What's On Saudi Arabia Awards 2025: Here are the winners
Meet your class of 2025
At a glorious celebration last night (Tuesday September 16), we welcomed nearly 400 of the best and brightest in the hospitality and entertainment industry once again at the gorgeous JW Marriott Riyadh to crown the winners of the third What’s On Saudi Arabia Awards. It’s a pretty big deal (even if we say so ourselves), being 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. For a change, we served our guests with awards to 33 winners and 52 outlets that were placed as highly commended, honouring the Kingdom’s most elite places to eat and have fun.
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For most of the categories, we listened to the voices that really matter (yours, of course); however, since we, as the What’s On team, always have a few tricks up our sleeves, there were also three big prize winners, chosen by us. These awards were presented to venues that have made outstanding contributions to Saudi Arabia’s leisure and entertainment scene, adding to the reasons that make it such an incredible place to live (and there are many).
A special thanks to all of our sponsors: Apparel Group, DCT Abu Dhabi, Diageo, Jacobsons, and AES.
So here they are, in all their glory, the What’s On Saudi Arabia Awards 2025 winners…
Grand Prix
Newcomer of the Year – Julien at Café Boulud, Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre
It’s a first-of-its-kind concept in Riyadh (and Saudi Arabia, we dare say). Serving modern fine dining French cuisine (rooted in classic French technique, but with Saudi-inspired surprises that nod to local produce and flavours), this new dining destination is an exclusive private chef’s table and intimate venue that accommodates a maximum of 12 diners. Each 10-course dish is prepared and delicately plated to be as pleasing on the palate as it is pleasing to the eye. This is where every ingredient has its place and purpose, and is treated with the utmost care to highlight its purest flavours. This concept debuted in Riyadh in May this year to instant acclaim. Although available for dinner service on select nights only and strictly by reservation, it invites diners to see the culinary masters at work, while tucking in at some of the Kingdom’s most coveted tables.
Homegrown Restaurant of the Year – Kayzo
Following a facelift and expansion into a new space in Riyadh’s trendy Sulimaniyah district, the restaurant relaunched early this year with big ambitions that have hit the high notes from day one. This beloved Japanese restaurant got a glow-up with elevated ambience. Helmed by Jeddah-born Chef Rayan Alayesh, along with Chef Ian Pengelley and his team, its food exudes a quiet confidence and restrained elegance, making the menu affordable considering the quality on offer. Date night, group dinners or family lunch, its new chapter suits every moment.
Restaurant of the Year – II Baretto
A well-loved institution consistently delivering timeless Italian cuisine, it’s the first restaurant in Riyadh to introduce live music nights. Whether you go for its brilliant business lunch, to sip mocktails at the gorgeous bar, or for a gourmet dinner that includes the finest Italian flavours, you’ll get the same thing every time: world-class dishes and world-class service. These combined strengths, along with its elegant ambience and a great atmosphere from lunch until dinner, prove that it’s got it all.
Leisure & Entertainment
Winner: Favourite Concert, Show or Festival – Soundstorm Music Festival
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 – A Thousand and One Music Festival
Highly Commended: Favourite Concert, Show or Festival – XP Music Futures
Winner: Favourite Fitness Facility or Studio – Reform
A haven for women who are always too busy taking care of everyone else to do so for themselves, Reform offers the attention to detail that makes women’s fitness a less daunting topic. Complete with tailored programs and private sessions with trainers that make you feel oh-so-comfortable, the space offers a gateway for girls and women across the city to become the best possible versions of themselves, one rep at a time.
Highly Commended: Favourite Fitness Facility or Studio – Formé Wellness
Highly Commended: Favourite Fitness Facility or Studio – The Yoga House Riyadh
Winner: Favourite Spa – Fairmont Riyadh Spa
Nestled inside the gorgeous Fairmont Riyadh Hotel, the Fairmont Spa is a renewed spa experience that’s waiting for you to don your white robe and walk into utter bliss. The spa has teamed up with Thalion, a leader in marine-inspired wellness, and its suite of bespoke therapies is worth it… and so are you.
Highly Commended: Favourite Spa – Spa by JW, JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh
Highly Commended: Favourite Spa – Banyan Tree Spa AlUla
Winner: Favourite Luxury Hotel: Riyadh – Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah
The first of 40 amazing hotels to open in Diriyah, Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah, invites guests to immerse themselves in rich culture, authentic hospitality, and traditional architecture. Nestled within a labyrinth of alleyways, the hotel has been restored into a heritage property adorned with Najdi design elements inspired by the sun and the region’s wildflowers, palm fronds, and mountains.
Highly Commended: Favourite Luxury Hotel: Riyadh – The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh
Highly Commended: Favourite Luxury Hotel: Riyadh – Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel
Winner: Favourite Luxury Hotel: Saudi Arabia – Rixos Obhur Jeddah Resort & Villas
Nestled along the pristine shores of Obhur Bay, Rixos Obhur Jeddah is the first Rixos property in the Kingdom. The resort introduces the brand’s renowned “all-inclusive, all-exclusive” concept to Saudi Arabia, establishing a new benchmark for immersive, inclusive, and family-focused stays.
Highly Commended: Favourite Luxury Hotel: Saudi Arabia – Banyan Tree AlUla
Highly Commended: Favourite Luxury Hotel: Saudi Arabia – The Jeddah EDITION
Food Concept
Winner: Favourite Afternoon Tea – Chorisia Lounge, The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh
Quiet afternoons are best spent in the opulent surroundings of the Chorisia Lounge, complete with a floor-to-ceiling window and a terrace featuring centuries-old olive trees. Served with an assortment of homemade cakes, freshly prepared snacks, and appetisers, the afternoon tea is a chic affair.
Highly Commended: Favourite Afternoon Tea – The St. Regis Riyadh
Winner: Favourite BBQ – Ziba
Few restaurants generate a buzz that goes countrywide, and we believe Ziba Khobar may be high on the list. Persian flavours, high-quality ingredients, and specialised cooking skills—what more could you want?
Highly Commended: Nando’s
Winner: Favourite Breakfast – Lunch Room Social Dining
Riyadh’s premier brunch spot, Lunch Room, has quickly developed a loyal following since its opening in November 2022. The kitchen takes inspiration from a bevvy of global cuisines, with the two most noticeable influences being Indian street food culture and traditional Arabic favourites.
Highly Commended: Favourite Breakfast – Café Boulud, Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre
Highly Commended: Favourite Breakfast – Saddle House Riyadh
Winner: Favourite Business Lunch – SUSHISAMBA Riyadh
Since its launch last August, SUSHISAMBA Riyadh has maintained the buzz of its opening and remains a hard reservation to nab, week in and week out. That’s partly due to the inventive and diverse menu, which is made up of Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian flavours, and in part because of airy atmosphere that make you want to leave hunched-over lunches on work desks in the past and hope they stay there. The Hayai business lunch menu features two courses for SAR170 and a three-course experience, including dessert, at SAR195 per person, brimming with goodies in the form of Wagyu Gyoza with kabocha purée and more.
Highly Commended: Favourite Business Lunch – Takara
Highly Commended: Favourite Business Lunch – COYA
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 the 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 the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh are worth hunting down.
Highly Commended: Favourite Dessert – Saddle House Riyadh
Winner: Favourite Hotel Brunch – Al Orjouan, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Riyadh
If you are looking for an upmarket Friday brunch in Riyadh, Al Orjouan at The Ritz-Carlton is a sophisticated and grand all-rounder. Savour delicious antipasti filled with a selection of cold cuts, smoked salmon and marinated vegetables, a selection of fresh patisseries, and a hearty spread of contemporary dishes and local delights. Junior guests are not forgotten, with special-sized entrees and dishes.
Highly Commended: Favourite Hotel Brunch – Café Boulud, Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre
Highly Commended: Favourite Hotel Brunch – The 365, Fairmont Riyadh
Winner: Favourite Lounge – Stella Sky Lounge, The St. Regis Riyadh
Stella Sky Lounge is THE 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 – The Den, The Jeddah EDITION
Highly Commended: Favourite Lounge – Soleil Rooftop, Rosewood Jeddah
Winner: Favourite Mocktail – Tonic Bar, Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre
The Tonic Bar at the Four Seasons Riyadh is an intimate and upscale venue to enjoy zero per cent mocktails crafted with the utmost care for every palate. Walk in and you’ll immediately see the crown jewel of the space, the meticulously crafted half-moon bar, crowned with a gleaming gold-trimmed canopy, along with plush carpets (every step feels like a delight), comfortable sofas and chairs, making the space the next it spot to be spotted at.
Highly Commended: Favourite Mocktail –Takara
Highly Commended: Favourite Mocktail – Beefbar Riyadh
Winner: Favourite Pizza – Crazy Pizza
A now three-time winner of the favourite pizza category, Crazy Pizza has consistently and constantly been at the top of its game when it comes to the pizza scene in Riyadh. Thin, blistered, decadent, and cool – that’s the way of the yeast-free pizza at Crazy Pizza. Wood-fired pizzas – all made from a secret recipe – come with tasty toppings like truffle, burrata and zucchini flowers. And if you still haven’t checked out the brand in one of its many locations in Saudi Arabia, you’ll love the mix of the playful interiors and modern, rich brick-coloured exterior.
