NYC nostalgia, coming soon to Dubai
Dubai’s dining scene is about to get a taste of the Big Apple. Hudson & Rye, billed as the UAE’s first authentic New York-style deli, will open its doors at DIFC Square on 30 June, bringing classic deli sandwiches, nostalgic desserts and all-day comfort food to the heart of the financial district.
Created by a team of New Yorkers, the new concept takes inspiration from the city’s legendary delicatessens – the neighbourhood institutions where towering sandwiches, bottomless coffee and familiar faces have been part of daily life for generations.
Located on the ground floor of Tower 3 at DIFC Square, Hudson & Rye will serve a menu packed with New York staples. Diners can tuck into signature Reuben sandwiches made with house-made pastrami or oven-roasted turkey, alongside tuna melts, cheeseburgers and traditional deli sides including pickles, potato pancakes and onion rings.
The dessert menu leans heavily into American nostalgia, featuring black and white cookies, New York-style cheesecake and toasted coconut cake.
Breakfast will also play a major role in the offering. One standout dish is the Breakfast Buddy, a homemade biscuit filled with egg, cheese and a choice of protein or potato pancake, inspired by classic New York morning fare.
Beyond the food, the team hopes to recreate the atmosphere that has made New York delis famous. Interiors are designed to evoke the welcoming feel of Manhattan eateries, where locals gather throughout the day for everything from breakfast meetings to late-afternoon coffee breaks.
The venture is led by entrepreneurs Emma Zabinsky Csillag and Daniel Ross-Leutwyler, known as Chef Dan, alongside a group of partners. Chef Dan brings more than two decades of culinary experience and previously helped reopen one of New York’s most celebrated delis, S&P Lunch.
Hudson & Rye is not stopping at DIFC. The founders have ambitious plans to expand across the UAE, with up to ten locations envisioned over the next five years.
The opening also marks another addition to DIFC Square’s growing lifestyle and dining offering as the new development welcomes its first tenants and visitors.
Hudson & Rye opens on 30 June and will operate daily. Delivery services through Careem, Deliveroo and Talabat are expected to launch in July, alongside in-house catering and delivery options.
For Dubai diners craving a proper pastrami sandwich without boarding a flight to New York, this could be the closest thing yet.
Image credit: Supplied
Curious, expressive, and always chasing new ideas, Zainab sees creativity as a way of life. She thrives on discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and turning inspiration into something tangible. Her work and her world reflect a balance of intuition, imagination, and authenticity.
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