beef Schwarma to my brother and another worker so I don't know how it tasted. I did have half of the Falafel Flatbread and it was different. When people say Falafel, I automatically think fried balls of chickpeas and spices. I'm sure many others think the same! But maybe I'm wrong to always think of it that way. Maybe I'm slightly ignorant when it comes to Falafel? :( Anyways, the flatbread had hummus on it. Maybe some people call Hummus, Falafel and vice versa? Either way it was pretty good. Just not what I was expecting lol. Definitely a good place to eat at if you're around the area.

    (4)
  • Christina S.

    Was looking forward to eating here and was not disappointed! Located on the main street through the heart of Catonsville. The owner was very nice and gave us falafels on the house as first time customers. Had the chicken tikka and the base sauce was delicious! And since it's supposed to be a healthy version, no dark meats were used. Portions were good--i wasn't uncomfortably full after our meal, which is also a healthy thing. What I didn't to expect to enjoy was the green dressing (?cilantro-based) that was on the side salad. Yummy! I also had the chai tea, but without my usual Splenda, as they only offer natural sugar. Looking forward to try their seasonal Sunday brunch befire they transition to their farmer's market stand!

    (4)
  • Sean F.

    Great little find ( thanks yelp!). The food and service was excellent. Some of the best falafel I have ever had. Grape leaves (dolmas) were delicious. Lamb kabob was delicious. They were very accommodating that we were there for a birthday party and had brought cake. So nice. Will definitely be back!

    (5)
  • Rod K.

    Great, little Bistro in downtown Catonsville. The menu has some great selections that will spark your interest. Greek salad is very tasty & makes for a great lunch. Whatever you try I'm sure it will satisfy the taste buds. Prices are reasonable and the food is done well. Good to have a place like this in the area. Try it, you'll like it!

    (4)
  • Allison B.

    Absolutely amazing food. My favorite place in town. Chef Rehan is a genius. It's the best rice I've ever had. He also supports local businesses and carries locally made juice and popsicles. Everything I've had there is amazing.

    (5)
  • Kathryn C.

    Great addition to Catonsville. Nice to have a different takeout option in the area. We tried the beef kabob platter, a shawarma chicken, and chicken tikka flatbread. Everything was amazing. I recommend all 3. Chicken on the flatbread was very generous. Spice and flavor was right on the mark- flavorful, a bit spicy, but not overwhelming. Can't wait to go back and tell all our friends!

    (5)
  • Yoo-Jin K.

    After reading reviews on Yelp I thought I would go an try Umami and I was not disappointed! The Falafel sandwich was on point! Obviously made fresh with quality ingredients. The menu is diverse and is awesome for vegetarian friends! Overall, I would recommend! Yum!

    (4)
  • Emily L.

    There's a certain kind of hungry that only happens when you've arrived back home after a long trip. The house was a mess, I didn't even want to open the fridge, and it had been almost 24 hours since our last actual meal (unless you count crackers on the plane. I don't.) So I headed to Umami. I was the only one there mid-afternoon on a Tuesday, and the owner/chef really rolled out the red carpet. I had asked for half hummus / half baba ganoush, which he initially said they couldn't do, but then brought me a full plate of each and only charged me for one. I also ordered a hibiscus iced tea, which he brought in addition to a cup of iced mango chai on the house. I had a falafel salad, too; I think my total for all that was around $15, so very reasonable. I took lots home. While I waited (which wasn't long, and it was nice to know the falafel were prepared to order) I watched the flat-screen TV in the nicely-furnished cafe area. Ina Garten made me even hungrier with tantalizing shots of homemade pesto and marinara. It made me wonder why other restaurants don't screen cooking shows: who wants to watch sports commentary or reality TV while you're eating a delicious meal, anyway? The food was all quite good. The baba ganoush was not quite as smoky as I like it, but full of fresh flavor. The hummus was incredible: I never would have ordered red pepper hummus, but I was pleasantly surprised. The red pepper complemented but didn't overwhelm the notes of garlic and lemon. The falafel was spicy inside and crispy outside; I'm really picky about my falafel, but I felt it was a little too heavy and wet inside, and I could also taste the oil. I like it to be lighter, with brighter herbal notes. It was also served with tzatziki, a Greek yogurt sauce, instead of the classic Middle Eastern tahini sauce. Delicious, just not what I would expect. The salad itself was probably the low point: the tomatoes were not ripe and the lettuce was plain old romaine, with too many ribs and not enough green. In terms of flavor, I'd say it's a Middle Eastern / Afghan hybrid, so the Global name rings true. I really prefer true Middle Eastern, but I would return to try their kebabs and curries, which looked delicious, once I'm eating meat again. I had a great conversation with Rehan, the owner / chef, while I ate -- he's very passionate, dynamic and energetic. I really hope this place makes it. Catonsville could use some diversity!