Highly Commended: Favourite Pizza – PASTAMAMMA
Winner: Favourite Urban Bites – Dave’s Hot Chicken
If it’s one thing Saudi diners hold near and dear to their hearts, it’s fried chicken. This wildly popular, Nashville-style hot chicken chain from Los Angeles (LA), with rappers and actors for investors, joined the Saudi dining scene in early 2023 and has since become a firm favourite in the Kingdom thanks to its true tests of spice (you’re even meant to sign a waiver for a particular spice level). It’s fun, it’s easy, but most importantly, it is delicious.
Highly Commended: Favourite Urban Bites – Sold Out
Highly Commended: Favourite Urban Bites – Barbar
Restaurants outside of Riyadh
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 the chefs are of unmatched talent, as evidenced by the fresh and delightful sashimi and nigiri. It comes as no shock that since its opening in 2019, Takara has been soaring high on the favourite list among locals and expats alike.
Highly Commended: Favourite Restaurant in the Eastern Province – L’ETO Caffe
Highly Commended: Favourite Restaurant in the Eastern Province – San Carlo Cicchetti
Winner: Favourite Restaurant in Jeddah – Meat The Fish
With its roots firmly planted in Lebanon, Meat the Fish was first established way back in 1996, as the finest supplier of smoked salmon in the country. Gaining popularity for its fresh produce, the brand evolved into one of the most popular restaurants and grocers. Since then, the eatery has expanded to London, and clearly made a lasting impression on Jeddah diners as well.
Highly Commended: Favourite Restaurant in Jeddah – Orient, Rixos Obhur Jeddah Resort & Villas
Highly Commended: Favourite Restaurant in Jeddah – Ricci San
Winner: Favourite Restaurant in Saudi Arabia – Maraya Social, AlUla
Perched atop one of the most famous landmarks in Saudi Arabia, and now, possibly the world, Maraya Social has won hearts since its opening. The food here takes inspiration from AlUla with produce sourced from local farms; all served up in Chef Atherton’s signature style.
Highly Commended: Favourite Restaurant in Saudi Arabia – Al Sarab, Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea
Restaurants in Riyadh
Winner: Favourite Alfresco Restaurant– Agio
Located at The Canopy, Amalfi Coast-inspired gem Agio is Riyadh’s love letter to the coastlines of the Mediterranean. Step through the doors, and you’ll find a space that’s effortlessly cool (thanks to its rustic charm). Venture upstairs and the culinary adventure continues, complete with its own outdoor bar where mixologists are shaking up a storm, the hidden ceiling fans swish around the most lovely breeze, making even the hottest days in Riyadh bearable.
Highly Commended: Favourite Alfresco Restaurant – Feels
Highly Commended: Favourite Alfresco Restaurant – Robata
Winner: Favourite All-Day Dining Restaurant – The Lighthouse Restaurant & Lounge
Setting up shop in the capital’s Diplomatic Quarter, this multifaceted dining destination has added so much more depth to the dining scene in Riyadh. Founded by Hashem Montasser and Hany Bassiouny, the concept is inspired by Virginia Woolf and the other Bloomsbury Group members. It’s so much more than just a restaurant; it’s a space where the good vibes keep going, and the food keeps getting better, one dish at a time.
Highly Commended: Favourite All-Day Dining Restaurant – L’ETO Caffe
Highly Commended: Favourite All-Day Dining Restaurant – Brunch & Cake
Winner: Favourite Asian Restaurant – Yauatcha
Yauatcha Riyadh is located on the rooftop of Al Faisaliah Mall, giving panoramic views of the city. As beautiful as the views are outside, there’s plenty to enjoy inside too, as the chic space is adorned with stunning cherry blossoms and lime green furniture. The unmissable menu includes a huge range of speciality dim sum, each with its own individual history and character. The spot also has its own patisserie, which carries an exquisite selection of cakes and Chinese tea.
Highly Commended: Favourite Asian Restaurant – Hong, The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh
Highly Commended: Favourite Asian Restaurant – Phet Phet
Winner: Favourite Café – Urth Caffé
This one comes as no shock. A brand that draws people in, regardless of the location, Urth Caffé has legions of fans in Saudi Arabia. Always accompanied by a buzz of chatter, the cafe is never really empty, and that is thanks to its laidback atmosphere and a menu that the cafes across the country could only dream of having. Spanning from sandwiches and light bites to heavy hitters like pastas and full English breakfasts, the all-day dining menu has something for everyone.
Highly Commended: Favourite Café – Saddle House Riyadh
Highly Commended: Favourite Café – Feels
Winner: Favourite European Restaurant – JW Glass Garden, JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh
A hidden gem if you will; meet JW Glass Garden: a greenhouse dining space complemented by a plethora of fresh, organic produce grown on-site and sourced from local farms for fragrant, seasonally inspired plates with zero carbon footprint.
Highly Commended: Favourite European Restaurant – Jackie, The St. Regis Riyadh
Highly Commended: Favourite European Restaurant – Parea, Hilton Riyadh Olaya
Winner: Favourite Fast-Casual Restaurant – Wingstop
First opening its doors in 1994, the brand is essentially an institution when it comes to the world of wings. Wingstop currently operates 2,214 global locations, including venues in the UAE, Paris, Spain, Canada, and more, and Saudi Arabia joined the lucky list just last year. The menu at Wingstop focuses primarily on the namesake, and we’re of course talking about the incredible wings, both boneless and bone-in, served alongside bottomless soft drinks and fries, in a fuss-free atmosphere.
Highly Commended: Favourite Fast-Casual Restaurant – Dave’s Hot Chicken
Highly Commended: Favourite Fast-Casual Restaurant – Feels
Winner: Favourite French Restaurant – La Petite Maison Riyadh
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 in 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. Whether it’s the business lunch or an evening dining a la carte, La Petite Maison consistently impresses.
Highly Commended: Favourite French Restaurant – Café Boulud, Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre
Winner: Favourite Italian Restaurant – MAMO Michelangelo
A true institution when it comes to Italian restaurants in Riyadh. The famous Italian Provençal-style restaurant Mamo Michelangelo first opened in Riyadh in 2020 and has always been a staple in the dining scene. Step foot inside Mamo Michelangelo Riyadh, and you immediately feel at home. Warm lighting graces the space, linen-clad tables surround a cosy dining area where you can catch glimpses of fresh pizza being made to order, and a display of delicious gelato.
Highly Commended: Favourite Italian Restaurant – Crazy Pizza
Highly Commended: Favourite Italian Restaurant – Azzurro, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Riyadh
Winner: Favourite Japanese Restaurant – Myazu
A space that never fails to amaze its diners, the impressive menu at Myazu comprises daring Japanese gastronomy is a masterclass in marrying timeless traditional techniques with inventive modern practices, and the result is a restaurant that rarely gets it wrong. The inventive menu, executed with flair by chef Ian Pengelley and his team of talented chefs, is what the people come for, but it’s the top-notch service and stunning setting that also keeps them coming back time and again.
Highly Commended: Favourite Japanese Restaurant – Chotto Matte
Highly Commended: Favourite Japanese Restaurant – Zuma Riyadh
Winner: Favourite Middle Eastern Restaurant – MLLe
Lebanese cuisine is a sure-fire way to the hearts of Riyadh diners, and MLLe is at the right place, at the right time. Opening in the buzzy Laysen Valley complex, the restaurant serves classics from the cuisine but makes them its own. The venue dares to reimagine cult favourites like the Lebanese shawarma as the taco shawarma, and gets away with it because everything is done with a finesse you can’t help but fall in love with.
Highly Commended: Favourite Middle Eastern Restaurant – Yawmiyat By Dalal
Winner: Favourite Saudi Arabian Restaurant – Maiz
A fine-dining venue that celebrates the true essence of Saudi fare, Maiz is a stylish space with grand interiors befitting the beautiful historical setting of Bujairi Terrace. On the menu, traditional Saudi recipes from each of the Kingdom’s 13 provinces are reimagined with contemporary panache, redefining what diners may have grown to expect the local cuisine to look and taste like.
Highly Commended: Favourite Saudi Arabian Restaurant – Zalata
Winner: Favourite Steakhouse – Beefbar Riyadh
Drifting away from the stereotypical steakhouse aesthetic, Beefbar surprises guests with a luxurious but comfortable atmosphere and a warm, relaxing aura. The moment you set foot in the restaurant, you’ll know that you’re somewhere special. The mood lighting and tasteful decor come together to create an upscale vibe. Beefbar Riyadh continues to serve up feel-good sharing-style plates in a sophisticated setting.
Highly Commended: Favourite Steakhouse – JW Steakhouse, JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh
Highly Commended: Favourite Steakhouse – Habra
