Ruya Brings Moroccan Coffee and Mediterranean Wines to Grand Central
A month after opening in the Grand Central District, Ruya has already found its rhythm. Founded by Sarah Aitcadi, the woman-owned café and wine lounge moves with the day — coffee and mint tea in the morning, Mediterranean wines and spritzes as the lights dim.
Ruya joins a growing list of hybrid cafés and wine lounges across St. Pete — see more in our guide to Hidden Wine Bars and Bottle Shops in St. Pete.
“Ruya comes from Arabic; it means a vision or a dream,” Sarah said. “I wanted a space where people can just come and be. You walk in and feel like you’re somewhere else.”
Coffee to Wine
Ruya opens early with Moroccan-spiced coffee and traditional mint tea, but the tone shifts as the day slows.
“The mornings have their own energy — the coffee, the movement, the light,” Sarah said. “By evening, it all softens. You might want a glass of wine or an herbal tea, something that helps you unwind.”
The wine list currently leans toward Spain and Italy, with Greek selections on the way. A rotating spritz menu has quickly become a favorite, featuring in-house syrups and seasonal ingredients made below 17% ABV.
“I really like the wines we have right now,” she said. “But everyone likes wine their own way, so I want to keep it fun. Maybe you’re not an avid wine drinker, but you’ll find something refreshing — like a Hugo Spritz with mint when it’s warm out.”
Hospitality and Home
Raised around her family’s restaurants, Sarah describes hospitality as the foundation of everything she does.
“If you’ve ever been to Morocco, people invite you in, serve you tea, and make you feel like family,” she said. “That’s the culture I wanted Ruya to feel like — warm, personal, and genuine.”
That spirit extends to the way guests are welcomed. Menus, she says, should never feel intimidating.
“If someone explains what’s in a drink or where a flavor comes from, it opens everything up. It becomes approachable instead of foreign.”
A Space to Slow Down
Ruya stays open later than most coffee shops in St. Pete, offering Wi-Fi, open seating, and room to work, talk, or simply stay awhile.
“It’s hard to find places that let you slow down,” Sarah said. “Some close early or limit laptops. I wanted this to be a space without restrictions — a place to take a step back.”
Evenings bring a softer energy — yoga and sound baths, chef pop-ups, and private events in the courtyard.
To see more events happening this week, head over to This Week in Wine.
What’s Next
A commercial kitchen is planned for the attached garage, where Sarah hopes to introduce Mediterranean and Moroccan-inspired small plates. For now, she’s collaborating with local bakers, chefs, and food trucks, curating menus to match upcoming events.
“There’s so much room for creativity,” she said. “Food trucks, pop-up dinners, private gatherings — there’s already interest. Once the kitchen’s ready, we’ll keep that same Mediterranean flavor.”
Final Sip
At Ruya, coffee and wine flow through the same idea: connection. What began as Sarah’s dream of an all-day gathering space has already taken shape — bright mornings, unhurried evenings, and a growing community in between. It’s also become a favorite stop for Beach Town Yoga students next door, whose post-class ritual often leads straight to Ruya’s courtyard for coffee, conversation, or a spritz.