Ramadan 2022: The best restaurants in Riyadh for iftar and suhoor
From lavish buffet spreads and set menus to specially curated items, here’s where you can get a taste of the Ramadan experience in Riyadh…
Saturday, April 2, marks the first day of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Observant Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk and traditionally gather with family and friends to break their fast in the evening – also known as iftar.
This will be the first year since 2019 that Ramadan in Saudi Arabia will be observed without coronavirus restrictions. And throughout the holy month, hotels and restaurants across Riyadh invite everyone to enjoy an iftar experience and get into the festive vibe. While there’s much local cuisine on offer, there are also a lot of international fares.
So, here’s our round-up of iftars and suhoors that you can try in Riyadh this Ramadan.
Eataly
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Eataly has created a special iftar set menu featuring three starters, including vegetable chips, Arancino cheese and bruschetta, followed by soup and salad. Main course options include Bolognese pasta, pepperoni pizza, or seabass fillet with tomato sauce, olives, mussels and clams, ending with a date toffee tiramisu and Vimto drink.
Eataly, Al Malik An Nasir, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 12223. SAR144 for iftar set menu & SAR74 for kids’ iftar menu. @eatalyarabia
Elements
Enjoy iftar or suhoor in the relaxing atmosphere of Elements, located in the lobby of Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh. The restaurant will feature traditional Saudi fare, live cooking, fresh juices corner and an array of classic Ramadan treats.
Elements Restaurant, Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, Olaya Street, Kingdom Centre, Riyadh 11321. Iftar and Suhoor, daily 6.30pm to 2am, SAR350 for Iftar, SAR280 for Suhoor & SAR160 for children. Tel: 011 211 5888. @fsriyadh
Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh Ramadan Tent
The Kingdom Ballroom Ramadan Tent promises a rich buffet, including seven live stations where chefs will be showcasing their culinary skills. Diners can enjoy an extensive range of Saudi and international dishes, featuring Saudi ouzzi, chicken kabsa, jareesh, lamb qursan, succulent grills from a Josper charcoal oven, Asian specialities like poke sushi cups, and sourdough pizza from a pizza stone oven, as well as desserts such as kunefe, gelato and a chocolate fountain. Plus, there’s a dedicated buffet for children.
Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, Olaya Street, Kingdom Centre, Riyadh 11321. Kingdom Ballroom Ramadan Tent, daily 6.30pm to 9pm. SAR425 for Iftar, SAR525 for Chef’s Table & SAR175 for children. Tel: 011 211 5888. @fsriyadh
Hotel Cartagena
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Head to Hotel Cartagena, where its exclusive iftar menu takes you on a culinary journey. An assortment of Latin-American-Arabic fusion bites to share – from starters to mains and desserts – awaits.
Hotel Cartagena, U Walk, An Nakheel. Iftar menu SAR250 per person. Ramadan hours: 5.30pm to 1am. @hotelcartagenariyadh
Il Baretto
Experience authentic Italian-style iftar and suhoor at Il Baretto Riyadh with its world-renowned à la carte offering. Featuring the restaurant’s outstanding selection of Italian favourites and modern classics, diners curate their Ramadan dining experience based on their personal preferences. For those looking for lighter options, the Gillardeau Oysters, Vitello Tonato, Green Beans and Artichoke Salad, Red Prawn Carpaccio, and Salmon Fillet provide fresh, flavourful and nutritious options; whilst those in search of heartier, indulgent options can indulge in the Black Truffle Rigatoni, Crab Ravioli, Beef Fillet and Oscietra Caviar. Round off the meal with the restaurant’s mouth-watering desserts, such as the Sicilian Cannoli and Pistachio Crème Brulée, along with Il Baretto’s refreshing selection of delicately blended signature mocktails.
Il Baretto Riyadh, Al Malqa, King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh 13521. Ramadan hours: 8pm to 3am. @ilbarettosa
Kasbah Moroccan Lounge
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Kasbah specialises in Moroccan food, and its Ramadan menu will feature salads, starters, and main courses served in tagine and clay pot, alongside desserts and beverages.
Kasbah Moroccan Lounge, Boulevard Riyadh City, Ramadan Menu SAR285 per family of four. Tel: 050 588 2426. @kasbah.riyadh
LPM
LPM Riyadh introduces a limited-edition dessert box just in time for Ramadan. Ideal for hosting and gifting, the specially curated package comprises six decadent desserts. Indulge your sweet tooth with the rich Dark Circle, made with chocolate mousse, biscuit jaconde, hazelnut mousseline and chocolate glaze, or explore the airy texture and sweet flavours of the White Chocolate and Raspberry Sponge Cake. The Petit Gateau, a delicious concoction of almond sponge and mascarpone cream, makes for a real treat this Ramadan, garnished with mango, pineapple and raspberry for an unexpected fruity twist. Banana Dulcey, with dulce ganache, banana crémeux and cake, is yet another crowd-pleaser alongside the satisfying Milk Chocolate and Hazelnut Mousse and richly flavoured Caramel and Coffee Tart.
