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Somerset
Master Critic Reviews (8 Lists)
Somerset
8.0
A stylish hotel-dining brunch that works best for polished group catch-ups and cocktails-with-food pacing. Keep the order focused—one signature brunch plate plus one shared side—so you avoid the ‘wide menu’ trap and get the strongest execution.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken and Waffles, Brunch Burger, Breakfast Potatoes
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: A polished Gold Coast brunch room with a cocktail-friendly pace.
Who should go: Groups who want brunch plus drinks
When to visit: Late-morning weekends for peak brunch energy
What to order: Chicken and waffles, brunch burger, breakfast potatoes
Insider tip: Skip menu sprawl—pick one anchor plate and one shareable.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy—jeans are fine, but this room skews polished, especially on weekends.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—easy for group conversation, slightly louder during peak brunch hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak brunch windows.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several brunch plates and sides work well for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited—expect a couple of adaptable options rather than a dedicated menu.
Gluten-free options: Yes—select dishes can be modified; confirm with the server.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you want a polished but social vibe—just aim for a later brunch time when the room feels energetic but not rushed.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes—walk-ins work best on weekdays or earlier in the brunch window; weekends are smoother with a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for older kids—there’s no kids-focused menu, and the atmosphere leans adult and social.
Best For
Better for: Cocktail-forward brunches, stylish group catch-ups, and a hotel-dining feel without being overly formal.
Skip if: You want a quiet, food-first brunch or a tightly focused menu—there are stronger options for pure culinary depth.
Somerset
8.3
A Mediterranean-leaning dining room where romance comes from soft lighting, shareable plates, and a steady, cocktail-friendly tempo. Order like a table: one dip-and-bread start, one vegetable or seafood plate, and one main to split so the meal stays smooth.
Must-Try Dishes:
Stone Fire Breads, Hummus & Dips, Seasonal Seafood Plate
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Shareable Mediterranean flavors in a polished hotel dining room with an easy date-night rhythm.
Who should go: Couples who like splitting small plates
When to visit: Early evening for calmer energy
What to order: Stone-fire bread, dips, one seafood or main plate
Insider tip: Keep it share-style—two or three plates beat a full spread.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Hotel valet available (typically paid); limited street parking nearby and fills quickly after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—jeans are fine, but most guests opt for polished evening wear.
Noise level: Moderate—lively but still comfortable for conversation, especially earlier in the evening.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a short one.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple vegetable-forward small plates and dips work well.
Vegan options: Limited but possible—several dips and vegetable dishes can be ordered without dairy.
Gluten-free options: Yes—staff can guide you to gluten-free plates and modifications.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—the shareable format, cocktails, and relaxed pacing make it easy to connect without feeling rushed.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes, especially early evening or later at night, but reservations are strongly recommended on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Better suited to adults; kids are welcome but the menu and evening vibe skew date-night and group dining.
Best For
Better for: Cocktail-friendly Mediterranean sharing with a polished, romantic hotel setting.
Skip if: You want a quiet, white-tablecloth fine-dining experience or large individual entrées.
Somerset
8.3
A Mediterranean-leaning hotel dining room that works best when you order in a shareable, steady cadence. Start with a vegetable-forward plate, add one pasta or braise, and keep the table’s spread tight so it stays warm and paced.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smoked beet tartare, Squid ink pasta, Short rib
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Mediterranean share-plates in a polished room with reliable, repeatable pacing.
Who should go: Couples who like splitting plates
When to visit: Early evening for calmer energy
What to order: Smoked beet tartare, squid ink pasta, short rib
Insider tip: Two to three plates beats a full spread for timing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Hotel valet available through the Viceroy; limited street parking in the area, especially after early evening.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy—jeans are fine if styled well, but the room leans polished.
Noise level: Moderate—generally easy to hold a conversation, with a low hum during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a short 5–10 minute hold
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple vegetable-forward starters and pastas make this an easy fit.
Vegan options: Limited—some vegetable plates can be adapted, but not a fully vegan-driven menu.
Gluten-free options: Yes—several naturally gluten-free dishes and flexible kitchen accommodations.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—polished but not stiff, with shareable plates that give the night an easy, conversational rhythm.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weeknights or earlier evenings; weekends are much smoother with a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially—better suited to adults, business meals, or date nights than family dining.
