UMI Sushi & Cocktail is the most unexpected restaurant in Himara — a rooftop sushi-and-cocktail bar in a town otherwise defined by grilled fish and tavernas. It sits on Rruga 2 Dhjetori with the Ionian in view, times its happy hour to golden hour, and pours local Chimara beer alongside the sushi. If you've been deep in seafood-and-souvlaki territory all week and want a stylish, modern night out, UMI is the change of register. This is a review of who it's really for and how to use it.
Quick Take
| Info | |
|---|---|
| Type | Sushi bar + cocktail bar, rooftop |
| Location | Rruga 2 Dhjetori, Himarë (rooftop, Ionian Sea views) |
| Price range | Moderate–upscale for Himara |
| Best for | Sunset cocktails, sushi, a stylish dressier evening |
| Known for | Rooftop Ionian views, sushi + cocktails, golden-hour happy hour, Chimara beer |
| Hours | Evening-focused (open into the night) |
| Happy hour | Roughly early evening, timed to sunset |
| Why go | The only rooftop sushi-and-cocktail experience in town |
What It Is — and Who It's For
UMI is a sushi bar and cocktail bar with a rooftop terrace, blending Japanese plates with an Ionian sunset. The design leans minimalist-Japanese with coastal touches, the cocktails are the work of a proper bar program, and the whole place is oriented toward the evening and the view. It also does a nice local touch — pouring Chimara beer, the handcrafted lager brewed in Himara itself — so even the "modern import" restaurant keeps a foot in the local scene.
This is for travelers who want a stylish night out rather than a traditional taverna meal — sunset cocktails on a rooftop, a few sushi rolls, and a bit of atmosphere. It's a natural date-night or special-evening spot. If you want classic Albanian-Greek coastal food, you're better off at a taverna like Taverna Lefteri or Taverna Pirosia; UMI is deliberately a different lane.
What to Order
The dual identity — sushi and cocktails — is the whole point, so order across both:
- Sushi & specialty rolls — the core menu, fresh fish given the Japanese treatment
- Signature cocktails — the bar program is a genuine draw; classics like mojitos and Moscow mules feature, made properly
- Chimara beer — the local handcrafted lager, a nice pairing with sushi and a way to drink local
- Happy hour drinks — the early-evening special is timed to golden hour; this is the smart window
The ideal order is a couple of rolls and a cocktail timed to sunset — that's the experience UMI is built to deliver, and the happy hour makes it the best-value way to do it.
Price and Value
UMI runs moderate-to-upscale by Himara standards — sushi and a cocktail program cost more to run than a grill, and the rooftop setting carries a premium. It's not extravagant, but it's a step above the casual tavernas and grill houses. The value play is the happy hour: arriving in the early-evening window lets you enjoy the rooftop and the sunset without the full à-la-carte cocktail spend. For a special night out, regulars rate it well worth it; for everyday eating, the tavernas are cheaper.
Best Time to Visit
- Golden hour / sunset: the signature window — happy hour is timed to it, and the rooftop is at its best
- Evening into night: UMI is built for the night-out slot, not lunch
- High season (July–August): the rooftop fills on good-weather evenings; arrive earlier for a sunset-facing spot
- Shoulder season: confirm it's open before planning a special trip, as a dressier evening venue tightens its schedule outside peak summer
Walkable From Where?
UMI is on Rruga 2 Dhjetori in Himara, within the town fabric rather than out on a remote beach — so for most people staying in or around Himara center it's a walkable evening out. The rooftop position is what you're climbing for: Ionian views over the town. As with several Himara spots, dropping the address into Google Maps for the first visit saves a bit of wandering. From the town beach and central promenade it's an easy stroll.
How It Compares
- vs Fig and Olive: these are Himara's two "modern, dressier, view-led" restaurants. Fig and Olive is Mediterranean seafood on a hidden west terrace; UMI is sushi and cocktails on a rooftop. Pick UMI for the cocktail-and-sushi night, Fig and Olive for the seafood-and-sunset dinner.
- vs the tavernas: Taverna Lefteri and Taverna Pirosia are the traditional, lower-cost, local-food choices. UMI is the opposite — a modern import, more about atmosphere and cocktails than coastal tradition. Use it as the one stylish night in an otherwise taverna-heavy week.
For the full spread, see our best restaurants in Himara guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is UMI Sushi & Cocktail in Himara known for?
It's known as Himara's rooftop sushi-and-cocktail bar — Japanese plates and a proper cocktail program with Ionian Sea views. Highlights include the golden-hour happy hour and the fact that it pours local Chimara beer, the handcrafted lager brewed in Himara. It's the town's most stylish, modern night-out venue.
Where is UMI Sushi & Cocktail in Himara?
It's on Rruga 2 Dhjetori in Himara, with a rooftop terrace overlooking the Ionian Sea. It sits within the town rather than out on a remote beach, making it walkable for most people staying in or around Himara center. Use Google Maps for the first visit to find the entrance easily.
Is UMI Sushi expensive?
It runs moderate-to-upscale by Himara standards — sushi and a cocktail program cost more than a casual grill, and the rooftop setting carries a premium. It's a step above the tavernas but not extravagant. The happy hour is the value play: the early-evening window lets you enjoy the rooftop and sunset for less.
When is the best time to go to UMI?
Golden hour into sunset is the signature experience, and the happy hour is timed to it — arrive in the early evening for the best of the rooftop and the light. It's an evening venue, so don't plan a lunch around it. In peak summer, come earlier to claim a sunset-facing seat.
