Gymkhana's new lunch menu is one of the city's best-value lunches
The Michelin-starred London export at VIA Riyadh has introduced a new SAR149 lunch menu, featuring rich curries and some of the restaurant’s most-loved dishes
Find yourself in the mood for Indian cuisine? Tucked away in the sophisticated enclave of VIA Riyadh, Gymkhana has been a go-to for those seeking an elevated Indian dining experience in Riyadh.
With the introduction of their new lunch menu priced at SAR149 per person, the restaurant continues to affirm its place as a culinary gem, merging tradition with modernity in a way that feels both exciting and authentic.
What’s On the menu?
The new set lunch menu begins with a selection of the can’t-stop-at-one pappadum, vibrant chutneys and raita, then moves into a choose-your-own-adventure of Gymkhana signatures.
For our starters, we sampled both the Patiala fried chicken with imli and mint and the aloo chaat topped with tamarind and sev. While the fried chicken was crisp and packed with flavour, it was the aloo chat – a beautifully textured combination of potato fritters, tamarind and crispy noodles – that stole the show. And truth be told, it always does. Every time we return to Gymkhana, having the aloo chat is practically non-negotiable. Tangy, crunchy and wonderfully moreish, it delivers that perfect mix of sweet and spicy that keeps us coming back for more.
Next up was the kid goat methi keema. Your mopping utensil for this warming, chilli-whispering methi keema is two shining brioche-style pao. Whether you make a formidable slider or tear, dip, and marvel is up to you. Meanwhile, seafood lovers should go straight for the Goan Cafreal Nile perch tikka, which arrives packed with spice and beautifully balanced by tomato chutney. The tandoori broccoli, which is also available as part of the second course, is firmly on the list for our next visit.
Then came the main event. While the menu also offers a methi malai mutter paneer for those looking for a vegetarian option, we opted for the chicken butter masala and Goan prawn curry. The succulent chicken, enveloped in a velvety gravy, was a delight, while the prawn curry brought a welcome kick to the table. Rich and creamy, with a slow-building warmth from the Kashmiri chilli, it struck a satisfying balance between comfort and spice. And the prawns? Properly plump. No need to hunt through the sauce here.
Everything comes with fluffy basmati rice and a bread basket, which you’ll need to scoop up every last bit of sauce.
If you’re feeling extra, there’s also the option to add a tandoori masala lamb chop or a lasooni wild tiger prawn. If you were to ask us, you probably should. We, of course, added the lamb chops to the table. Was it necessary? Probably not. Did we regret it? Not for a second. Order them, or live with the fact that you missed out on lamb chops that are thicker than your average thriller novel, beautifully charred, with a fragrant masala coating. After all, they’re the restaurant’s flagship dish for good reason.
Gymkhana’s food is every bit as good as it ever was. Which is to say exceptional. The difference now is that you no longer need to commit to a full-blown splurge to enjoy it.
At SAR149, the new lunch menu gives you a chance to enjoy some of the restaurant’s greatest hits without straining the budget quite so much. And for that reason alone, it may well be the smartest table you’ll book this weekend.
What: Gymkhana’s new set lunch menu
Where: VIA Riyadh, Al Hada, Riyadh 12912
When: Every Thurs to Sat
Cost: SAR149 per person
Contact: +966 11 451 6483 | WhatsApp +966 53 670 4955 | Book your reservations here.
Images: Social
