8 delicious Saudi restaurants in Riyadh to eat at now
It’s time to go local…
Saudi restaurants in Riyadh come in spades, and we’ve cherry picked truly the best ones for you to dig into, hand first.
Saudi cuisine always has a special place in hearts of Riyadh locals, and rightfully so. The traditional local fare is certainly hard to beat when it comes to good food in Riyadh.
Get ready to sit cross-legged, majlis-style to enjoy these top class Saudi restaurants in Riyadh.
Al Saudi
View this post on Instagram
Founded in 1994, Al Saudi has been bringing traditional Saudi cuisine to Riyadh locals. This cool restaurant is known to serve quality food in its many locations in the city. Dig into mandi, mathbi or madfoun (maybe even all three). Highlights on the menu also include hashi (camel) kabsa, zorbian, and of course the grilled chicken.
Al Saudi, daily 11am to midnight, Al Amariyah, As Sulimaniyah. Tel: 9200 09515. @alsaudi_sa
Aseeb Najd
View this post on Instagram
A newly opened spot in Riyadh’s Alyasmin district. The restaurant aims to provide you with a an authentic Najdi experience. The family owned restaurant’s story began with Abu Saud and his wife Umm Saud. The couple set out to turn their love for home cooking to a restaurant based on the foundations of the Najdi cuisine. Main dishes include jareesh, qursan, and saleeg.
Aseeb Najd, daily noon to midnight, Anas Bin Malik Rd, Alyasmin. Tel: 9200 28226. @aseeb.najd
Cabrito
View this post on Instagram
A firm favourite for Riyadh diners, Cabrito has been around for nearly 20 years. The name comes from the Spanish and Portuguese word for roast kid goat. Known for its rice dishes, namely the special cabrito rice. The restaurant also serves delicacies like grilled quail, rabbits and mixed grills, too.
Cabrito, daily 8pm to midnight, King Abdul Aziz Branch Rd, Salahuddin. Tel: 011 200 7070. @cabrito_sa
Dr. Kabsa
View this post on Instagram
The doctor is in, get ready to take a bite. Dr. Kabsa serves up delicious looking chicken madfoon, hashi (camel) makmut and of course, tonnes of kabsa options too. Take your pick from kabsa al-shuyoukh with meat, and hashi kabsa too. Dress it up with a side of tahini, salata shiekh, or cucumber salad and take a bite. Rice options include either red rice or Peshawar rice.
Dr. Kabsa, daily 11am to 12.30am, 4595 Salah Ad Din Al Ayyubi Rd. Tel: 9200 20717. @dr_kabsa
Maiz
View this post on Instagram
One of the most recent restaurant openings in Riyadh, Maiz is a part of the famous Bujairi Terrace in Diriyah. If you’re after a fine-dining venue to enjoy the true essence of Saudi fare, head here. Step into the space and you’ll see modern decor, we’re talking full glass chandeliers, comfy leather chairs and a bar. Discover the many regions of Saudi through dishes like jareesh, saleeg, and more.
Maiz, daily 7pm to midnight, Bujairi Terrace. Tel: 9200 15513. @maizriyadh
Najd Village
View this post on Instagram
Najd Village has to be one of (if not the) the most stunning restaurants in Riyadh. Aiming to immerse you in the rich of the history and heritage of the Najdi region of Saudi Arabia, the restaurant has the traditional mudbrick architecture that Saudi is known for. Here you can feast your eyes and your bellies on old time objects and good food respectively. Hands at the ready, and eat mandi, maqloba (upside rice dish), and mogalgal (boneless lamb cubes cooked in tomato sauce).
Najd Village, daily 11am to midnight, Abi Bakr As Siddiq Rd, Al Wahah. Tel: 9200 33511. @najdvillagesa
Takya
View this post on Instagram
A Saudi fusion restaurant, Takya has just opened its doors in Diriyah’s Bujairi Terrace. Focused on creating reinvented versions of traditional Saudi cuisine. The venue is also the first Saudi-owned fine-dining restaurant. Its signature dish is saleeg, which is a creamy rice dish served with sautéed chicken.
Takya, Weekdays 4pm to midnight, Weekends 2pm to 1am. Reservations can be made here. Tel: 055 0402 000. @takya_sa
Suhail
View this post on Instagram
Award-winning restaurant Suhail, is definitely one of the best Saudi restaurants in Riyadh. The fine-dining spot is located in MEFIC Centre in the An Nakheel district. Here you can enjoy contemporary Saudi cuisine like traditional winter dessert hanini in a cheesecake form (experimental, we know), camel steaks with saffron potato puree and pumpkin ravioli. After more traditional items? Try out the jareesh, qursan or Hijazi lamb mabshor.
Suhail, noon to 1am, MEFIC Centre. Tel: 9200 02690. @suhail_saudi
Images: Provided/ Instagram