the entrance of ruya, which may feature a mural in the near future | st. pete rising

A new coffee and wine lounge in the Grand Central District offers locals a taste of Mediterranean flavors and Moroccan-inspired hospitality.

Ruya, from the Arabic word ru’yah, meaning “vision” or “dream,” opened on Saturday, October 11th, at 2200 1st Avenue South, serving coffee, aromatic mint teas, sangria, beer, wine, and pastries in a cozy, art-filled setting.

The 1,650-square-foot space was formerly home to If I Brewed the World, a microbrewery that closed earlier this year.

Inside ruya, a new coffee and wine lounge at 2200 1st avenue south | st. pete rising

“It will feel like you’re leaving St. Pete for the Mediterranean, but you’re never really leaving,” said owner Sarah Aitcadi in a conversation with St. Pete Rising before the opening.

Inside, white fabric drapes stretch across the ceiling, blue-and-white tiles line the bar, and geometric Moroccan motifs accent the walls and shelves. Art, books, and paintings create an inviting atmosphere that transitions from a bright front café to a quieter lounge area with plush seating.

At Ruya, Aitcadi says the space is grounded in a deep respect for tradition, hospitality, and intentional living.

A secluded nook filled with couch seating and Moroccan decor | st. pete rising

As a woman-owned business in the heart of St. Petersburg, Ruya blends Mediterranean warmth with a modern sensibility, offering more than just coffee and wine — it offers connection.

Every detail, from the ingredients and drinks to the décor, celebrates authenticity, quality, and local craftsmanship. It’s a space built around community, where everyone feels welcomed, inspired, and at home.

The café sources locally roasted coffee from St. Pete’s Look Alive Coffee and features a full menu of espresso drinks, such as lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos. Cold brew is also available.

Specialty drinks include the Ruya Latte, made with espresso, milk, a house spice blend of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and star anise, and topped with fig cold foam.

The Ruya latte made with a base of espresso, milk, Ruya’s spice blend, and topped with a fig cold FOAM | Instagram

The Almond Affogato combines espresso, milk, and amaretto cold foam, while the Café Maghreb offers a Moroccan spiced coffee brewed in a French press. Another offering is the Citrus Tonic, a cold brew infused with orange and tonic water.

The café also serves fresh Moroccan mint and peppermint teas, a selection of red and white wines, and local beers such as 3 Daughters Brewing’s Beach Blonde Ale, brewed just a few blocks away.

Aitcadi said the full beverage menu will be available by the end of this week.

An enclosed glass display contains pastries from a local bakery, and Aitcadi plans to introduce a menu of small plates featuring Moroccan-inspired dishes.

“Moroccan food is communal,” she said. “If we introduce a food menu down the road, it’ll likely be in the style of seasonal tapas — things like tagines and pastillas that bring people together around the table.”

Beyond the café, guests can unwind in Ruya’s secluded courtyard surrounded by herbs and greenery and shaded by a pergola. Aitcadi hopes to host movie nights and other outdoor events in the space.

Ruya is open Sunday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Follow Ruya on Instagram for the latest menu specials and future events.