Sammach

Lebanese seafood joint on Jumeirah Beach Road 9 Reviews

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From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2011

Traditionally a Friday lunchtime favourite with Arab families, Sammach has locations in both Jumeirah and Deira, and has the handle on fish. The Jumeirah branch is based inside the Beach Centre and, unfortunately, it’s impossible to forget that, with its tables sprawling out onto the concourse and views of it from inside the restaurant. Inside, you’ll find heavy wooden furniture and walls plastered with images of fisherman proudly holding their big catches – cementing the idea that Sammach is an ode to those skilled at trawling the sea, as well as the wonders of the sea and marine life itself. The Sammach signature feature is a large iced fish market, from which you can pick your dinner, before deciding how you want it to be cooked and served. If you’re not after a one-off dish, go for the hammour, rice and pine nut special, for something that is both healthy and surprisingly tasty.

By Time Out Dubai staff
Time Out Dubai, 24 March 2011

• Previous reviews
  • 06 April,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 30 March,2009- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 04 July,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 30 April,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai
  • 29 December,2005- reviewed by Matthew Lee
  • 01 February,2004- reviewed by Rob Orchard
  • 01 September,2003- reviewed by Rob Orchard

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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.

User reviews:

Posted by: michel on 12 Sep ' 11 at 16:11

OverallFood

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

very tasty food i love it .

Posted by: JC on 04 Jun ' 11 at 20:53

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

i used to go to this restaurant for its good food and nice seating (overlooking Dubai Mall fountains).

this week end, i went with my wife, we were poorly received and seated.

the waiters didn't know what we have requested, even though it was on the menu!

They forgot our drinks and came back asking what was our order...

On a near table were the kitchen cook and staff having lunch,,,

To complete our story, before the food came, my wife jumps and shouts... their was a cockroach on the table...

we directly left, the staff apologized but thought that it was OK for a cockroach to exist, its hot... and that there was no need to make a fuss out of it...

bon appétit! i am sure the cockroaches enjoy Sammach!!!

Posted by: Meelosh on 07 May ' 11 at 16:46

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Wow, really delicious food and the best service in Dubai. I was there today with my wife and for 230 dh we had a great lunch. Really good restaurant...

Posted by: Lukas on 15 Apr ' 10 at 08:15

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

:)

Posted by: Manal on 02 Apr ' 10 at 19:09

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Last night we went to Sammach in Souk Al Bahar. Overall I would say it was pretty good. Food, service, setting not bad at all. The weather was real nice, and view of fountain and burj is cooool. One negative thing was one of the main dishes we ordered which was the bbq'd Hammour, a real big one. To be honest with you it was bland, no flavor. We should have actually told the management because its really not a good thing for them to have such an expensive dish not taste so good. I'll definately go there again, as all the other food was yum!! As for that dish, it was disappointing and we for one wont ever be getting it again.

Posted by: Gabby on 06 Aug ' 09 at 12:23

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

delicious food; cooked as desired. service is quick and friendly. resturaunt usually much busier during the day. by the time my date & i dined later in the evening, selection of fish on display was limited.

Posted by: Beverley Cox on 21 Apr ' 09 at 12:25

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

My review is of the Sammach restaurant at Souk Al Baher and should be entitled "What a rip-off!" My partner and i decided on an early dinner and chose this restaurant for it's location and because we love seafood. When we placed our order we were told that the Chef's Special, Hammour with butter and lemon, was not available but we could choose a fish from the display. We were suprised to find Hammour amongst the selection but my partner made his choice and confirmed that it would be the same price as the set meal, 55Dirhams. We had long finished our starter when his grilled fish arrived, without my order, only to find it was cold. We sent it back to be heated and enquired about my main dish. We had to eventually speak to one of the managers to explain the mixed up order. Finally our meal turned up, it was edible but nothing more. On asking for the bill imagine our shock . . . . the Hammour fillet alone cost 168Dirhams and surprise, surprise nobody was interested in our complaint about the service or the food not being worth a total 248Dirhams!
So readers beware you will get charged an exorbitant price for a sub standard meal with 'couldn't care less' service at Sammach!!!
p.s. we were told they charged the Hammour by weight . . . and they weighed it when it was still frozen - clever ploy!

Posted by: sammach on 10 Mar ' 09 at 12:55

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic

Posted by: qweerty on 02 Mar ' 09 at 11:39

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes