Daruma by Oskido (Umhlanga)

We went here for mums bday, it was just the 4 of us, we booked in advance and requested to sit by the grill for the experience, it was definitely an experience. The food was good, and it was a great service. It was a bit pricey, considering that we shared a tapenyaki platter and starters. The platter, however, was enough for the 4 of us. Overall, it was a great experience if you wanted to try out the hibachi experience.

Sure! Here’s a review you could post: ⸻ Daruma Umhlanga – Superb Food, but Service Falls Short I recently dined at Daruma Umhlanga and have mixed feelings about the experience. The food was undoubtedly superb—every bite felt carefully crafted. I especially enjoyed the sushi; although a bit above average in price, the quality justified the splurge. The fried egg rice was slightly oily but packed with flavour and paired perfectly with the crispy chicken panko. However, the service left much to be desired. The staff seemed sluggish and lacked the warmth and attentiveness you’d expect at a restaurant of this calibre. Once our orders were placed, the menus were taken away, and it felt like we vanished off their radar. There was no follow-up, no chance to order anything further, and getting the bill was almost a mission in itself. To top it off, the usual visit or check-in from a manager—something you’d expect during a sit-down meal—never happened. All in all, if you’re going just for the food, it’s a win. But if you value a complete dining experience with attentive service, you might leave feeling a bit down.

Lovely atmosphere and great experience to sit at the chef's table as they prepare your meal in front of you. The teppanyaki was really good but the lamb was overcooked. Service was very good.

I recently had dinner here and my girlfriend and I had a great night, I would recommend sitting at the teppanyaki station for the best experience. The food was delicious and my GF said the salmon was the best she has ever tasted. Will definitely return.

We had a great experience at Daruma in Umhlanga. Our waitress Wandile was friendly and helpful, and our teppanyaki chef Melusi cooked our food perfectly right in front of us. We ordered the teriyaki chicken with vegetables and egg fried rice, and everything was fresh, tasty, and cooked just right. The whole experience was fun and enjoyable. We’ll definitely be back.