Somerset Mall’s Expansion Is Taking Shape as New Food Court Nears Opening

Somerset Mall’s expansion continues with a new food court, Freedom Adventure Park and several new restaurants expected to open in late August 2026.

If you’ve visited Somerset Mall recently, you’ve probably noticed just how much has changed. Over the past year, the Somerset West shopping centre has been undergoing one of its biggest upgrades in recent years. New retailers have opened, familiar stores have moved into refreshed spaces, construction has continued behind the scenes, and an entirely new food and entertainment precinct is now nearing completion.

While many locals have been following individual stories like the recent relocation of Mozambik Somerset West, or the upcoming arrivals of CASA DAS NATAS and Woolworths NOW NOW, they’re all part of a much larger redevelopment that’s steadily reshaping Somerset Mall.

Somerset Mall’s Phase 2 Expansion Continues

The current work forms part of Phase 2 of Somerset Mall’s expansion project, following the completion of the retail component of the redevelopment in November 2025.

Since then, shoppers have seen a number of new additions join the mall. Sportswear brand Anta opened in April 2026, followed by the new Truworths and Office London stores in May. Studio 88 also opened during the same month, while both Jet and Panarottis underwent refurbishments as part of the ongoing improvements.

The latest stage of the project shifts the focus to dining, entertainment and upgraded public facilities, bringing another noticeable transformation to one of the Helderberg’s busiest shopping destinations.

A New Food Court Is Almost Ready

The most visible part of the current redevelopment is Somerset Mall’s new SM Food Market, which is expected to become the centre’s main food and entertainment destination. Signage inside the mall now indicates that the new precinct is scheduled to open on 27 August 2026.

Once complete, visitors can expect a mix of well-known restaurants and new concepts, including:

• Steers
• Rib Republic
• Debonairs Pizza
• Fishaways
• Best of Asia
• Bunka Ramen
• Woolworths NOW NOW
• Freedom Adventure Park

Construction has progressed steadily over the past few months, with many storefronts now carrying permanent branding as tenants continue fitting out their new premises.

While Mozambik Somerset West has already opened in the new precinct after relocating from The Sanctuary, several neighbouring businesses—including CASA DAS NA and Woolworths NOW NOW—are still preparing their stores and have yet to announce individual opening dates.

More Than Just New Restaurants

The redevelopment extends beyond new places to eat. As part of Phase 2, Somerset Mall has also upgraded its public amenities, including a full refurbishment of the mall’s bathroom facilities, which was completed in April 2026.

Another major addition will be Freedom Adventure Park, bringing a new family-focused entertainment experience to the centre and further expanding Somerset Mall beyond its traditional retail offering.

Together, the new restaurants, cafés and entertainment venues are expected to create a more vibrant destination where visitors can spend more time shopping, dining and enjoying leisure activities.

And There’s Even More Planned

Interestingly, the current redevelopment isn’t expected to be the final chapter for Somerset Mall.

Planning documents released by Hyprop show that a Phase 3 expansion is already envisioned for the future. Although there’s no word yet on when Phase 3 might move ahead, the proposed development would introduce additional retail space focused on homeware, technology and convenience shopping, further expanding the Somerset West mall in the years ahead.

For now, however, attention is firmly on the new food and entertainment precinct as the finishing touches continue ahead of its planned August opening.

Every time I’ve walked through that section of the mall over the past few months, there’s been something new to notice—another storefront wrapped in branding, more shopfitting underway, or fresh signage giving a glimpse of what’s still to come. It has been interesting watching the transformation unfold little by little, and with an opening date now displayed inside the mall, it finally feels like the countdown has begun.

I’ll continue keeping an eye on the progress and will share updates as the remaining stores begin welcoming their first customers.