Best For
Better for: Mediterranean-style sharing in a calm, refined hotel setting with reliable pacing.
Skip if: You want a high-energy scene or a strictly traditional fine-dining experience.
Somerset
8.3
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Trendy Table Hotspots
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
A polished hotel dining room that’s reliably built for celebrations, from engagement dinners to birthday brunches, with a shareable Mediterranean-leaning lane. Keep it to a focused sequence so plates stay warm and the pacing stays clean.
Must-Try Dishes:
Burrata with focaccia, Piri piri chicken kebab, Mediterranean sea bass
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A celebration-friendly hotel room with steady, share-plate pacing.
Who should go: Birthdays, engagements, and group milestones
When to visit: Early evening for calmer energy
What to order: Burrata, sea bass, one vegetable side
Insider tip: Two to three plates beats a full spread for timing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Hotel valet available; street parking is limited and competitive in the evenings
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy—jeans are fine, but most guests lean polished
Noise level: Moderate—lively enough for celebrations but still easy to hold a conversation
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several vegetable-forward starters and mains work well
Vegan options: Limited—some dishes can be modified, but options are not extensive
Gluten-free options: Yes—multiple naturally gluten-free dishes and accommodating staff
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for second or third dates—the room is polished and confident, which works best once conversation is already flowing.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes, especially early evening or late night, but reservations are strongly recommended for weekends and celebrations.
Is it kid-friendly? More adult-leaning overall—fine for well-behaved kids at brunch, but evenings skew toward grown-up celebrations.
Best For
Better for: Group milestones, polished business lunches, and celebrations that need space, consistency, and calm service
Skip if: You want a deeply intimate or ultra-romantic room—smaller neighborhood spots will feel cozier
Somerset
8.2
A polished Gold Coast hotel dining room that works as modern, seasonal share-plate dining when you keep the order cohesive—one bright starter, one centerpiece main, and a clean landing. It’s at its best for celebrations and business-friendly meals where pacing and room energy matter as much as the food.
Must-Try Dishes:
Strawberry burrata, Somerset cheeseburger, Orecchiette pasta
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A stylish Viceroy dining room built for seasonal, shareable plates.
Who should go: Celebrations, dates, and polished group dinners
When to visit: Early evening for smoother pacing
What to order: Strawberry burrata, Somerset cheeseburger, orecchiette pasta
Insider tip: Keep it to 2–3 plates—too many dishes slows timing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Hotel valet available at the Viceroy; limited metered street parking nearby, especially tight after early evening.
Dress code: Smart casual to polished—jeans are fine, but lean dressy for dinner.
Noise level: Moderate—lively room but still workable for conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer during peak celebrations.
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple vegetable-forward starters and pastas.
Vegan options: Limited—best to ask the server about off-menu adjustments.
Gluten-free options: Yes—several naturally gluten-free dishes and accommodating substitutions.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—polished but not stiff, with enough energy to feel special without overwhelming conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weekdays or early evenings, but reservations are strongly recommended for weekend dinners.
Is it kid-friendly? Not a primary kid destination—best for adults; older, well-behaved kids are fine earlier in the evening.
Best For
Better for: Cohesive share-plate dining in a stylish, business- and celebration-friendly hotel setting.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate bistro or a budget-focused casual meal—there are cozier, cheaper options nearby.
Somerset
8.2
A hotel dining room that works unusually well for private dining because it runs on dependable pacing and crowd-pleasing, Mediterranean-leaning comfort. Build the meal around one starter and one centerpiece main, then fill in with one vegetable or side—more than that slows the cadence.
Must-Try Dishes:
Short Rib, Squid Ink Pasta, Somerset Burger
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Reliable private-dining pacing inside a polished Gold Coast hotel room.
Who should go: Business hosts, celebrations, and easy mixed-diet groups
When to visit: Weeknights for the smoothest service rhythm
What to order: Short rib, squid ink pasta, Somerset burger
Insider tip: Pick one lane—one starter, one main, one side—then stop.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Hotel valet available; street parking is limited and inconsistent in the evening.
