What's On Saudi Arabia Awards 2024: Here are the winners...
The people have spoken…
Last night (Tuesday September 17), we returned to the stunning JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh, gathering together more than 300 of the industry’s power players for a dazzling ceremony to crown the winners of the second What’s On Saudi Arabia Awards. It’s a pretty big deal (even if we say so ourselves), widely recognised as one of the region’s most important leisure and entertainment awards.
Taking place in association with Apparel Group, we celebrated Saudi Arabia’s finest places to eat, the greatest concerts from the last 12 months, fabulous hotels that deserve your Riyals, and so much more. We dished out awards to 30 winners and 42 outlets that were placed as highly commended, honouring the Kingdom’s most elite places to eat and have fun.
And while the winners in most of these categories were decided by you, the voting public, there were also three big prize winners, selected by us here at the What’s On team. These awards went to venues deemed to have made outstanding contributions towards Saudi Arabia’s leisure and entertainment scene, adding to the reasons that make it such an incredible place to live.
A special thanks to all of our sponsors: Apparel Group, JD, Adidas, Address Dubai Mall, Lyre’s and Jacobsons.
So here they are, the best of the best, the winners of the What’s On Saudi Arabia Awards 2024…
Grand Prix
Restaurant of the Year – La Petite Maison
A restaurant that foodies return to time and again, La Petite Maison provides Riyadh’s sophisticated diners with the authentic flavours and iconic glamour of the French Riviera to the heart of the Kingdom. Expect starched white tablecloths and eye-catching abstract artwork on the walls. The menu focuses on French Mediterranean and Niçoise cuisine, and you’ll find mouth-watering beef carpaccio and plenty of seafood. Top picks include the burrata with tomatoes and basil, escargots with garlic butter and parsley, and homemade gnocchi with cherry tomatoes. Whether it’s the business lunch or an evening dining a la carte, La Petite Maison consistently impresses.
Newcomer of the Year – White Robata
Found within Laysen Valley in Riyadh is White Robata, a Japanese concept from Kuwait, inspired by international flavours. With a sprawling open-plan kitchen, diners enjoy the spectacle of skilled chefs combining traditional techniques with unexpected ingredients to create inventive signatures. As its name suggests, the menu is centred around robatayaki – dishes cooked over fire. You’ll find all the contemporary Japanese staples here, with a unique spin, of course. These include a six-hour braised short rib finished on the grill with a maple glaze, spicy tuna wonton taco and the truffle hamachi crispy rice with tobiko roe and ponzu. White Robata packs a punch in both style and substance, and the interesting design detail is matched masterfully by a menu that hits the high notes time and again.
Homegrown Restaurant of the Year – Kuuru
A staple in the Jeddah dining scene, Kuuru is a Nikkei restaurant that is an ode to Japanese and Peruvian cuisine. Look forward to a unique Nikkei bar where you can catch the chefs in action producing inventive nigiri, hand-rolls, ceviche and more. Since its expansion to Riyadh last year, Kuuru has swiftly became one of the most sought-after dining spots in town. Its exclusivity and creative approach have captivated diners, positioning the Saudi homegrown brand as a resounding success story.
Restaurants
Winner: Favourite All-Day Dining Restaurant – L’ETO
A fail-safe spot for a breakfast catch-up, long lunch or a relaxed evening meal, L’ETO puts a pretty and sophisticated spin on all-day dining and is a What’s On Award winner for the second consecutive year. Its menu has something for everyone. Meanwhile, L’ETO’s impossible-to-resist cakes and pastries – freshly made in-house and neatly displayed on open counters – are the real stars of the show.
Highly Commended: Favourite All-Day Dining Restaurant – Café Bateel
Highly Commended: Favourite All-Day Dining Restaurant – Saddle House
Winner: Favourite Asian Restaurant – Mr Chow
Since its opening last year, Mr Chow has been the chicest place to eat Chinese in Riyadh. It has that perfect mix of formality and eccentricity, of pride and humour, of service and style. Mr Chow reinvents fine dining by marrying authentic Beijing cuisine to elegant European-style service. Here, dishes are served in family style to ensure all guests get a taste of everything. On the menu, you will also find one of the best-prepared Beijing ducks in the world – so be sure to order that.
Highly Commended: Favourite Asian Restaurant – Kayzo by Myazu
Winner: Favourite Café – Café Bateel
Leveraging world-renowned Mediterranean flavours, Café Bateel offers a distinct range of dishes, with premium, natural flavours as the foundation of every dish. The café, with several branches across the Kingdom, has crafted the ultimate culinary experience, with a warm and sophisticated ambience with comfort food classics.
Highly Commended: Favourite Café – Sociale
Highly Commended: Favourite Café – Urth Caffé
Winner: Favourite European Restaurant – Signor Sassi
An Italian restaurant housed in a grand villa in the middle of Sulimaniyah, Signor Sassi has charm in spades. The décor is elegant, with beautiful, sumptuous interiors and colourful florals that make for super chic surroundings. There’s a charming bar, which serves as a lovely spot to sip mocktails, and you’ll fall in love with the expansive dining room, bathed in warm, flattering light. That’s all before mentioning the food, which is beautifully presented, flavourful, and authentic.
Highly Commended: Favourite European Restaurant – Azure, Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya
Highly Commended: Favourite European Restaurant – La Petite Maison
Winner: Favourite Fast-Casual Restaurant – Sushi Library
This brightly lit, family-friendly casual restaurant specialises in a wide array of Japanese fusion dishes made with fresh, quality ingredients, available at price points that don’t break the bank. They have various menu items, from appetisers and hearty ramen to special sushi rolls and bentos, but a meal here isn’t complete without some sashimi.
Highly Commended: Favourite Fast-Casual Restaurant – Feels Juice Bar and Kitchen
Winner: Favourite Indian Restaurant – Mohalla
Have a thing for curry, spice and everything nice? Mohalla pays homage to the authentic cooking style from the different parts of India. Almost every dish will make you swoon, from the vada pav, malai tikka kebab, Delhi 6 butter chicken and brilliant naan to the gulab jamun served as a refreshing finale.
Highly Commended: Favourite Indian Restaurant – Zafran Indian Kitchen
Winner: Favourite Italian Restaurant – Carbone, Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel
Setting up shop in one of the capital’s top hotels, Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel, celeb-loved Carbone landed in Riyadh last year, and is a treat for the eyes and the belly. The venue’s luxe interiors include accents of gorgeous royal blue, maroon, and striking gold to set the whole venue apart. The dim lighting makes the space perfect for an intimate dinner for two. Crowd-favourite menu items include seafood salad, linguini vongole, lobster fra diavola, chicken scarpariello and veal parmesan elevated to a new level.
Highly Commended: Favourite Italian Restaurant – MAMO Michelangelo, Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah
Highly Commended: Favourite Italian Restaurant – San Carlo Cicchetti
Winner: Favourite Japanese Restaurant – ROKA
Fire up your senses at ROKA, a trendy restaurant serving contemporary Japanese robatayaki cuisine. The highlights of the menu read like a who’s who of the finest Japanese flavours: yellowtail sashimi splashed with yuzu-truffle dressing, crispy baked potato, miso black cod, and juicy Korean lamb cutlets. Don’t miss the robata-grilled delicacies, too – best enjoyed at the counter seats. But, if you prefer alfresco dining, park yourself on the beautiful terrace upstairs when the weather is cooler.
Highly Commended: Favourite Japanese Restaurant – Clap
Highly Commended: Favourite Japanese Restaurant – Myazu
Winner: Favourite Middle Eastern Restaurant – Kitchen On 3, JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh
You can’t help but smile when you walk into this all-day dining restaurant celebrating century-old culinary traditions: the atmosphere at the Kitchen On 3 is infectiously homely, and the interior, with its lush greenery and splashes of colour, create a nourishing atmosphere. The spice-filled dining experience plates up authentic Middle Eastern dishes in a modern market-inspired kitchen.
