Just across from Boulevard World and Kingdom Arena, Vitaly sits apart from Riyadh’s bustle, bringing a relaxed Italian concept to the capital. Its philosophy is built on a simple yet memorable idea: fresh, homemade pasta and live cooking shaping the rhythm of the dining experience.
The Ambiance & Interiors
The first hint appears right at the entrance, where a counter is dedicated to making pasta by hand. Watching dough being rolled, cut, shaped, and left to dry offers an immediate glimpse into what Vitaly is all about.
Inside, the palette of light cream and deep green, paired with soft lighting, sets a calm, contemporary mood. Wooden tables and curved chairs introduce both polish and comfort, giving the space an understated sense of elegance.
The Concept
At the heart of it all is the open kitchen. Here, chefs roll pasta, bake pizzas, simmer sauces, and finish dishes in full view, turning the meal into a shared, immersive experience.
Vitaly’s fresh pasta is crafted daily using a blend of two flours to achieve the ideal texture. The concept takes inspiration from 'A PASTA BAR', a New York Italian restaurant known for its open kitchen and all-day pasta making, where guests watch each step unfold.
Chef Nicola Pedrazzoli, co-owner of A PASTA BAR, worked with Vitaly as a consultant to shape the menu. Even the 300-gram artisan burrata portion, created specifically for Vitaly, comes from the same producer that supplies the New York restaurant. The menu at Vitality aim to push the boundaries flavour combinations push into new territory too, featuring combinations like cauliflower bechamel designed to feel fresh, unexpected, and distinctly their own.
Intrigued by so much on the menu, I started with the crispy golden potatoes: four pieces with a crunchy exterior, soft warm interior, and a truffle cream that added earthy richness. Next came their signature burrata, served with jam at the centre and sprinkled with ground pistachio – an inventive twist on the classic.
Next, I opted for the Vitaly Special Ravioli, a truffle-rich dish in a silky sauce that genuinely melted in my mouth, along with the paccheri alla Genovese, a generous serving of ribs cooked for about nine hours with no added sauces, letting the meat speak for itself. Even though I’m not usually a fan of red meat, the blend of beef, paccheri, sweet onions, and parmigiano was beautifully balanced.
My favourite dish, unsurprisingly a classic for many, was the pepperoni pizza. The slightly fried dough carried the tomato sauce, mozzarella, and spicy beef pepperoni perfectly, all baked in the pizza oven. It arrived with chilli flakes and honey on the side – an unexpectedly great pairing.
The drinks list keeps things simple with classics that pair well with the pizzas and pastas, letting the food stay front and centre. And dessert offers a tiramisu and two panna cottas. The signature panna cotta, with that iconic velvety texture, Madagascar vanilla, and a light berry coulis, is a standout, and both options make for a satisfying finish.
Final Thoughts
With its open preparation and made-from-scratch dishes, Vitaly invites diners into the heart of the process. And in a city overflowing with pasta restaurants, finding somewhere that crafts everything in-house from start to finish feels like a true discovery.
Vitaly
Prince Turki Bin Abdulaziz Al Awal Rd,
Al Malqa
Riyadh 12341
