20 exciting restaurants opening in Riyadh in 2024
Riyadh’s food scene is getting a slew of exciting new openings…
Riyadh’s restaurant scene just keeps getting better. If you’re looking for new spots to switch up where you dine in the Saudi Capital, we’ve got a complete guide of all the new openings to keep track of.
Here are all the incredible restaurants opening in Riyadh in 2024.
Amazonico Riyadh
Junglesque restaurant Amazonico is an exotic paradise filled with foliage and imagery of exotic animals that previously popped up in Riyadh in 2021. The food is based on Latin American cuisine and features a variety of tender steaks, fresh fish and delicious appetisers. It has restaurants already in Madrid, London and Dubai, so we can’t wait to see what’s to come at Amazonico in Riyadh when it opens in KAFD later this year.
B+F
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This vibrant restaurant concept from Kuwait (yes, they’re the same group behind Burger Boutique) will open soon in Laysen Valley, and will focus on upscale, international cuisine with a unique dining experience. It is keeping its exact plans under wraps, but diners will be entertained by open flame cooking demonstrations, and artisan pizzas will be cooked in a wood-fired oven.
Bambini
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Riyadh diners love their Italian food, so whenever a new one opens you best believe we’ll be excited. Bambini Riyadh is the next one to join the streets. Currently, the brand has venues in Paris, Megeve and very soon Riyadh. Expect classic dishes like Tagliatelle Al Tartufo, Pistachio Pesto Trofie, and the iconic Milanese Cutlet adorned with the finest harvests from Italian soil. The whole concept of Bambini’s boils down to capturing the vibrancy of Italian street life in an upscale and dynamic atmosphere complete with culinary delights. In its other outposts, the restaurants adapt their menus to the changing seasons offering warmth in winter and vivacity in summer at its Paris and Megève locations. So, we can’t wait to see what Bambini Riyadh is like.
Benoit
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There is no other place as bistrot-like and as Parisian as Benoit, a contemporary French bistro by Alain Ducasse. And we’ll soon be able to immerse ourselves in the vibe of a genuine Parisian bistro in KAFD. Expect to see traditional French bistro elements, such as the signature red velvet banquettes, a lighter colour palette, and delectable French cuisine that blends beloved classics with modern inspiration.
Bordo
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Luca Maggiora – one of the defining names in London’s nightlife scene – is bringing his Italian restaurant Bardo to KAFD. Bardo has seen great success in their St. James, London site since it opened in July 2021, with its international clientele seduced by its lavish interiors designed in the ‘Dolce Vita’ style and a menu showcasing unique twists on traditional Italian dishes. The menu, albeit traditional and showcasing unique Italian cuisine from the south of Italy, will reflect the luxe décor. Look forward to classic fine-dining Italian dishes, such as burrata with figs, pickled radicchio, Chioggia beetroot, and white balsamic; short rib of beef agnolotti with garlic chips and horseradish; tagliolini cacio pepe with porcini and hazelnut crumble; and veal Milanese with roasted tomatoes.
Chotto Matte
Those seeking a taste of the Japanese-Peruvian cuisine from Riyadh’s first location of chain Chotto Matte won’t have to wait much longer. Chotto Matte, which means “wait a minute” in Japanese, is slated to welcome its customers in the heart of KAFD this October. Expect to see bold street art on the walls and a myriad of authentic Nikkei dishes like the best-selling sashimi, shrimp gyoza, and lobster and wild prawn ceviche. The brand is also memorable for its diverse and vibrant atmosphere that suits all types for any occasion.
Cipriani Dolci
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We’re huge fans of the upscale Italian restaurant Cipriani at Hittin in Riyadh. So, imagine our delight upon finding out that the team behind it is opening a more relaxed little sister restaurant – Cipriani Dolci. While we don’t yet have an official opening date, we do know that this debut destination in Riyadh will be located within the 1364AH complex in the Diplomatic Quarter. The concept is a luxurious take on the Italian Pasticceria. So, expect all the good things you’d expect to eat. Think decadent favourites from torta di cioccolato and ice cream freshly whipped to order to lemon tart, tiramisu and more. And of course, a must-try at all Cipriani is the vanilla meringue cake, which tastes like a warm hug from Nonna.
Em Sherif Sea Cafe
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Who doesn’t love some Lebanese food? And especially when it comes from the incredible venue of Em Sherif. Soon, Laysen Valley diners will be able to tuck into its own version of Em Sherif, this time the brand’s Sea Cafe. We’re looking forward to digging into classics like Rose with milk, lamb with potatoes and more.
Gina
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Riyadh’s newest lifestyle destination, the three-storey Solitaire, is set to become quite the culinary hotspot. Slated to welcome visitors later this year, it will house a string of internationally acclaimed restaurants, including Nice-born Gina. A colourful Italian eatery, this sun-soaked spot in the South of France welcomes guests for breezy breakfasts, hearty Italian lunches, and sun-drenched dinners on the alfresco terrace. We’ve got similar expectations for the debut Saudi Arabian restaurant when it welcomes later this year.
