Somewhere Dubai Mall — Restaurant in Dubai

Another day, another lunch date in Dubai Mall working through the plethora for lunch options in the, uhm, fashionable Fashion Avenue. Somewhere opened mid-2018 with an intended broad concept. The menu opaquely refers to lines of longitude, latitude and elevation levels finally driving the concept home more plainly. The menu is “inspired by our travels, inspire us with yours”. The website invites you: “Let Us Take You Somewhere”. All this promise of being whisked away. It seems these are hints that the kitchen’s dishes are collated like the finest foragings of Ibn Battuta’s travels. Somewhere is therefore, uhm, somewhere between a Lonely Planet guide and Aladdin’s cave, or so it seems.

My waitress Jamela pleasantly sits me in ‘their library’ at my request. You can enjoy the fountains from their patio. I love the Dubai Fountains but I see them enough. The inside “library” is a pale light grey marble with a darker slate serving bar with vine tracing the joint between the ceiling and the wall. The library is elegant enough with thin shiny metallic lines, a selection of books and servers gliding around carrying salads, teas and drinks on trays. Who comes to Somewhere? Ladies who lunch based on every table in my immediate surroundings. There are families sitting together on some of the larger group tables of four and more. You could easily eat here solo (like me, always me) or in larger groups. The decor is designed to be a tranquil sanctuary from the bustling areas of Dubai Mall buried in a corner in Fashion Avenue. Despite this secluded location, Somewhere is busy at around 80% capacity at lunch time.

The menu appears, with one eye closed, to be a vague collection of international dishes with ingredients like jalapeño, both wagyu and angus beef and truffle. Of course, truffle. On closer inspection the menu clearly has a thumb on the scale towards Middle Eastern regional food spiked with premium ingredients (hello again wagyu beef and truffle) applied to dishes like batata harra (AED31-35) and fatteh (AED41-49). Other updated concoctions include guacamole hummus (AED35), shrimp kunafa (AED47) and zaatar and cheese cones (AED31). The pricing is reasonable especially for families and lunch visitors. The menu is directionally heavy though.

I order the Lime Corn Salad with lime hot charred corn, green olives, feta cheese with mixed greens (AED57) and the wagyu arayes pocket (AED41).

The lime corn salad is a hearty portion and easily enough for one person over lunch. The pocket rendered is somewhat redundant (but see below). The long shards of corn kernels and dice-sized cubes of feta are enjoyable but lost under a hedge of salad leaves. Moreover, the citrus is lacks the punchy sharpness expected and could be amplified with seasoning. The kitchen should hold back on the leaves and lean in more with the corn, feta and lime dressing. These signature elements are outnumbered. It would not take much to take this from OK to great.

The pocket is a mystery wrapped in an enigma. Two round mini quesadilla-like discs arrive. These are not “pockets” unless they mean are small enough to slip two in your jeans. A pocket implies a hollowed out pita (pita is described on the menu) stuffed with the grilled wagyu with dill, rocket leaves and tomato sauce. These mini-compact discs (shout out to that passing fad) are buried under a dumping of non-descript carb sticks like a rubble of toothpicks. Their origin is still a mystery. It could be potato, it could be anything. I say non-descript as they are not mentioned on the menu nor the creamy sauce inside the discs (mayo, labneh, garlic sauce?) The ‘pockets’ are pleasant enough but I am left unclear whether this is actually what I ordered. The dish is poorly described but the end product is pleasant.

To be clear, the food is good. The service is attentive and available at the drop of a hat. The ambience is pleasant, airy and light. Somewhere is just not exceptional and should travel some more to hone in on its true value...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5-Star Review

I’ve eaten at countless restaurants, but the service I received from Durga has truly raised the bar for what I now consider “excellent.” From the moment we were seated, Durga’s warm demeanor set a welcoming tone for the entire evening.

• Professional appearance: Durga was impeccably dressed and clearly takes pride in maintaining a polished, clean look. It instantly gave us confidence in the overall standard of the restaurant.

• Swift, seamless service: Our drink orders arrived within minutes, and Durga managed to anticipate refills before we even had to ask. Courses were perfectly timed—no awkward gaps, no rushed plates—just a smooth, well-paced experience.

• Friendly yet respectful: Durga struck the perfect balance between personable conversation and professional courtesy. They were ready with thoughtful menu suggestions, but never hovered or interrupted our table’s conversations.

• Attentive to details: From remembering our preferred spice levels to providing extra napkins right when we needed them, Durga’s attention to the small things made our meal feel personalized and effortless.

If you’re dining here, do yourself a favor and ask to be in Durga’s section. Their exceptional service turned a regular night out into something memorable. We’ll definitely be back—largely because of Durga’s outstanding hospitality!

As...

🌟 Outstanding Service by Allan at Somewhere Restaurant – Dubai Mall 🌟

I had a fantastic experience dining at Somewhere Restaurant in Dubai Mall, and what truly stood out was the exceptional service provided by Allan. From the moment we arrived, Allan greeted us with a warm smile and a genuine sense of hospitality that made us feel instantly welcome.

He was attentive, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. Allan took the time to explain the dishes, offer thoughtful recommendations, and made sure everything was perfect throughout our meal. His professionalism and positive attitude created a relaxed and enjoyable dining atmosphere.

In a city known for great service, Allan truly raised the bar. It’s rare to come across someone who not only does their job well but clearly takes pride in ensuring guests have a memorable experience.

If you’re planning to visit Somewhere Restaurant in Dubai Mall, I highly recommend asking for Allan—you’ll be in excellent...