Soul Kitchen Dubai — Restaurant in Dubai

This review has taken me quite some time to write, and I do so with a heavy heart I understand people in this country come here to do their job and I always try to respect that and leave more positive reviews than negative, however, I don’t think there is a single ounce of me that is capable of sharing my message without it being negative.

I walked into Soul Kitchen expecting a fun night with friends, and at first it started that way. I was there with my 1 male friend, and from what I experienced, this establishment seems to actively dislike that.

After only three drinks, I went to the bar to order my fourth. I was standing respectfully, not bothering anyone outside my friend group, when the bartender suddenly involved security. Out of nowhere, he accused me of punching a woman. I was shocked at such an outrageous and dangerous accusation. I asked which woman he was referring to, and he pointed to someone standing nearby. I approached her politely and asked if I had done anything to offend her—she was just as confused as I was and said no.

Even security backed me up, saying he had been watching me and saw that I did nothing wrong. Despite this, the bar manager insisted I had punched someone and forced security to remove me. The security guard even admitted outside that he knew I hadn’t done anything but couldn’t overrule the manager.

This experience makes it clear to me that the staff at this bar are willing to make false, damaging claims just to kick people out—especially men—so they can control the gender ratio of the crowd. That kind of behavior is not only unprofessional, but extremely dangerous.

As for everything else: • The crowd is good. • The drinks are watered down. • The food is average. • The staff is easily the worst I’ve ever experienced at any bar, anywhere in the world.

If you’re considering coming here, I would strongly advise you to...

It’s a shame, really. The food and music were genuinely good, but everything else was so badly handled it completely ruined the vibe of the evening. We were seated at 8:30 on a Saturday night, and it took 30 minutes just to get someone to take our order. Once the food arrived (reasonably quick), the chaos began: waiters swarming every few minutes, trying to grab plates and glasses we hadn’t finished yet, elbows dipping into our food like it was some kind of interactive performance art. Drinks whisked away half-full, constant interruptions of “would you like more?”, while trying to sell the priciest drinks with no option to see a menu, conversations chopped into pieces like garnish. By 10:30, the disorganization hit peak absurdity. Our last dish was still on the table when the waitress started insisting we had to order more because we were 100 AED short of the minimum spend. Forced upselling at its classiest. Moments later, someone who I can only presume was the manager (though he didn’t bother introducing himself) swooped in with all the charm of a grumpy maître d’ in a bad sitcom, telling us there was another reservation waiting for our table. First time we had heard that. Excuse me, Baron de Fontainebleau: maybe don’t overbook your restaurant and then squeeze every last dirham from people you’re about to kick out? They literally made us order more while standing, drinks in hand, because the place was too crowded to even move. All this for a minimum spend of 450 AED per head? Dubai, if you want to charge New York, Paris, or London prices, at least learn to deliver service that isn’t a parody of hospitality. Giving 2 stars only because the food was good. Everything else: a poor, chaotic imitation of what an edgy expensive...

I don't like going out, there I said it, I am a grumpy forty-year-old that is rarely at the idea of going out, especially on a school night. The prospect of sitting in a poorly ventilated (or over cooled space), having to shout over the blaring cacophony of noises in a restaurant and have to use my flashlight to decipher a menu makes me instantly recoil in horror. If this is resonating with you, then go to Soul Kitchen, this is first place in Dubai that has actually been designed by people who enjoy going out. The attention to detail is simply exquisite, from the moment you step in, the perfect lighting welcomes you in a warm cocoon, the temperature is just right, and the bar doesn't actually smell of ashtrays. The service can only be described as impeccable, friendly without being overly familiar, attentive yet discreet. We were a party of five, and tried 5 starters and 5 mains, and as soon as the plates hit the table we knew we were in for a treat. Presentation was superb and everyone at the table was silently taking in the avalanche of flavours packed in each plate. Do not miss the vegetarian Manti, the rib, the filet, and if you're feeling adventurous, the goat tartare. Their ceviches were divine and the desserts are not to miss (I will go back just to sample that halawa plate one more time) the drinks were creative, and impeccably crafted. Thank you soul kitchen, you will see me again.

PS: forgot to mention that the parking is actually amply available and you can self park and walk in, no waiting 30 minutes for the valet to do their...