    (3)
  • Rebecca A.

    Loved it here! The owner is personable and inviting. He gave us a complimentary hummus bowl for no good reason. I had the lamb gyro and my husband had the Tikka Masala. Both very good! Everything seems homemade and fresh. Even the salad dressing was from scratch. The pita type gyro bread is homemade and heavenly. I know we will definitely be back. Proud to have Umami in Catonsville.

    (4)
  • Cam C.

    Tried Umami for the first time a few months ago and have been here at least eight times since. Everything I've tried has been delicious and my favorite so far has been the lamb and spinach flatbread. I love that the calorie counts are listed on the menu and that the meats are organic/grass fed.

    (5)
  • Mallory C.

    Wow, what a disappointment. After reading a lot of great reviews, I was excited to try this restaurant. My husband and I went and although it wasn't terrible, it was far from good. The girl at the counter was not pleasant. I told her it was our first time there, and she kind of gave us a sarcastic attitude and didn't tell us anything about the ordering process or food or anything, just kind of a "So?" eye roll and left us to kind of figure it out ourselves. The food wasn't good. My husband got the falafel sandwich. We've had falafel at many restaurants, since it's one of our favorite dishes, and this was the worst we've ever tried. Flavorless, flat, boring. I ordered the curry shrimp, since it's one of their Specialties, and I couldn't finish the dish. The shrimp were teeny tiny, and tasted as if they came straight from a plastic bag in a freezer. I couldn't taste ANY curry, at all. The shell of mozzarella cheese on top was extremely unappealing. I also ordered the Mango Chai Iced Tea, since it sounded delicious, and it was gross. Very, very sugary. I'm not a fan of giving bad reviews, but with how very disappointed we were, I don't really have a choice.

    (1)
  • Jimmy C.

    Awesome shish kabob! We ended up eating there 3 days in a row. Fantastic food. Really enjoyed the chicken tikka masala. Felafel . Chicken schwarma..... A must go for all.

    (5)
  • Nate V.

    If you're looking for authentic food and friendly staff look no further. Hands down the best qorma lamb! The hummus and falafel is a must!!! You will not be disappointed. Rehan has a lot of pride in what he does and it shows with every dish that comes out of the kitchen. Will definitely be back!

    (5)
  • Pratip C.

    Had great expectations with the reviews listed for this place. It was absolutely not worthy of even 3 stars. Very mediocre. Babaghanoush was kinda gross. Hummus and falafels were barely edible. Kabobs had no flavor except for salt and pepper.... so if you like straight meat flavor...then you would be happy. Still in search of good mediterranean food in the Columbia/Elkridge/Ellicott City area. Yelpers...you let me down!

    (1)
  • David K.

    Great place! Good, fresh food. Good meat, good vegetarian options too. It's not fancy, but the prices are reasonable and the chef/owner is friendly and sincere. One of our favorite places. Rehan, in case you read this: You asked for feedback about the new lamb chops. They were very tasty; nice grilled flavor, good seasonings. However, my family said they preferred the lamb kebabs. I think it's mostly because of the bones in the lamb chops. We don't eat a lot of meat, and frankly, if you had Lamb McNuggets, they would prefer those; they'd like neat, easy bites over a better cut of meat. Me, I thought the lamb chops were tastier than the kebabs, but not by a huge amount; I like the kebabs too.

    (4)
  • Shannon C.

    I was just passing through, and came here bc of yelp reviews touring vegan+gluten-free+no hormone catchwords. Food was ok. Service was not bad, just kind of unwelcoming. Side note: Employee pronounced gyro as a "jee-ro." If I'd heard that first before ordering, I'd have headed out the door.

    (2)
  • Yolanda S.

