Welcome to Ruya Dubai. It’s up there with the Zuma’s of DIFC in terms of quality I think, and I suspect popularity too soon enough. Based in the Grosvenor House hotel in the Marina side of town, here’s what we think you’d like to eat and drink.
What to eat at Ruya Dubai
Expect authentic, Anatolian food here, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients that have been prepared well but not fussed over too much. Fresh crudites featured purple and yellow carrots, mauve cauliflower and lettuce hearts all studded into crushed ice. The sashimi seabass in mustard had an excellent flavour to it too. I think we all enjoyed the crispy calamar covered in simit flour best.
There is plenty of choice at Ruya, no one will go hungry but you should try at least one skewer of the cag kebab, either chicken or lamb, AED 35 a skewer.
I also recommend the adana kebap made with spicy lamb. I wish this came with a little side of rice or salad given it’s price. The grilled seabream is presented whole at the table then expertly filleted for you on request. I LOVED this dish, plump, white flesh, perfectly flavoured.
I really didn’t think I’d like the 2 cheese pide with a slow cooked egg in it, but I was wrong, I’d choose this again but I do think it would also be a perfect pick for breakfast with a shot of Turkish coffee.
Desserts didn’t disappoint, but you’ll struggle to decide which flavour of ice cream or sorbet to choose, so just have a selection but make sure you include chocolate and hazlenut AED 22 per portion.
End with Turkish coffee or tea and a date to come back again.
What to drink
Try a cocktail, I recommend the very grown up Turkish Tonic, a kind of take on a strong gin and tonic, garnished with a caramelised orange or grapefruit slice. Sophisticated and very drinkable.
Ambience at Ruya Dubai
Ruya Dubai has a really cool ambience about it, there are separate sections for the bar, outdoor terrace and main restaurant in front of an open kitchen. They’ve got the lighting just right as well, with some very elegant design pieces. It’s not at all reminiscent of a Turkish taverna. It’s difficult to get the ambience correct in the evening but Ruya has achieved this so it adds to your enjoyment of the dining experience.
Where is Ruya Dubai located
You’ll find Ruya on the ground floor of the Grosvenor House hotel Building 1. That’s the one opposite the orange monkey!
Good to know about Ruya Dubai
Executive chef Colin Clague is at the helm of this restaurant and he’s leading a confident team. With his experience of Zuma, Jean Georges and Qbara, Ruya Dubai is sure to be a winner. I’ve eaten there twice since it opened, and on the usually quiet Sunday night, the terrace was packed. The restaurant wasn’t buzzing but humming away nicely. Book in advance, it’s very busy at week ends. You may want to book conveniently using this link from Round Menu. Only open for dinner at the moment. You can LISTEN to us talk about Ruya as well. Here’s the podcast for 18th October broadcast of The Ticket. Click on the green microphone icon to listen to the podcast.
What the bloggers think
Don’t take my word for it, see what some of Dubai’s keenest bloggers think of Ruya Dubai.
Thank you Monica.
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