Rüya, the Anatolian fine-dining restaurant duo ooze Turkish decadence across its two sites in London and Dubai. Marking its spot on Upper Grosvenor Street in Mayfair is Rüya’s London outpost: a restaurant that embodies the luxurious details of this culturally diverse country, a place for centuries that has been the gateway between Europe and the Middle East.
At Rüya London you will not find a Turkish delight insight. Instead, Boojee Bodrum, elegant Antalya and the most irresistible elements of Istanbul meet for London’s discerning diners to peruse Anatolian dishes and contemporary cocktails. Formerly of Zuma and Caprice Holdings, the head chef is Colin Clague who crafts classically inspired Turkish dishes, reinvented with modern touches to satisfy global palates.
Turkish dining is all about family-style sharing, and Rüya’s menu certainly follows suit. Each dish unites delicate and considered combinations, leaving you wanting to understand more on each Turkish inspired creation. For instance, ‘Isli Patlican’ which first catches eyes at the top of the unreserved menu – a unique blend of aubergine puree with walnuts, topped with sweet and savoury crispy coated aubergine chips, or from the cold starters, ‘Levrek’ – fresh and thinly sliced raw seabass with mustard, apple and shaved radish.
In the centre of the restaurant is Rüya’s flaming bread oven which freshly produces its selection of breads. On the menu, there are four options to choose from ‘Lahmacun’ made with spicy lamb, vegetables and herbs, a truffle and cheese combination and another with spicy sucuk or the ‘aged Kaşar Cheese Pide’ with a golden slow-cooked organic egg sat in the centre. These breads are to be shared with the number of grill, kebab, oven and side dishes, each which continue with the hedonic theme. One example of this includes the 24-hour slow-cooked short rib which is served with Turkish chilli, BBQ glaze and a spiced konya chickpea puree.
For several years Rüya settled comfortably in the knowledge that it stood its ground on the London dining platform, offering if not the finest Turkish cuisine in the UK. 2020 for sure has brought its team to attention, leading them to quickly adapt their offering around our unwelcomed restrictions to continue to welcome diners in. Introducing creative touches to their fine-dining offering, back in September Rüya London cleverly adapted their own version of the Italian Aperitivo with the ‘Anatolian Aperitivo Hour’. A twist on this traditionally Italian offering, the Anatolian Aperitivo Hour’ honoured the national spirit of raki – a drink also known as ‘Lion’s Milk’.
Featuring over 15 different types this famous twice distilled grape and anise-scented spirit, this Turkish switch-up was a clever attempt to change our dubious thoughts on this national drink. Rüya served this alongside complimentary small dishes such as their ‘Isli Patlican’ crispy coated aubergine chips, and ‘Borek’, filo wrapped feta with carrot, courgette and walnuts. Alongside either one of their vibrant signature cocktails or raki, Rüya’s Anatolian Aperitivo Hour was available in both the restaurant and the Mekan bar to all guests who ordered one of their signature cocktails or a raki between 5-7pm, Thursdays to Saturdays.
Translating as ‘dream’ in Turkish, the restaurant’s sharp interior has been created under the eye of internationally renowned designers at Conran and Partners. Inspired by second-generation restaurateur Umut Özkanca’s cosmopolitan Istanbul heritage, Rüya London is the brand’s second establishment and the first in a major European city. With opulent food and drink inspired by this vast country, stretching from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea, whilst we stay home over lockdown, Rüya’s menu can still be enjoyed with their menu available to order on Supper, Deliveroo and UberEats.
Factbox
Address: 30 Upper Grosvenor St, Mayfair, London, W1K 7PH
Phone: 020 3848 6710
Website: ruyalondon.com