    Ate lunch here for the first time, and I will be returning. I had the Syrian Style Lamb Qorma, and it was delicious. I received 7-8 chunks of fresh boneless lamb cooked well enough to be done, with a hint of pink in the center, but still tender. The lamb was in a bowl swimming in a mildly spicy tomato broth. The meat was served with a plate of rice, naan and lightly dressed house salad of lettuce tomatoes and onions. The portion size was a generous for lunch and comparable for the price. The place is small (6 2 person tables), but it is clean and they try to create a little ambiance with some beautiful wire screens separating the seating area from the waiting area, and fresh flowers in the flower bed outside the window. But there is only so much they can do facing Frederick Rd. The service was fine - did not stand out either way. But the food will definitely have me coming back.

    (4)
  • kat s.

    The falafel sandwich was good and the fries were perfect. However, the young lady who took our order behind the counter, though helpful, could not have seemed less enthused to be there. Maybe a smile once in awhile will make you feel better?

    (4)
  • Stephen A.

    This place is AWESOME. The food is outstanding and affordable and always consistently fresh and exciting. The Chef/Owner is a super nice guy who is always accomidating to your order and also always trying new dishes. Can't recommend this place enough. Support this Catonsville gem!

    (5)
  • Jess E.

    Umami is absolutely my favorite restaurant in the area, and I completely agree with Alexandra P.'s review - everything on the menu is made with high quality ingredients and care, I've never had anything that was less than delicious, and Rehan is a jewel - very engaged, creative, really interested in customer input, and a nice guy to just chat with. A couple of times he's asked me to try something new on the menu and tell him what I think, and I'm always happy to comply because I know it's going to be great! It's been so cool to see how he's gradually evolving the physical space too. I love his babaghanoush, lamb qorma, every flatbread I've tried, and the sampler for two is a fantastic spread. It's true that this isn't a good place to go if you need to grab your meal and go in 5 minutes, but it's not a fast food restaurant. And you can rest assured that you're waiting because the food is being prepared as it should be, not just tossed on a plate and microwaved. If I had more money to eat out I'd probably be at Umami a couple of times a week!

    (5)
  • Adrienne K.

    I was looking forward to trying Umami since I'd heard about it recently. It was delicious! The falafel sandwich was moist and flavorful, baklava and baba ganoush were delicious, and the lamb kabob was cooked perfectly! We also spoke to the delightful owner/chef for several minutes about the food and business. Great, neighborhood feel. Our food was done in about 10 - 15 minutes, and portions were generous. Umami offers a welcoming, homey ambiance and a much needed cuisine in Catonsville!

    (5)
  • Jill R.

    Umami is a nice addition to the fairly recent proliferation of decent Catonsville dining spots. I've eaten there twice; the first time I had the flatbread w/ curry shrimp (kind of like a pita bread pizza), and the second time I had the falafel sandwich and also tried a bit of my friend's lamb gyro. All were tasty & satisfying, but it would be nice if the sandwiches (which are not terribly large) came with a side of something--tabouli salad, perhaps? A few stuffed grape leaves? They could take a cue from Nora's kabob on Rt. 40 in Ellicott City, which serves similar food w/ a bit more attention to aesthetic appeal--it's pretty bare bones at Umami, including the virtually non-existent ambience. It's not some place that inspired lingering, but maybe that's the intention?

    (4)
  • E K.

    Definitely going back! Organic products, local produce and meat. Authentic food prepared by the owner/chef from his native country, along with a blend of cuisines. The falafel were to die for. Obviously handmade with delicious spices. You could tell that the tabouli was very freshly made. The parsley/couscous ratio was just perfect. This restaurant uses good quality extra virgin olive oil. The beef kefta kabob (ground beef with spices) was shockingly good for a small, local restaurant. Even the rice that came with the kabob could have been bland but instead was cooked to perfection (al dente) with its own delicious blend of mild seasoning. Our entire meal (falafel, tabouli, kabob, apple chai iced tea) for two came to $26 and we were too full to eat all of the salads, which came home with us. We feel like we really got our money's worth in quality and quantity. The owner and his staff were very friendly and provided ceramic dinnerware instead of foam or plastic. The owner told us he is planning to make the small dining area feel a bit more formal, including metal silverware in the place settings. We would like to see table cloths, but we know that sometimes that is an unreasonable cost. As far as timing, our food was out efficiently, with each course coming almost perfectly on time. Our previous pick-up experience proved to be the same, with an average pick-up time of around 15 minutes. It is not a full-service dining area. You first order at the counter, choose your table, acquire your silverware, and your food is brought out to you. We bussed our own table, but were not sure we really had to. All in all, it's a delicious start-up and a wonderful local business to support.

