Sumi

Sumi is a Japanese robatayaki restaurant in Shed 20 at City Works Depot, 90 Wellesley Street West, on the western edge of the Auckland CBD. It is owned and run by chef Jason Lee, and the cooking is charcoal-led — dishes are grilled over traditional binchotan charcoal, which gives the kitchen its name and its character.

The room is built around the grill. A large charcoal grill dominates the space, with a bar at one end and a sushi kitchen at the other, and the format is izakaya-style: small plates designed for sharing across a table rather than individual mains. The menu covers skewers, flame-grilled unagi, vegetable tempura and charcoal-cooked seafood.

Trading hours

Sumi is closed Mondays and runs a split lunch and dinner service:

• Tuesday to Saturday: 11.30am – 2.30pm, then 5pm – 9.30pm
• Sunday: 11.30am – 2.30pm, then 5pm – 9pm

For MICE organisers

City Works Depot is a converted industrial precinct in the CBD with on-site parking and several other hospitality tenants, which makes it straightforward for delegates to reach on foot from Victoria Street West accommodation or by car. The shared-plate izakaya format works well for team dinners and client hosting where a set menu can be served to the table, and the split trading hours mean both business lunches and evening functions are possible.

Sumi takes reservations through its own booking system, but it does not publish private dining rooms, group set menus or exclusive-hire terms. Group and private-function availability should be confirmed directly with the venue, ideally well ahead of the date — the restaurant is a well-known CBD booking and larger tables may need lead time.