Best Restaurants in Riyadh

Riyadh is a dynamic metropolis where tradition and modernity coexist in striking harmony. The city boasts a skyline dotted with futuristic skyscrapers alongside historic neighborhoods and centuries-old mosques. The city is also known for its vibrant markets, cutting-edge shopping malls, and an expanding culinary scene that reflects both local flavors and international influences.

Riyadh’s cuisine is a flavorful reflection of both tradition and modernity, blending centuries-old Saudi recipes with contemporary culinary influences. At the heart of the city’s gastronomy are dishes like kabsa, a fragrant rice and meat dish spiced with saffron, cardamom, and cinnamon. Another crowd pleaser is mutabbaq, a stuffed savory pastry sold on most street corners.

Given its recent rise as a regional tourist hub, Riyadh has also embraced international flavors. Today, Riyadh restaurants offer everything from Italian pastas and French pastries to Japanese sushi and Korean barbecue. These are often infused with a subtle Arabian twist to give them a unique taste. Here’s our list of the best restaurants in Riyadh;

Najd Village

For a taste of traditional Saudi cuisine in the heart of Riyadh, Najd Village offers an immersive experience that transports diners to “old Riyadh.” Designed to resemble a historic village, the restaurant features mud-brick walls, intricate wooden detailing, and floor-based majlis seating.

The menu showcases local Najdi specialties built around wheat, dates, and dairy. These include; jareesh, freek, Najd temman, and sabeed, while camel meat, lamb, and freshly baked bread round out the traditional offerings. You’ll have a private area away from lurking eyes to better enjoy your meal.

For those looking to sample a broad range of flavors, the communal village sofra or the extensive Village Trip menu allows groups to share an authentic feast. Najd Village combines high-quality food with cultural ambience, decorated with antique artifacts, colorful doors, and Bedouin jewelry.

Also Read: Guide to Spending A Weekend in Riyadh.

Burj Al Hamam

Established in 1979 with its first branch on Takhassusi Street, the restaurant has grown to eight locations in Riyadh and one in Jeddah. Each locale offers a welcoming ambiance filled with natural light, perfect for casual meals or special occasions. The menu highlights traditional Lebanese comfort food like hummus topped with pine nuts, fatteh with shrimp or eggplant, chicken tawouk, mixed grill, and chicken shawarma platters.

You’ll also enjoy Middle Eastern desserts like Om Ali, kunafa, and the semolina-based Mafrouke. Key Riyadh locations include the original Takhassusi branch, Riyadh Park Mall outlet, along with branches in Yasmin, Hittin, Granada, Orouba, and Dhabab.

Guests can enjoy a wide range of offerings, including cold and hot mezza like Hummus Moutammam, Batata Harra, and Tabouli. They also serve hearty main courses such as Shish Barak, Kibbeh Labanieh, and Lamb with Oriental Rice, plus signature sandwiches like Burj Tawouk and Burj Shawarma.

Phet Phet

Located in the Pure Center on Takhassusi Branch Road in Riyadh, Phet Phet has quickly become a must-visit for fans of bold Thai flavors. Originally launched in Kuwait during Covid, this no-frills eatery maintains an app-based queue to manage its popularity, but the wait is more than justified.

The menu celebrates home-style and street-inspired dishes, from lime-sharp som tam and siu mai dumplings to golden prawn toast and fragrant tom yum soup. Signature dishes like pad Thai arrive wrapped in a delicate fried-egg parcel, sprinkled with peanuts, dried chilies, spring onions, and beansprouts. Their noodles are cooked to ideal slurpability.

Appetizers like chili wontons and Pow Pow shrimp set the tone. Main courses such as Pad Krapao Beef, Khao Soi Curry Noodles, and Chicken Cashew Nut deliver confident, satisfying flavors. The dessert menu highlights classics like mango sticky rice, rounding out a dining experience.

Nomas

Tucked just off Riyadh’s main dining routes, Nomas exudes a quiet confidence, inviting the city to come to it rather than chasing trends. It ditches the ornate arabesque aesthetics common in many Middle Eastern spots for low-lit, clubby interior features with dark woods, textured walls, and softly glowing lamps. The restaurant is one of the most exclusive in Riyadh and only has space for 35 guests at a time.

The menu, overseen by Head Chef Ahad Alghamdi and an all-female management team, elevates Saudi classics with precision and creativity. Nomas serves starters such as charred aubergine with tahini and puff madini stuffed with slow-cooked lamb shank. You’ll also love their mains like camel tenderloin glazed with Saudi coffee, slow-braised wagyu cheeks, and an array of lamb dishes like smoky haneeth and kabsa.

Somewhere Restaurant

For those seeking a daring twist on Arabic cuisine, Somewhere Restaurant offers a masterful blend of traditional Middle Eastern flavors with modern European and Asian influences. Known for its “travel-inspired” culinary approach, the restaurant delivers dishes that are as visually striking as they are flavorful.

Today, the outfit has two Riyadh branches at Roshan Front and Bujairi Terrace in Diriyah, and additional locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Its menu showcases Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fusion highlights such as Beetroot Shawarma, Wagyu Kebab Bao Buns, Lime Corn Salad, and Shrimp Kunafa. Other signature offerings include zaatar and truffle-infused labneh, chicken jalapeno fatteh, and shawarma baos.

For dessert lovers, indulgent tastes like Cerelac Om Ali, Rose Ice Cream Sandwiches, and Kunafa Croissants are not to be missed. They also sell decadent sweets like Karak French Toast, Celeriac Umm Ali, and Coconut Basbousa. These are perfectly complemented by beverages including Passion Fruit Mojitos and curated coffee and tea selections.

Kayzo

Located in the heart of Riyadh, Kayzo occupies the former residence of the glitzy Billionaire. Despite its scale, the restaurant maintains a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere while still exuding a celebratory energy. The menu emphasizes creative Japanese street food designed for sharing.

It features standout dishes like hamachi jalapeño, crispy rice topped with salmon or tuna, and a variety of bao buns, sliders, and gyoza. Wagyu appears in multiple forms, from torched nigiri with foie gras to indulgent maki rolls and hearty mains. You can also indulge comfort dishes like kimchi fried rice with slow-cooked short rib.

Small plates such as popcorn shrimp, chicken gyoza, and mandarine salad complement mains like beef takikomi gohan and salmon filo. They also offer sushi options including spider katsu maki and salmon rolls. Rounded out by an inventive selection of mocktails, Kayzo serves as a bold, flavorful extension of the popular MYAZŪ brand.

Conclusion

Riyadh’s best restaurants reveal themselves not just as places to eat, but as destinations that reflect the city’s vibrant personality. They serve up experiences that linger in memory long after the dishes have been cleared. In a city where tradition and modernity dance through every street and alley, the culinary scene follows suit with grace, boldness, and a healthy appetite for wonder.