    (4)
  • Kaela B.

    Really good food! I keep coming back here because the food is so good and the location is so close. There is a variety of dishes on the menu that I've tried, but I have to say my favorite is the Mediterranean pizza. They also serve a mango chai iced tea which was amazing! There's a number of small dishes on the menu that I would recommend as well. The owner is very friendly; and greets you as you walk in. The actual restaurant is pretty small, but I've seen large parties fit in the space before. I'll definitely be back in the future.

    (4)
  • Melissa K.

    It was only ok. I thought the prices were high for the portions. And the food a bit bland.

    (3)
  • Patty W.

    My fiance and I have been repeat customers ever since we first went there just a few months ago. He fell in love with the falafel and I cannot blame him. It is the best I have ever had. They are light and airy inside and crispy on the outside. Yesterday we stopped in as we were looking for a light and tasty meal and we were pleased to see that they now provide a sampler platter. It contains the famous falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, your choice of meat or veggie kabob and fresh warm naan. It can be a meal in itself. I have read some of the more negative reviews and I am not sure what they are used to, but the prices are reasonable for what you receive and all the dishes I have tried were flavorful and made with care. Yes, it might take a little more time than going to McDonalds, but it is worth it. Besides, you CAN call ahead and place your order if you are short on time. We also have a great time talking food with the restaurant owner/head chef Rehan. Yesterday during our conversation it came out we both enjoy a middle eastern type of rice pudding. He decided then and there to make some and serve it as a special for today. Needless to say we had to stop in and try it. It was just like I remembered when I lived in the Middle East. Live a little and stop by Umami's, you will not be disappointed.

    (5)
  • Katie K.

    Like the last reviewer, I really hope this place makes it b/c the food is fresh and delicious. I had the lamb gyro and it was so yummy, I can't wait to go back and have another! My husband had the lamb korma (sp?) which was also very good and came with a generous portion of rice, salad, and the best bread ever. The korma sauce, the spicy sauce on the gyro and the salad dressing were all especially tasty. The restaurant is clean, the service is friendly and you can bring your own wine or beer. So why only 4 stars? In a place where you order food at the counter for sit down or take out, you expect it to be quicker. Not fast food but somewhere in between. We thought it was slow and a customer who had ordered pizza for take out complained while we were there. In retrospect, I realize that the food was so good BECAUSE it was freshly cooked and I am willing to wait for good food. However, it might be good to give people a heads up about the timing via a note of some sort? I have seen this in other restaurants and think it definitely helps to squelch impatience. Luckily, we ordered an appetizer because we were really hungry (by the way, the falafel was also great - crispy outside and almost creamy inside unlike the dried out versions you usually get). The young girl behind the counter was obviously new and while she was pleasant enough, a more enthusiastic front person might offset the overall experience of a little too laid back. So in summary: GO. Be prepared to wait. The food is worth it!

    (4)
  • Mariam A.

    This restaurant has something for everyone - from vegetarian options to deep fried options. The customer service is excellent - I was torn between two different dishes so the proprietor bright me out some falafel for free to try with the lamb gyro I ordered. Their meets are all cruelty free, and their produce is local- from the farmers market. Best of all, the prices are very affordable.

    (5)
  • Heidi F.

    Really enjoyed the flavors that was packed into my grilled shrimp wrap with vegetables and hummus. The staff is plesent and attentive. Excited to try the main dishes and flat breads. Resturant offers a lot, so excited to have them In the area!

    (5)
  • Fat T.

    We ordered a salad, few entrees and got some frozen fruit bars. Everything just ok. One of the few times yelpers let me down.

    (3)
  • Muslimah A.

    I love this place! You can tell the chef puts a lot into his craft. The portion sizes are generous, but not overwhelming. The flavors are robust and authentic. We shared the sampler for two with our two young daughters and it was more fan enough. The fresh handmade picnic pops were a nice after dinner treat!

    (5)
  • Amy F.

