15 Best Restaurants to Eat in Riyadh Saudi Arabia
If you’re an expat, a tourist, or just a foodie looking to explore the best restaurants in Riyadh, you’re in for a treat! Riyadh offers a diverse culinary scene, primarily because of its large expat population.
From authentic Middle Eastern dishes to international cuisines, the capital city of Saudi Arabia has something for every palate.
I have lived here for over a year now, and I love eating out in Riyadh. That’s why this Riyadh restaurant guide is close to my heart.
But let me tell you at the onset that I am big on food and low on the Instagrammability of restaurants.
So, while I can assure you that all the places on this list of Riyadh restaurants offers good food, many are not great photo ops. Some are hole-in-the-wall kind of places that locals and immigrants love. So come here for the food. Not the photos!
I have also added the Google Map locations so that you do not have difficulty finding these restaurants in Riyadh.
So, here’s your guide to where to eat in Riyadh across 15 amazing spots!
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15 Best Restaurants in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Burj Al Hammam
Cuisine: Lebanese (Google Maps)
If you’re looking for flavorsome Lebanese cuisine in Riyadh, then Burj Al Hammam is the best place to be.
The story of Burj Al Hammam in Saudi Arabia began when they opened their first branch on Takhassusi Street in 1979. Now they have eight branches in Riyadh and one in Jeddah.
Burj Al Hammam is the place I go to whenever I am craving Lebanese comfort food. I love their hummus with pine nuts, fatteh (with shrimp or eggplant), chicken tawouk, mixed grill, and chicken shawarma platter. They also serve delicious Middle Eastern desserts like the Om Ali and kunafa.
The ambience is elegant, and there’s a lot of natural light at Burj Al Hammam restaurants, making them perfect for casual meals and special occasions.
★ Pro Tip: Curious about Lebanese food? Read our post on the Best Lebanese Dishes to Try before You Die!
Najd Village
Cuisine: Saudi (Google Maps)
Looking for traditional Saudi fare in Riyadh? Check out Najd Village Restaurant for their elaborate Saudi platters.
Najd refers to the central region of Saudi Arabia, where Riyadh is located. The architecture, the customs, and the food of Najd are pretty different from those of other areas like Asir or Hejaz. Najd Village allows you to try local Najdi food, hugely dependent on wheat, dates, and dairy.
Some of the highlights at Najd Village include jareesh (crushed wheat cooked in milk), freek (a dish made from dates and wheat), Najd temman (rice cooked with chicken and vegetables), and sabeed (whole wheat pancakes). The best way to sample a bit of everything is to order a village sofra (a communal meal) that two or more people can share.
★ Pro Tip: If this is your first time in Riyadh or first time trying Saudi food, then I recommend signing up for this interactive Saudi cuisine and cultural experience, which includes eating at Najd Village, making your traditional Saudi jewelry, and so many more immersive activities.
Somewhere Restaurant
Cuisine: Fusion Arabic (Google Maps)
My first encounter with Somewhere Restaurant was on my trip to AlUla. I had absolutely loved the food there. So, I was curious to try their dishes in Riyadh too.
If you’d like an experimental take on Arabic food, Somewhere Restaurant blends traditional Middle Eastern flavors perfectly with modern European and Asian tastes.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself falling in love with Cerelac Om Ali (pictured above), Rose Ice Cream Sandwiches, or a Kunafa Croissant. Their zaatar and truffle-infused labneh, chicken jalapeno fatteh, and shawarma baos are absolute must-tries.
With much emphasis on food presentation, Somewhere is perfect for foodies looking for creative dishes; its presentation alone will make you grab your phone for a quick snap.
They have two branches in Riyadh – Roshan Front and Bujairi Terrace in Diriyah. They are also present in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
I have eaten at the Bujairi Terrace outlet, and it is fantastic. They have both indoor and outdoor (perfect for winters) seating, and service is excellent. Dining at Somewhere is the best way to end your day of exploring Diriyah.
