Turkish Delights: The Story of A Comeback | Rüya Dubai Review
Her go-to destination for Anatolian hospitality, Bazaar Arabia’s Laura Kell shares why this Turkish restaurant continues to be one of her favourite spots in town…
I dream of Rüya’s Keşkek – lamb barley risotto. Bursting with rich, earthy flavours it’s truly stodgy comfort food at its finest, a dish from a world I know little about yet one that seems all too familiar.
When I first visited Turkey last year I was taken aback by how similar the country felt to my summers spent in Europe, when visiting extended family who spoke a dialect i only heard in my grandparents’ home, yet so foreign at the same time. East-meets-West, a true juxtaposition of ancient cultures, where relics of the old world exist alongside modern-day comforts, style and spirit. Rüya was my first real introduction to Anatolian hospitality and, subconsciously, it seemingly influenced my decision to make my trip to Turkey last spring.
My husband and I had so many good times with our friends at the restaurant that was formerly located on the cusp of Dubai Marina and Internet city, a stone’s throw away from our abode on the Palm Jumeirah. Unfortunately, like so many other stellar eateries we frequented in the past, it found itself a casualty of the pandemic; Rüya shut its doors in 2020.
But as fate would have it, the universe had bigger plans for the restaurant which boasts a contemporary Turkish dining experience like no other. This year Rüya opened its doors again, this time within the Palm’s glittering new St. Regis Dubai hotel – within walking distance of our home.
Naturally, I couldn’t wait to book in and compare notes from past experiences. Like an old friend who has skipped town only to come back stronger and more successful, bursting with new ideas and ready for a fresh start, I was keen to find out if the new Rüya experience matches (or, perhaps, exceeds) the old one.
We began our meal with a series of Sicak (i.e. hot) and Soğuk (cold) starters, Şiş Tavuk Kebap (yogurt & chili-marinated grilled chicken kebab) and Adana Kebap (hand-cut lamb & burnt tomato kebab), our mouths watering with every bite of our carnivoresque appetizers.
With our bellies beginning to fill up (kebabs tend to do that) we were able to take in our surroundings sans hunger pains demanding our full attention. The new Rüya certainly has put an upscale twist on Anatolian dining; the setting is refined and reminiscent of an upscale Italian restaurant, the perfect date night location for couples who appreciate a sophisticated yet unpretentious atmosphere and great food. And for those with vegetarian preferences or dietary requirements, there are menus for those who prefer vegan and gluten-free dishes. Overall, Rüya is extremely accommodating to patrons who are sensitive to particular ingredients.
Next, we tucked into – my favourite – Keşkek (barley risotto, pulled lamb & spices) and 24-hours slow-cooked short rib, glazed in a Turkish chili BBQ sauce and served with a spiced Konya chickpea purée.
While the main dinner dishes certainly aren’t geared towards those looking for light bites (those can be found on the poolside menu, as Rüya is situated near one of the hotel’s many pools and plans to offer sunbathers a variety of snacks during daytime hours), its soulful food, plates of nourish which reflect centuries of Turkish tradition and culture. There’s nothing new age-y about it, just servings packed with aromatic flavours ready to tantalise the tastebuds.
To finish it all off, we opted for Çikolata ve türk kahvesi – dark chocolate and salted caramel kibbeh, with cardamom and Turkish coffee cream – a dessert that had me scraping up every last cocoa morsel and streaks of sticky sauce off the plate. Foodie heaven at its finest, pure bliss with no fuss.
Will we be back? Absolutely. Rüya still reigns supreme on our list of favourites eateries in town.
For more information or to book a reservation visit ruyarestaurants.com or call 04 218 0065.
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/@ruyadubai