    This is a great gem in Catonsville. The food is great, and Rehan's commitment to his food and customers is amazing. Food is cooked-to-order, and portion sizes are generous. We have ordered catering from Umami for a couple parties and have never been disappointed.

    (5)
  • Frank G.

    Fantastic! The chicken tikka was great - a different twist to the traditional heavy yogurt based Indian style.

    (5)
  • Rachel M.

    I have cravings for Umami at least once a week. Love this place! Sometimes it can be a little crazy at the cash register because of phone orders and new hirers. But I'm glad to see they are busy and giving young folks job opportunities.

    (5)
  • Devin A.

    This place is pretty damn good, and it's close to my home so that's even better. The Baba Ghanoush and pita is always a favorite. The Sampler for 2 is a great deal. You get rice, baba ghanoush, two types of sides (meat, veggie, etc), rice, grape leave wraps and salad... for around $28. You need to try this place if you want some good Mediterranean food at a great price!

    (4)
  • Amanda A.

    My friend and I went there on a Sunday. Pros: The food was OK. We got the sample platter, which was a great deal. Falafals were interesting but delicious (we think there was avocado in them). Everything else was just OK. I liked how the rice was spicy. The place is cute and good location. Mango Chai Iced Tea was amazing!!!! Cons: The only real problem here is that we waited a really long time for our food, and it's not like the place is too fancy. The food and everything would be fine, but the long wait wasn't that great.

    (3)
  • Natasha G.

    I stopped by here with a few others when there was a huge traffic jam on I-95 South. After searching online for a decent lunch place, "global bistro" caught my eye, and I'm glad we swung by! When you enter this place, your eyes immediately go to the shiny, jewel-adorned metal screens next to the tables. They are pretty and add some flair. You go up to the counter, order food, sit down, and someone will bring your food to you. We got the sampler for two with the veggie kabobs, an iced mango chai, and a hot chai. The sampler was a filling meal for the three of us; the girl told us even four people could eat it. That would be true for two adults and two children. The pita bread was plentiful, and the flavors were traditional. I truly enjoyed the falafel because it wasn't overly fried and you could see the chickpeas inside. The veggies, in my opinion, were overly salted, but they were nicely grilled. The rice was well made, and the hummus and baba ghanoush were fine. The drinks were pretty tasty! If you're looking for a simple sit down meal with diverse flavors, you should check this place out. It seemed popular for take out orders as well. The menu has many different items, but I was surprised to not see any Oriental items except for a tempura fish sandwich. The name of the restaurant doesn't lend itself to have a Mediterranean and Indian-inspired menu; instead, I think of other Asian countries. I was also confused on the menu pricing because some of it did not match online prices. On the positive side, the girl who we interacted with was very sweet and helpful. She was very approachable. The restaurant itself was clean, and I liked the solid flatware and dishes. The place doesn't look too fancy from the outside, so you may expect paper plates/cutlery. You will be proven wrong! There is free parking next door and two-hour limit meters in front which is great. Bottom line: if you find yourself in this area by chance, it won't hurt to eat at this place!

    (4)
  • Christine K.

    I was so happy to stumble upon this cute little cafe with diverse options. (hard to find in Catonsville!) The owner was so nice - we ended up talking about our favorite Middle Eastern dishes and then he gave me free falafel and a student discount!

    (4)
  • Amanda S.

    I reaaally wanted to like this place, but I just didn't. First, the good: it's not too expensive and the restaurant is pretty and cozy. And it offers what seems like very fresh and healthy food on the main street of Catonsville, which is rare. Only problem is, I think the "healthy" part is overtaking the flavor. Everything tasted bland to us. It seemed like the falafal may have been baked instead of fried, which is probably better for you but will just never taste as good in my opinion. The sauces all tasted like they could use more salt at least, but more flavor overall would have made our experience much better.

    (2)
  • Puneet M.

