Recently, I have been seeking new hotspots that everyone seems to be posting about on social media. Rüya London came up so many times that I knew it was a sign to book a table! I dined on a Thursday evening around 8 pm; the restaurant was bustling, which is always a great sign.

Arrival and Cocktails

As soon as we arrived at Rüya, we sat in the cosy bar area whilst we ordered pre-dinner cocktails. The bar area was snug and intimate, with comfy sofas and suede chairs under colour-changing ambient lighting that flickered throughout the evening. We perched on the golden bar stools with a great view of the bar and watched the mixologists craft our cocktails right in front of us.

Being a Turkish Cypriot, I instantly recognised the hanging Nazar Boncuk charm in front of all the alcoholic bottles. For those who do not know, this charm represents ‘the evil eye’. Whatever negative feelings people send your way, displaying the evil eye symbol repels negative energy and returns it to the sender. You can display these around your home, in your car, at your workplace, or even wear them as jewellery to protect yourself from evil spirits.

Cocktails: I opted for the ‘Nazar Sour’, a vodka-based cocktail with cardamom, lemon, pear, and champagne foam, complete with an evil eye atop the foam—I snapped a photo for my memories. My date chose an ‘Old Fashioned’, a whisky-based classic; they declared it delicious. I am not a whisky fan, but after a sip, I can see why it is a favourite!

The Menu

Rüya offers a menu full of Anatolian dishes with a modern twist. Highlights include rib-eye steak, seabass, and slow-cooked short rib. Traditional desserts like baklava and Turkish lokum round off the experience.

Starters

We ordered ‘Isli Patlican’—aubergine and walnut purée with crispy coated aubergine chips—and ‘Çıtır Kalamar’, simit-coated baby squid with avocado haydari. Both were enjoyable.

Mains

After following Rüya on Instagram for a few weeks, I saw the wild mushroom risotto garnering loads of attention. Naturally, it was top of my list—the power of social media! The ‘Mantarli Keşkek’ did not disappoint; anything with truffle on top is a winner for me. The consistency and flavours of the risotto were perfect. I posted it to my social media too, as I had spoken that dish into existence; it was worth the visit! Alongside the risotto, we shared garlic king prawns, lamb köfte, and a Turkish spoon salad. Dinner was lovely.

Dessert

I know Debbie, our editor, will be shell-shocked, but I did not have room for dessert—for the first time ever—so I ordered Turkish lokum to savour on the way home!

Stunning Bathrooms

I do not know about you, but one of my favourite things upon entering a restaurant is checking out the bathroom décor. After taking selfies in the main restaurant, the staff insisted I see the bathroom, sensing I would love it. They were right; it was already stunning—I had snapped selfies there too!

Atmosphere and Location

Rüya exudes chilled vibes, a spot where you feel welcome any time of day. There were groups of friends catching up, couples on date nights, and solo diners. The overall atmosphere was warm and welcoming; most diners, including us, lingered into the evening, thanks to its relaxing feel. A DJ added extra atmosphere, yet we could still chat easily over the background vibes.

Rüya Mayfair is a short 10-minute walk from Marble Arch station, located in the JW Marriott, Grosvenor House, London.

A: 30 Upper Grosvenor St, London W1K 7PH
T: 020 3848 6710
W: Rüya London

Written by Danielle Tobin for Luxuria Lifestyle London and International