Rüya is making its way to Riyadh

The Anatolian restaurant will be the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia.

The Kingdom’s culinary scene has kept us intrigued for a while now, with new and diverse offerings catering to even the most discerning of palates. There is, however, one gap in Saudi Arabia’s dining scene, and that’s Anatolian cuisine. Enter: Rüya Riyadh.

Known for its stylish restaurants and lounges in London, Doha and Dubai (and soon Cannes), Rüya will bring the rich culinary traditions and cuisine of Türkiye’s vast and storied peninsula to the popular AlDabab neighbourhood in the Saudi capital. The restaurant concept is rooted in introducing Anatolian cuisine to the world, one reflective of its complex past — Anatolia was shaped by millennia of rule from diverse religions, civilisations and cultures, notably the Byzantine, Anatolian and Ottoman empires, and contemporary Türkiye. With its name translation to ‘dream’ in Turkish, Rüya’s mission is to offer not only authentic flavours, but also heartfelt hospitality and beautifully designed spaces.

Rüya Riyadh will draw on Türkiye’s renowned hospitality and distinct design and architecture to create a contemporary 127-cover restaurant, lounge and bar experience focused on food and celebration. Indoor and outdoor spaces aside, diners can look forward to authentic touches like roaring bread ovens as well as colourful artwork and tiling. Rüya Riyadh’s kitchen will boast a strong team of well-trained international chefs who have mastered traditional Turkish cuisine. When curating the menu for Rüya, a team of chefs travelled the length and breadth of Türkiye, taking unique ideas from dishes and elevating and modernising them. Rüya dishes are not fusions, but elevations of Turkish classics, echoing the beloved recipes used in Türkiye today.

Here, star dishes include the classic pide (a flatbread with bubbling cheeses, melted butter and egg), Ca̧ ğ kebab (juicy flame-grilled Turkish kebab), a mouthwatering selection of hot and cold Turkish mezes, lahmacun (delicate flatbread topped with mincemeat and herbs), and lamb shank slow cooked in a traditional clay oven. Rüya’s DNA will also translate to an innovative beverage list, with the team crafting customised and creative mocktails using classic Turkish flavours and ingredients — hibiscus, rose, pomegranate, honey, spices, citrus and mint included.

Rüya Riyadh has been designed by Conran and Partners to encapsulate classic Anatolian charm in a contemporary setting. From the pide oven greeting guests upon arrival and Byzantine architecture-inspired dome-shaped chandeliers to the intricately designed Turkish carpets and vibrantly hued 3D mosaic tiles, the interiors layer a contemporary dining experience with cultural nuances that are truly a celebration of authentic Anatolian recipes relayed with a modern interpretation.

The restaurant will launch in partnership with prominent Saudi restaurateur Mohammed Jawa, chairman of MJS Holding, who has over 20 years of experience within the local market and has played a pivotal role in the development of Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning hospitality sector, introducing high-profile, international luxury and lifestyle restaurants to the Kingdom, such as A.O.K Kitchen, Il Baretto Riyadh and ROKA Riyadh, in addition to the forthcoming Amazónico, Mr. Chow and Zuma.

GO: Follow @ruya_riyadh on Instagram for more information.