The unexpected is the norm at RUKA Restobar, Boston’s first Nikkei (Peruvian-Japanese) and Chifa (Peruvian-Chinese) restaurant.

In recent decades, thriving Asian immigrant communities have put Lima on the world culinary map. After several trips to Peru, RUKA’s chef-owner team – inspired by the rich fusion cuisine and Lima’s vibrant urban environment – were eager to bring that magic combination to Boston. These journeys became the inspiration for RUKA Restobar. 

Located in the recently-opened Godfrey Hotel in a historic 1904 landmark building in Boston’s Downtown Crossing, the space was designed to complement the bright and bold flavors of the RUKA team’s artfully-plated presentations. Sometimes familiar and sometimes exotic, the design themes present contrasts: swirling and variegated finished of natural walnut bar top and partitions against highly crafted and geometric tile back bar; earthen-tones of clay tile and wood slats against the bright reds and golds of whimsical, hand-painted murals; abstracted hanging baskets as light fixtures as counterpoint to very detailed concrete dragons climbing the nearby columns.

Bergmeyer’s hospitality design team worked from conception through completion in close collaboration with the client team – who were intimately involved throughout the process. Using artifacts, photographs, and memories from their travel to fuel the design direction, the RUKA team also recruited artisans to execute everything from artwork to earthenware, stemware to menu design.

Building a new and ambitious restaurant within a fully-functioning and occupied new boutique hotel was not an easy challenge. With The Godfrey only recently opened and guest impressions of the utmost importance, the construction had to meet many goals. In addition to the usual pressures of schedule and budget, the entire design and build team worked effectively together to ensure the experiences of the guests and staff were not interrupted.