Dress code: Smart casual to business-casual—jeans are fine, but the room leans polished.
Noise level: Moderate—comfortable for conversation, even with larger groups.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially for groups.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several vegetable-forward mains and sides that work well for sharing.
Vegan options: Limited—some vegetable dishes can be adapted, but not a fully vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: Yes—multiple naturally gluten-free options and accommodating staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you want something polished but low-pressure—the room feels upscale without being stiff, and pacing stays smooth.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible at lunch or early weeknights, but reservations are strongly recommended for dinner and any group larger than four.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for teens than young kids—the menu and room skew adult, but families with older children are comfortable here.
Best For
Better for: Private and semi-private dining with dependable timing, mixed-diet groups, and business-host situations where predictability matters.
Skip if: You want a buzzy, nightlife-driven scene or a deeply experimental menu—this is about reliability over surprise.
Somerset
8.2
A hotel dining room that behaves like a reliable business-lunch engine: steady pacing, clean service rhythms, and a menu that stays crowd-pleasing. Build the table around one starter and one main, then add one side—more than that slows the cadence.
Must-Try Dishes:
Somerset burger, Short rib, Orecchiette
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A polished, predictable lunch room with dependable pacing.
Who should go: Business hosts and mixed-diet groups
When to visit: Weekdays for the smoothest service flow
What to order: Somerset burger, short rib, orecchiette
Insider tip: Pick one lane—starter, main, side—then stop.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Hotel valet available; nearby street parking is limited and competitive during weekday lunch hours.
Dress code: Smart casual to business polished—jeans are fine if paired with a blazer or clean top.
Noise level: Moderate—designed for conversation, with steady room energy but no shouting required.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation, longer during peak hotel traffic.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days, especially before 12:30pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple vegetable-forward pastas, salads, and sides that can anchor a full lunch.
Vegan options: Limited but workable—salads and a few customizable plates; best to flag needs to the server.
Gluten-free options: Yes—several naturally gluten-free mains and sides, with staff comfortable handling requests.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want low-pressure polish. The room feels confident and calm rather than intimate, making conversation easy without date-night intensity.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes at lunch, especially earlier in the window. After 12:30pm, reservations help but walk-ins still move efficiently.
Is it kid-friendly? More business-focused than family-driven, but older, well-behaved kids are fine. No dedicated kids menu.
Best For
Better for: Reliable business lunches, mixed-diet groups, and meetings where timing and service rhythm matter as much as the food.
Skip if: You want a buzzy, personality-driven lunch spot or a quick casual bite—this is about polish and predictability.
Somerset
8.4
A hotel-anchored Gold Coast dining room that’s strongest for an unhurried, comfortable happy hour with real food and a calmer pace. Go for Mediterranean-leaning plates and a cocktail or wine pick, and you’ll get a reliable reset before the evening rush.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hummus and pita, Grilled branzino, Mediterranean mezze
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: A polished Gold Coast hang with food-first happy hour energy.
Who should go: Friends who want a comfortable, classy reset
When to visit: Weekdays 3–6pm
What to order: Mezze-style starters, a cocktail, a shared plate
Insider tip: Ask for patio seating when weather cooperates.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Hotel valet available (typically paid); limited metered street parking nearby that fills quickly after 5pm
Dress code: Smart casual to polished — jeans are fine, but lean elevated if coming from work or heading out after
Noise level: Low to moderate during happy hour — easy conversation without shouting
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation once dinner service ramps up
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple mezze and vegetable-forward plates work well
Vegan options: Limited — a few plant-based options, but menu isn’t fully vegan-friendly
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free dishes; staff can guide substitutions, but no dedicated menu
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the calm pace, comfortable seating, and approachable menu make it low-pressure and conversation-friendly.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes during weekday happy hour, especially if you’re flexible on patio vs. indoor seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Better suited for adults; kids are welcome, but the vibe and menu skew more toward relaxed adult gatherings than families.
Best For
Better for: A relaxed, food-forward happy hour with space to linger compared to louder Gold Coast cocktail bars
Skip if: You want a high-energy bar scene or deeply discounted, fast-paced happy hour specials