Highly Commended: Favourite Middle Eastern Restaurant – Harat
Highly Commended: Favourite Middle Eastern Restaurant – Lusin
Winner: Favourite Outdoor Restaurant – Iris
One of Riyadh’s most stylish rooftop spots, Iris Café’s lively outdoor terrace draws in the crowds with its views and calming jungle of foliage. Among pops of greenery, you can chow down on sliders with a mocktail in hand as you overlook the skyline. With a resident DJ to bring the tunes and its immersive visual projections and holograms, this foliage-filled hangout has an inviting, unstuffy, and fun feel.
Highly Commended: Favourite Outdoor Restaurant – Agio
Highly Commended: Favourite Outdoor Restaurant – Ziba
Winner: Favourite Saudi Arabian Restaurant – Takya
The creators of Takya, sisters Hadeel and Hissa Almutawa, travelled the breadth of the Kingdom, drawing inspiration from across the regions of Saudi Arabia and putting a fine-dining spin on generations-old recipes. After the success of the first restaurant in 2019, the restaurant opened in Bujairi Terrace in December 2022, where it sits confidently alongside internationally renowned brands. This is Saudi Arabian cuisine like you’ve never seen it before.
Highly Commended: Favourite Saudi Arabian Restaurant – Zalata
Winner: Favourite Steakhouse – House of Grill, Fairmont Riyadh
Located inside the understatedly luxurious Fairmont Riyadh, House of Grill is an ode to the lavish soirees and glamour of the roaring twenties, masterminded by acclaimed chef Nicolas Isnard. His Mediterranean heritage is brought to life through dishes like lobster bisque, chargrilled jumbo prawns paired with a spicy coconut sauce, and 24-hour slow-cooked black Angus short ribs with a black garlic glaze and mash potato. The interiors are a lesson in quite modern luxury, with mirrored accents, crisp white tablecloths, and feather chandeliers that add a feminine touch.
Highly Commended: Favourite Steakhouse – 7Ribs
Highly Commended: Favourite Steakhouse – Beefbar
Winner: Favourite Restaurant in AlUla – Maraya Social
Enjoy an evening on the rooftop of the world’s largest mirrored building at Chef Jason Atherton’s AlUla restaurant. Here, the cuisine takes inspiration from the locale with produce sourced from local farms; all served up in Chef Atherton’s signature style. Whether you’re catching a concert at Maraya Hall or not, this is an elevated dining experience you won’t want to miss while in AlUla.
Highly Commended: Favourite Restaurant in AlUla – Saffron, Banyan Tree AlUla
Winner: Favourite Restaurant in the Eastern Province – Takara
There is a real creativity and theatricality to the consistently impressive menu at this contemporary Japanese restaurant in Al Khobar. The ingredients are of superb quality and thankfully the chefs know what to do with them, as evidenced by the fresh and delightful sashimi and nigiri. It is no surprise then that since its opening in 2019, Takara has been a firm favourite among the locals and expats.
Highly Commended: Favourite Restaurant in the Eastern Province – Nozomi
Highly Commended: Favourite Restaurant in the Eastern Province – San Carlo Cicchetti
Winner: Favourite Restaurant in Jeddah – Niyyali, Shangri-La Jeddah
This slice of Lebanon lives and breathes its culture at the Shangri-La Jeddah. A simple glance as you walk past will tell you that Niyyali is the abode of upscale dining. Step inside and the atmosphere envelops you like a comforting embrace. The space exudes a relaxed but distinctly chic feel, with well-spaced tables, high ceilings and a fresh, modern interior. But one of the restaurant’s main draws is the vast and charming al fresco terrace. It directly overlooks the Jeddah Corniche Circuit and boasts spectacular open-air views of the Red Sea, which is definitely a plus for its relaxing waterside vibes. The food and drink offerings are fantastic, too. With a delightful, carefully curated menu of mezza, fatteh and salads to choose from, you really ought to try them all.
Highly Commended: Favourite Restaurant in Jeddah – L’ETO
Highly Commended: Favourite Restaurant in Jeddah – Myazu
Food Concepts
Winner: Favourite Breakfast – Allo Beirut
Allo Beirut has a real local vibe. Inspired by the Golden Age of Beirut, the eatery takes you on a journey through the 1940s to 1960s Beirut. Settle into the homely atmosphere and enjoy their food, a vibrant mix of flavours and colours, aided by a buzzing environment. Every time we eat here (and we’ve eaten here plenty), we feel like we’re discovering a gem for the first time. For the best breakfast dishes, try their eggs and meat manakish, chickpea fatteh, foul moudammas, and egg avocado shakhtoura, or order the breakfast set menu so you can get a good sense of what they’re all about.