Palaaram
Cuisine: Malabar (South Indian) (Google Maps)
Transport yourself to the southern coast of India with the soulful flavors served at Palaaram at the Riyadh Avenue Mall in Murabba. It’s a hidden gem for those wanting to enjoy authentic Malabar cuisine from the south Indian state of Kerala.
I am a big fan of Malabar food and have tasted a fair bit of it during my travels in Kerala. So, I know Palaaram is serving the authentic fare.
Try their Kerala-style biryani (which comes wrapped in a leaf), kuthu parotta, chicken stew, and fish fry. If you’re looking for a full meal, go ahead with their thali or platter, which comes with rice, poppadums, and several curries.
You’ll love the warm, family-friendly vibe of this small but inviting spot.
Al Khairy (Al Khair) Chinese
Cuisine: Sichuan Chinese (Google Maps)
Al Khairy is one of my favorite places to eat in Riyadh because it serves authentic Northwestern Chinese cuisine. Their dishes are bold, spicy, and not watered down to suit the local palate. And that’s what makes them so good.
We love their mapo tofu, pot fish, cumin lamb, dry pot potato slices, shredded fern root noodles, and hanamaki buns.
We love ordering online from Al Khairy and have eaten at the restaurant too. They are just too good and authentic, enough to remind me of my trip to Chengdu, China, long ago.
If you like lots of Sichuan peppers and dried red chillies in your Chinese food, Al Khairy is the place to order from in Riyadh.
Zafran Indian Kitchen
Cuisine: North Indian (Google Maps)
If you’re craving authentic North Indian flavors, Zafran Indian Kitchen in Riyadh is an absolute must-visit.
From their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth chicken tikka masala to the aromatic biryani bursting with spices, every dish takes me back to the streets of Delhi, India. Don’t even get me started on their freshly baked naan—it’s heavenly!
The ambiance is warm and inviting, perfect for family dinners or casual meetups with friends. They have three branches in Riyadh and a few in Dubai.
Shawarma House
Cuisine: Arabic (Google Maps)
No Riyadh restaurant guide would be complete without mentioning Shawarma House, Riyadh’s fast food chain for shawarmas!
This casual eatery serves some of the city’s finest shawarmas and is always full of customers, both locals and expats. It is pretty popular among the younger crowd because it is delicious and is of good value for money. If you’re visiting Riyadh on a budget, then this is where you should be eating.
Shawarma House is perfect for ordering in if you’re having a party – their “gathering boxes” of mini shawarma wraps and falafel wraps are the best.
They are open nearly all day, closing only for a couple of hours in the wee hours of the morning. So craving that midnight snack? Head to Shawarma House.
Al Baik
Cuisine: Fried food (Google Maps)
Looking for fried chicken? Well, don’t head to KFC. Instead, try the local Al Baik.
A Saudi homegrown brand, Al Baik offers fried and broasted (pressure fried) chicken that’s crispy, juicy, and addictive.
Al Baik, an institution in Saudi Arabia, was founded in Jeddah in 1974. I know of locals who used to fly to Jeddah just to have a bite of Al Baik chicken, that is, until Riyadh got its own Al Baik. Today, there are several Al Baik outlets in Riyadh, with almost every mall having one.
Al Baik is a favorite among kids and young adults in Riyadh. I was introduced to it by my 12-year-old son, who could not get enough of it! I am not a fan of fried food, but if you are, you must try Al Baik when visiting Saudi Arabia.
Houmetna
Cuisine: Tunisian (Google Maps)
Houmetna brings Tunisia to Riyadh! This quaint eatery offers cozy North African (think blue and white walls and bougainvillea-draped railings) interiors and hearty Tunisian food.
Try their couscous with lamb, kaftaji (Tunisian fried vegetables with eggs), shan tounsi (Tunisian plate with olives, harissa, tomatoes, potatoes, capers, and red chilli), and omek houria (Tunisian carrot salad).
Located on top of the Jazeera supermarket in the Sulaymaniyah neighborhood, Houmetna is a bit of a hidden gem. But not anymore, thanks to my epic Riyadh restaurant guide!
