From dishwasher at 15 to one of the Top 100 Restaurants of the World, the story behind the Hudson Valley’s most talked-about tapas house.

At fifteen, Luis Naula started in the restaurant business washing dishes. Today he is the executive chef and co-owner, with his brother Manuel, of Somni NY Tapas, a Spanish tapas restaurant in Monroe, New York, and one of the restaurants named to the Luxury Lifestyle Awards TOP 100 Restaurants of the World for 2026.

Luis’s climb from the dish pit to the head of his own kitchen was the subject of BusinessViewed’s profile, “From Dishwasher to Dining Maestro.” It also explains the restaurant. Somni is the work of someone who learned hospitality from the bottom up, and it shows in a room built for sharing.

A Family Story Behind the Table

Somni opened in 2019, the shared ambition of brothers Luis and Manuel Naula, who still own and run it together. Family recipes and long meals around a crowded table shaped the restaurant’s identity from the start.

Somni comes from the Catalan word for “dream,” and the restaurant is built around one ambition: food, culture, and human connection carrying equal weight.

The restaurant sits at 15 Lake Street, inside a historic 1800s building. It has built a loyal following among Hudson Valley residents and regional visitors who want something more personal than conventional upscale casual dining. The character is distinctly Spanish. The welcome belongs to the diverse community around it.

Spanish Tradition, Contemporary Spirit

In Somni’s kitchen, tapas are a starting point rather than a formula. Traditional Spanish flavors meet Mediterranean influences in dishes made to be passed across the table, so a meal becomes a series of discoveries instead of a fixed procession of courses.

Octopus, paella, and duck lead the menu, each pairing a familiar ingredient with a contemporary touch. Sourcing does a lot of the work: seasonal produce and proteins from Hudson Valley farms sit alongside authentic Spanish ingredients imported for the menu, which keeps the kitchen close to Spain and close to home at the same time.

The open kitchen puts the craft on display. Guests can watch their dinner come together, and the line between the culinary team and the dining room all but disappears.

A Room Shaped by Art and Atmosphere

The interior is as deliberate as the menu. Lights behind the bar are often a signature green, but the colors change from night to night, so no two visits look quite the same. Chandeliers hang above dark wood and artwork fills the walls, making the room feel expressive and warm at once.

All of the artwork in the restaurant is by artist Scott Garrette. Inspired by Mediterranean culture and the restaurant’s communal spirit, his colorful compositions capture movement, everyday encounters, and shared moments, with playful details that reward a second look.

The space suits many occasions, from a casual evening of tapas and wine to private celebrations and group gatherings. With no strict dress code and prices of roughly $20–$40 per person, it keeps a distinctive experience within easy reach.

Where Dinner Becomes a Gathering

Somni gives guests reasons to linger and return. The Wine Dinner Series pairs the table with the glass, and Salsa Sundays bring live energy and dancing to the dining room. Both link food to music, conversation, and Spanish-inspired tradition.

The team also treats each guest as an individual. Vegetarian and gluten-free requests and allergies are handled with care, and regulars and special occasions get the kind of attention people remember.

Local Roots, Global Recognition

Somni’s place among the Top 100 Restaurants of the World for 2026 carries its Hudson Valley story to an international audience. For Luis and Manuel, the honor reflects a journey built on family, hard work, and the belief that hospitality reaches well beyond the plate.

The next chapter is already planned: an outdoor patio and a second-floor private event space that will widen the room for dining and celebrations while keeping the community feel intact.

At Somni, the dream shows up in small, real moments: a carefully made paella, a dining room alive with conversation, an evening of music, friends around one shared table.

Discover the menu, events, and reservations at somniny.com