Just under ten years ago, a rich and diverse culinary scene was in its infancy in Saudi Arabia. A few local restaurants largely serving local fare from the country’s diverse regions were commonplace, but recently everything has changed.
From celebrity chefs showcasing their cuisine in Via Riyadh, an upscale complex with high-end restaurants and retail stores, to homegrown upmarket eateries serving traditional Saudi fare with a modern twist and new street food joints, the gastronomic landscape in Saudi Arabia has exploded. It is multicultural, diverse and rapidly expanding a wealth of local and international offerings to lure in diners from around the country, the wider GCC region and internationally.
And with so many options, knowing where to start is hard. Don’t worry, we’ve done the hard work for you with a round-up of the best places to eat in Saudi Arabia this year.
1. Kuuru, Jeddah
Kuuru is a bold, high-energy celebration of Nikkei cuisine, where Japanese precision meets the vibrant soul, colours and punchy flavours of Peru. Firmly planted at number 30 on the 50 Best Restaurants List in Saudi Arabia, Kuuru is bound for further success and possibly a Michelin star. The open kitchen at its heart isn’t just for show, it’s a stage for chefs crafting everything from delicate ceviche to flame-seared Wagyu. With its mash-up of Incan motifs, sleek Japanese lines, and a menu that refuses to play it safe, Kuuru is redefining what fine dining looks like on Saudi Arabia’s west coast.
2. Takya, Diriyah
This homegrown Riyadh restaurant offers a fusion of authentic and contemporary Saudi dishes. Located in Bujairi Terrace in Diriyah amid a modern setting with décor that echoes traditional Saudi architecture and design, it is the brainchild of Hadeel Almutawa and she has gathered recipes from across the Kingdom’s diverse regions.
Signature dishes include mathlotha, smoked rice and durum wheat balls stuffed with lime and chili, and shrimp muflag, a paella-like native dish.
3. MYAZU, Riyadh
An eatery where sushi meets Saudi, this popular restaurant is grounded in Japanese culture and offers a menu that fuses traditional techniques with contemporary dishes. The culinary team is meticulous in its gastronomic presentation and they have made this establishment the place to be in Riyadh. Be sure to try the marinated yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, scallop and foie gras gyoza, and chan san rolls.
4. Marble, Riyadh
Renowned as one of Riyadh’s best steakhouses and situated within upscale sleek surroundings, Marble's longtime mission has been to be among the best farm-to-table grills in the Saudi capital. It is succeeding, offering some of the finest cuts of meat in the city.
Saudi owners Abdulrahman Alsowailem and Meshal Alakeel first established their outpost in a makeshift wooden stall on Prince Turki Road. They established a loyal following, opened their restaurant two years later and it has been a top choice ever since. Be sure to try the Marble burger and the prime rib, a 400-gram, opened-flame ribeye cooked over oak wood and served with mashed potato, kale chips and homemade mushroom sauce.
5. Villa Mamas, Diriyah
Founded by Bahraini chef Roaya Saleh, Villa Mamas serves contemporary Middle Eastern cuisine. It was established in Bahrain in 2012 and has since expanded and opened other branches in London, Abu Dhabi, and most recently in Diriyah, which is its largest and most lavish location. Be sure to try the butter chicken dumplings, penne mountain, and cherry, feta and lamb kofta.
6. The Lucky Llama, Jeddah
Drawing inspiration from traditional Peruvian dishes and Japanese cuisine, the Lucky Llama has quickly become a hotspot in Jeddah. The presentation is just as top-notch as the décor in the Lucky Llama, with mirrored walls that make the rooms appear bigger than they are and creating a fun counterpart to one’s dining experience.
7. Pampas, Jeddah
This chic Argentinian steakhouse located in Assila, A Luxury Collection Hotel, offers breathtaking views of Jeddah’s skyline from the 17th floor of the hotel alongside mouthwatering Latin American steak. Premium cuts of meat are grilled over an acacia wood fire in an open-plan kitchen allowing diners to marvel at the chefs in action.
Guests will love the wonderful array of sauces, from tomatillo chilli to chimichurri, with various slabs of black Angus and Australian cuts.
8. MYAZU, Jeddah
We’ve already highlighted the Riyadh outpost of this incredible Japanese restaurant but it would be remiss not to mention its increasingly popular spot in Jeddah.
Dubbed one of the best restaurants in the Kingdom and boasting an east-meets-west concept, the Saudi-born MYAZU is known as the pioneer for home-grown Japanese cuisine. The location is a modern yet Japanese-inspired setting, boasting a design of deep brown woods and atmospheric lighting – no wonder it has quickly become one of the go-to spots in Jeddah.
Featured dishes include the restaurant’s renowned robata grills, maki, and wagyu sushi with oscietra caviar. There are also delicious mocktails to pair dishes with.
9. Niyyali, Jeddah
One of the most popular restaurants in Jeddah and located in the Shangri-La hotel, Niyyali offers Middle Eastern cuisine with a strong Lebanese focus. Chef Ali Al Hajj offers innovative dishes with a twist on tradition such as hummus truffle, one of the restaurant’s specialty options. Overlooking the Red Sea and the F1 racetrack, come here for soulful Arab cuisine amid modern décor and breathtaking views. Be sure to try the eggplant shrimp.
10. Kimyona, Riyadh
Tucked behind a discreet entrance in Olaya, Kimyona is a hidden speakeasy-style restaurant that is aiming to delight our tastebuds with modern Asian dining featuring a cinematic twist. Inspired by the aesthetics of a photographer’s darkroom, complete with red lighting, black-and-white visuals, and a moody, immersive interior, the restaurant offers a multi-sensory experience from the moment you step through the door. The menu is a curated journey across Asia, featuring dishes from Burma, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and beyond. Dark and secretive, Kimyona serves up dramatic plating with a side of award-winning interiors.
11. Oah Yamal, Khobar
This Khobar-based restaurant serves a carefully curated selection of Gulf/Saudi cuisine drawn from the western region of the Kingdom to the Hejaz and served in a location filled with traditional Saudi heritage design and architecture. Be sure to try the Prawn Majbos, an aromatic rice special dish cooked with prawns and spices, and the Saayd Oah Yamal, a seafood dish with rice.
12. Somewhere, AlUla
This AlUla restaurant, which also has branches in Riyadh, fuses Arabian and Mediterranean flavours with incredible results. All within an alluring space replete with indoor and outdoor seating amid a lush verdant oasis in AlUla Old Town near the Al Jadidah Arts District. Popular plates include Palestinian musakhan, kale tabouli sala, and beetroot rice, among other delicacies. All ingredients are fresh, and like other AlUla restaurants, Somewhere champions the farm-to-table concept.
13. Table;To, Riyadh
Table;To is arguably one of Riyadh's most exciting and intriguing dining destinations. Located in the Al Takhassousi district, the newly opened restaurant leans into drama; moody lighting, deep green tables, and cheeky table captions set the tone for a playful yet elevated experience. The menu is a globe-trotting adventure: think wagyu beef shawarma tacos, crispy Hasawi rice, and 72-hour fermented sourdough flatbreads topped with mushroom-date or pesto-tomato “bread bombs”. Without a doubt, we believe Table;To will secure a Michelin star in the not-too-distant future – this is where local heritage meets global swagger.