Highly Commended: Favourite Breakfast – The Horizon, Pullman ZamZam Madina
Highly Commended: Favourite Breakfast – Urth Caffé
Winner: Favourite Burger – Sold Out
Sold Out is popular for a reason. Their juicy burgers are knock-your-socks-off good and the place is consistently filled with regulars and first timers destined to become regulars once they’ve realised how good everything on the menu is. Whether you prefer a juicy beef patty or a tender chicken, they’re all juicy, cheesy, meaty, and just the right level of greasy. The dishes that aren’t the burger are worth sampling your way through, too.
Highly Commended: Favourite Burger – Black Tap
Winner: Favourite Business Lunch – Coya
Coya is a great place for a business lunch in Riyadh. Not only is it a gorgeous spot, but its lunch menu gives you two options and both are worth every riyal. Priced at SAR155 per person for the Batea Peruna and SAR185 for the Batea Peruna Premium, you get a delicious three-course meal with a generous round of appetisers, a choice of mains and of course dessert, too.
Highly Commended: Favourite Business Lunch – Il Baretto
Highly Commended: Favourite Business Lunch – Ziba
Winner: Favourite Dessert – Pierre Hermé Paris, Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh
Legendary French pastry maestro and chocolatier Pierre Hermé, who is hailed as the Picasso of pastry, is renowned for his artistic confections that span macarons, chocolates, pound cakes and pastries. Take one of his signature creations, Ispahan, which is a reference to the capital of ancient Persian empire. The floral pink rose macaron sandwich has raspberries and lychees ensconced in ethereal light rose petal cream and adorned with rose petals. Indeed, the colourful treats from Pierre Hermé Paris in Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh are worth hunting down.
Highly Commended: Favourite Dessert – Café Bateel
Highly Commended: Favourite Dessert – Maître Choux
Winner: Favourite Lounge – Stella Sky Lounge, The St. Regis Riyadh
Stella Sky Lounge is the latest rooftop staple located inside The St. Regis Riyadh. This spot is best enjoyed after sunset, with lounge seating neatly arranged on the third-floor poolside. It’s got a sleek city rooftop feel, with zodiac-inspired mocktails and shisha served up to a live DJ and saxophonist six nights per week. This stylish haunt is perfect for a few delish drinks, all while taking in the glowing city sights around you. Pair with a nibble or two: the food menu includes a selection of mezze platters, beef tacos, ceviche and grilled dishes.
Highly Commended: Favourite Lounge – Obaya Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh
Highly Commended: Favourite Lounge – Tea Lounge, Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya
Winner: Favourite Mocktail – Kaia, Shangri-La Jeddah
If you like to enjoy your mocktails with a side of panoramic views of Jeddah, venture to the dreamy terrace-lounge on the rooftop of Shangri-La Jeddah. Featuring tropical drinks from around the world with a Saudi twist, concoctions to look forward to include the Hawaiian Breeze made with rose water and pineapple and the Rosemary and Watermelon Fizz with homemade rosemary syrup and fresh watermelon juice. Not only will these drinks quench your thirst, but they’re pretty damn gorgeous to look at, too. From the soundtrack to the sea views, Kaia is the place to be for a great atmosphere continuing into the early hours.
Highly Commended: Favourite Mocktail – La Petite Maison
Highly Commended: Favourite Mocktail – The Den, The Jeddah EDITION
Winner: Favourite Pizza – Crazy Pizza
What does it take to stay at the top of your game in the Saudi Arabian restaurant scene? It takes consistency and passion, but it also requires innovation. And that’s exactly what Crazy Pizza does with its thin, blistered, decadent, and cool yeast-free pizza. Wood-fired pizzas – all made from a secret recipe – come with tasty toppings like truffle, burrata and zucchini flowers.