Don Ruben’s
Cuisine: Mexican (Google Maps)
I love Mexico and Mexican food. In our quest for authentic Mexican cuisine in Riyadh, we found the highly-rated Don Ruben’s in the Diplomatic Quarters neighborhood.
Tucked away in the narrow alleys of the Al Kindi Plaza, Don Ruben’s was opened in April 2022 by Norma Ortiz, a Mexican from San Diego, California. Ortiz named the restaurant after her grandfather, Don Ruben.
When you enter Don Ruben’s, you feel like you have entered a house in Mexico. The restaurant feels like a trip to Mexico, full of family photos, embroidered sombreros, and Day of the Dead skulls. Even their chefs are Mexican.
Try their tacos, burritos, huaraches, and topotos. Don’t miss the horchata and agua de jamaica – too good!
Tokyo
Cuisine: Japanese (Google Maps)
Love Japanese food? Riyadh has a few excellent Japanese restaurants, and Tokyo is my favorite. It has a lot of different sushi options as well as lesser-known Japanese dishes like the sautéed shishito peppers.
It is one of those fine dining places where you can go for a celebration or a romantic dinner. But it is much more budget-friendly than the other Japanese places in the city. They also conduct workshops like sushi masterclasses, if you’re interested.
Tokyo was Saudi Arabia’s first Japanese restaurant. The Orouba branch in Riyadh opened its doors to the public in 1985 and quickly became a favorite among locals and expats. It has over 8,000 Google reviews and a score of 4.4, which says a lot about it already.
Apart from the sushi, which is so fresh and delicious, try Tokyo’s crispy crab salad, edamame, wasabi prawns, and classic miso soup.
El Tahrir
Cuisine: Egyptian (Google Maps)
After my trip to Cairo, I craved some good old koshary, and El Tahrir came to my rescue. The rice, the noodles, the chickpeas, and the crispy onions are all perfectly done in El Tahrir’s koshary.
Their menu is simple – it consists of koshary and rice pudding (with or without nuts), and that’s it. So, you know they do their koshary well.
Urth Caffé
Cuisine: Cafe and contemporary food (Google Maps)
The Riyadh coffee scene is lit. So, while I should totally have a separate post for the best cafes in Riyadh, here’s one of my top picks for this Riyadh restaurant guide.
Established in 1989, Urth Caffé is a familiar name for coffee enthusiasts in Riyadh. Their Spanish latte and Italian cappuccino are highly recommended.
However, it offers more than just your caffeine fix. Their cakes are epic, as are their egg sandwich, Urth salad, steak sandwich, and Mediterranean shakshuka. They have a special breakfast menu wherein you’ll find toasts, waffles, poached eggs, croissants, danishes, and other breakfast items.
Additionally, the trendy decor of Urth Caffe with its signature browns and greens makes it a hotspot for Riyadh’s young crowd. At the Sulaymaniyah branch, there’s a massive tree in the middle of the cafe, which makes it a little too picture-perfect.
Al Kofeia
Cuisine: Palestinian (Google Maps)
Al Kofeia is your go-to place for Palestinian food in Riyadh. I love their shakshuka, pan-fried chicken, stuffed grape leaves, kabsa rice with chicken, and manakish.
It is a huge place with multiple floors, and they have both outdoor and indoor seating. Located in the hip Tahliah neighborhood, Al Kofeia is excellent for alfresco dining during Riyadh’s pleasant winters.
Cheesecake Factory
Cuisine: Comfort American (Google Maps)
I have been in love with the Cheesecake Factory since I spent those two gorgeous years in the USA. So when I learned that Riyadh had a few branches, I had to check it out.
With its massive portions and wide-ranging menu, Cheesecake Factory is my go-to place for American comfort food.
As much as I love their cheesecakes, I also adore their chicken sliders, crab cakes, and parmesan herb-crusted chicken. Yummy! I am literally drooling while writing this post.
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