Restaurant Review: A.O.K Kitchen, Riyadh

Located in Riyadh’s vibrant KAFD and originating from London’s sophisticated Marylebone neighbourhood, A.O.K Kitchen Riyadh has emerged as a stylish culinary destination. In just a year, it has become a symbol of relaxed yet fashionable dining in the Saudi capital.

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The experience offered at A.O.K Kitchen marries the essence of European ease with the energy of Riyadh’s cityscape. Open from 8am until 11.30pm, this chic eatery draws in diverse patrons every hour of the day – from families gathering for breakfast to professionals convening for a business lunch, each finding their own unique comfort in its welcoming environment.

Venturing to A.O.K Kitchen for a late lunch, we’re immediately struck by how bustling the place is at 3pm. It exudes a feel-good vibe – almost like being in someone's (really chic) living room. The quirky patterned interiors, cascading plants, and inviting terrace, perfect for alfresco dining, add to its charm.

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Even its menu has touches of that feel-good element, curated to be free from refined sugar and limited in dairy and gluten, making it an ideal destination for those with specific dietary preferences. A tribute to the fresh, seasonal flavours of California and the Mediterranean, the menu has a refreshing mocktail selection, with each drink accompanied by calorie information – and there’s also organic pressed juices, iced drinks, and hot teas. We start off our lunch with a glass of Dolcevita (pureed berries, cranberry, orgeat, and milk foam) and an Exotic Escape (passion fruit puree, mango juice, cardamom honey mix, pineapple juice, and jasmine tea). One sip and it’s clear: our drinks are colourfully delicious and perfectly set the stage for what’s to come.

As we enjoy our beverages, our waiter presents us with the restaurant’s signature sourdough flatbread – whiffs of freshly baked bread proving irresistible. This is accompanied by a medley of hummus, tomatoes, and herbs. Next up is creamy roasted tomato soup, with mascarpone and basil. And our spinach and quinoa salads, both recommended by our waiter, offer a refreshing mix of greens, nuts, and dressings.

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As if all this wasn’t enough, it’s time for the main event. A.O.K Kitchen offers an eclectic selection of main courses, like its sweet corn risotto with charred courgetti and basil, and the paccheri pasta with butternut squash, cured beef, almonds, and ricotta. But as seafood lovers, our eyes happily land on fresh hamour (a white fish) – and as we dig into the fish served on a bed of lemon mash, we’re thoroughly satisfied with our choice. If you prefer meat, however, there’s a succulent veal scaloppine – served with chard, green olives, and capers – that you should definitely try.

Each exceptional dish (and there are many to choose from) attests to A.O.K Kitchen’s commitment to quality and flavour – from the grilled manouri cheese salad to the grilled tagliata to the tuna on brioche. And like our mocktails, every item has its calories listed – although this barely had any influence on our meal choices. On the contrary, we’re already planning our next visit, this time for breakfast. With stellar options like the black truffle scrambled eggs, organic granola, shakshuka, and avocado on toast, we’re definitely coming back.

A.O.K Kitchen stands as a testament to the joys of fine dining in an ambience that is as comfortable as it is elegant. It is a culinary destination that embodies the spirit of Riyadh, where every visit is an experience in itself.

@aokkitchensaudi