Highly Commended: Favourite Pizza – Jon & Vinny’s
Leisure & Entertainment
Winner: Favourite Concert, Show or Festival – MDLBeast Soundstorm
Known as the Middle East’s biggest and loudest music festival, MDLBeast SoundStorm has established itself as a must-attend for music festival goers. It all started in 2019, and every year, it returns with a revamped artist line-up and festival site. Some of the biggest names in the music industry have performed at the festival, including Metallica, Bruno Mars, David Guetta, Tiesto, Marshmello, Post Malone, Steve Aoki, DJ Snake, and DJ Khaled, alongside local and regional stars like DJ Cosmicat, Dish Dash, Myriam Faris, Majid Al-Muhandis, Modi Al-Shamrani, and rapper Moayad Al-Nefaie.
Highly Commended: Favourite Concert, Show or Festival – Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024 Post-Race Concerts
Winner: Favourite Luxury Hotel: Riyadh – The St. Regis Riyadh
Having opened its doors in October 2023, The St. Regis Riyadh has quietly set a new benchmark for five-star stays in the Kingdom’s capital. The location, overlooking the gorgeously grand Via Riyadh with its myriad upscale shopping and dining options, is ideal both for business and leisure travellers. The St. Regis DNA is everywhere: the sparkling chandeliers that sit pretty everywhere from the lobby to the spa; the spacious suites, adorned in smart, contemporary shades of teal and soft beige, laced with golden accents for a touch of New York glamour; and of course, in the St. Regis butler service, on hand to sort anything from restaurant reservations to a particular kind of pillow. The hotel’s impressive facilities also include Riyadh’s largest spa, a maze of zen-inducing corridors leading to treatment rooms (which includes a couples’ suite), relaxation areas, and thermal experiences, the latter of which are all available to use when booking one of the impressive array of treatments.
Highly Commended: Favourite Luxury Hotel: Riyadh – Fairmont Riyadh
Winner: Favourite Luxury Hotel: Saudi Arabia – The Jeddah EDITION
The newest addition to Jeddah’s hotel scene is The Jeddah EDITION. The luxurious hotel is situated on the Jeddah corniche, next to the yacht club and marina, lacing the brand’s vibrant and playful elements inspired by the locale into every part of the experience. Befitting of its close proximity to the Jeddah Yacht Club, the debut EDITION hotel in Saudi Arabia has been designed to resemble a superyacht in its exterior design. Once inside, guests can check-in to one of 52 rooms and 11 suites, which all ooze EDITION’s simple, refined and contemporary style; dine at the hotel’s signature restaurant, conceptualised by top chef Cédric Vongerichten; and enjoy chic rooftop imbibing on the hotel’s fourth floor.
Highly Commended: Favourite Luxury Hotel: Saudi Arabia – Our Habitas AlUla
Winner: Favourite Spa – Mansard Spa by L’Occitane, Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel
Between occupying one of Riyadh’s chicest addresses and the pedigree that comes with being a part of the luxurious Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel, you already know to expect the best before you’re ushered through the doors at the first exclusive Spa by L’Occitane in Riyadh. Mansard Spa by L’Occitane has a female and a male section, and guests can enjoy manicures, massages and signature facials in their tranquil treatment rooms, while the aromatic scents float gently overhead. This multi-sensory journey extends to an indoor pool, jacuzzi, hammam, exfoliation room, sauna, steam room, and even a salt cave for halotherapy initiation.
Highly Commended: Favourite Spa – Tips & Toes
Highly Commended: Favourite Spa – St. Regis Spa, The St. Regis Riyadh
Winner: Favourite Fitness Facility or Studio – Formé Wellness
If you’re after exclusivity and one-to-one training, head to Formé Wellness. Known for its community-led ethos, Formé Wellness is more of a wellness sanctuary than a gym, offering reformer-based classes, yogalates, and even pre/post natal series. It’s a beautiful space, with a sleek aesthetic, plus a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The studio above the reception area has only five reformer beds – meaning the class is intimate and constructive compared to larger group classes – and Formé’s helpful instructors are on-hand throughout the class to offer guidance on how to perfect a plethora of Pilates moves working your inner thighs, triceps, core and shoulders.
Highly Commended: Favourite Fitness Facility or Studio – Fitness Centre at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh