10 exciting new restaurants and menus to try in Riyadh this week
Satiate your appetite for new eats…
Looking for a sophisticated dining experience for your special occasions? Perhaps a neighbourhood café for a slow-paced afternoon is what you’re after, or new menus for something a little different? Fret not – we’ve got a list of new restaurants and menus in Riyadh for you to tick off your list this week.
Avenue M
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If you’re a fan of Flour & Firewood (like us), you’ll be pleased to know that they have just opened a fine-dining concept right next to it. Avenue M is a sophisticated new establishment offering classic home-cooked Italian favourites that opens six days a week for dinners only. The food menu is extensive, with lots of small plates to share, like baby squid, carpaccio, and burrata, while larger plates include salt-crusted sea bass, seafood linguine, truffle mushroom risotto, and veal Milanese.
Avenue M by FF, 2865 Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Rd, 7744, Riyadh 12232, Mon to Sat 8pm to midnight. @avenue.m.by.ff
Babu Lal
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You’d be mistaken for thinking you’re in Calcutta after stepping foot into this wonder of a restaurant. The menu is as colourful as its interiors and features authentic Indian street food. We suggest ordering numerous dishes, whether it’s the saffron chicken tikka, beetroot-flavoured kebab, dal, coconut shrimp curry or butter chicken.
Babu Lal, Anas Ibn Malik Rd, Al Malqa, Riyadh 13525, Sat to Wed noon to 1am, Thurs & Fri noon to 2am. Tel: 055 696 9460. @eatbabulal
Baco
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Baco has officially landed, welcoming customers to its first-ever Riyadh outlet. Hailing from Jeddah, the cosy café serves Asian-fusion dishes. Pair any of the fresh and fruit-infused drinks with the perfectly dense bao buns, prawn gyoza or kimchi rice with beef bulgogi, just to name a few of our favourite dishes. The portion sizes are perfect for sharing, so grab a few friends and head down for dinner and some unbeatable flavours.
Baco, 3824 8327 Al Ayinah, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 12223, Sun to Wed noon to 1am, Thurs & Sat noon to 2am, Fri 1pm to 2am. @baco.sa
Chalmont
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Housed within KAFD, Chalmont is a dreamy fine-dining restaurant known for its timeless French classics and recipes. Each dish tells a story through well-thought-out ingredients and artful presentation. From small plates to a variety of dishes to share, you’ll be teleported to France with the scrumptious creations here.
Chalmont, KAFD, Al Aqiq, Riyadh 13519, daily 6.30pm to midnight. Tel: 9200 66011. @chalmont.sa
Hualan
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Dressed in tropical accents that trickled ever so seamlessly with a modern aesthetic, Hualan has now reopened its doors at Midtown Complex and invites guests to indulge in their creative Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine. The menu rarely disappoints – especially the choice of exquisite dim sum.
Hualan, Midtown Complex, Al Diuhak Ibn Soufian, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 12243, Sun to Wed noon to midnight, Thurs to Sat noon to 1am. Tel: 011 211 0999. @hualan_restaurant
Lunchroom
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Fresh seasonal produce lies at the heart of Lunchroom. Inside, the space is light and airy, with rustic décor. Star dishes include pide bread with honeycomb, shiitake and scallion falafel, parmesan galette, Vedic eggs, and Croque Madame sourdough flatbread. A cool neighbourhood eatery, ideal for a buzzy brunch spot.
Lunchroom, Pure Centre, 8030 Takhassusi Branch Road, Riyadh 12364, daily 8am to 3pm. @lunchroomksa
Hustle n’ Flow Eatery
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All the way from Marbella, Hustle n’ Flow Eatery is a hip, healthy and conscious breakfast and lunch spot known for its freshly prepared, full of colour and bursting with nutrients meals. From organic smoothie bowls, artisan toast and salads to speciality coffees and homemade desserts, everything they serve is as unique as it is delicious.