LPM Ramadan Dessert Box (SAR350) will be available by special order via phone call and pre-payment and will be available for pickup from the restaurant 24 hours after the order is placed. LPM Restaurant & Café, King Fahd Road, No. 38, Al Motassem Street, Al Olaya (behind Al Faisaliah Hotel), Riyadh 12212. Ramadan hours: 9pm to 2am. Tel: 9200 11794. @lpmriyadh
MAMO Michelangelo
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Available daily throughout Ramadan from 6pm, diners can look forward to a five-course set menu at MAMO. Highlights include four types of Antipasti, such as roasted tomato soup and Parmesan fried chickpeas, Bufalina pizza, sea bream fillet and grilled whole baby chicken. The Ramadan set menu is also available for delivery on Jahez, The Chefz and Lugmety mobile apps.
Mamo Michelangelo, King Fahd Road, Al Olaya, Riyadh 12212. Mamo’s Ramadan Set Menu, SAR550 per person, available from 6pm. @mamomichelangeloksa
Meraki
Known for its modern Greek cuisine, Meraki serves two special set menus this Ramadan. Each five-course menu offers starters, salad, hot mezze, your choice of the main course with sides of grilled broccolini or rice, and a choice of your favourite dessert.
Meraki Riyadh, Al Motassem Street, 1st floor, Al Olaya. Ramadan Set Menus are priced at SAR250 and SAR325. Ramadan hours: 6pm to 2am. Tel: 9200 01050. @merakiriyadh
ROKA
Contemporary Japanese robatayaki restaurant ROKA Riyadh continues to offer its extensive à la carte and regular tasting menus during the holy month of Ramadan. Guests can dine inside the restaurant’s beautiful industrial interiors or opt for alfresco seating at the luxe terrace to experience the most relaxing after-Iftar outing. For this month, ROKA has also curated an exclusive mocktail, Kumo Arabica (SAR65), consisting of a spicy coffee base with cardamom, sesame and cedarwood and a refreshing date orange cream flavour. Plus, everyone gets complimentary dates and Arabic coffee on arrival.
ROKA Riyadh, 5140 Prince Muhammad Ibn Abd Al Aziz, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 12243. Ramadan hours: 6.30pm to 3am. Tel: 9200 12327. @rokariyadhofficial
Seven Restaurant
Seven Restaurant at Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Northern Ring Road offers two iftar options this Ramadan. For those searching for a buffet spread with traditional favourites, you’ll be pleased to know that the iftar buffet changes daily, with a menu that includes an array of dishes, including pasta, shawarmas, mixed grills, and traditional Arabic desserts. Prefer an exclusive and intimate VIP terrace iftar dining experience instead? Set on the hotel’s top floor with skyline views, expect a generous buffet, from classic mezze options to live cooking stations, accompanied by stellar silver service. The terrace menu offers various daily dishes, from hot and cold traditional appetisers, including starters, soups, salads, traditional Arabic desserts, and more.
Seven Restaurant, Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Northern Ring Road, daily, sunset to 8.30pm. Iftar Buffet SAR190 per person & VIP Terrace SAR450 per person; both options include Ramadan beverages. Tel: 011 521 0000. @courtyardriyadhnorthernring
Villa Palma
Dine at the sophisticated Villa Palma and experience an exclusive Mediterranean-inspired set menu. The four-course menu features 14 mouth-watering dishes, comprising soups, starters, mains and desserts. Begin with the Moroccan harira soup, Villa Caesar salad, beetroot and lentil salad, and feta watermelon salad. To follow, an array of signature dishes is served, including the slow-braised lamb, mushroom tagliatelle, and baked pasta rigatoni. For dessert, the orange almond syrup cake, warm date pudding and authentic Italian gelato offer the sweetest possible end to a memorable meal. The à la carte menu is also available to complement the set menu experience.
Villa Palma, Abdullah Bin Hamdan, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 12223. Ramadan hours: Mon to Sat 5.30pm to 2am. Tel: 050 333 0154. @villa_palma
Yauatcha
Our favourite Chinese dim sum spot has put out a special set menu for two for this year’s Ramadan. They’re offering a four-course meal, which includes shredded chicken soup, dim sums like har gao and seabass dumplings, as well as wok-fried long beans, Angus beef with ginger and onion, fried rice with chicken for mains, and much more. Ready for dessert? End your meal with caramelised dates and ginger cake. The ala carte menu will be available throughout Ramadan, too.
Yauatcha Riyadh, Mode Mall, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Rd, Al Olaya, Riyadh 12212. Ramadan Set Menu SAR250 per person, available from 4pm to 2am for iftar and suhoor. @yauatchariyadh
Images: Provided / Instagram