Umiya Sushi to Open New Location in Lafayette

The Japanese restaurant chain will occupy the site formerly used by Drago's Seafood Restaurant.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Dining Out

Bold vector editorial illustration of a ceramic sushi dish and wooden chopsticks, symbolizing a fresh dining arrival in Lafayette. — Umiya Sushi is opening a new table-service restaurant at 3151 Johnston Street in Lafayette, replacing the former Drago's Seafood Restaurant site. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you generally look forward to new restaurant chains opening in your local area?

Umiya Sushi is planning to open a new restaurant at 3151 Johnston Street in Lafayette. The business, registered as UMIYALA LLC, will move into the building that previously housed Drago's Seafood Restaurant.

Why it matters

The new arrival brings a fresh dining option to the Midtown Lafayette commercial corridor. It replaces a notable former occupant, aiming to provide a distinct experience where customers order from a menu rather than using a buffet line.

The property is located at 3151 Johnston Street and the building will undergo 10 months of interior renovations. While not yet open, the chain typically offers items like sashimi, specialty rolls, and hibachi dishes.

The players

Umiya Sushi

A Japanese restaurant chain that originated in Texas.

UMIYALA LLC

The specific business entity registered with the Lafayette Consolidated Government to operate the new location.

Lafayette Consolidated Government

The local administrative authority responsible for handling building permits and municipal business filings.

The details

The restaurant will operate as a table-service establishment rather than a buffet. It is currently moving forward through local regulatory processes following a permit filing with the Lafayette Consolidated Government.

February 2024: Drago's Seafood Restaurant closed its doors at the location.
Ongoing: Interior renovations are expected to span approximately 10 months.

Culture Shift

The project follows a pattern of repurposing legacy hospitality sites within established high-traffic commercial zones. This shift reflects a trend of new restaurant chains capitalizing on existing infrastructure to anchor local commercial corridors.

Residents can anticipate a new option for Japanese cuisine featuring sashimi and hibachi dishes once construction concludes. The change will transform the current vacant building at the corner of Johnston Street and Doucet Road into an active eatery.

The takeaway

The transformation of this high-traffic corner aims to bring renewed dining activity to the area after the site sat vacant for months. Diners can expect a shift from the previous seafood-focused model to a menu-based Japanese dining experience.