8 of the hottest new spots to dine at in Riyadh this month
Add these to your list…
We, like everyone, enjoy food a lot. And there’s honestly no better city to be a foodie right now than Riyadh, and with the constant introduction of brilliant new restaurants in Riyadh, it’s easy to lose track of all of them. Don’t fret though, we’ve got your back. Here’s our edit on the hottest new spots to dine at in Riyadh that are actually worth your riyal.
Akira Back
If you’re familiar with the concept, Akira Back features modern Japanese cuisine with a Korean flair while emphasising seasonal produce. So, don’t come in thinking that you’re going to get traditional Japanese fare. Plus, with any Akira Back dining experience, you’d know that drama is a given – from the interiors right down to the menu. Expect a luxuriously designed space at Akira Back Riyadh, which has barely anything to tell you it’s a Japanese place – not the marbled tables, not the glossy gold accents, and definitely not the abstract art scattered on the restaurant’s main floor.
Akira Back, 1364AH Complex, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh. @akirabackriyadh
Attache
Have you ever found yourself torn between an elaborate dinner and hitting the dance floor? In Riyadh, yes. Well, buckle up because we’ve got you covered. We’ve recently tottered around town in our highest heels (blisters be damned) to uncover this gem where you can have dinner and then shimmy the night away – all without switching venues. Meet attaché. Once an equestrian club, attaché is the latest standalone project from MDLBeast, tucked in a valley between the endless rows of embassies in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter (DQ). The menu, by Chef Emmanuel Soares, features some contemporary international dishes inspired by the many rich cultures surrounding the venue and highlights fresh, seasonal ingredients, including produce from the garden.
attaché, Diplomatic Quarter, Al Safarat, Riyadh 12513. Tel: 053 244 6209. @attache.dq
Cafe Boulud
This polished all-day dining concept will showcase Chef Boulud’s celebration of Lyon’s culinary traditions and his embrace of seasonality. Built to evolve and delight, the menus will change according to the availability of the best and freshest imported and local ingredients, featuring inventive twists on traditional French dishes. Inside the new Café Boulud Riyadh, you’ll find high ceilings, plush banquets, and plenty of windows. The space will have a vintage feel with its varnished wood flooring. The restaurant has a casual yet inviting, warm, and sophisticated feel, perfect for a candlelit dinner with friends, or a relaxing colloquial lunch.
Cafe Boulud, Kingdom Centre, Olaya St, Al Olaya, daily 6pm to midnight. @cafebouludriy
Cafe Kitsune
View this post on Instagram
If you’re after a quiet coffee bar where you can relax and soak up the relaxing and cosy vibes, this venue is where it’s at. The venue combines a casual atmosphere with modern decor under one roof. Best known for its full-bodied coffee brew, with notes of chocolate and grilled hazelnuts and a smooth and syrupy texture, it’s safe to say this place will be a haven for all coffee lovers in the capital. You can sip on menu items like espresso, macchiato, americano, dirty chai, cappuccino, cortado, flat white, and mochaccino, along with teas, pastries, juices, and ice cream.
Cafe Kitsune, King Khalid Br Rd, Umm Al Hamam Al Gharbi, Sun to Wed 4pm to midnight, Thu to Sat 4pm to 2am. maisonkitsune.com
Fuwa
View this post on Instagram
It’s debatable whether a jiggly stack of souffle pancakes, a dollop of whipped cream and maple syrup are too indulgent. We obviously think not. At Fuwa, it is popular for its Japanese pancakes paired with hearty boba drinks. Crowd-pleasers include cheesecake, taro and its latest flavour, the tiramisu. What a masterpiece. The Jeddah-based spot has just opened its Riyadh venue recently, and you need to try it.
Fuwa Riyadh, Ibrahim Ibn Naghmish, Al Aqiq, Sat to Wed 6am to midnight, Thu to 6am to 2am, Fri 1pm to midnight, @fuwapancakes
Kimyona
View this post on Instagram
Riyadh’s best-kept secret. No, really. What seems to be a regular streetside gallery is, in reality, a gorgeous new modern Asian restaurant in disguise. The goal here is to blur the lines between cultures, through art, food, and drinks.
Kimyona, Street Number 40, Al Olaya, Mon to Sat 6pm to midnight. @kimyona.sa
Lazy Cat
View this post on Instagram
Lazy Cat has finally reopened in Laysen Valley, which marks the arrival of its fluffy Japanese pancakes and its indulgent crispy chicken muffin, is a fine day indeed. Luckily for us, you can now enjoy them throughout the week thanks to its all-day menu, served Sunday to Saturday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don’t forget to order its famous blue matcha, too.
Lazy Cat, Laysen Valley, Umm Al Hamam Al Gharbi, Riyadh 12329, Sat to Wed 7am to midnight, Thurs & Fri 7am to 1am. @eatlazycat
Public
View this post on Instagram
Setting up shop in central Riyadh in the Sulimaniyah district for the second branch, Public’s first branch is already up and running in Boulevard Riyadh City. Come for the pizza, stay for the stunning decor and incredibly upbeat ambience. By the public for the public, the restaurant serves comfort classics and Instagram-worthy items like the coveted tiramisu.
Public, RHSA8182، 8182 Prince Abdulaziz Ibn Musaid Ibn Jalawi St, As Sulimaniyah, 4040, daily 1pm to 1am. @public.ksa