    Had very high expectations for Umami. The reviews and such were good and I am always on the look out for great food. So my SO and a couple friends decided to give it a try. Umami is a order at the counter, sit down and they will bring your food out to you type of place. We looked over the menu and all decided on what to do get... my SO and I ordered one of there large specials, which contains everything from hummus to falafal to kabobs to grape leaves... we were hungry! and we wanted fed! lol Our friends ordered something similar... oh yeah they come with salads as well. The amount of food that we ordered was massive so we all expected the food to take a good bit of time... especially since the restaurant had started to get busy... a good sign on a Wed night, so our interest was peaked. The food came out almost too quick, the salad came out within 2-3 mins and the food right after that... so two huge platters out in less than 5 mins... hmmm small red flag but our hunger was screaming at us to dive right in... and that we did! We started with the salad... it was nice mix but still your standard salad. The dressing, I was hoping was a step above the rest... it was ok at best... it is an oil based dressing so you have to mix it very well and will most likley need to add salt and pepper. So salad was blah... but on to the main course... the platter... it comes out with grape leaves, falafal, chickpeas, chicken kaboob, hummus and bhabbghouh and rice... so a huge platter right! I dove right in and the first tastes were ok, the hummus nice and creamy but lacked any real flavor, same with the bhabbagoush. Moving on the the grape leaves and falafal, the only bright spot was the falafal... it was crispy and flavorful but the grape leaves were hard, not really tasty and I felt has though they had been sitting out for some time. Ok, but on to the kaboob right... I was holding out hope that kabob would steal the show! It did not! it sank the ship... the chicken was not tasty, very tough and pretty dry all at once... literally felt like the chicken had been sitting out for sometime under a lamp... it was chewy and tasteless and I was severally disappointed by not only the kabob but everything on the platter. So overall, I had high hopes for Umami, but they didn't come close to meeting those hopes and everything really tasted as it had been left out all day and just put together when ordered... not really freshly made. I hold out hope that this was a random occurrence but It will be hard for me to come back after such a dismal experience. Try Umami if you dare, and hope you have a better experience than we did... Cheers!

    (2)
  • Amanda S.

    We had the sampler for 2 and it was wonderful. There was a ton of food and it was all delicious. We also got the mango tea and it was great too. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

    (5)
  • Laura B.

    Great fresh food! I just came in here for lunch for the first time and am so glad I did! i love Greek salad and get it pretty much everywhere, but this is one of the best! The dressing is a lovely herb vinaigrette that was fresh and delightful. I topped it with a grilled spiced rubbed salmon- yummy! My friends also loved their food. The staff was really friendly too! I can't wait to go back!

    (5)
  • Angie L.

    This place is great!!!! Stopped there today for the first time and will absolutely be back. Two of us ate lunch for about $30 and were completely stuffed when we left. Not only did the food taste fabulous but it was clean eating. Good for you food.

    (5)
  • Rob N.

    Stopped into Umami for this first time this afternoon for lunch. The menu's a mix of American and Turkish-Mediterranean with some crossover between the two - today's special lamb meatball sub with red pepper sauce, for instance. I got a chicken tikka kabob, which comes with rice, a small side salad, and plenty of pita/naan bread for $9.99. The chicken was seasoned mildly, but with flavor, and cooked well. A lot of places overcook and dry out their kabobs, and Umami doesn't - nicely charred on the outside and tender/juicy on the inside. The bread was hot, crisp on the outside, and lightly brushed with butter. The rice was fluffy and generously seasoned with garam masala or an equivalent mix. Oh - by way of warning, the chicken's tasty because it's bone-in. You will have to remove the meat from the bone if you want to fold it and some rice into a wedge of bread for eating. The aforementioned meatball sandwich would have been better if they had gone crossover all the way and served it wrapped in a hot pita rather than on a sub roll. Still, the meatballs were tender and not at all dry. The sauce did make the roll a little over-soggy though. Drinks are from the fridge in bottles and cans - a limited selection of Coke products and some bottled water. Some Orangina or Limonata would be nice once you get your sea legs, guys - just sayin'. On the strength of the kabob meal alone, I'd go back. I want to try their shawarma and falafel, too. I'm just a little curious why they picked a name more associated with Japanese cuisine. UPDATE: Had the falafel sandwich, and left satisfied. Lettuce, tomato, cucumber, spicy pickle, and tzatziki sauce are piled on top of falafel patties that are crisp on the outside and moist on the inside. If you're used to the drier falafel-pucks that are more common, you might be surprised. These were seasoned nicely, with a decent quantity of fresh herbs as well. Everything was wrapped in a warm pita/naan bread that had been crisped up on the grill. Thumbs up! UPDATE UPDATE: Beef shawarma sandwich was almost as good as the falafel. Though, it is more of a grilled kabob style than thin-sliced meat. Oddly, this is one time where I prefer the veggie option over the carnivorous. You can, however, get chicken shawarma if you like.