Le Perroquet
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From OAK Hospitality, the brand behind Riyadh’s just-opened Italian eatery Forno Del Buffone, comes Le Perroquet. Set to open soon in KAFD, alongside a string of international outposts like Zuma, Amazonico, and Sushisamba, Le Perroquet promises diners a fusion of modern French flavours. Self-described as a French bistro with a twist, expect Le Perroquet to be an upscale casual dining experience reminiscent of a cosy French brasserie. Welcoming diners for breakfast, lunch and dinner, expect weekly menus and seasonally-changing daily specials.
Liza
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Recognised as one of the Middle East’s best restaurants, this beautiful restaurant is a culinary love letter to Lebanon. Born in Beirut, it’s set to expand into Riyadh later this year as one of several restaurants opening soon at lifestyle destination, Solitaire. On the menu, expect home made mezze, flavourful grills, and an array of sweet treats for dessert. The gorgeous garden terrace is one of the most sought-after spots for alfresco dining in Beirut, so we’re hopeful for something similar when Liza lands in Riyadh.
Mayabay
Opening in Riyadh in 2024 is Thai and Japanese fusion restaurant by way of Monaco, Mayabay. Already a popular fine dining restaurant in Dubai, when it opens in Riyadh’s Prince Turki Ibn Abdulaziz Al Awwal Road, the elegant restaurant will boast 750 square metres of space with an expansive 180 square metre outdoor terrace. We hope the Riyadh restaurant includes some of MayaBay’s signature dishes, such as the Maya crispy duck, pad thai, MayaBay sashimi, and black cod with miso and honey.
Olive Garden
The famous American Italian fast-casual restaurant Olive Garden will open soon at The Zone. Currently, Olive Garden only has one branch in the Kingdom, in Jeddah’s Atelier LaVie. and the Riyadh branch will mark the brand’s second opening in the Kingdom. From never-ending servings of freshly baked breadsticks and iconic garlic salad to warm, comforting soups and sauces, there is always something for everyone at Olive Garden.
Pahli Hill
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Another exciting new arrival in the KAFD culinary district is Pahli Hill, set to open its doors in Riyadh in 2024. Hailing from London, it was previously awarded as a 2023 winner of London’s Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide. Pahli Hill is named after one of Mumbai’s oldest neighbourhoods and it is modelled on the cultural melting pot of communal living, commonly known as “building societies”. The concept behind Pahli Hill is about sharing food with everyone in a celebration of community, as well as eating well and informally. As for the food? The restaurant is known to have some of the finest flavour-packed regional dishes from every corner of the country. So, expect easy-to-eat and full of fresh, eclectic mix of regionally-inspired flavours.
Perruche
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One of Paris’ most popular culinary hotspots, Perruche, will be spreading its wings in Riyadh, and we can’t wait. This marks the restaurant’s first international expansion. While the Paris venue is a sought-after rooftop restaurant perched high up on the roof of department store Printemps Haussmann, the Riyadh location will be located in the city’s newest lifestyle destination, the three-storey Solitaire. No opening date has been announced for both Perruche and Solitaire. And while we’re not yet sure what the space for Perruche Riyadh will look like, we’re expecting similar sunny beach vibes to its original location.
Spontini
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Spontini Pizza, Milan’s pride and joy and rapidly growing food venue, is finally heading to Saudi Arabia. Prepared in iron pans, baked in wood-fired ovens, and still using the same original pizza recipe from 1953, Spontini Pizza’s sixty-year-old history is what makes the brand so memorable. The venue is known for its fresh, fully Italian ingredients. Preparing pizza by carefully kneading and leavening each piece of dough, at Spontini’s, each pizza is produced artisanally each day. Picture this: a thick 300-gram slice complete with a crispy base, soft dough, a heaping helping of the signature sauce, and of course, a ton of cheese.
Sushisamba
Among the retail, hotel and restaurant plans for Riyadh’s landmark KAFD development are a slew of new restaurants, including global concept, SushiSamba. With outlets already in Miami, Las Vegas, London, Dubai and Doha, the restaurant blends Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian cuisines. Dishes on the menus in other cities include wagyu gyoza, samba salad, vegetable tempura, crispy lobster taquitos, tiradito, robata grills, and of course, plenty of sushi.
Wadi
A brand-new name in Riyadh’s restaurant scene, Wadi will be offering a luxurious dining experience focused on Saudi fusion cuisine. The restaurant, which will be designed by Bishop Design, will add to the ever-growing array of restaurants at Laysen Valley when it opens later this year.
Zuma
Following on from the arrival of sister restaurant Roka in 2021, Zuma will open a permanent restaurant in Riyadh in 2024. Joining Rainer Becker’s Zuma empire of 17 restaurants around the globe, the long-awaited Zuma Riyadh in KAFD will serve up signature dishes such as marinated black cod, sliced yellowtail and robata skewers.