YA:LA, a New Destination for Levantine Social Dining

Pull up a chair. Pass the stories around.

Pune, October 2026: The Ritz-Carlton, Pune announces the opening of YA:LA, a new Levantine social dining destination at Business Bay, opening on [date] October 2026. Celebrating the rich culinary traditions of the Levant, a region along the Eastern Mediterranean, YA:LA introduces a dining experience shaped by shared plates, live-fire cooking, inventive cocktails and a vibrant setting designed for gathering.

Derived from the Arabic expression meaning “let's go,” YA:LA draws inspiration from the journeys that have shaped the Levant and its neighboring regions. Its story reaches back to the ancient Mediterranean, where Phoenician traders connected distant shores, carrying goods, ingredients and cultural influences between civilisations. With every journey came an exchange of cultures, traditions and stories, each finding new meaning as they travelled from one place to another.

It is this culture of exchange that lives on at YA:LA through “Stories Travel Here.” Just as stories once travelled with people across the Mediterranean, they now find their way to YA:LA through the food, music and people who gather around its tables. The restaurant celebrates the stories we bring with us and the new ones created along the way.

A Culinary Journey Across Borders

At the helm of YA:LA's kitchen is Lebanese Head Chef Mohamad Hammady, whose menu draws from the culinary traditions of the Levant while exploring their connections with neighboring regions. Rooted in familiar flavours and techniques, the dishes bring together traditional preparations and contemporary interpretations, with an emphasis on food meant to be shared.

Among the highlights is Pistachio Muhammara, a reinterpretation of the roasted red pepper and walnut dip associated with Aleppo, while Black Garlic Moutabel lends a contemporary depth to the smoky aubergine preparation. Roasted Beet and Labneh Cloud presents a familiar regional pairing in a new form.

Bread, central to the region's dining traditions, occupies a special place on the menu. Za'atar and Olive Manakish celebrates the simplicity of Levantine flatbreads, while boat-shaped Turkish Pide, including a smoked duck and potato interpretation, reflects the culinary influences that extend beyond the Levant.

Bringing together the flavours of Lebanese mezzes and Turkish grills, YA:LA celebrates the region's rich culinary traditions through shared plates and open-fire cooking. Outdoors, the aromas and theatre of the grills come alive in a courtyard framed by olive trees and fountains.

A Space Where Stories Come Together

YA:LA's interiors evoke the warmth and character of a Levantine gathering place, where old-world influences meet contemporary design. Warm lighting falls across clay-toned surfaces, handcrafted ceramics and geometric details inspired by the restaurant's flooring and jaali walls.

An earthy palette of terracotta, chocolate brown, timber and slate black is complemented by brushed brass, olive green and woven textures. Layered with tapestries, beads and handcrafted details, the space draws subtle inspiration from the objects and traditions collected along journeys across the region.

At its heart is a spirit of connection. The Travellers Table, expressed through distinctive S-shaped seating indoors and a long communal table outdoors, invites guests to gather, share a meal and strike up conversations. Designed for those who enjoy the social side of dining, it brings to life the idea that a shared table can turn strangers into friends.

From the Mediterranean Kitchen to the Cocktail Glass

The journey continues at the bar, where the flavours of the Mediterranean inspire a cocktail programme built around herbs, citrus, spice and unexpected combinations.

Familiar ingredients take on new expressions: tomato finds its way into a Martini, harissa meets tequila, and dates come together with coffee. The result is a selection that draws from the region's kitchens, gardens and gathering places, with each cocktail offering its own interpretation of these influences.

Guiding guests through the menu is “Find Your Pour,” an intuitive way to discover cocktails according to individual preferences. Four flavour profiles — Bright and Juicy, Light and Lively, Savoury and Salty, and Rich and Slow — allow guests to explore the selection, with strength indicators making it easier to find a drink that suits the occasion.

The celebratory spirit continues with the YA:LA Round, a spirited tableside ritual that brings together a round of shots, a playful exchange of “YA:LA?” as the question and “Let's go!” as the answer, and the rhythmic beats of the darbuka, turning a simple toast into a shared celebration.

From Golden Hour to Stories After Ten

“Golden Hour” sets the stage for cocktails and conversation, before the restaurant moves into its dinner experience. The aromas of the kitchen, the warmth of shared tables and contemporary Arabic music create an atmosphere that is both inviting and energetic.

After 10 PM, “Stories After Ten” takes the energy up a notch. Afro-Arabic rhythms become more prominent, accompanied by inventive cocktails and desserts. At the heart of the experience is the YA:LA Ritual, an unmissable celebration that brings guests together through music, rhythm and a spirited moment of shared revelry. 

Through these experiences, YA:LA moves effortlessly between spirited dinners and lively late evenings, while remaining rooted in its celebration of food, culture and connection.

“With YA:LA, we wanted to introduce a dining experience that brings a new energy to The Ritz-Carlton, Pune one rooted in the generosity of Levantine hospitality, yet interpreted through a contemporary and highly social lens. The shared table is at the heart of the experience, creating a natural sense of connection, discovery and togetherness. It adds a distinctive new dimension to our culinary offering, while creating a destination that feels relevant to Pune and distinctly its own,” says Ishwinder Gill, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Pune. 

For Pune, YA:LA brings an experience unlike anything the city has seen before, where the traditions of the Levant find a contemporary expression. From shared plates and open-fire cooking to inventive cocktails and evenings that invite guests to stay a little longer, YA:LA celebrates the stories that travel with us and the new ones that begin when people come together.