    (4)
  • NK B.

    Nice real fresh food and healthy too! Lamb korma was awesome!!

    (4)
  • Chelsea L.

    I've been wanting to check out this place for a while because of their advertising saying the have gluten free and no growth hormones added to their meat. I order on a Tuesday evening and my food came out in a timely manner. I got a lamb gyro, which may be the best I've ever had. The the meat was very tender, juices, flavorful and in chucks rather than thin slices like deli meat that some of gyros have. It was a little over $8, and for that price of the sandwich alone, I wish it was a tad bigger, but the quality can't be beat and I look forward to going again!

    (5)
  • Christa K.

    Love love love Umami! Really delicious, healthy, very affordable food! Vegetarian & gluten-free options for my husband & I. The Owner is extremely kind & passionate about cooking, his customers, & healthy living/eating. He even remembered we had just been married & brought us a yummy dessert in celebration the next time we were in. He is always coming up with fun new menu items. Also recommend checking out Umami at Catonsville Farmers Market on Sunday mornings!

    (5)
  • Kristi P.

    Decided to place an order for pick up today and it was the worst pick up experience I've ever had. Call at 12 noon to order a chicken kabob platter. Was told it would be ready in 10-15 minutes. I get there 10 minutes later and pay. I Wait.. Wait.. and wait some more. The people who were in line when I got there have their food coming out. FINALLY at 12:42 my 10-15 minute to go order comes out just as I was waiting in line to ask for my money back. Chicken was dry (very different from my last experience) and not worth the ridiculous wait. My new favorite spot isn't so great anymore. Apology from the staff? Explanation? Nope.

    (2)
  • naseem t.

    I was so excited to try this place, based on the good reviews, and the existence of one of my all time favorite foods, shawarma, on the menu. I'm sorry to say that my limited, but my interaction with a staff member named Sarah who had a surprisingly bad attitude left a sour taste in my mouth. I enjoyed the fries that came with my shawarma, found that the vegetables were not fresh, so made the sandwich a little slimy. With such positive reviews and my love for food from the Mediterranean region, I'm inclined to go back and hope Sarah has been relieved.

    (2)
  • Ursula L.

    This small restaurant in the middle of Catonsville was a pleasant surprise for us. I ordered the falafel flat bread and mango chair tea. My son got the kids size kabob platter which was huge for a kids option. He was happy with the chicken kabobs, salad and fries, and washed them down with a mango lasse he said was delicious. We finished off with a gluten free chocolate cake for him, and the server gave me a free vegan cupcake that was AWESOME. Service was friendly and quick. The seating area is small and mostly clean except for the floor being a bit dirty, it was perfect. Flavorful food, great service and prices, I love this place.

    (5)
  • Lynie H.

    Great amount of Mediterranean food..the sampler for 2 offers a lot of food for 2 ppl... 2 kabobs, rice, salads, hummus, baba ganoush, grape leaves, falafel, nan..they have flatbread pizzas, wrap sandwhiches, n even kampucha. The kabobs n rice came out last which I was a little disappointed about especially when we were filling up with all the other stuff. Chicken was tender but the lamb didn't seem like it was cooked all the way, it was a bit pink. The nan was hot n soft. Salad was just average salad with oil dressing. Hummus was ok, baba ganoush has a smokey flavor. The falafels were good little balls with nice crispy outside. All in all was good enough n not too terrible a place.

    (3)
  • C.W. O.

    Yummy! Really Yummy! Small place with 10 2-tops, mellow music playing, and beautiful waitresses in yoga pants. Everything I've eaten here is fantastic. Bright and complex flavors on a colorful plate. My only gripe is the mango tea is a tad too sweet.

    (5)
  • Mzmz A.

    This is my first time at this place and I tried the chicken sheesh kabab. I liked my dish, it is really good and clean food !

    (5)
  • Theresa N.

    The food is always fresh and delicious. Rehan, the owner, is constantly thinking of new ideas to make Umami Global Bistro feel new and exciting. Check out the specials which change frequently.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : No
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Dogs Allowed : No
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : Yes

Umami Global Bistro

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