Hustle n’ Flow Eatery, An Nafal, Riyadh 13312, Sat to Thurs 9am to 5pm & Fri 1pm to 9pm. @hustlenflowriyadh
Santini
Head to Riyadh’s Laysen Valley to find Santini, a family-run Italian restaurant from London with beautiful, sumptuous interiors. The opulent green accents juxtaposed with industrial features and the monochromatic family photos make for super chic surroundings with a warm and intimate atmosphere. The design is by Bishop Design, who was inspired by the family-orientated brand to make guests feel at home, and Santini’s signature brand mark – the artichoke, which is portrayed through its abstracted forms, such as the curvature of the restaurant’s door handles. The food is fabulous, too. The burrata with tomatoes, avocado and tapenade is a must, as is the tuna carpaccio with grapefruit, capers, cucumber and radish. Classic tagliolini Limone and grilled sea bass with lentil and balsamic mixed herbs dressing are also highlights.
Santini, Laysen Valley, Umm Al Hamam Al Gharbi, Building 28, Riyadh 12329, Sun to Thurs 1pm to 4pm & 7pm to 12.30am, Fri & Sat 1pm to 12.30am. Tel: 9200 08796. @santini.riyadh
VOX Cinemas Gold
VOX Cinemas and Saudi Chef Mona Mosly have unveiled a new expanded menu as part of their ongoing collaboration. Moviegoers in Riyadh can look forward to a broader range of Saudi fusion flavours on the specially curated menu, which features more than 20 dishes, including kibbeh nachos and BBQ chicken bao, available exclusively at VOX Cinemas GOLD. Known for her creative take on classic favourites, Chef Mona is one of the region’s most recognisable celebrity chefs. As the region’s largest cinema exhibitor, VOX Cinemas continuously innovates and diversifies its movie and F&B offerings so guests can enjoy an unrivalled cinematic experience. Its luxury in-cinema dining concept, GOLD, caters to discerning movie lovers who want to indulge in gourmet food. Guests can dine in an exclusive private lounge area or have their food delivered straight to their seats through the in-theatre waiter service.
VOX Cinemas GOLD, various locations in Riyadh, including Kingdom Centre, Riyadh Front, Sahara Mall, and The Esplanade. @voxcinemasksa
Zafran
Zafran introduces yet another limited-edition menu – the Jashn-e-Kebab, a feast celebrating India’s quintessential kebabs. Expect seven different platters of kebabs offering authentic South Asian and regional flavours. The one-of-a-kind chicken specialities include Murgh Pahadi Tikka, boneless chicken breast marinated in a rare yet delicious combination of green chilli, spring onion, fresh zaatar, raw mango, and other spices that rejoice in the flavours of Himachal. You can indulge in the flavours that reign over the Kandahar region as you bite into the chef’s special Persian chicken kebab, which is chicken marinated in saffron, black pepper, cumin, and coriander. The Murgh Surkh Angaar is a bright red, boneless chicken breast marinated with Kashmiri chilli, brought to the table from Rajasthan. Or try the Shikampuri Gosht Kebab, melt-in-your-mouth lamb patties flavoured with cumin, turmeric, and whole spices. For seafood lovers, Zafran brings you the Kaffir Lime Jhinge, a delectable prawn dish that packs a punch with its distinct flavours of kaffir lime leaves, lemon, red chilli, and vinegar. Kebab plates start from as little as SAR69 and are served with a side of cheese zaatar naan and a delightful selection of sweet and spicy dips and masala cheese sauce. Dining with a group of friends or family? You can’t go wrong with Jashn-e-Kebab’s exotic sharing platter – the Royal Feast, which combines chicken, lamb, and seafood kebabs in one spectacular spread for just SAR199.
Zafran, various locations including Levels Mall, daily 1pm to 1am, Tel: 050 900 9052; Al Nakheel Mall, Sun to Wed noon to midnight, Thurs to Sat noon to 1am, Tel: 050 285 3603; and The View Mall, Fri 1pm to midnight, Sat to Thurs noon to midnight, Tel: 055 903 6624. @zafranindianbistro
Images: Provided / Instagram