Photo: Elise Quiniou. © Carlton Cannes
Rüya Restaurant Kicks Off the Season at the Iconic Carlton Cannes
Guests can once again celebrate along the French Riviera while enjoying a bountiful menu of Turkish delicacies and lively ambiance
The Rüya at the Carlton Cannes. Photo: Elise Quiniou. © Carlton Cannes
Just reopened last week for the beginning of the warm weather season in Cannes, Rüya, the brainchild of Umut Özkanca, is the first and only Turkish restaurant of its kind on the Croisette. Özkanca wears two hats, one as the co-founder of Doğuş Group, a major player in the world of hospitality, and also, a chef. The discrete Özkanca welcomed Galerie for a sneak peek of the restaurant in the iconic Carlton Cannes, home away from home to stars from Grace Kelly to Emma Stone and Kevin Costner, and shared his thoughts about food, Turkish cooking, and the art of receiving.
“I am a second-generation restaurateur with my father,” Özkanca tells Galerie. “I started in the kitchen with him when I was maybe 10 or 11.” After studying abroad, the young entrepreneur opened his first restaurant at age 23. His dream was always to showcase Turkish food and the art of hospitality. “Turkey is the land of the silk and spice roads and I wanted to show what we have to the world. We are not just about kebabs and there is a large diversity.”
Dishes offered at Rüya. Photo: Elise Quiniou. © Carlton Cannes
Künefe at Rüya. Photo: Elise Quiniou. © Carlton Cannes
“We include dishes from the seven different regions of Turkey and played with the rest,” explains Özkanca. “We have the classics and ones done with what we have from this part of the world.” As he notes, the diversity of Turkish food is huge and due to the climate, they are all totally different.
Through a rather improbable encounter with someone, Özkanca, was contacted about partnering with the historic Carlton Cannes hotel on the French Riviera. With Rüya restaurants already in Dubai, London, and Doha, and a pop up in Saudi, opening in Cannes was an unexpected opportunity. “I knew this hotel as we used to stay here with my dad. I was honored to be in the South of France and here specifically.”
Dining room at Rüya. Photo: Elise Quiniou. © Carlton Cannes
Joined by the Rüya manager, Cannes native and hospitality expert Christophe de Simone, the duo aim to offer the best experience in terms of culinary offerings and comfortable dining to their clients. “We want to also include the local population and not just when the hotel is full of guests. We welcome people like they are at home, with friendship and families,” says Simone.
From the moment one enters Rüya, the atmosphere is warm, cheerful, and fun. Özkanca and his team have carefully selected every material and design element to amplify the sense of celebration and comfort. Indoor seating is for 60 with a gracious, inviting terrace overlooking the Croisette for 40. Özkanca knew he wanted to use marble on the floor like in the hammams in Istanbul, and the walls are covered in handmade tiles from Iznik, traditionally produced with a contemporary twist in motifs.
Terrace at Rüya. Photo: Elise Quiniou. © Carlton Cannes
Baklava and a Martini at Rüya. Photo: Elise Quiniou. © Carlton Cannes
Simone echoes Özkanca’s feeling that Rüya is a place of joy and warmth: “We want this to be a hug. From the moment we welcome guests until we say goodbye. We bring the sun in from the outside.” Come for the surprising cocktails with cardamom, date syrup, and passionfruit purée, and stay for the sharing plates and a hug. Rüya is open for dinner.
Photo: Elise Quiniou. © Carlton Cannes
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